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Venus turns her back on tradition

Venus Williams turned many heads with this choice of outfit on day one © Getty Images

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• News: Defending champion Nadal strolls past plucky Russell
  
• News: O'Brien toppled by Date-Krumm
  
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• Profile: Gael Monfils | Rafael Nadal | Venus Williams

Déjà vu?
As a five-time champion, Venus Williams may have felt a little miffed at being farmed out to court two for her opening match against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan. Perhaps she was letting her feelings known when she arrived ten minutes late for the contest, but all was quickly forgotten when she revealed a new off-the-wall outfit, which received a lot of attention from the snap-happy crowd. Preferring to ignore tradition, Williams opted for shorts and a baggy t-shirt that was open at the back. After prevailing 6-3 6-1, she said: "It's a jumper. Jumpers are very 'now,' as is lace. The shoulders have a lot of draping. It's a kind of trendy dress. It's fun. The back is a like a cutout or peekaboo. I'm always trying to do something different and fun." While she may try and spring a surprise with her on-court attire, there was nothing new with Williams' tennis. She blew away her opponent in 59 minutes and, whisper it quietly, the last time she was seeded 23 she went on to win the tournament, in 2007. Keep an eye on Venus, if only for her choice of outfits.

The flying man
Michael Russell may have fallen at the first hurdle but he quickly enamoured himself to the Centre Court crowd with some outrageous shot-making. Aiming to spring one of the biggest upsets ever seen at SW19, Russell, the world No. 91, got off to a terrific start by breaking Rafael Nadal to claim a 4-2 lead. No-one could deny his commitment as he regularly threw himself around the court in a desperate bid to cause a shock but Nadal soon settled and, after fighting back to claim the opening set, the 10-time grand slam champion strolled to victory. Russell will not be forgotten in a hurry though. Trailing 3-1 in the second set, the American pulled out all the stops in an attempt to prolong the inevitable. With diving volleys that Boris Becker would have been proud of, Russell somehow got two passing shots back before an attempt at a third left him sprawled, nose-down on the lush grass.

A right Royal blunder
Even the great are capable of embarrassing moments. Nadal was in cruise control in his match against Michael Russell, leading by by two sets and 5-1 up in the third, when he top-edged a massive forehand high into the sky. Comically, the ball fell and dropped into the Royal Box, leaving a red-faced Nadal to lose concentration momentarily and allow Russell to delay the inevitable. Maybe Nadal was feeling the effects of staying up to watch Rory McIlroy win his first major.

Michael Russell's commitment was clear to see © Getty Images

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It's in the bag
Andy Murray usually leaves the fashion statements to the likes of Venus and Roger Federer, but the British No. 1 was sporting an eye-catching racket bag when he walked onto court. The brainchild of Murray's racket sponsor Head, the bag carried words of support from fans, such as 'Believe in yourself and never give up' and 'Make history'. Murray didn't need any real inspiration on Monday as he eventually cruised to victory after a slow start, but the Scot admitted the words may come in handy in later rounds. "I didn't today, but a lot of players in the past have done it with having notes in their bag, and some have had things written on like their rackets or something, on the back of their hand," he said. "Players have done those sort of things a lot in the past. And, yeah, something I could do if I felt like I needed it."

As if by magic
Spectators on court 17 got more than their money's worth after Alex Bogomolov Jr performed a magic trick. After ploughing his backhand return into the net, Bogomolov slammed his racket to the ground in disgust, only to watch it bounce up and fly over the fence. Fortunately for him he got his racket back and the 28-year-old American went on to win his opening round match against compatriot Donald Young 7-5 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Age is only a number
Kimiko Date-Krumm despatched Britain's Katie O'Brien 6-0 7-5 to become the second oldest woman to win a match at SW19. The Japanese veteran, who came out of retirement in 2008, has mixed memories of Wimbledon, having reached the semi-finals in 1996 and losing in the first round the last two years at the All England Club. The 40-year-old has racked up eight titles in her career - her last coming in Seoul in 2009, when aged 39 she became the second oldest player in the Open era to win a WTA singles crown after Billie Jean King in 1983.

Monfils flies off the handle
Ninth seed Gael Monfils eased into the second round with a straight-sets win over Germany's Matthias Bachinger - but not without incident. The Frenchman raced around the court in his usual effervescent style, but his exuberance almost led to an accident when he chased down a return. Running towards the crowd, Monfils attempted to swing for the ball but in the process managed to lose his grip on his racket, which then flew into a woman in the front row. Ouch!

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