At 2-1 up in the first set the youngest of the Radwanska sisters made her first break of the match. Another break at 4-1 ensured that the young Pole could serve out the set, which she did with few problems: 6-1.

The second set proved to be a much tougher challenge for Radwanska, as Zakopalova fought herself to 5 breakpoints in Radwanska’s first 2 servicegames. Radwanska saved all breakpoints and then went on to break herself: 3-2. Finally Zakopalova managed to break back to level the match at 3-3 and then hold to lead 4-3. At 4-4 another break followed for Radwanska, giving her the chance to win her first senior match at the Grand Slam level. Again Zakopalova got herself 2 breakpoints, but again Radwanska thwarted both and then serve out the match for a relatively easy 6-4 6-1 win. Radwanska will now be facing a real baptism of fire against one of the members of another high profile sister act, 6th seed Serena Williams.

Pavlyuchenkova found herself facing a very evenly matched opponent in 17th seed Alize Cornet. The first set, after swapping 2 breaks, had to be decided in a tie-break. In the tie-break  Pavlyuchenkova grabbed 2 early mini-breaks for a commanding 4-1 lead. Cornet clawed back both mini-breaks to level things back at 6-6, saving Pavlyuchenkova’s first set point. The second setpoint for Pavlyuchenkova was the clincher, as she won the tie-break 8-6.

In the second set all seemed to be lost for Cornet when Pavlyuchenkova took a commanding 5-2 lead. Only to see that lead evaporate with a loss of her servicegame and then missing a couple of matchpoints at 5-4 up. In the following servicegame it was even advantage to Cornet, as grabbed another break, converting 2 out of 2 chances, 3 out of 3 for the match. Looking at Pavlyuchenkova’s 2 converted breakpoints out of 10, showed why Cornet was still in the match. When the Russian needed it most, however, she came up with the required break to force a tie-break. In the tie-break Pavlyuchenkova again took a 4-1 lead, but refused to relinquish it this time, getting another 3 matchpoints at 6-3. Cornet saved one, after which Pavlyuchenkova converted the second one for a match-clinching 7-4 win in the tie-break. In the next round Pavlyuchenkova will be facing another tough opponent in former quarterfinalist Na Li of China.

First round ladies results Wimbledon:

Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 6-1 6-4
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Alize Cornet (FRA,17) 7-6(6) 7-6(4)