That’ll do from me tonight. Some great games under my watch. Elena Rybakina held off a spirited Alize Cornet to set up a showdown with Britain’s Katie Boulter. Earlier, Britain’s wildcard Liam Broady shocked the world No 4 Casper Rudd to progress.
But all focus on the slugfest that is Andy Murray v Stefanos Tsitsipas. They’re separated by 11 years in terms of their age but there was little between them on the court. The 24-year-old Greek won the first set after a tiebreaker before the 36-year-old Scot claimed a tiebreaker of his own.
Then he broke Tsitsipas to kick off the third set and kept his nose in front throughout. Just after edging ahead 2-1, the match officials called time on the game.
They’ll be back tomorrow. The exact time and location remains TBC so keep an eye on that. Will Tsitsipas shake off the gloom that seemed to settle over his shoulders? Will Muzza’s ageing muscles be stiff in the morning? We shall see.
I’m on again tomorrow so I’ll catch you then.
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“What’s the point of the bloody lights if they stop an epic like this?” asks Gregory Phillips.
Good question. It did feel like they pulled the plug on the jukebox and called last round far too early. Tsitsipas looked very keen to get off the court though. So at least someone’s happy with the pause.
“This is what tennis is all about,” says David Sweet. “Beyond the skill and fitness, it’s the most intense test of character between two competitors that I know!”
You said it. Engrossing stuff. I do wonder if the break might play against Murray. Will the age difference be a factor?
Andy Murray leads Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4
Andy Murray walks off to a standing ovation (after some boos directed at the officials) after taking the third set about 20 minutes before the official close of play this evening.
No need to carry on. Not after the way these two played. Fantastic tennis. Tsitsipas did the bulk of the hitting – mostly from his rocket propelled forehand – but Murray roared back and had all the momentum behind him. He’d have won if they continued but will instead have to find his groove when they get going tomorrow.
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That’s it. They’ve called it. Just as Murray takes the lead in this game, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, the match officials call time on tonight’s game.
They’ll be back tomorrow.
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Murray takes the set! What a player. What a man. What a hero. There have been more important games played, and he might still go on and lose this, but it’s hard not to get swept up in Murray-Mania when he’s playing like this.
Phew. He’s OK. He’s serving for the set.
OH NO!! MURRAY IS DOWN! He lets out a scream as he goes down. Same place as Cornet and the same place as Tsitispas earlier in the match. He’s clutching his groin. Will he be OK?
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Murray one away from the set. He is just remarkable. He’s grown as this game has unfolded and now he looks 100 feet tall.
Tsitsipas is sulking. I’m not sure what’s eating him but something clearly is. Meanwhile, Murray lands another first serve and takes the first point of this game.
Tsitsipas keeps the set going. He shrugs off that sluggishness and secures the two points needed to claim that game. He trails 5-4. Murray will now serve for the set.
What was that? The ball was alive, the rally was on, but Tsitsipas played a shot that McEnroe called “indescribable”. I’ll try. He was attempting to play a sliced drop shot but made contact with the frame of his racket. He’s become sloppy. His body language isn’t great. He needs to sharpen up, quick.
Murray wins game with an ace. Another one. His serve has really come good. 5-3 up now in the third.
How has Tsitspias won that point? The commentators are saying it’s because of Murray’s indecision on the backhand when he could have put it away, but credit to Tsitsipas who refused to go away, chasing a strong serve and remaining in the rally. Murray lands another first serve to take a 30-15 lead. He’s landing more than 80% of his first serves in this third set.
Tsitspias is still a potent force. Especially when he’s serving. He’s sending howitzers from a dizzying height and Murray can just about get them back over the net. 4-3 to Murray but that was brutal from the young Greek.
Murray on top now. He reestablishes his two game cushion and goes 4-2 up in the third set. He’s matching Tsitsipas’ power and mixing it with him in the rally.
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Murray showing that dog in him. He’s barking at the crowd. He’s barking at himself. He might go over the net and bite Tsitipas. He’s up to 40-15 but comes out on the wrong end of another probing rally. Great tennis from both men.
Tsitsipas loses his radar a touch but keeps his head. That thundering first serve has lost some of its edge but he still has enough behind him to take the game. Murray leads this third set 3-2. A graphic on screen shows how Tsitsipas’ forehand – which was so potent early on – has diminished. In fact, Murray’s forehand is now the stronger of the two.
Murray takes the game to lead 3-1 in the third set. They might regret closing the roof because this crowd is going to send it flying into the London air. Murray’s tenacity as much as his skill sees him hold serve.
Mrray survives an endless rally. They’re back at deuce. A let off from Tsitsipas who had front foot ball there for most of the exchange. But his probing shot is long. Murray then hammers another ace. His first serve is cooking now!
Tsitsipas with the advantage. He moves quickly to cut off Murray’s wide serve and follows that up with efficient work at the net. Pressure on Murray to hold his serve.
