Defending champion Sinner overcomes slow start to reach third round

The very best of Jannik Sinner is yet to be glimpsed at Wimbledon 2026. But, even if the version seen so far on Centre Court has not quite matched the sheer relentlessness that characterises Sinner at his best, the world No 1 still sealed a straight-sets victory to advance to the third round. For the bulk of the first two sets, Nuno Borges played terrific tennis, with his aggressive groundstrokes underpinned by powerful serving. Borges held his first ten service games; after losing the first set in a tie-break, he had an opportunity to serve out the second set. At 5-4 and 40-30 up, Borges was a point away from levelling the match. Instead, he slammed his backhand down the line into the top of the net. Sinner then benefited from a fortuitous net cord, tilting the point in his favour before lobbing Borges. With a forehand into the net, Borges lost the break point, then looked to the sky in despair. Such is the brutality of playing Sinner.