Many thanks for joining myself, John and Gregg today. Have a lovely weekend.
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Here are some of today’s reports from Wimbledon.
Ostapenko is through.
The wildcard.
Heather Watson is into the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time.
Updated
Djokovic is a decent little tennis player.
We have the Wimbledon diary.
Norrie: “I am enjoying the process and improving. It’s been a lot of fun but I want to keep going.
“I am as ready as I can be [for the fourth round].”
Norrie defeats Johnson in straight sets
Johnson returns into the net to indicate how this game with go. The second return loops long. Norrie closes out the match by dinking the ball over the net into space. Bagelled to win it. A great day for Norrie and he looks in good nick.
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I think Johnson wouldn’t mind walking off the court pretty soon. He doesn’t look like he’s having fun but he is still battling. Norrie gets to 15-30 and then Johnson double faults. Johnson is not enjoying himself but then whacks a hulking great serve beyond Norrie. We get to deuce. Johnson tickles the ball over the net and Norrie does not have the speed to reach it in time. Johnson then finds the net and we are back at deuce. Advantage and break point to Norrie, which is won thanks to a double fault. A sad end to what should be Johnson’s final service game.
Does Steve want to be compared to Boris?
'McEnroe thinks Johnson’s standards have dropped' @Will_Unwin. Don't we all, and they weren't up to much before he was Prime Minister.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) July 1, 2022
Norrie has found some big serves and races through the game, winning it to love. 4-0 in the third (and almost certainly final set).
Johnson takes aim down the line but he doesn’t get his angles right and the ball goes the wrong side of the line. Things level at 30-30 after Norrie pings the net from the baseline. The break point is earned with a wicked passing forehand. No need for deuce on this occasion as Johnson volleys into the net.
After such a long game, Norrie will not want to mess about on his own serve. He moves through the gears to get to 30-0. Another backhand into the net from Johnson puts Norrie on the verge of taking the game and duly obliges when his serve is returned a long way over the Brit’s head.
A backhand slice hits the net to help Norrie move to 0-30. McEnroe thinks Johnson’s standards have dropped but he tries to dispel that rumours with a winner. He does have a blister on his finger which sounds ruddy painful. It’s another break point for Norrie ... but he does not take it and we head to deuce. A fine rally - with both men pushing the other around the court -ends with Norrie sprint to the net to send the ball beyond Johnson to take us to deuce again. Johnson volleys a crisp winner at the net to get advantage but he does not take the game. A wondrous rally with both men chasing the ball across court concludes with a backhand into the net and the crowd on their feet to applaud the players. The fifth break point is the final of the game as Johnson pings one long, though the line judge ignores it and it requires a challenge from Norrie to confirm.
Speaking of doubles ... Heather Watson and Harriet Dart have made it into the second round of the women’s doubles. A good day for Watson after winning her singles match earlier.
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Jamie Murray and Venus Williams are next up on Court No 1 in their mixed doubles match, confusing against Michael Venus and Alicja Rosolska.
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Norrie wins the second set
Everything is coming up Norrie. Despite losing the opening point of the match, he breezes to 40-15 and takes the second set thanks a long backhand return from Johnson.
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Norrie is in his groove and earns three break points. The first goes the way of Johnson who opens himself up to ping a forehand across the court. We end up at deuce once more. It’s advantage Norrie when a backhand drifts long and the break is completed with a thrashing forehand return down the line. Oooooof. 5-1 in the second set.
Alcaraz is also through after defeating Otte in relatively rapid fashion: 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
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Sinner beats Isner in straight sets
The Italian takes the match 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. He will be very pleased with that against the big serving American.
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An ace down the middle levels things at 15-15 but he then prematurely ends a rally with a limp backhand into the net from the baseline. Johnson earns a break point after Norrie ripples the net from close range, only to blame the surface. He need not worry too much as we soon head to deuce. It’s quickly advantage Norrie and then game after a lazy backhand from Johnson. 4-1.
Johnson gets some big serves in after getting a plaster on his right index finger. That will be a much-needed confidence boost for the American.
