Postpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
*Williams 0-0 Svitolina
Here we go. Venus Williams serves first but starts with a double fault!
Does she still have some nerves after five singles titles and six doubles titles on this court?
Summary
Sofia Kenin beats women's seventh seed Coco Gauff 6-4 4-6 6-2
Venus Williams loses to Elina Svitolina after nasty slip on Centre Court
GB's Liam Broady, Jan Choinski and Jodie Burrage through, but Harriet Dart and Katie Swan go out
GB's Dan Evans loses first two sets to Quentin Halys on Court Two before bad light ends play
Men's champion Novak Djokovic defeats Pedro Cachin in straight sets to reach second round
Women's world number one Iga Swiatek beats Zhu Lin 6-1 6-3
Postpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Facing Williams 'extremely special'published at 17:45 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
Image source, ReutersUkraine’s Elina Svitolina said she was in awe of 43-year-old opponent Venus Williams’ longevity before their Centre Court meeting in one of the marquee matches of the Wimbledon first round.
Former world number three Svitolina is back on tour after giving birth to her first child late last year and she reached the quarter-finals at the French Open in her first Grand Slam on her return.
"I couldn’t be more excited, I've got this amazing opportunity to play on Centre Court, so it’s an extremely special moment for me, to be able to play such a great champion, it couldn’t be better," said Svitolina, 28.
"Of course, it’s a tough one because Venus loves to play here, she won here five times. I don’t know if I will be playing at this age (43), and in this great shape playing with such a passion. Lots of respect to her."
Svitolina thanks 'unbelievable' UK supportpublished at 17:44 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at WimbledonThe last time Ukraine's Elina Svitolina was on a Grand Slam court, she was booed off after refusing to shake hands with Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka.
There seems little prospect of the British crowd reacting in such a manner if she plays against a Russian or Belarusian opponent over the next fortnight.
One would imagine Svitolina, given a wildcard by the All England club, will get a rousing reception today.
Svitolina described the support given to Ukraine by the UK as "unbelievable".
"Many of my friends and people I know moved to the UK and got great support, and I'm really thankful to all English people who really took care of Ukrainians and did so much for our people," Svitolina, who used to live in London.
'Well worthy of a Centre Court match'published at 17:43 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
Tracy Austin
Two-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TVVenus changed the force of the game. She was the first to hit offensively from a defensive position.
Once Venus gets on grass, this is her best major by far.
Two incredible back stories with Svitolina coming back from maternity leave. This is well worthy of a Centre Court match.
Postpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
Venus Williams has some heavy strapping on her right knee. Something to watch out for.
How long will Venus go on for?published at 17:42 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's the big question that has been on everyone's lips for a good few years.
And it's an answer which Venus Williams won't reveal.
The American great, holder of five Wimbledon titles, turned 43 last month and was asked on Saturday if she had a retirement plan in mind.
"If I did, I wouldn't tell you," she smiled.
Williams saw her little sister Serena retire aged 41 last year, but says she is still enjoying being on tour - quipping that the "great insurance benefits on tour" keep her going.
Could she still be playing aged 50?
"It's never been done before so, if there was one to try it, it would definitely be me."
Game, set and match - Broadypublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Broady 6-1 6-3 7-5 Lestienne
Make that two British victories in quick succession!
Liam Broady breaks Constant Lestienne to clinch a straight-set victory of his own, winning 6-1 6-3 7-5 in two hours.
That third set proved much trickier than the two before it, but that is a fully deserved victory for the British number five.
Williams and Svitolina set for Centre Court showdownpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Williams v Svitolina
What a match we've got coming up on Centre Court between two wildcards - French Open quarter-finalist Elina Svitolina and five-time singles champions Venus Williams.
Williams is making her first Grand Slam appearance of the year, in fact this is just her second appearance at a major across the last eight tournaments combines.
Ukrainian Svitolina reached the semi-finals at SW19 in 2019 and was once ranked as high as third in the world.
The 28-year-old, has beaten 43-year-old Williams in each of their last three meetings.
Both players walk out to a warm reception.
Game, set and match - Burragepublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Burrage 6-1 6-3 McNally
What a performance by Jodie Burrage!
The British wildcard, ranked 108 in the world, is through to the second round at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
The 24-year-old wraps up victory over Caty McNally in just 64 minutes.
Huge win!
Watch: The best moments so far on day onepublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Great shots, exciting rallies, some rain and a bit of comedy - welcome to Wimbledon 2023...
