Wimbledon 2026: Bergs beats Humbert again, Virtanen stuns Shelton in five sets
Synopsis
Wimbledon 2026 opened with two extraordinary stories on Tuesday: Zizou Bergs beat Ugo Humbert for the second time in 48 hours to extend a stunning six-match winning streak, while world No. 140 Otto Virtanen saved a match point to topple fourth seed Ben Shelton in a four-hour-plus epic — the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Key Takeaways
Zizou Bergs defeated Ugo Humbert 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 on Court 17 at Wimbledon 2026 on 30 June , his second win over Humbert in under 48 hours .
37 , is now on a six-match winning streak after arriving at Eastbourne with a six-match losing run .
140 Otto Virtanen stunned fourth seed Ben Shelton (world No.
5) 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(11-9) in 4 hours 21 minutes — the biggest upset of Wimbledon 2026 so far.
Virtanen saved a match point at 8/9 in the super tie-break before converting his first opportunity.
Sixth seed Taylor Fritz progressed smoothly, beating lucky loser Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 after Jack Draper withdrew.
Zizou Bergs delivered a stunning repeat performance at Wimbledon 2026, defeating Ugo Humbert for the second time in under 48 hours to advance to the second round of the men's singles at the All England Club on Tuesday, 30 June. The Belgian world No. 37 triumphed 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 on Court 17, reprising his Eastbourne final victory over the same opponent just two days prior.
Bergs Rides a Six-Match Winning Streak
The win is a remarkable turnaround for Bergs, who had arrived at Eastbourne carrying a six-match tour-level losing streak dating back to mid-April. That title in Eastbourne flipped the script entirely — he is now on a six-match winning streak heading into the second round. Notably, even in the Eastbourne final, Bergs had dropped the opening set before recovering to beat Humbert, and he showed similar resilience here, weathering a mid-match comeback from the No. 27 seed before closing out the decider.
Bergs will next face Jaime Faria, the world No. 98 qualifier from Portugal, as he looks to extend his remarkable grass-court run.
Virtanen Stuns Fourth Seed Shelton in Biggest Upset of Wimbledon 2026
Otto Virtanen produced the biggest shock of the tournament so far, saving a match point to defeat fourth seed Ben Shelton in a gruelling five-set battle on No. 2 Court. The world No. 140 from Finland prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(11-9) in a match lasting four hours and 21 minutes.
The decisive moment came in the 10-point super tie-break, where Virtanen saved the match point at 8/9 before converting his own first opportunity when Shelton fired a forehand wide. Shelton, ranked world No. 5, was the highest-ranked opponent Virtanen had ever beaten — the Finn had not previously defeated a Top-20 player. Virtanen, a former world No. 91, came through qualifying at Roehampton last week to earn only his second appearance in the Wimbledon main draw.
Virtanen will face Arthur Fery, world No. 114 and the home crowd's favourite, in the second round. Fery earlier accounted for Damir Dzumhur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.
Fritz Progresses Smoothly After Draper Withdrawal
In contrast to the drama elsewhere, sixth seed Taylor Fritz enjoyed a comfortable opening-round victory on No. 1 Court, easing past lucky loser Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Fritz had originally been drawn against British wildcard Jack Draper, who withdrew before the match, allowing Lajovic to enter as a lucky loser. The American's straightforward passage stands in sharp contrast to compatriot Shelton's stunning exit.
What to Watch in the Second Round
The second round at Wimbledon 2026 sets up several intriguing contests. Bergs' grass-court form will be tested against qualifier Faria, while Virtanen's giant-killing run faces a new challenge against the home favourite Fery. Fritz, meanwhile, will look to build momentum after his routine opener as the American men's challenge at SW19 adjusts to an early shock.
Point of View
Low-bouncing game that can neutralise power hitters. Shelton's serve-and-forehand game, devastating on hard courts, is more vulnerable on grass to a player willing to absorb pace and stay low. Bergs' story is equally instructive: six consecutive losses followed by six consecutive wins, both streaks bookended by the same opponent. Grass-court form can flip in a week, and the men's draw at SW19 in 2026 looks more open than the seedings suggest.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zizou Bergs and why is his Wimbledon 2026 win significant?
Zizou Bergs is a Belgian tennis player ranked world No. 37 who beat No. 27 seed Ugo Humbert 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 in the Wimbledon 2026 first round on 30 June. The win is remarkable because it was his second victory over Humbert in under 48 hours — he had also beaten him in the Eastbourne final — and comes after he had lost six consecutive tour-level matches before Eastbourne.
How did Otto Virtanen beat Ben Shelton at Wimbledon 2026?
World No. 140 Otto Virtanen defeated fourth seed Ben Shelton 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6(11-9) in four hours and 21 minutes on No. 2 Court. Virtanen saved a match point at 8/9 in the 10-point super tie-break before winning the point when Shelton hit a forehand wide.
Who does Zizou Bergs play in the Wimbledon 2026 second round?
Bergs will face Jaime Faria, the world No. 98 qualifier from Portugal, in the second round at the All England Club.
Who does Otto Virtanen face next at Wimbledon 2026?
Virtanen will play British wildcard Arthur Fery, world No. 114, in the second round. Fery defeated Damir Dzumhur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in his first-round match.
What happened to Taylor Fritz's first-round match at Wimbledon 2026?
Sixth seed Taylor Fritz beat lucky loser Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 on No. 1 Court after his scheduled opponent Jack Draper withdrew before the match.