Norrie is cruising now. He wins his next game to love thanks to slick serving.
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Johnson double faults to take us to deuce. He then top edges a return from Norrie to give the Brit the advantage but then whacks a looping shot wide. Neither take advantage of their advantages to extend the game. It is Norrie who breaks, however, after moving Johnson around the court, ending with him stretching to hit the ball into the net.
Alcaraz is cruising against Otte. He is two sets and a break up in the third.
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Norrie applauds the single-handed backhand from Johnson which flies past him to give the American a 15-30 lead. The Brit squares the score when Johnson’s backhand lets him down. We go to deuce thanks to a rocket of a forehand from Johnson at the back of the court to conclude the longest rally on the match. Johnson gets the advantage but a volley into the net gets us back to where we started. Another break point is passed up when Johnson returns into the net. Norrie perks up to get through his tricky opening service game to lead in the second set.
Norrie wins first set
Norrie misses a forehand completely. If I am being generous, I would say it didn’t bounce too high. Norrie leads after Johnson’s lob goes long with Norrie at the net, followed by a forehand into space from the Brit to earn two more break points. The first is lost but he makes no mistake next time thanks to a fine rally ending with a backhand slice out of Johnson’s reach to take the opening set.
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Sinner is two sets ahead against Isner. He will be hoping not to take that one all the away after putting himself in a strong position.
A miscue and then a needless whack into the net help Johnson into a 0-30 lead. Norrie bounces back with a swift serve down the middle that cannot be returned ... make that two. A more pedestrian serve does the job next time as Johnson’s limp return drifts wide. Norrie digs himself out of his hole to take the game.
We find Norrie at deuce with Johnson. The American’s second serve bounces high and Norrie completely miscues it, sending it very long. Johnson sends his next serve down the middle to take the game with an ace.
Who eats their dinner before 6pm, Gregg? How old do you think I am? The important news is that I am back.
On Court No 1 Sinner has taken a two-set lead over Isner after holding his nerve in a closely fought tie-break and Norrie has held on Centre Court to lead 4-3 on serve in the first set. Oh and here’s a re-energised Will Unwin after having his dinner. I’ll hand this blog back over to him. Bye.
Norrie is finding his groove on Centre Court now. He brings up another two break points against Johnson’s serve but the American is a tough competitor and serves his way out of trouble, with two aces, one of which is a 131mph missile. We’re on serve at 3-3 but Norrie is knocking on the door.
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Here’s Tumaini Carayol’s report of Jelena Ostapenko’s three-set victory over Irina-Camelia Begu earlier, after which she said: “What’s the reason of giving interviews if you’re not going to say what you’re thinking?”
After a comfortable hold by Norrie to take a 2-1 lead, the Brit adds a little fizz to his returns to put some pressure on Johnson’s serve. He gets to 15-30, then stays in a long rally before finding an impressive passing shot to bring up two break points. He can’t take them, though, and Johnson holds his nerve impressively to see out the game. It’s 2-2 and on serve.
Away from Sinner/Isner and Norrie/Johnson, there are a couple of other singles matches going on at Wimbledon presently. The precocious Spanish 5th seed, Carlos Alcaraz, is a set up against Germany’s 32nd seeded Oscar Otte. And unseeded Caroline Garcia is a set up against China’s 33 seed Shuai Zhang, though that pair are pretty close in the women’s singles rankings and the first set was a tight affair that went to a tie-break.
Johnson mirrors Norrie’s trouble-free first service game. He holds to 15 with Norrie having most joy when he followed up a feather-fingered drop shot to win a volley at the net. It’s 1-1 in the first set.
Norrie wins his first game on serve to 15. That should help to blow away any Centre Court butterflies.
Norrie is out on Centre Court which, disappointingly, looks a little sparse. Over on Court No 1, Sinner took the first set against Isner 6-4 and it’s 4-4 in the second set and on serve.