Murray smokes another ace. And how he needed that. He was in a spot of bother after Tsitsipas had taken a 30-40 lead. But as cool as you like, Murray crunched that straight and true. He hammers an overhead winner to take the advantage in deuce and fist pumps towards the crowd. They’re fully behind him now.
“AAAAANDYYYYYY! FOCUS!” When Murray is annoyed with himself, he lets you know! He admonishes his own error – a lame forehand that’s long – that gives Tsitsipas a 15-30 lead. Murray’s back level at 30-30 thanks to some neat, and arguably measured, baseline work.
Murray nails another ace. That takes things to 15-15. Tsitsipas can only watch as it screams by.
Murray now fighting Tsitsipas’ forehand. That shows his growing confidence. He’s willing to fight fire with fire. Tsitsipas take the game on his serve, but Murray, emboldened by his lead, can start playing a bit more on the front foot. 2-1 to Murray.
Murray 2-0 up. Even a brilliant return from Tsitsipas on the lunge can’t keep Murray from establishing a foothold in this match. Tsitsipas’ forehand is long and Murray is on top.
Murray in the groove. A monster first serve takes him 30-15 up before he lands an inch perfect winner to go to 40-15.
Murray breaks Tsitsipas! In the game of the third set, Murray bucks the trend that had calcified in this match. What a moment. And he won without dropping a point! He is thrumming now! The crowd is fully behind him too.
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Supporting Murray is a lot, as Simon McMahon says:
“Following Murray’s career has been a heady mix of pain and pleasure. Ups and downs, highs and lows. Rollercoaster rides. Angst and drama. Though I’m sure it’s all been much worse for him than it has been for me. Still, I think I’ve been more invested in Andy’s tennis career than any other sportsperson, and I’ve followed a few. He is truly remarkable, Britain’s greatest ever individual athlete. And I don’t care what anyone else says. COME ON ANDY!!!
They’re back. It’s been engrossing tennis so far. Neither man has been able to break the other. Two impressive servers. Murray with more nous. Tsitsipas with more power. Can either break free?
A reminder that we’re out of here at 11pm. If they aren’t settled by then they’ll have to come back and finish it tomorrow.
They’re taking a bathroom break. Two gruelling hours so far. What a slugfest this is!
Murray 6-7 (3-7) 6-6 (7-2) Tsitsipas.
Muray takes the second set! Two hours on court, two tiebreaks and they’re locked at 1-1. I did say this was going to be a long night. Murray’s serve and volley game has Tsitsipas playing from deep. The final point was secured after a failed drop shot.
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Murray two points away. He’s 5-2 up thanks to a sublime return that pushed Tsitsipas back on his heels.
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Murray into a 4-1 lead. It’s his first serve, that has ignited in this tiebreak, that’s doing the job.
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ACE! Murray, like a trebuchet, hurls down a screamer to kick off this tiebreaker. But a perfectly weighted drop from Tsitsipas from behind the baseline levels it at 1-1.
Here we go again. Tiebreak after Tsitsipas knocks out the winner with ease. Murray to serve first.
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Loose from Tsitsipas. Again, with the court yawning in front of him, with the ball sitting up on his forehand, Tsitsipas shanks it wide. It’s 30-30. His first service is wide as well. But a tremendous, and brave, second serve wins him the point.
Feels that way.
Andy Murray is playing at his best level since 2016 #wimbledon2023
— Jonathan Hungin (@JonathanHungin) July 6, 2023
Murray wipes this game. Tsitsipas couldn’t land a blow. 6-5 to the lad from Glasgow. Still no broken serves.
Murray’s moving well. He won’t be put away as he chases two lost causes before producing a delicious touch to get the ball up and over the net from close range. Tsitsipas tries to deliver a similar piece of magic but skews his dink wide. This is a different sort of Andy Murray. He looks so pumped for this. 40-0 up.
Murray roars to the crowd! Another quality tennis shot takes him to 30-30 but Tsitsipas bludgeons a first serve that allows him to move into position to hammer a winner. He follows that up with the same trick. Huge serve. Quick feet. Crushing winner. Game, Tsitsipas. 5-5.
Does Andy Murray enjoy tennis? His existence on the court looks painful and filled with angst. I know that’s how many elite players get their juices flowing but I hope he’s having fun. He certainly was with that skilful winner down the court with a forehand to a ball that was dying on him.
Game, Murray. Centre Court erupts as the hometown favourite takes a 5-4 lead in the second.
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Tsitsipas misses a gimme. At 30-15 down he had the court open in front of him but over hit that forehand winner. He does well, though, to win a point and make it 40-30 after both men covered just about every blade of grass on the court. A sensational overhead, reach from Tsitsipas to keep the ball in play.
Fantastic drop shot from Tsitsipas. That wasn’t easy from so deep on the forehand. Murray had to scamper but couldn’t reach it. Earlier, Murray’s serve was expertly fetched by Tsitsipas. But he’s back on top with a 30-15 lead. Good tennis out there. Two clear plans.
