The Albany Gazette - Swiatek, Zverev hoping to lay down Wimbledon markers

Grigor Dimitrov faces a tough test against rising star Jakub Mensik as he looks to banish the memories of last year's heartbreaking exit due to injury.

AFP Sport takes a look at three matches to watch on the fourth day of the tournament (x denotes seeding):

Karolina Pliskova (CZE) v Iga Swiatek (POL x3)

Swiatek leads head-to-head 3-0

-- Reigning champion Swiatek struggled to hold back the tears after battling past Taylor Townsend in the first round on Centre Court after an alarming drop-off in her form during the second set.

The Pole, who has been inconsistent since winning her sixth Grand Slam title at the All England Club 12 months ago, did enough to get through but said the enormity of starting her title defence had affected her.

"I think the whole process of opening the court and playing as a defending champion is for sure really emotional," said Swiatek.

"Last year probably the most amazing thing in my tennis career happened here. So I felt it also today."

Swiatek will have to be sharper than she was against Townsend when she faces former world number one and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Pliskova.

The Czech returned to the court earlier this year having not played since the 2024 US Open due to a foot injury.

She has enjoyed some strong results this season, climbing from outside the top 1,000 in the rankings to 73rd.

Swiatek has won all their previous meetings, though, including a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing in the Italian Open final five years ago.

Valentin Royer (FRA) v Alexander Zverev (GER x2)

Zverev leads head-to-head 1-0

-- Zverev was pushed hard by Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx in his opening match but showed strong resolve to win in four sets.

The German ended his long wait for a maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open last month but has never performed well at Wimbledon.

He has a golden opportunity to at least reach the quarter-finals for the first time at the 10th time of asking, with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in the other half of the draw, and fourth seed Ben Shelton already out of the tournament.

"For me, the draw doesn't really matter, because I have played a top-10 opponent one time in my career here, which was Milos Raonic, in 2017," said Zverev.

"All the other years, I have lost to players outside of the top 10. So it's really about me."

The 29-year-old will be a heavy favourite against Royer, although he was dumped out by another unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the first round last year.

Jakub Mensik (CZE x15) v Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)

Mensik leads head-to-head 2-0

-- Dimitrov made a winning return to Wimbledon on Tuesday, after suffering a pectoral injury in the fourth round last year when he appeared poised for a shock victory over eventual champion Sinner.

The Bulgarian had led by two sets before suffering the injury while serving, eventually being forced to retire from the match.

He is back as a wildcard this year and hoping to boost his injury-affected ranking of 146th.

"I'm very grateful to Wimbledon for trusting me with a wildcard. That shows appreciation, and I felt a lot of love out there," Dimitrov told the BBC.

"At the same time, I don't want to let people down."

Dimitrov will be the underdog again, though, when he takes on Czech youngster Mensik.

The 20-year-old reached the French Open semi-finals in June before losing to Zverev.

Mensik is also one of only three men to beat Sinner this year.

(F.Jackson--TAG)