Order of play for Saturday
Here’s how Saturday is looking:
SATURDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY (CENTRE COURT, FROM 13.30 BST)
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2022
Gauff vs Anisimova
Badosa vs Kvitova
Sonego vs Nadal#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100
SATURDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY (NO.1 COURT, FROM 13.00 BST)
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2022
De Minaur vs Broady
Swiatek vs Cornet
Kyrgios vs Tsitsipas#Wimbledon
No 2 Court (1pm)
H Tan (FRA)v K Boulter (GBR)
R Gasquet (FRA) v B Van De Zandschulp (NED) 21
M Frech (POL) v S Halep (ROU) 16
NO 3 COURT (11am)
C Garin (CHI) v J Brooksby (USA) 29
A Molcan (SVK) v T Fritz (USA) 11
P Martic (CRO) v J Pegula (USA) 8
COURT 12 (11am)
A Tomljanovic (AUS) v B Krejcikova (CZE) 13
B Nakashima (USA) v D Galan (COL)
COURT 18
J Sock (USA) v J Kubler (AUS)
Q. Zheng (CHN) v E Rybakina (KAZ) 17
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Novak Djokovic will face wildcard Tim van Rijthoven in the fourth round. The Dutchman was nowhere a few weeks ago but after an improbable eight-match winning streak “tennis’s Cinderella Man really is coming to the ball”, writes Sean Ingle.
Hello everyone, Gregg here. I’ll keep you informed of what’s going on at SW19 while Will takes a break. We’ve already seen a Brit break new ground by reaching the fourth round of a grand slam today when Heather Watson beat Kaja Juvan – and now it’s Cameron Norrie’s turn to try and follow suit. It seems curious that such a consistent tour player has never been past the third round of a slam but it’s true. The 9th seed should fancy his chances of repeating Watson’s feat. He faces Steve Johnson on Centre Court once Novak has had his say on his win. Johnson is ranked 93 but has bundles of experience and has been as high as 21 in his career. Norrie will have to be focused.
Right ... I am off for a break and Gregg Bakowski will be here in my stead.
Djokovic defeats Kecmanovic
Djokovic has another chance to serve for the match. A long rally concludes with a wonderful Kecmanovic backhand down the line to make it 0-15. Djokovic ensures the fun stops for his opponent by taking the next two points on offer. Kecmanovic sends the ball long to give his compatriot match point which is accepted in similar fashion.
Kecmanovic goes 0-30 down against Djokovic and it looks like the break is on but he bounces back to win the game.
Djokovic is broken! A merited achievement for Kecmanovic, who is still 5-3 down in the third.
One more to go for Djokovic after he breaks. Kecmanovic can be proud of his efforts but no one would beat Djokovic in this form.
Djokovic holds his latest service game to love to move into a 4-2 lead in the third. Not long to go on Centre Court. Next up will be Cameron Norrie v Steve Johnson.
Djokovic breaks Kecmanovic in the third set. I do not think this match will last too much longer.
Mertens defeats former champion Kerber
Kerber sends a shot long by an inch but holds her nerve with a thwacking great forehand that has too much on it for Mertens. The Belgian edges ahead after her opponent finds the net with a backhand. Kerber gets back on top by moving her opponent around the back of the court with some wicked hitting. She looks set to complete the hold but tries to lift the ball into space but does not get it high enough. To deuce we go. Mertens gets the advantage and a long rally concludes with Kerber sending a forehand into the net. Mertens wins 6-4, 7-5.
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Kerber battles back to bring the game to deuce. She is hitting the ball ruddy cleanly now but Mertens holds her nerve to move into a 6-5 lead. Kerber has to serve to stay in the match.
Kerber double faults to give Mertens the break to make it 5-5. Less than ideal timing for the German.
Djokovic wins second set against Kecmanovic
After a far more competitive affair, Djokovic holds to win the second set 6-3. He completes the job with a perfect lob. Lovely stuff.
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Djokovic returns a serve and then slips but Kecmanovic does not take advantage and whacks a shot long to gift a break to the opponent. 5-3 in the second to Djokovic.
