Kerber, Jabeur Advanced At Wimbledon While Raducanu, Kontaveit Out; Swiatek, Gauff Thurs.

Former champion Angelique Kerber kept rolling at Wimbledon winning for the 7th time in her last 8 matches with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Magda Linette.

“Magda is a tough opponent, we played a few weeks ago so I knew what to expect. I think it was really important to stay in the moment, playing my game, enjoying my tennis and enjoying the energy on court. It’s really special to be here again,” Kerber said to the crowd.

Kerber wasn’t the only German pulling good wins on the day.

Jule Niemeier pulled the upset of the women’s tournament stunning No. 2 seed Anett Konta in routine fashion 6-4, 6-0. Kontaveit has been dealing with the lingering effects of COVID for many months, and today managed just 10 points in the second set against the 22-year-old who is making her Wimbledon debut.

“I played two former Top 10 players before, and I knew that I had the level. It was pretty close. I lost twice in three sets. I knew I had the level to beat those players, and I’m really happy I could do it today,” said Niemeier.

Ons Jabeur is playing good tennis. The Tunisian now ranked No. 2 in the world blasted past qualifier Katerzyna Kawa 6-4, 6-0.

“I love grass and playing here,” Jabeur said. “I don’t look at the draw much although I know who’s on my side, obviously. I‘ll just keep focusing on myself. I’m loving playing here and I’m hoping my game will keep improving over the next matches.”

British hope Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon ended early at the hand of Caroline Garcia who eased past the 19-year-old in convincing fashion 6-3, 6-3.

“Obviously it’s tough to lose any match,” Raducanu said, “but it’s OK because, coming into this, I didn’t really have many expectations of myself.”

Garcia, who just won Bad Homburg over the weekend, took the kid to school, playing near-flawless tennis to earn revenge on Raducanu who beat her at Indian Wells.

“I’m definitely very happy with my performance today,” Garcia said. “I knew it was going to be a tough match, and to play on Centre Court is never easy for the first time. I’m really pleased with the way I played my match and I went for it.

“Of course when you play someone who played very well in the past in this tournament, and she’s obviously very successful in big events, I know she was going to play her best today. She was on Centre Court, it’s my first time, so I was just really trying to be focused on myself, how I could prepare, and wait for the best from her and just be prepared of my game what I wanted to do, be aggressive and just try one point at a time.”

Maria Sakkari and Shuai Zhang were also winners. Karolina Pliskova, Jessica Pegula and Harriet Dart were also winners.

Former champion Garbine Muguruza continued her slump going down to Greet Minnen in straight sets.

On a busy Thursday, Iga Swiatek returns plus Coco Gauff and former champions Petra Kvitova and Simona Halep.

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