Sinner steadies Wimbledon defence with straight-sets win over Borges

Jannik Sinner defeated Nuno Borges 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 to continue his Wimbledon title defence. The world number one avoided another marathon after his five-set opening test against Miomir Kecmanovic.

Borges, ranked 48th, pushed Sinner hard across the first two sets and had chances to change the match’s direction. Sinner was not flawless, with 29 unforced errors, but he found stronger tennis at the key moments and finished the contest in two hours and 32 minutes.

The result gives Sinner a ninth consecutive win at the All England Club and a more stable platform after questions over his rhythm on grass. He had not played a grass-court warm-up event before Wimbledon, and his first-round performance had raised some concern about sharpness and physical condition.

Sinner’s own assessment was that he still needs rhythm, while BBC commentators John McEnroe and Pat Cash viewed the match as a useful step forward rather than a fully polished performance. His next opponent is American Jenson Brooksby, ranked 81st.