Mertens is currently a set up on Kerber but has just been broken to make it 4-3 in the second. Kerber is completely done by the flight on the third break point and has to swap hands at the last second to get the ball over the net, and Mertens kindly whacks the ball into the net.
Meanwhile ... a Benny Hill scene is taking place outside my front window with a Yorkshire terrier leading the running around.
Kecmanovic and Djokovic trade blows as the former looks to hold his service game. Deuce seems to be endless and each player gets an advantage and then fails to complete the job until Kecmanovic eventually makes it 3-3.
Slightly distracted by my neighbours’ dog escaping from their house and running down the street. The chase to get him back is not going, despite including a teenager on roller skates.
Back over on Centre, Djokovic is 3-2 in the second and the set is going with serve.
Maria beats No 5 seed Sakkari
Sakkari whacks a backhand needlessly into the net to give match point to Maria. Sakkari gives it everything and takes us to deuce with a smash into space. The No 5 seed is out after she sends the ball into the net. A great win for the German who was 3-0 down in the second set.
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Maria breaks to earn the opportunity to serve for the match. Sakkari’s serving today has been impressively inconsistent today and it looks like it will cost her.
Kecmanovic wins his first game of the match against Djokovic and gets a big cheer from the Centre Court crowd. 1-1 in the second set.
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Sakkari battles to deuce and earns a set point when Maria volleys into the net but then pings a forehand from the baseline into the net. Maria double faults but she makes up for it with a fine serve next time around. She gets the advantage with an ace which kisses the line. The score is 5-5 after Sakkari’s return goes long.
Sakkari fails to close out the second set against Maria and things are back on serve. It is 5-4 in favour of Sakkari.
Djokovic wins opening set against Kecmanovic
It must be mildly demoralising for Kecmanovic to be playing some very good stuff only to be constantly outdone by the world’s finest player on grass. He takes the game to deuce but he is bagelled by Djokovic in 24 minutes. Oh well.
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Djokovic moves to 5-0 up with an ace. I can’t see this one going the distance ...
Another break to Djokovic who looks in imperious form, despite his slight wobble in his most recent service game. The man is a machine.
As no one expected ... Kecmanovic earns three break points against Djokovic. The first two go the way of Djokovic and we get to deuce after Djokovic sends down a fierce second serve and Kecmanovic pings a forehand long. Five points won in a row put Djokovic 3-0 up. It’s the hope that kills you.
Sakkari has bounced back from her first set defeat to breeze into a 3-0 lead in the second. We look to be heading for a decider on Court No 2.
Kecmanovic does not seem too worried about facing his compatriot and races into a 30-0 lead but he helps Djokovic draw level by finding the net and then whacking a shot long. The turnaround is complete when Djokovic challenges a shot that is called in. Djokovic is right and breaks. This could be an easy afternoon for Novak.
No sooner does Djokovic get going but he is already 1-0 up after winning the opening game with a double fault the only blot on his copybook. Good luck, Kecmanovic.
Djokovic is about to set onto Centre Court against fellow Serb Kecmanovic.
Sakkari saves two break points but cannot get a first serve in at the moment. We head to deuce where Sakkari earns advantage on a couple of occasions but she cannot finish off the game. Eventually she does complete the job with an ace.
Maria does not mess about and earns herself three set points but she only needs one against No 5 seed Sakkari.
We better find another game to focus on ... Maria breaks Sakkari, thanks to a double fault, to lead 5-3 on Court No 2.
A clearly delighted Watson says: “It wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t a bit of drama at the end. Wow! What an atmosphere. There is nowhere I would rather play. You lot got me over the line. I thought she was playing her best tennis at the end.
“I know I am not speechless as I am blabbing on but I don’t know what to say.”
Watson has reached the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time after beating Juvan 7-6, 6-2. What a day for the 30-year-old.
