Djokovic to face Cachin in Wimbledon opener, Rybakina up against Rogers | Tennis News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Defending women’s champion Elena Rybakina is scheduled to face American Shelby Rogers in the opening round at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the men’s second seed, Novak Djokovic, will kick off his title defence against Argentina’s Pedro Cachin, ranked 67th in the world.
For the women’s top seed, Iga Swiatek, a challenging first hurdle awaits as she is paired against China’s Zhu Lin, ranked 33rd, which could make for a compelling matchup.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who was unable to compete last year due to Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will commence her campaign against Hungary’s Panna Udvardy.
American veteran Venus Williams against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in one of the standout matches of the opening round while home favourite Andy Murray, bidding for an unlikely third title at the age of 36, plays British wildcard Ryan Peniston.

Murray could face fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in round two although first Tsitsipas must get passed former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem who has tumbled down the rankings.
American teenager Coco Gauff, who many are tipping for a long run, has a tough opener against fellow former French Open runner-up and compatriot Sofia Kenin.
Djokovic, who has won the last four men’s titles at Wimbledon and is bidding to match Roger Federer’s eight, is not seeded one this year having been replaced at the top of the rankings by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, who warmed up by winning the title at Queen’s Club last week, faces a tricky opener against experienced Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Last year’s runner-up Nick Kyrgios, who has hardly played this year and whose participation is in doubt because of injury, plays dangerous Belgian wildcard David Goffin in a standout first round clash.
Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev, a potential semi-final opponent for Alcaraz, returns to Wimbledon with a first round against British wildcard Arthur Fery.
The projected women’s quarter-finals based on seedings would see Swiatek meet seventh seed Coco Gauff while third seed Rybakina could face Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur.
Swiatek is positioned to face American fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals.
The men’s quarter-finals, if the seeds progress, would see Alcaraz up against Denmark’s sixth seed Holger Rune with Medvedev up against Tsitsipas while in the bottom half Djokovic could face seventh-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev with fourth seed Casper Ruud potentially facing Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, bidding for a record-extending 24th Grand Slam title, will face Cachin on Monday while Rybakina plays the traditional Tuesday Centre Court opener for women’s defending champions.
(With Reuters Inputs)