Coco Gauff and Venus Williams Crash Out of 2023 Wimbledon in First Round

• Venus Williams and Coco Gauff failed to advance to the second round of 2023 Wimbledon
• Williams lost to Elina Svitolina in straight sets after suffering a scary fall in the first round
• Gauff lost to Sofia Kenin in three sets in a stunning upset in the opening round in England

Venus Williams and Coco Gauff’s dreams of making deep runs in this year’s Wimbledon Championships ended in disappointment on Monday after they both suffered painful losses in the first round.

Williams suffered a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Elina Svitolina on Centre Court.

Gauff also was knocked out in the opening round, losing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to Sofia Kenin.

Injured Venus bows out

Williams struggled after suffering a nasty injury in the third game of the opening set.

Down break point, the five-time Wimbledon champion approached the net but had a hard fall after trying to block a backhand volley, per Tennis.com.

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The 43-year-old screamed in agony as she initially grabbed her heavily-strapped right knee. Williams showed she is a warrior, though, battling on despite the injury.

She had two break-point opportunities in the 10th game of the first set for 5-5. Williams failed to convert both of those chances, though, as Svitolina wrapped up the first set.

It was smooth sailing for the Ukrainian after that, dropping just three games in the second set to close out the victory.

Gauff crashes out in upset

Gauff suffered the same fate as Williams, becoming the highest-profile casualty on the opening day of the tournament.

The No. 7 seed, who was tipped by many to go on a deep run at Wimbledon this year, suffered a shock first-round exit after losing in three sets to compatriot Sofia Kenin.

Gauff, who reached the fourth round of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships as a 15-year-old, committed 33 unforced errors in the loss to Kenin.

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The former Australian Open champion needed two hours and three minutes to produce the upset win.

Djokovic, Swiatek reach second round

Sports Brief also reported on Novak Djokovic securing a spot in the second round of Wimbledon 2023.

The Serbian ace defeated Pedro Cachin in straight sets to book a showdown with Jordan Thompson.

Tournament top seed, Iga Swiatek, also advanced to the second round after a 6-1, 6-3 win over Lin Zhu.