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Watson beats Juvan in straight sets
Watson is lobbed and gets back in time to send a successful return but then loops a shot long of her own. She follows this up with an overhit forehand from the baseline as the nerves creep in. A Juvan backhand into the net helps to settle the Watson nerves, proved by her wicked second ace of the match. Juvan earns a break point when Watson hits the net with a forehand. The crowd get behind the Brit she composes herself to send another speedy serve to Juvan’s backhand, which she can only send into the net. Deuce. Juvan is not messing about and whacks the ball past Watson’s forehand in the blink of an eye but more fine serving helps brings things back to deuce. An absorbing rally ends with Juvan having the advantage but Watson smashes herself level. A precise volley from Juvan after moving to the net earns another break point but once again a rapid serve to Juvan’s backhand puts Watson in control of the point, won with a smash. Watson finally gets the match point and takes it with a wonderful volley at the net. Watson moves in to the fourth round.
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Possibly buoyed by her win in the last game, Juvan races into a 30-0 lead. A powerful return on a second serve is too much for Juvan who pings a backhand wide. Watson takes advantage of another loopy second serve with a wicked backhand down the line to level the score. Watson’s subtle backhand is not subtle enough as he goes long but she reaches deuce with a cross-court forehand. Juvan does not take long to win the game, however, completing the victory with a powerful forehand. Watson to serve again for the match ...
Watson serving for the match wins the first point thanks to another long shot from her opponent. A backhand into the net from the back of court levels things up. To make up it for it, Watson pings a serve down the middle which Juvan cannot return, although she follows it up with a double fault. Watson sprints to reach a slice over the net but her efforts are in vain and she offers up a break point. She does reach the next one and we get deuce after a couple of volleys are exchanged, ending with a backhand passing Juvan. Juvan has nothing to lose and earns the advantage with a thrilling forehand down the line. Watson takes a risk of her own to move to the net quickly and it pays off with a smash that loops into the air and wide off the edge of Juvan’s racket. Juvan accepts the third break point of the game to avoid being bagelled. Watson is still 5-1 up, mind.
There is plenty of frustration on Juvan’s side of the court. She finds the net with a weak backhand and then is pushed around by Watson who smashes into open court after Juvan can only loop the ball over the net on the run. Another break is completed when Juvan whacks a backhand volley into the net with plenty of open space ahead of her. One more game required for Watson.
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Juvan looks to be lacking confidence and is trying to overhit the ball, resulting in sending too many shots long. Watson is moving Juvan around and it is helps earn a 30-0 lead. A lovely backhanded slice completes victory for Watson to go 4-0 up in the second. She is closing in on the next round.
Watson earns another break point with a cracking forehand down the line when moving across the baseline. She takes it to move 3-0 up in the second after an underwhelming Juvan backhand lands a foot long.
Elsewhere ... Frances Tiafoe has beaten Alexander Bublik in four sets, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 to move into the fourth round of the men’ singles.
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A poor volley into the net from Watson makes it 15-15 but Juvan concludes the next rally with a wayward dink into the tramlines. Watson is looking confident and wins the second game of the set to go 2-0 up by getting to the net quickly to volley and following it up with a smash.
Watson, boosted by the opening set victory, gets straight back into the groove and moves to 0-30, aided by a double fault. Juvan rediscovers her composure to level things up thanks to a fine backhand down the line. Some delicate hands put Juvan ahead but Watson takes us to deuce with a lovely volley at the net. Juvan sends one long to give Watson the advantage and the break point which she duly accepts.
What a positive note to start my blogging session on. Thanks to John for covering the early stuff. Let’s hope the fun continues.
Watson takes the first set from Juvan 7-6
The tie-breaker starts with Juvan crashing a winner home on the Watson serve, only for an untimely double fault. Then, Watson creeps to the net, punching down a volley for 2-1. More sound defensive work forces Juvan into missing a volley at the net. 3-1. Juvan wins out on a lengthy rally, when she comes on to a slice and crashes a passing shot home. Then, from the baseline, Watson claws the ball into an unreachable position for Juvan at the net. 4-2 to the Channel Islander. 5-2 now, when she lobs her opponent at the net, looping a backhand. Juvan’s overhead makes it 3-5. Juvan is forced to go for broke, and can only net, offering up three set points at 6-3. The first is saved by a winner down the line, the very outside of the line. Then Watson, on the baseline, can only net. 6-5 but Watson to serve. A very long rally ensues, Watson up to the net, and eventually her volleying is breached, so it’s 6-6. Then, Juvan goes long, a call made by the umpire, and challenged unsuccessfully. 7-6, and the set is gifted by a double fault.
