Jannik Sinner began his Wimbledon 2026 title defense with a thrilling match against Miomir Kecmanovic. The world number 1 needed 5 sets to defeat his Serbian opponent with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2 and 6-3.
Sinner's start was disappointing. Despite being considered the favorite, the Italian player made many errors in the first set, while Kecmanovic played confidently. The Serbian representative took advantage of the opportunity to win 6-4, putting great pressure on the defending champion.
In the second set, Sinner managed to adjust his pace. Powerful serves and consistent baseline play helped him win 6-3. However, Kecmanovic continued to show his resilience in the third set, forcing his opponent into a tie-break which he won 8-6, taking a 2-1 lead.
Facing the risk of an early elimination, Sinner demonstrated the mettle of a world number one. He accelerated strongly in the fourth set, completely controlling the match and winning 6-2.
In the deciding set, Sinner continued to maintain his composure in crucial games. He broke Sinner's serve at the right moment, closing out the fifth set with a 6-3 victory.
The hard-fought victory propelled Sinner into the second round of Wimbledon 2026, where he will face Nuno Borges.