Media caption, Wimbledon 2023: GB's Harriet Dart win 24-shot rally v Diane Parry
Media caption, Wimbledon 2023: Watch an exciting rally between Liam Broady and Constant Lestienne
Media caption, Wimbledon 2023: Max Purcell uses his hand to hit the ball in rally against Andrey Rublev
Media caption, Wimbledon 2023: Watch as men's defending champion Novak Djokovic helps dry centre court
'Djokovic so comfortable on grass'published at 17:35 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Cachin 3-6 3-6 6-7 (4-7) Djokovic
Tracy Austin
Two-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TVNovak Djokovic feels so comfortable on this surface when so many players feel so foreign out here.
Choinski on serve in first setpublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Choinski 4-3 Lajovic*
Another Briton currently in action is Jan Choinski, up against Dusan Lajovic.
After two breaks of serve apiece inside the first six games, Choinski holds serve for a 4-3 lead over the Serb on court 17.
Which way will this one swing next, I wonder...
Broady breaks back again in third setpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
*Broady 6-1 6-3 5-5 Lestienne
Frustration swiftly turns to celebration for Liam Broady.
Constant Lestienne has bordered on looking disinterested at times but continues to come up with moments of quality.
The Frenchman gets his second break of set three to take a 5-4 lead but, serving for the set, he then gets broken to love.
Broady's hopes of wrapping up a straight-set win remain alive and well.
'Weird match - but in a good way'published at 17:30 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Cachin 3-6 3-6 6-7 (4-7) Djokovic
More from Novak Djokovic to BBC One:
On the long rain delay: "Probably [the weirdest match I've had], but in a good way. I think it was definitely frustrating for the crowd waiting for us to come out on court. The conditions were not great under the roof, it was still slippery. This is the holy grail. The temple of tennis. This court really is something special. When I come out, I usually come out with rackets, not towels.
"What a second home to have. It doesn't get much better than Wimbledon in terms of history and tradition. It was always the dream to win it and a childhood dream came true in 2011. I connected with that young boy growing up in Serbia to come here and win it. It is a wonderful feeling to be here."
'It doesn't get much better than Wimbledon'published at 17:29 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Cachin 3-6 3-6 6-7 (4-7) Djokovic
Image source, Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic told BBC One after his win:
"I think Pedro deserves a round of applause for his performance today. Especially in the third set he was serving very well. It was not easy to break his serve. We went toe-to-toe. It was not easy to win the tie break. He is an up and coming player.
"For me, the opening match is a little bit tricky, I've not played any warm-up match and grass is a little different to clay. I've managed to adapt pretty well over the years and hopefully I manage to do it again."
Postpublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Cachin 3-6 3-6 6-7 (4-7) Djokovic
Let's get some reaction from seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic to the straight-set win he completed over Pedro Cachin a few minutes ago...
Burrage breaks back in second setpublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
*Burrage 6-1 3-3 McNally
Image source, PA MediaJodie Burrage had it all her own way in the first set, but the second is proving much more of a challenge for the Briton.
American Caty McNally broke for the first time for a 3-2 lead in the second set, eventually taking her third break point in that game.
However, Burrage has responded immediately to level at 3-3 and prevent her opponent from building any momentum.
Game and second set Ruudpublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
*Lokoli 1-6 7-5 4-6 0-0 Ruud
Image source, Getty ImagesFourth seed Casper Ruud gets over the line in the third set, sealing things with an ace.
The Norwegian is now just a set away from a spot in the second round.
Game, set and match - Goffinpublished at 17:21 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
Goffin 6-2 5-7 6-2 6-0 Marozsan
David Goffin spent the weekend thinking he'd be facing Nick Kyrgios on Court One today, but the Australian's withdrawal meant a change of a first-round opponent for the Belgian
Kyrgios' replacement in the main draw, Fabian Marozsan of Hungary, has been seen off in four sets on Court Two - securing a spot in the second round for the 32-year-old, who was a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon in 2022.
It also means there will be another British player on the court soon - Katie Swan takes on Belinda Bencic, the women's 14th seed, next.
'Djokovic will get better and better'published at 17:21 British Summer Time 3 July 2023
*Cachin 3-6 3-6 6-6 (3-6) Djokovic
Feliciano Lopez
Former Wimbledon and US Open quarter-finalist on BBC TVWe haven’t seen the best Novak Djokovic today but he was able to get a straight-set win.
His level is going to get better and better during the week.