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Watson overcooks a baseline hit to hand Juvan a 30-0 lead, and then does the same to fall 40-0 down. Too ambitious, perhaps. And it’s a hold, and a tie-break.
Juvan is asked to serve to save the first set and does so to love, a good response to being broken in the previous service game. The pressure goes back on Watson, who then survives a challenge to a call at 15-15, then gets to 30-15 after a Juvan error. A low slice can only be thwacked into the net, but then comes a fall from Watson ahead of a deuce. But then comes a bouncing, swinging forehand that takes her to advantage. Then, some sterling defensive work wins the game, holding serve. The pressure falls back on Juvan.
Juvan takes first blood from Watson with a break, but then Watson gets a chance to break back, and on the second opportunity, having seen out a galloping rally, smashes an overhead to level at 4-4 in the first.
Tiafoe leads 2-1 against Bublik, having won the third set in another tie break. It’s a big-serving encounter on Court Two.
A gorgeous stop/drop shot takes Watson to game point on Juvan, and an important hold is completed, putting the pressure back on the Slovenian, the world No 62.
Watson, at 2-1 up, gets chance for an early break, only to net her backhand when a winner was potentially on. Juvan then sees out to hold. Still, an early glimmer was there.
Watson starts promisingly, serving out her opening service game, only for Juvan to do much the same.
Ok, plucky Brit time as Heather Watson, a regular at Wimbledon, is on Court No 1 on her 12th visit, to face Kaja Juvan, the world No 62 and a Slovenian.
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There’s a second-round match being played on Court No 3, an all-American affair, where Jack Sock, the Nebraskan, is two sets up on Maxime Cressy, born in Paris, but resident in Hermosa Beach.
Tim van Rijthoven beats Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4 6-3 6-4
The Dutch outsider, the wild card, breezes through, and into the fourth round.
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Tiafoe, from a tie-break, does take the second set from Bublik. Game on, and these two look highly evenly matched. They’re at 1-1 in the third, and Bublik is serving well, crashing down the aces.
Ostapenko beats Begu 3-6 6-1 6-1
She won 12 of the last 13 games to charge into the fourth round, and Begu had no answer. “Come on,” she roars as she completes her win.
That game between Tiafoe and Bublik is another that looks to be levelling up in the second set. Ostapenko has meanwhile found her stride against Begu, and is 2-0 up in the third, and serves out for 3-0 up with a crashing forehand. Begu’s in trouble, the former French Open champion.
Six games in a row, and Ostapenko is now level on sets with Begu, while Tsurenko is 3-0 up in the second set with Jule Niemeier, having lost the first. Basilashvili meanwhile trails Van Rijthoven by two sets, and the Dutch wild card is on course to make the fourth round.
Ostapenko’s now 4-1 up in the second set on Begu, her power beginning to tell. The dark clouds are beginning to circle, and a storm may be brewing.
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Basilashvili meanwhile trails Van Rijthoven by a set, while Tiafe has a break back against Bulblik. Still the early knockings at Wimbledon today, though Ostapenko has just broken Begu in the second set, and leads 2-1. A fightback looks on.
Begu’s taken the first set from Ostapenko, 6-3, and looks in full control, the same going for Bulblik, who took the first set off Tiafoe by the same margin.
In those early matches, Bublik is 3-0 up on Tiafoe, it’s going with serve between Begu and Ostapenko, and between Basilashvili and Van Rijthoven. Tsurenko, who beat Britain’s Jodie Burrage on Monday, leads Jule Niemeier, the German, 3-1.
