Wimbledon 2011 day two - in pictures

The order of play is shown outside the courts and there are some noteworthy ties taking place today - Serena Williams will begin the defence of her ladies crown against Aravane Rezai on centre court after almost 12 months out of the sport. Meanwhile John Isner and Nicholas Mahut will reprise their rivalry on court three - last year the two played the longest match in tennis history, lasting more than 11 hours Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The England cricket team arrive in the Royal Box - Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss claim seats in the front - for Serena's match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Elsewhere in the player's box, it's a bit of a squeeze Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Serena, who is back following a foot injury and a pulmonary embolism, wins the opening set 6-3 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But her opponent, Rezai, claims the second set by the same scoreline, leaving Serena to contemplate a potential first-round Grand Slam exit for the first time in 11 years Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Serena eventually overcomes her opponent 6-1 in the final set and cries with delight Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Over on court 17, Conor Niland of Ireland serves in his match with Adrian Mannarino Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

He's getting plenty of support from the stands Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The match drifts into five sets - Niland takes a 4-1 lead in the final set but crumples under the pressure and is beetan by his French opponent Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Over on court 12, the skies are clearing and the sun is out at last Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Roger Federer, the beaten French Open finalist earlier this summer, returns the ball against Kazakhstani Mikhail Kukushkin. Federer eased into the second round with a straight-sets victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Aussie fanatics wait on court 12 to see their man Lleyton Hewitt Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The clash between Isner and Mahut is predictably tight. The first set requires a tie-break which the American wins ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Isner then wins the second set 6-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian