Jasmine Paolini recovered from a slow start to book her place in the Wimbledon second round, following an epic three-set victory over Robin Montgomery.

The 2024 finalist was on the wrong end of a bagel in the opening set, but bounced back to prevail 0-6 6-4 7-5 on Court 12.

Paolini was broken three times in the first set – including at the sixth attempt in a lengthy third game – as she slipped halfway towards a fourth first-round exit in six appearances at SW19.

After breaks were exchanged in the second set, the Italian saved two break points to hold in game seven – and another in her following service game – before breaking again to level the contest.

There was further drama in the decider, with Montgomery snatching the early advantage when she broke at the fourth attempt in game five.

Paolini responded in the eighth and rescued three break points in game nine for 5-4, before her opponent saved match point in the following game to level once more.

However, Libema Open champion Montgomery eventually succumbed in what was only her fifth match at a major, double-faulting twice to hand Paolini a love break that sealed the comeback victory.

Forza, @JasminePaolini#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/d1RRP5zESF

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2026

Keys comes from behind

Madison Keys also survived a scare, with the former Australian Open champion coming from behind to deny compatriot Kayla Day 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3.

Keys had never lost a first-round match in her 11 previous Wimbledon appearances, and was fresh from claiming her third title at Eastbourne last weekend.

However, the 26th seed saw an eighth-game break immediately cancelled out by Day, who then recovered from 5-4 down in the tie-break to draw first blood on her Wimbledon singles debut.

Keys responded in the second set when she broke her opponent in the sixth game, before a love hold saw her square the contest.

The 30-year-old's experience began to show against a player appearing in only her 11th match at a Grand Slam.

Keys claimed the crucial break at the second attempt in game five, before converting her second match point to set up a round-two clash with British hope Katie Swan.

Another home favourite fell by the wayside, though, with Katie Boulter beaten 6-4 6-2 by Italian teenager Tyra Caterina Grant, while 24th seed Clara Touson also lost in straight sets to former French Open semi-finalist Maria Sakkari.