Singles matches taking place at the moment, though it’s a big day for the doubles, with Jamie Murray and Venus Williams in mixed doubles action against New Zealand’s Michael Venus and Poland’s Alicja Rosolska in a Venusian derby match.
Court 2: (23) Frances Tiafoe (USA) v Alexander Bublik (Kaz)
Court 3: Irina-Camelia Begu (Rom) v (12) Jelena Ostapenko (Lat)
Court 12: (22) Nikoloz Basilashvili (Geo) v Tim Van Rijthoven (Ned)
Court 18: Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) v Jule Niemeier (Ger)
Today’s show court order of play
Centre Court (from 1.30pm)
- Parry v Jabeur
- Djokovic v Kecmanovic
- Norrie v Johnson
Court One (from 1pm)
- Watson v Juvan
- Kerber v Mertens
- Otte v Alcaraz
Later on Court 1, scheduled to start at 3.30pm, Carlos Alcaraz, who will play the German, Oscar Otte. Alcaraz could be the next big thing. His five-setter against Jan-Lennard Struff was followed by a rather easier, three-setter, against the wonderfully named Tallon Griekspoor.
The Wimbledon weather forecast is overcast with sunny spells. It’s currently a lukewarm 18 degrees in SW19.
Friday at The Championships awaits 😍#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2022
Kyrgios said what happened against Jubb in round one, and the subsequent headlines his behaviour provoked, for which he has been fined £8,200, made him even more determined to put on a show. “I was pretty disappointed in my performance in the first round. Then obviously the media’s disrespect and just everything, it was just kind of a reminder to put you all back in your place from the performance today. He made finals at Queen’s, top 30 in the world, seeded. It’s a gentle reminder.”
While the Polish No 1 is still the bookies’ clear favourite she is not quite an odds-on shot as yet, which means that there are two ways to think about her chances of following up her French Open triumph last month. On the one hand, Swiatek is the likeliest winner. On the other, the betting still implies that, at some point over the next nine days, someone is likely to beat her.
Liam Broady has certainly been around. In his youth he was one of the finest young players in the world and a junior Wimbledon finalist in 2011, and he has spent the years since trying to complete the notoriously difficult transition and establish himself at the top of his sport. His trials have, at times, challenged his self-belief.
Restrictions would hit Spain’s Rafael Nadal, because he is “superstitious” and known for carefully lining up multiple water bottles as part of a long-established courtside ritual.
The mystery of the missing punters continues. Attendance figures for Wednesday struck another low, with 38,520 people on site. That made it the third day in a row where attendance was the lowest since 2007, at least where rain or Covid haven’t been involved. It signifies something of a worrying trend and it’s not just affecting the show courts. Is it uninterested debenture holders or a shortage of foreign visitors? Is it the cost of living crisis or a lack of Roger Federer? Everyone in and around the courts is speculating while the All England Club stays decidedly silent.
Before the action begins, and we get underway on the outside courts at 11am, a look at yesterday.
“It wasn’t the best start, but it was probably the best finish,” Nadal said. “I have room for getting better. A couple of weeks ago I was close to retirement but now I don’t feel that way.” Speaking on Covid, he said was taking extra precautions because: “This is reality. I am staying at home I am not going out any more. At some point you have to open up but then there are more cases, this is part of the challenging world we are in.”
Preamble
After yesterday’s Brit fest - well done, Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady, commiserations, Harriet Dart and Jack Draper - a return to tennis as a global game, though Cameron Norrie, No 1-rated plucky Brit is also in action, as well as Heather Watson. Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian who some shrewdies fancy to win the whole caboodle, gets us under way on Centre Court, taking on France’s Diane Parry. Though no rest for Heather Watson, as she is no Court No 1 against Kaja Juvan. Norrie is in the teatime slot on Centre Court, when he plays the American, Steve Johnson. He follows Novak Djokovic, who takes on fellow Serb, Miomir Kecmanovic, 22 and who has reached further than before at SW19 and is having his best year yet in slams.
All that and more, throughout the day.
