Tennis-Rublev leads Russian Wimbledon return with easy win

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 3, 2023 Russia's Andrey Rublev in action during his first round match against Australia's Max Purcell REUTERS/Toby Melville

LONDON (Reuters) - Andrey Rublev became the first Russian through to the second round at Wimbledon as the seventh seed breezed past Australian Max Purcell 6-3 7-5 6-4 on Monday.

Rublev is one of 17 Russian and Belarusian players in the men's and women's singles draws after they were banned in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.