LONDON — Jannik Sinner survived a five-set Wimbledon scare on Monday, June 29, 2026, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-3 in the first round on Centre Court.

The defending champion twice recovered from a one-set deficit and overcame a fall during the 3-hour, 30-minute match. The victory sent the world No. 1 into the second round and kept his Wimbledon title defense alive.

How Jannik Sinner survived his Wimbledon opener

Kecmanovic, ranked No. 51, took the opening set. Sinner responded in the second, but the Serbian claimed a tense third-set tiebreak to move within one set of a major upset.

Sinner then raised his level, winning the fourth set 6-2 and closing out the deciding set 6-3. The match included another concern when Sinner fell and later had blood visible on his shoe. He said afterward that the foot problem involved a nail and was not serious.

Sinner avoids rare first-round exit

Wimbledon tradition gives the defending men’s champion the opening Centre Court match on Day 1. Sinner’s comeback prevented him from joining Lleyton Hewitt, who in 2003 became the first reigning Wimbledon men’s champion in the Open Era to lose in the first round.

The match was Sinner’s first competitive appearance on grass this season and his first official contest since the French Open. In Paris, he lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo after leading by two sets; in London, he reversed that pattern by winning the final two sets.

What comes next for Sinner

The victory was Sinner’s 94th Grand Slam match win, drawing him level with Nicola Pietrangeli for the most by an Italian. He will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the second round.

The demanding opener immediately tested Sinner’s fitness and composure. He remains in contention to defend his Wimbledon title, but the five-set struggle showed how little margin for error he may have as the tournament progresses.