Stills From SW19: Buzz Around The Grounds

The fans flocked to the outside courts at the All-England Club on a packed day of play - at the same time, all eyes were on Centre Court as Britain's No.1 player was rising up against the elite.

Published June 26, 2013 12:00

The top half of the draw played their first round matches in a packed Tuesday schedule at SW19.

Carina Witthoeft, who came through qualifying, served against Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm.

At the end of the day it was Date-Krumm who served it up the best though, prevailing, 60 62.

Another early match saw Michaella Krajicek - a quarterfinalist here in 2007 - duke it out with Li Na.

There was buzz around the grounds as a slew of Top 10 stars played their opening matches...

Much attention was on Centre Court though, as Laura Robson was taking on some Top 10 opposition.

Robson was playing Maria Kirilenko, who was playing her very first Grand Slam as a Top 10 player.

It wasn't to be for Kirilenko though. The World No.10 struggled while Robson shone on home turf.

At the end of the day Robson was just too tough, defeating the No.10-seeded Russian in two, 63 64.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who also had a slew of Top 10 wins to her name, took on a Top 10 foe as well.

Mattek-Sands had prepared a special hairstyle just for this year's Championships...

But there would be no upset, as World No.7 Angelique Kerber beat the American in straight sets.

Japanese No.1 Ayumi Morita was edged by New Zealand's No.1 player, Marina Erakovic, 46 60 75.

And American rising star Mallory Burdette hydrated during a tight loss to Urszula Radwanska.

The tightest win of the day went to Mona Barthel, who saved three match points on Monica Niculescu.

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