Wimbledon 2018: Sharapova Loses, Nadal and Novak proceed

It never hurts to look too far ahead in a sporting tournament, yet a minor frisson of expectation is beginning to ripple through the men’s draw after the two-time champion Rafael Nadal and a potential future winner Alexander Zverev left favorable impressions on the still pristine lawns only two days into the championship.

Nadal, fresh from more conquests on clay, got his grass campaign going with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over the world No 127, Dudi Sela. These are not the sorts of matches Maria Sharapova is supposed to lose, letting lead after lead slip away Tuesday against a qualifier ranked 132nd — and in the first round of Wimbledon, no less.