European 200m champion Adam Gemili cautious about fitness chances for World Championships while Andy Murray and Heather Watson join Liam Broady in second round of Wimbledon. Here's our review of the last 24 hours
European gold medallist Adam Gemili insists he will not rush his return from injury, even if that means missing out on this year's World Championships.
Earlier this month Gemili, winner of the 200m European title in Zurich last year, became the first ever Briton to run the 100m and 200m in under ten seconds and less than 20 seconds respectively.
However the 21-year-old injured his right leg in the process of registering a time of 9.97 seconds in the 100m at the Birmingham Grand Prix, and has been recovering ever since.
"I'm slowly but surely recovering," Gemili, who faces a race to be fit for the World Championships in Beijing from August 22-30, told British Athletics.
"I've got a good bunch of guys working on me. I'm not trying to rush things, but if I can get back on the track before the end of the season that is great.
"Of course it would be great if I was able to make Beijing, but I do not know if that will be possible yet and I am not going to risk anything. We have to look at the bigger picture, with the Rio Olympics obviously the main priority.”
James Ward may have got some good fortune as he avoided David Ferrer but he said there was nothing flukey as he bettered a lucky loser at Wimbledon.
Italian Luca Vanni got the nod to replace the injured Spanish world number seven but Ward progressed into the second round for the first time in three years with a ruthless performance.
He joins Andy Murray, Liam Broady and Aljaz Bedene as four British men make it past the first hurdle at the All England Club for the first time since 2006.
“When Ferrer pulled out people were talking about it being an easy draw facing a lucky loser, it wasn’t at all - he would have fancied playing me as well," said Ward, following a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
“It’s been a great day for British tennis. Everyone has picked their game up, it’s good to have a few more guys playing well and winning matches - we keep knocking at the door. I had to hang in after the first set but I felt I deserve it.”
Heather Watson also advanced after beating Caroline Garcia - saving three match points in the process - but there was no such joy for laura Robson, Kyle Edmund and Brydan Klein as they fell at the first hurdle.
Double Olympian Louis Smith may not be getting any younger but he is determined to prove his doubters wrong and claim success at this year's gymnastics World Championships.
Smith, winner of pommel silver and team bronze at London 2012, returned from time away from the sport to win pommel bronze and team gold at last summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
That was then followed by gold on the pommel at this April's European Championships, a result that Smith admits has spurred him on as he bids to make the team for the World Championships in Glasgow this Autumn.
"After coming back from the European Championships and getting gold, there's no point in wasting my talent," he said.
"I need to make the most out of every second I've got because youth is a wonderful thing, you don't realise it until it's gone.
“People said I was out of shape - a couple of months ago I won gold at the European Championships. I love proving people wrong."
Geraint Thomas is putting himself right in the frame for selection as team leader in the future, according to Team Sky team principal Sir Dave Brailsford.
Double Olympic track pursuit champion Thomas has been steadily making a name for himself on the road in recent years, including winning road race gold and time trial bronze at last year's Commonwealth Games and the formidable E3 Harelbeke race in March.
But Brailsford admitted Welshman Thomas, who will be competing in his sixth Tour this year and supporting Team Sky teammate Chris Froome, could take on a more pivotal role in future Grand Tours.
"Geraint is going from strength to strength," Brailsford said.
"His opportunity to ride Grand Tours, try and lead the team at stage races is becoming clear - that's the way it's going to go. He's one of the world's most versatile riders.”
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