Tennis

American Men Struggle at Wimbledon as Eubanks Falls, Nakashima AdvancesLast year's Wimbledon quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks suffered a disappointing exit in the first round this year, losing to qualifier Quentin Halys in straight sets. The Atlanta native's struggles continued after a promising start to the season, where he won his maiden ATP title in Mallorca.Halys, ranked 220th in the world, dominated the match from the outset, serving 17 aces and facing no break points. The Frenchman's aggressive play and superior court coverage proved too much for Eubanks, who is now projected to fall outside the Top 125.Meanwhile, Brandon Nakashima, another American hopeful, secured a comfortable victory over Jordan Thompson to reach the third round. The San Diego native, who advanced to the round of 16 two years ago, displayed impressive form in his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.In the women's draw, Katie Volynets made history by securing her first main-draw win at Wimbledon. The qualifier from California defeated Maria Lourdes Carle in straight sets, showcasing her potential on the grass courts.Eubanks' early exit highlights the challenges faced by American men at this year's Wimbledon. With no American men reaching the second round, the hopes of the nation rest on Nakashima's shoulders as he aims to emulate his success from 2021.

Chris Eubanks' title defense at the Mallorca Championships came to an abrupt end in the first round, as he was upset by 18-year-old Jakub Mensik 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Mensik, playing only his second tour-level match on grass, outplayed the No. 8 seed with his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.Mensik, who became the youngest match winner in tournament history, credited his serve and forehand as his biggest weapons. He has enjoyed a breakout season, reaching his first ATP title match in Doha and securing two Top 10 wins. However, injuries prevented him from making his French Open debut.Eubanks, who won his first ATP title in Mallorca last year, is projected to fall outside the Top 60 next week. He will face a tough challenge in defending his Wimbledon quarterfinal points.Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen, who lost to Eubanks in the first round last year, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over No. 3 seed Adrian Mannarino. Michelsen, a rising star on the grass, finished runner-up in Newport last year and qualified for the 500-level event in Halle.Other British players, Paul Jubb and Adam Walton, also won their main-draw openers after coming through qualifying.