LONDON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Alexander Zverev overcame a stern challenge from Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx to reach the second round of Wimbledon on Tuesday, winning 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (0) in around three hours.
The German second seed extended his winning streak at Grand Slam events to eight matches and maintained his perfect 3-0 record against Blockx this season.
Fresh off his historic French Open triumph, where he became the first German man since Boris Becker in 1996 to win a major title, Zverev said the breakthrough has strengthened his belief on grass.
"Roland Garros in the back of your head really helps, but I do believe that I can play well on this surface," Zverev said. "I hope I will have the best result of my career."
Elsewhere, Finland's Otto Virtanen produced the biggest upset of the tournament so far, saving a match point to defeat fourth seed Ben Shelton 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (8), 6-2, 7-6 (9) in a four-hour, 21-minute thriller. The world No. 140 claimed the biggest win of his career.
"I don't know if I have a heart anymore," Virtanen joked. "But I'm here and played until the last point. It definitely means a lot to me, a big win on a big court in my favorite place."
Sixth seed Taylor Fritz began his campaign with a straight-set win, defeating Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Fritz had originally been scheduled to face Britain's Jack Draper before the latter withdrew due to injury.
Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka bid an emotional farewell to Wimbledon after a four-hour battle with Matteo Berrettini, falling 6-7 (7), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5). The Swiss veteran received a standing ovation in what is likely his final appearance at the All England Club.
In the women's draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek survived a major test, defeating Taylor Townsend 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, before breaking down emotionally on court.
"I'm not sure if I'm able to talk that much - it was a tough couple of weeks," Swiatek said. "I don't think I won any three-set matches this year, so I'm happy I could do it here."
Second seed Elena Rybakina also advanced after a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over Lois Boisson, marking her 300th WTA Tour victory.
"It was a really difficult match," Rybakina said. "I'm not coming from too many wins, so I really had to fight."
The day also saw 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams produce a dramatic return to Wimbledon singles, narrowly losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to Maya Joint after saving a match point in the second set.
"I didn't get much sleep last night, I was up until 2 a.m. just thinking about it," Joint said. "She has such an aura. She's such a legend."
"It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing," 44-year-old Williams said. ■
