Wimbledon WTA Day Two Round-Up | Fairytale return for Serena Williams thwarted by Maya Joint as Anisimova, Swiatek and Rybakina move through
WTATuesday, 30 June 2026 at 22:57
The grand return of Serena Williams didn't go to plan for those dreaming of a fairytale as she was defeated in three sets at Wimbledon by the 20-year-old Aussie Maya Joint on a day that also saw wins for Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina among others in varying degrees of ease.
The pomp and circumstance of a Serena Williams on court display was there for all to see as Maya Joint who has quite a calm and introverted demeanor anyway as a player walked on looking like a rabbit in the headlights.
But she quickly absorbed what Serena Williams had who was heavily lauded by the broadcasters and the record recently of Maya Joint was pointed out by the BBC on air. But Serena's last effort was a defeat to Harmony Tan in her last year who was a qualifier.
So Joint as a player very much is a higher calibre star given she has won titles and was ranked towards the top 20 last year. Serena Williams issue throughout was that she wasn't playing enough to the forehand of Joint and instead her backhand which in reality is her biggest weapon.
This saw Joint tee off and when she managed to break, the floodgates opened as she tended to look towards the serve of Serena with great muster. She took the set 6-3 and was playing the bigger points better and serving well.
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Even in the second when it looked likely that Serena would get a foothold, Joint swatted that away after initially being 40-0 down. Albeit at 3-2, she was broken only for Joint to then hit straight back breaking for 4-3. Joint broke again but Serena said I'm not done and made it 4-4.
Serena went 5-4 up and then it went to a tie-break as Joint had four break points but did not take any of them as she spurned a golden chance to go one away. She then missed match points in a tie-breka and started to fade.
But Joint got some luck on her side, Serena started to fade quickly and Joint closed in. Double faults crept in and rust and Joint was dialled in during the decider after being broken for 2-1 to start it.
She went 3-2 ahead and poor serving saw Serena Williams double fault and hand it to Joint who went 5-2 up and was one away again suddenly.
Joint finally had another match point but she double faulted as Serena was limping a bit. Joint hit an unreturnable serve and took it to advantage, She finally sealed it from there. Alex Eala is next for Maya Joint in a big clash and it could be Swiatek for the winner.
Eala won earlier today to become the first Filipino winner at Wimbledon ever in another record book moment for her and her legion of fans.
Anisimova, Swiatek and Rybakina among big winners
Starting from the top today at SW19, Katie Swan was one of the only British success stories as she downed Irina-Camelia Begu. Often a player who has been given wildcards but not won, she did what others didn't and sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win.
Amanda Anisimova though was the big winner early in the day as she beat North Macedonian Gjorcheska 6-3, 6-2 in her first game since her 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek 12 months ago. The American did press afterwards with various outlets wearing a backward baseball cap oozing cool and looking happy.
She has been injured for a lot of the recent past and even went home after Queen's in a worrying sign as she pulled out of further events. But she is up and running.
Anisimova back after Queen's struggles.
American-wise, the same can be said for Sofia Kenin who saw off Petra Marcinko 7-6, 6-4. Madison Keys continued her winning form, taking down Kayla Day 7-6, 6-4, 6-3. Emma Navarro, too, came from 5-3 down to beat Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 to continue her return to form as well, while Caty McNally downed Elena-Gabriela Ruse 7-5, 6-3.
American as such but Italian by nationality, Tyra Caterina Grant also saw off Katie Boulter who cried in her press conference as the next main Brit hope gone. She lost 6-4, 6-2 as the Italian moved through on her main draw debut.
Iga Swiatek also cried as she beat Taylor Townsend. It was a 6-1, 2 2-6, 6-3 win for the defending champion who struggled at times on her return to SW19, and albeit she has plans to steal towels, Townsend stole a set off her and was the first to do so in an opening round over Swiatek ever.
Elena Rybakina was also down against Lois Boisson but was somewhat saved by the Frenchwoman having injury issues again and Rybakina stole a march and won the decider 6-3 to avert her blushes.
One not averted by Elina Svitolina, who many expected to do superbly this fortnight, but she was skittled out by Daria Snigur 7-5, 6-2. Albeit there were further wins for Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 7-6 over Sara Bejlek, Donna Vekic won Queen's and lost to Ashlyn Krueger 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Diana Shnaider also swatted aside Eva Lys who led in the first set but lost 7-5, 6-1. While Camila Osorio also brushed aside Simona Waltert 6-2, 6-1.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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