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15:30. Unfortunately, that's all we have time for today. I hope you enjoyed following my live commentary as much I enjoyed writing it. I've been Cian Woulfe and today, the pleasure's been all mine. Until next time on VAVEL UK, thank you and good night.

15:25. In other results today, young Brit Liam Broady did fantastically well to beat Marinko Matisevic in five sets, while in the ladies' game, the first major shock of the tournament took place, as 18-year-old Latvian Jelena Ostapenko defeated ninth seed, Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-2, 6-0. A wonderful result for the youngster.

15:20. In his interview after the match, Djokovic mentioned, "It doesn't get better than Wimbledon, so it's a priviledge to open the campaign on Centre Court." Before adding, "Kohlschreiber is a very good player, tough to play on all surfaces. He had nothing to lose, but I managed to stop him."

15:16. It certainly wasn't the dominant, merciless performance that we're so used to from the two-time Wimbledon champion, but at this stage of the competition, it really doesn't matter. All that counts it that he is in the draw for the next round, where he will face either Jarkko Nieminen and Lleyton Hewitt, who are playing now.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE MATCH

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Kohlschreiber*

Kohlschreiber senses real danger and looks to make Djokovic wait a litte longer, taking the game to deuce. After hitting his forehand into the net though, he puts Novak on the brink, before the Serb wins it on a return of serve. 

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 5-4 Kohlschreiber

Novak responds in scintillating fashion, smashing his way through the ninth game of the set and coming within one game of winning this first round match, without conceding a point in this game. If the champion does win this in straight sets though, he knows it hasn't at all been easy and should take his hat off to Kohlschreiber. But niceties aside, the German is now serving to stay in match.

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 4-4 Kohlschreiber*

Kohlschreiber wins the challenge in this match, calling his shot in and makes it 15-15. He then fights off a break point to take it to deuce, before taking the advantage in that and eventually forcing Djokovic to hit his return into the net and top off a superb mini-comeback.

15:00. Another Wimbledon favourite is through, as Serena Williams fights off an initial scare to beat Margarita Gasparyan, as reported here by Jack Haugh.

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 4-3 Kohlschreiber

After a lost challenge from Kohschreiber, he loses concentration too and throws away two points, making it 40-15. He recovers to bring it back to 40-30, but after a long rally, he can't beat the net with a single-handed backhand and it's 4-3.

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 3-3 Kohlschreiber*

A stunning Novak backhand puts an end to a superb rally and you can't help but feel that he's really getting beginning to get his rhythm back. Kohlschreiber senses this however and turns up the pressure, blasting his way to an equalising game, holding serve and recovering from two down to make it 3-3.

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 3-2 Kohlschreiber

Djokovic gets the game underway by spurning a take drop shot into the net, before falling two break points down. He pulls one back and after playing some explosive points, looks destined to save the other, but hits a forehand into the net and just as he looked like he was gaining a bit of momentum, it's gone and we are back on serve.

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 3-1 Kohlschreiber*

Kohlschreiber hits a fantastic double-handed backhand to put himself in the driving seat for this game, before lobbing for Djokovic to try and make it 40-30, but it bounces millimetres the wrong side of the line. Djokovic then tries the same and suffers the same fate to bring it to deuce. The champion tries an outside of the tramline-bound drop shot, but it clips the net and cruelly bounces just in front of his opponent and Novak sportingly raises his hand in apologetic fashion. He then correctly challenges the umpire's call for a Kohlschreiber shot that was in and as a result, breaks and takes the fourth game.

14:45. World number nine Marin Cilic made it through to round two earlier, with a straight set victory over Hiroki Moriya on Court Three. Read Amee Ruszkai's report here.

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-1 Kohlschreiber

The highlight of this game is where Djokovic takes the crowd's breath away, wrong-footing his opponent with a crashing backhand, as he edges closer and closer to winning this first-round match.

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 1-1 Kohlschreiber*

Just as in the first set, the German holds his serve and sends out a strong message to the Serb - he's not going down without a fight and rightly so.

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 1-0 Kohlschreiber

A convincing win at the start of the third set shows just how determined the champion is to see this game out now. Whether he does or not is all down to the mentality of Philipp Kohlschreiber and how he reacts to going two sets down.

14:35. That just shows that when push comes to shove, even though there hadn't been a break in the set yet, Djokovic knows when to turn up the heat and that really is the stuff of champions. Ruthless efficiency at its very finest and that's usually the adjective we associate with the Germans! 

Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 Kohlschreiber* DJOKOVIC WINS SECOND SET

The German starts positively, with a thumping backhand winner down the line, but he's undone a minute later, as Djokovic plays a beautiful lob which his opponent can only slice back into the net on the spin. A backhand down the line again, this time from the Serb and it's 15-30, though he loses the next two points, despite really throwing his body around. After a Kohlschreiber backhand hits the net, it's deuce. Eventually, Novak lets rip with an explosive forehand, winning the second set and he unleashes a massive roar, as the crowd rises to their feet.

