cinch Champs 2022: Day Two
2010 Champion Sam Querrey faced No. 5 seed Diego Schwartzman for the first match on Centre Court on Day Two. Schwartzman was the favourite, reaching the QFs here in 2019 and holding a 3-2 head-to-head advantage on all hard courts going into this tie. That said, Querrey stole the first set, no problems, 6-1. Schwartzman fought back to give Querrey a real run for his money but the American held strong to win the second set 6-4.
Next up on Centre Court saw British wild card Ryan Peniston take on Casper Ruud. The 23-year-old Norwegian was firm favourite against Peniston who was playing in his first career ATP Tour main draw – a real achievement already. With some astonishing tennis on display, the first set was pushed to a nail-biting tie break, with Peniston coming out on top 7-6. The second set was just as close and into a tie break we went. With Ruud being the number 1 seed this year, expectations were high. Rightly so when you are in his sort of form. However, Peniston continued to ride the winning wave clinching the second set 7-6 again. What an achievement! We’ll certainly have our eye on him this week…
Third match on Centre Court sparked real attention in the build up – British star Dan Evans facing 2021 Champion Matteo Berrettini. This one was not to be missed! Both arrived on court ready and raring to go with Evans looking hungry. However, Berrettini had a title to defend and he wasn’t going to let that go easily. First set to the Italian, 6-3 but Evans still firmly in contention, with the crowd behind him. Both players exhibiting some fine grass court tennis and into the second set we went. Much like the first, both started well but it was Berrettini who marched ahead to win 6-3 again. Not to be for Dan Evans at Queen’s this year, but certainly on form this year on grass.
Last on Centre today saw a mammoth clash between Frances Tiafoe and Stan Wawrinka. With so many ATP titles and grand slams under his belt, Wawrinka was the crowd favourite but playing in his first grass court tournament since 2019, could he find form on Queen’s grass? With 13 years on Wawrinka and two Queen’s Club quarter finals under his belt, Frances Tiafoe was a worthy challenger indeed. Wawrinka took the lead with a 7-6 first set win after a tie break. Tiafoe brought his A-game levelling the score with a second set tie break. Final set, both players fought hard but Tiafoe was pipped at the post in yet another tie break. What a game to watch!
A real highlight of #cinchChampionships Day Two was seeing Paul Jubb step onto Court One, looking for his first career ATP Tour main draw win. His opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands. Both players came out hungry, and the first set went to tie break falling the Dutch star’s way. The second set however, was clinched comfortably by Jubb, 6-4. A real thrill to see a rising British star. The final set, however, van de Zandschulp stepped it up a gear and pushed on to win the final set 6-1. Congratulations to him, and Jubb who we hope to see at Queen’s far more in the future!