Dom Inglot
Former British tennis player on BBC TV

You almost get the sense that the first set took so much mental effort from Choinski and there is no doubt of an element of relief - but suddenly you have to get yourself back up against an opponent who is chomping at the bit, trying to get back in to the match.

He just dropped his level a little bit and Tiafoe was there to pounce.

That's more like it from Elena Rybakina.

To save the second break point, she wallops Caty McNally's return down the line. A much better backhand.

Jakub Mensik will wonder how he managed to lose that first set.

He had all the opportunities to break serve - seven of them - and led by a mini-break in the tie-break.

But credit to Grigor Dimitrov, who, despite getting only 51% of his first serves in during the first set, dug in superbly.

No wonder he was so pleased.

Image source, PA Media

A really sloppy service game from Elena Rybakina. Long backhand, double fault, long backhand.

15-40.

A crazy moment midway through the tie-break as Jakub Mensik, leading 4-3 with a mini-break, completely loses the flight of the ball as he advances towards the net and loses the point.

That slightly changes the momentum and Grigor Dimitrov earns a set point, which he wins as Mensik goes wide with a backhand.

A massive celebration from the Bulgarian!

Lovely placement from Caty McNally, looping a cross-court forehand into the shady baseline corner on Elena Rybakina's forehand side. 15-0.

The American initially struggles to locate her first serve, including throwing in a double fault, but completes the hold to 15 with a wide ace.

Image source, Getty Images

He certainly doesn't need double figures.

Frances Tiafoe has come out fighting in this second set. Now let's see what Jan Choinski is made of when under a little bit of pressure.

We tick over an hour in this match as Frances Tiafoe gets to advantage and earns a second chance to break.

The American will be hoping he doesn't need 11 opportunities to take one like Jan Choinski.

It's so tense as they engage in a lengthy rally but Frances Tiafoe eventually sends it long for deuce.

It felt like Frances Tiafoe, despite being the 14th seed, was the one with his back against the wall throughout that first set. Can he use his experience and change the flow of this match in the second?

Well the American has his first break point of the match...

Image source, Getty Images

Caty McNally is no stranger to Centre Court, taking a set off Iga Swiatek here almost exactly a year ago.

She won the toss and asked Elena Rybakina to serve first.

The second seed obliges with a hold to 15.

Mark Woodforde
17-time Grand Slam doubles champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

There's perseverance right there, patience as well form Choinski. That was pressure building up on Tiafoe, it was a relatively poor miss for the likes of him.

Jan Choinski finally gets over the line!

I was growing tired just watching that game go back-and-forth.

But it's sixth time lucky for Choinski in terms of set points and he finally gets a break at the 11th attempt.

Image source, PA Media

Jan Choinski is invited to the net and capitalises with a two-handed backhand.

He'll get a sixth opportunity to wrap up this set.

Jakub Mensik has had seven break points in the first set - none of them taken.

Grigor Dimitrov hasn't had a single break point.

The first set will be decided on a tie-break.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

American Caty McNally is enjoying a productive 2026 season, climbing into the top 50 for the first time after reaching the quarter-finals in Ostrava, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Eastbourne, the third round at the Miami Open and the fourth round in Madrid - her best showing at a WTA 1000 event.

In Madrid, she also recorded her maiden win over a top-10 player, beating Victoria Mboko in straight sets.

McNally has never previously advanced beyond the second round at Wimbledon while her best singles performance at a major came at the 2020 US Open when she reached the third round.

The 24-year-old is, however, a two-time Grand Slam finalist in women's doubles.

This potentially decisive game has no stretched over eight minutes and we're still no clearer as to how it will end.

Jan Choinski continues to pass up chances to break and subsequently wrap up the set.

And Frances Tiafoe is lacking consistency on his serve.

World number two Elena Rybakina, who won the Australian Open at the beginning of 2026, has never bowed out of Wimbledon before the third round.

The 29-year-old has reached at least the fourth round in four of her previous five main-draw appearances.

But her 2022 Wimbledon triumph remains her only title on grass and she had an underwhelming build-up to the third major of the year, losing to Katie Boulter in the quarter-finals at Queen's and exiting the Berlin Open in the round of 16.

Jan Choinski is left apologising to Frances Tiafoe when his slice clips the net cord. Tiafoe attempts to readjust but returns wide.

A fifth set point for Choinski.

Frances Tiafoe changes up the pace after a lengthy rally and slices a backhand on to the paint. Jan Choinski doesn't quite get the read of it and returns low into the net.

But it's back to third deuce when Tiafoe double faults.