*Djokovic 6-4, 5-4 Kohlschreiber

This game has lasted just over half an hour, with another game to love from the champion and just as in the first set, Kohlschreiber serving to stay in the second set.

Djokovic 6-4, 4-4 Kohlschreiber*

Plunging a forehand into the net from a commanding position, Djokovic fails to take control of this game at 30-30 and it goes against him, with Kohlschreiber regains his composure to take the eighth game of the get. 

*Djokovic 6-4, 4-3 Kohlschreiber

Kohlschreiber responds well to Djokovic's forehand that clipped the top of the net, by playing an exquisite drop shot that cannot be returned, much to the awe and delight of the Centre Court crowd. Djokovic wins the game eventually though. You just can't see either player getting broken at the moment, both are looking so formidable during their service games. My money's on a second set tie-break.

Djokovic 6-4, 3-3 Kohlschreiber*

A big Kohlschreiber serve forces his opponent to slice the return wide, before he nets for 30-30. It's looking like the closest game so far in this second set, as the big man takes the reigns for a game point, but Djokovic soon forces an error, taking it to deuce. A vitally important forehand winner eventually gives the 31-year-old his third game though.

*Djokovic 6-4, 3-2 Kohlschreiber

Oh my, these games are flying by, as yet another win to love goes Djokovic's way, ending it with a powerful ace. One of these two need to figure out how to break each other, because they are both dominating their service games with consummate ease.

Djokovic 6-4, 2-2 Kohlschreiber*

A beautiful single-handed backhand from Kohlschreiber evades Djokovic and the former continues to blow his opposite away with explosive baseline play. Nothing to separate these two so far in this second set.

*Djokovic 6-4, 2-1 Kohlschreiber

But anything Kohlschreiber can do, Novak can do better, repeating the exact feat that his opponent just achieved, winning the game without conceding a single point.

Djokovic 6-4, 1-1 Kohlschreiber*

It doesn't last long though and Kohlschreiber hits four stunning serves, including an ace, to win the game to love.

*Djokovic 6-4, 1-0 Kohlschreiber

Much, much better from Djokovic, putting on a brilliant show to continue the second set as he finished the first - efficiently.

Djokovic 6-4 Kohlschreiber*: DJOKOVIC WINS FIRST SET

The pressure certainly seemed to get to the German there, as he hits an agonising double-fault at 15-30, before a forehand winner from Djokovic wins him the first set. Not a trademark performance so far from the champion, but remember he hasn't played a match since the French Open heartbreak, almost a month ago. Getting the job done here though, that's what champions are made of.

*Djokovic 5-4 Kohlschreiber

A touch of cockiness from Djokovic, as Kohlschreiber goes to lob him and at 40-15, the Serb leaves it, expecting it to bounce just out and give him his fifth game, but it just brushes the line, drawing a line of 'ooooh's from the captivated crowd. He makes up for it though, eventually shutting out his opponent and now Kohlschreiber is serving to stay in the first set.

Djokovic 4-4 Kohlschreiber*

Kohlschreiber hits a superb 124mph serve at 15-15 to help on his way to a comfortable hold of serve. The ball is, literally, back in Djokovic's court.

13:43. Over on the show courts, Victoria Azarenka has advanced to the second round, comfortably dispatching wildcard, Anett Kontaveit. Read the report here, courtesy of the brilliant Jack Haugh.

*Djokovic 4-3 Kohlschreiber

The Serb is definitely looking nervous, as he severely overhits a forehand at 15-15, before his attempted drop shot hits the top of the net to give his Bavarian opponent two break points. Kohlschreiber's forehand down the left goes narrowly out, confirmed by his challenge and an unforced error gives Djokovic some respite. Novak hits one just out at deuce, but redeems himself at break point. Eventually, an overhit Kohlschreiber return allows Novak to crucially hold serve. Big, big game won there.

Djokovic 3-3 Kohlschreiber*

The German is trying to launch his attacks from the back, with both players seeming rather tentative going forward thus far. Some big baseline shots coming from both sides though. Kohlschreiber does get forward at 30-40 though, using power to move Djokovic around the court, before smashing a volley into the corner to send the game into deuce. He then hits a sliced backhand which Djokovic challenges to be out and it is; albeit by the skin of his teeth. Kohlschreiber reacts well though and wins the next two points to hold serve.

*Djokovic 3-2 Kohlschreiber

Novak is definitely settling back into it again, showing glimpses in that last game of his trademark dominant style. Wins the game to 15.

Djokovic 2-2 Kohlschreiber*

Philipp Kohlschreiber's serve is getting better with every one that he hits. The 31-year-old hits four fantastic serves to blow Djokovic away, taking the game and bringing himself level at two games-all.

*Djokovic 2-1 Kohlschreiber

Dreadful start to the game for the champion, losing his first challenge, before going down 0-30 and later 15-40, but the world number one brings it back to deuce. Kohlschreiber takes the advantage, before hitting a powerful serve to his opponent's forehand, which cannot be returned. The German is very much back in this game and it's a break-all.

Djokovic 2-0 Kohlschreiber*

Excellent stuff from Novak. Despite losing two game points at 40-15, the Serb stays strong at deuce and Kohlschreiber's stray forehand gives Djokovic an early break. 

