Novak Djokovic cruises in Wimbledon opener

Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round at Wimbledon, downing qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets on Tuesday.

Nearly one month removed from knee surgery, Djokovic entered the opening-round tennis match with questions about his health but dominated on Centre Court 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

The 37-year-old Serb had 10 aces and scored points on 90 percent of his first serves.

“I try to really focus on the game and not really think too much about the knee. Everything I could possibly do I’ve done along with my team in the last three-and-a-half weeks to give myself a chance to play in front of you today,” Djokovic said. “I think if it was any other tournament I wouldn’t risk it as much. I just love Wimbledon. I love coming back here.”

The seven-time Wimbledon champion improved to 19-0 in the first round at Wimbledon.

His second-round opponent is Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, a 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (12) winner against Spain’s Alejandro Moro Canas.

Kopriva (Czech Republic), 27, made his Grand Slam debut earlier this year with an opening-round loss at the Australian Open.

Swiatek downs Kenin in battle of Grand Slam champions

LONDON – Iga Swiatek safely negotiated past a potential first-round banana skin by beating fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-4 at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

The Polish top seed has yet to find her comfort zone on grass, having never reached a final on the sport’s slickest surface, but any hopes of slowly finding her feet were dashed after the draw pitted her against the player who toppled Coco Gauff in the 2023 opening round.

Both players struggled with their serves during the early exchanges, with the first four games featuring nine break points and with both dropping serve.

Swiatek did not let that wobble stop her from taking a 3-1 lead and after a forehand cross-court winner bagged her the first set, the four-time French Open champion sealed her 20th consecutive win on her first match point.