Paris (AFP)

Novak Djokovic kicked off his London campaign on Monday at Wimbledon nearly a month after stopping at Roland Garros, unlike Naomi Osaka, the world No.2, knocked out.

- Djokovic leaves the front -

The Serb had not appeared on a court for more than three weeks and his semifinal lost in Paris against Dominic Thiem. A defeat that had deprived him of a crazy dream, that of a second + Nole slam +, with a fourth Grand Slam tournament in a row. And like Rafael Nadal, who will make his debut Tuesday on London turf, he had made the choice to play no tournament before Wimbledon. His reunion with the London turf, which marked the beginning of his reconquest of the world throne last year, was therefore expected.

For his first round, he had not inherited a draw so simple against Philipp Kohlschreiber (57th worldwide). The German is not a monster but he had already bothered the Serb in the past and even beat him in March at Indian Wells. Except that on Monday, he has never been in a position to repeat this feat: + Djoko + has returned to unplayable mode, as often in Grand Slam.

"Whenever I find the court, I think of past sensations," said the Serb. The delight of his victory last year certainly helped him. Perhaps also the presence of Goran Ivanisevic, come to give him a hand for the fortnight.

Alexander Zverev, 5th world, does not really have the same approach as the Serb in Grand Slam. After finally reaching the quarterfinals in Paris, his best result, he was trapped at the entrance by the 124th world, the Czech colossus Jiri Vesely 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. A new disappointment for the German.

- Anderson in rhythm -

Kevin Anderson, the outgoing runner-up, had not really given any indication of his level of play after a three-month break because of an elbow injury. He had walked the Queen's lawn about ten days ago and lost in the second round. Faced with Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who was able to measure all the enthusiasm that his association in doubles with Andy Murray provokes the UK because of a simple strap on his thigh, did not do the weight against the South African 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

"I was hoping he had a little trouble, but then we know that if he gets back on the pitch, he can play that way," said the French, while reassuring the British media on his strap: a pain during training Sunday but, ultimately, nothing serious.

- First for Auger-Aliassime -

Incongruity is no more. The young Canadian talent, who literally exploded this year from 106th place in January to the doors of the top 20 before the London fortnight (21st) put an end to this quirk: he had never won a Grand Slam match . He had failed a first time at the US Open in 2018, beaten by his compatriot Denis Shapovalov. He managed it this time against another compatriot, Vasek Pospisil, who found him, the grounds after more than six months of absence and a back operation 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6- 3.

On the other side of the generational spectrum, the victory also smiled on Ivo Karlovic against Italian Andrea Arnaboldi 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). The Croatian, aged 40 and 136, is the oldest player in history to play Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall in 1975.

- Osaka upside down -

The Japanese thought that the loss of her first place in the world after her defeat in the third round of Roland-Garros had freed her from a weight. But nothing is less certain. Faced with the Kazakh Yulia Putintseva (39th), a player who poses a real concern because she still has not beaten in three confrontations, she held a set before collapsing 7-6 (7/4), 6 -2. "The key for me is to have fun, I hope to find a way to do it," she said, before asking to leave the press room because "I think I'm going cry".

They are now only four to be able to dethrone the Australian Ashleigh Barty at the end of the London fortnight (Bertens, Pliskova, Kvitova).

? 2019 AFP