*Djokovic 1-0 Kohlschreiber

The main spectacle of this first game was a tiny bird, that chose to sit himself on the court, just as Djokovic was looking to serve at 30-30. It took the young ballboy's pursuing footsteps to disrupt the bird's daydream and scare him off. Meanwhile, less importantly, Djokovic easily wins his first game of the tournament.

13:08. Philipp Kohlschreiber won the toss and chose to receive first. We are underway.

13:05. The two players are warming up a few of their own serves and it now looks as if they will get things underway at 13:10.

12:58. The serious, focused demeanour that Djokovic possesses going into this match, for a second, vanishes, as he smiles appreciatively at this warm reception. 

12:57. The start of the match will be delayed somewhat, as the defending champion has only just made his way onto court, to a fully-deserved standing ovation.

12:50. A huge round of applause from the expectant crowd as the ballboys and girls make their way onto the court for the first time. That's the beauty of Wimbledon, everybody is appreciated.

12:42. Just 15 minutes to go until Centre Court see its first action of the year and a friendy atmosphere is certainly beginning to build now. This is what the summer is all about.

12:37. As for the ladies', I've gone for Serena Williams and I'm not the only one.

With the women, it's a little harder to tell. I mean, you've got Serena and Maria Sharapova obviously, when are they not right up there? But the All-England has a very funny way of defying the odds. Because it's not like any other tournament in the world, is it? There is always, always a shock or two on the cards when SW19 is concerned. Two players I'm liking the look of, are Eugenie Bouchard, who of course reached last year's final, and Simona Halep, who continues to rise in the rankings. Having said that though, what will probably happen is that Serena gets to the final and waiting for her is a real underdog - an unseeded teenager. Serena will battle through a peculiarly difficult first set, the teenager will then win the second on a tie-break, to instill real hope into the utterly captivated spectators, beforeWilliams trounces her naive opponent 6-2. You heard it here first. 

12:35. My prediction, funnily enough, backs the Serb in question today, Novak Djokovic, to keep his crown in two weeks' time. 

For me, it's incredibly hard to see past Djokovic again. He has looked so formidable this season, practically unbeatable. His demolition of Nadal in the French Open will go down in history and his Australian Open win appeared to be standard procedure for the Serb. The only reason I'd maybe bet against him though, would be down to how he's feeling psychologically after that shock Roland Garros defeat to Wawrinka. That was the only grand slam Novak had yet to win and this year, the trophy had his name on it. I think that will still be playing on his mind a little bit, although there aren't many (if any) stronger, mentally, than Djokovic, so if he puts his mind to it, he can absolutely win his third Wimbledon title. The draw turned out in his favour too, as he avoids Wawrinka, Murray and Nadal until the later stages, by which two of the three aforementioned players will likely be out. Despite being a die-hard Rafa fan and it pains me to say this, but I can very easily see a Djokovic-Murray final. Which would be great, admittedly.

12:32. If you fancy a little light reading before this match, have a look at and see if you agree with VAVEL Tennis' Wimbledon predictions.

12:25. These two are no strangers, having met seven times before, with Djokovic predictaby winning six of those encounters. Kohlschreiber's solitary victory came in the form of a 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat of the Serb in the French Open Third Round back in 2009. Somehow though, I can't see that one playing on Novak's mind too much today.

12:14. Saying that though, Kohlschreiber is no mug. The 31-year-old got to the Wimbledon Quarter Final three years ago, so he knows what it takes to win at SW19. He was eventually beaten by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, but no doubt left an indelible mark on the tournament that year. Unfortunately though, the German has only ever won one tournament outside of his homeland, the Heineken Cup in New Zealand, a good seven years ago now. He wins today though and that's one less of the big boys that he'll have to face in the latter rounds.

12:11. Apart from his Parisien disappointment though, the world number one has been in record-breaking form so far this season, with that Roland Garros loss his first in any competition since October. He has brushed aside every other opponent who has dared to stand in his away, so unless Kohlschreiber feels like summoning his inner-Boris Becker today, the German shoudn't leave Djokovic with much more than a sweaty brow.

12:06. Going into this match, Novak Djokovic is arguably in the form of his career thus far, despite the major setback of French Open final defeat to Stan Wawrinka at the start of the month. Roland Garros was the only grand slam that the Serb had yet to win and it looked like the trophy had his name written on it, as he dispatched of both nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and world number three Andy Murray on his route to the final, however it wasn't to be and Wawrinka won his second grand slam. 

12:00. Good afternoon and welcome to the first of this year's Wimbledon coverage, courtesy of VAVEL Tennis. Stay tuned to this live commentary for a live preview, before scores and updates, as reigning men's champion, Novak Djokovic, gets us underway at SW19 with a difficult first round match against Philipp Kohlschreiber.

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About the author
Cian Woulfe
I am a keen enthusiast in both English and Dutch football, with Chelsea and Vitesse Arnhem the object of my desires. I also have a real soft spot for Rafael Nadal.