Felix Auger-Aliassime beat Michael Zheng at Wimbledon 2026 on tennis today, then said the win came in his first match on Centre Court. The result moved him on in the men’s singles draw, with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next.
After was the highest level I’ve played this year so I’m glad I played it in front of you all on centre court. Believe it or not, I’ve been coming here since 2019 and this is my first time playing on centre court so it was both our first times. I’m very happy that my first match on centre court is a win.
Centre Court Firsts For Auger-Aliassime
He added that he has been coming to Wimbledon since 2019 and that he is a very different player from the one who reached a quarter-final there in 2021. His own framing was blunt: the game has changed, and so has his composure.
“I’m a very different player, improved everything in my game and my composure is better, In 2021 there was no crowd as well so nice to have people watching.” That line captures the contrast best. In 2021, he reached the quarter-final there; in 2026, he handled his first Centre Court assignment and left with the win.
Michael Zheng Stays Level Early
Auger-Aliassime also pointed to the opening resistance from Zheng. “I had a difficult start because Michael is a great young player with a great future and he stayed at a great level in the first set.”
That first-set pressure is the useful part for anyone tracking the bracket: the match was not a routine walkover, even if the final score settled at 6-4, 6-4. Auger-Aliassime still found enough to close both sets and keep moving.
SW19 Busy Day Results
The win landed on a busy day in SW19, where Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka also advanced. Sabalenka beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4, Osaka beat Daria Kasatkina in straight sets, Djokovic beat Arthur Rinderknech, and Sinner beat Jenson Brooksby in straight sets.
Daniil Medvedev was sent out by Jan-Lennard Struff, the day’s main upset in the men’s draw. For Auger-Aliassime, the practical next step is simple: he has another match to prepare for, this time against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, after making his Centre Court debut count.
