Ryan Peniston's Wimbledon journey over after defeat to Steve Johnson but Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie win
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Updated 29/06/2022 at 17:35 GMT
Ryan Peniston's terrific run on grass came to an end at the hands of American Steve Johnson, who saw off the 26-year-old 6-3 6-2 6-4. Peniston reached the quarter-finals of both Queen's and Eastbourne, but Johnson won in just one hour and 39 minutes. Harriet Dart fared better as she swept past Rebeka Masarova 6-1 6-4 to reach the second round while Cameron Norrie won in five sets.
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Ryan Peniston's Wimbledon dream is over after losing to Steve Johnson in straight sets, 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Britain's Peniston had impressed in the build-up to the tournament, reaching the quarter-finals of Queen's - beating French Open finalist Casper Ruud - and then impressively seeing off Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen in the first round of SW19 for the loss of just nine games.
But Johnson was a bridge too far, with the American's quality allowing Peniston few look-ins during their encounter, which was over in just one hour and 39 minutes.
It had nevertheless been level pegging on Court 3 until the fifth game of the first set, whereupon Johnson broke to take a 4-2 lead. That became 5-2 and though Peniston held to force his opponent to serve it out, Johnson did so with few problems to take the early advantage.
Peniston quickly needed a route back into the match but Johnson kept his foot on the accelerator, landing two breaks in the third and fifth games to stroll to a two-set lead in the south London sunshine.
Better was to follow for the Brit in the third set as he made it to 4-4 untroubled, but Johnson forced a series of break points in the ninth game - taking one to move into a 5-4 lead.
And despite Peniston finally forcing his first break points of the match, Johnson was able to hold it together and serve out the win.
Johnson will next face British No. 1 Cameron Norrie next after he fought back to beat Jaume Munar in five sets.
Norrie came through 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-0 6-2, winning eight games in a row towards the end as Munar appeared to tire.
"I was so pleased to get through that," said Norrie. "It was a tricky match. Jaume put the ball in so many awkward points on the court. I battled as hard as I could, I wasn’t playing my best, and I managed to lock it in in the fourth and then keep the momentum in the fifth.
"I hope he’s okay ‒ he was struggling a little bit there in the fifth so I hope he’s okay. But what an unbelievable atmosphere ‒ thank you everyone for coming out."
On facing Johnson, Norrie said: "He likes the grass a lot, he’s got a big serve and he always plays well here at Wimbledon. I think he’s made the third and fourth round a couple of times so he’s really comfortable on the service.
"It’s not going to be easy but I’m going to enjoy that one today and look forward to playing again on Friday."
Harriet Dart reached the second round as she swept past Rebeka Masarova 6-1 6-4.
Dart won 10 of the first 11 games to take complete control of the contest and closed out victory with her fifth match point.
She will next face eighth seed Jessica Pegula after she beat Donna Vekic 6-3 7-6(2).
Dart is the 10th British player in the second round, the most since 1984.
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Watch daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm on Eurosport 2 and discovery+ from June 27, as well as the two singles finals live on July 9 and 10.
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