Murray is sick with himself. He’s smacking his thigh in frustration. His picks out Tsitsipas’ backhand on four consecutive shots but then puts one on his opponent’s forehand and is helpless as it whizzes past him. Tsitsipas then takes a 40-15 lead and closes the game with an untouchable ace. Murray thought he’d figured it out, and in fact he had. But knowing what to do and executing, especially against such a powerful foe, are two different things entirely.
Murray into his work, takes a 4-3 lead. We’ve yet to see a serve broken. Murray hanging in there but still doing enough with his serve. Could Tsitsipas be doing more? He seemed to have Murray’s measure earlier in the piece but the Brit has improved, especially with his first serve.
Tsitsipas holds firm. Murray did well to take it to deuce but Tsitsipas rediscovered his bite on the serve and it’s now locked at 3-3.
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Murray has been immense at the net. Tsitsipas was once again weak there. Neither hitting across Murray or past him. That allows the the time and space to play a deft volley. Murray needed that. From 40-0 down he fights back to take it to 40-30. He then gets involved in a scrappy rally and comes out on top. Deuce. Great hitting from Murray.
Earlier today, on this very court, Elena Rybakina overcame a spirited Alize Cornet to progress to the next round.
Simon Cambers was there to see the procession turn into a battle:
The crowd get a talking to from the umpire. Someone called ‘out’ when the ball was in fact in. Murray was distracted and wasn’t impressed as he cast a dirty look towards the culprit. He goes to the net and engages Tsitsipas in a rally. The lob is short and Murray slams home the winner. 40-15 up before closing out the game. 3-2 to the Brit in the second.
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How about some reading while this game settles into a rhythm? Hanna Jane Parkinson’s Wimbledon diary is worth your time. Come for the tennis. Stay for the politics at the end.
Tsitsipas takes the game in less time than it takes to boil a kettle. Murray has to find a way of breaking his serve. 2-2.
New balls, same Tsitsipas forehand. It was actually a soft touch that won him the point but it was a meaty forehand that put Murray off balance and ended with the ball lobbed towards the net. Murray squares it at 15-15 with some tenacious play. However, Tsitsipas canters clear with a blistering service game. 40-15 up.
Murray holds. It didn’t look like he would but once this went to deuce he showed great composure on his own serve. He now leads 2-1 in the second.
Tsitsipas takes it to deuce. Guess how he did it? That’s right. More mighty forehands. That’s his path to glory this evening. This one down the tram line with Murray flatfooted.
Class from Murray. Just as Tsitsipas found his touch on the backhand, Murray produces a backhand pass across the face of the court. Could Tsitsipas have reached that though as he moved towards the net? McEnroe thinks so and so do I. 30-15 . Make that 40-15 as Murray holds firm after a solid serve.
Murray shouts at… himself? He can’t blame anyone else for that ugly hack on the backhand that thwacked into the net after a probing rally. It’s 15-15 thanks to hack of his own from Tsitsipas following a strange passage that saw the Greek attempt three consecutive lobs that were all returned with overhand smashes.
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Unstoppable forehand. Anything short from Murray is met by Tsitsipas who coils his body and unloads a mighty heave on to the ball. He storms to take the game after an early scare. 1-1 in the second.
Tsitsipas appears frustrated with his own service. Big chance to break now for Murray as he goes 15-30 up. But they’re all square after a brilliant drop shot from Tsitsipas on the lunge.
A warning shot. Murray misses his first serve and Tsitsipas is all over the second. He’s looping right round to meet it with his forehand. He misses the target, shunting it too long, and Murray wins the point before taking the game. 1-0 up in the second.
There you go, Andy. Nails the first serve and forces Tsitsipas wide. 30-15.
Murray didn’t lose that by much. Of course that doesn’t mean a whole lot now, but there was enough to work with as they head into the second set. Tsitsipas’ backhand looped ropey and Murray was dangerous when he landed his first serve and was tidy at the net. But his second was lame, allowing Tsitsipas to unleash his favoured shot.
Tsitsipas takes the first set, 7-6. Like a giant robot, Tsitsipas has had to get his forehand through the gears. It’s now operating at full capacity and it proved the difference as the pair exchanged blows at the end of that tiebreak.
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Tsitsipas has two set points. Another thrilling rally. Tsitsipas had to scoop a deep bal from close to his toes to keep the rally alive. But he always had the ascendancy there.
Tsitsipas has a rocket in his forehand. Both players traded numerous blows at the baseline. Tsitsipas is clearly looking for that shot. He’s running round balls that could be taken on the backhand. But why not? He gets into position and slams a rocket down the tram. He wins another point on his serve to take a 5-3 lead.
Murray misses his first serve which gives Tsitsipas a chance. He’s got Murray running this way and that but when the time comes to land the killer blow he overcooks the cross-court backhand past Murray and sends it long. 3-3.
Tsitsipas 3-2 up. Big serve, charge to the net, volley. Simple and effective from the big Greek.
Murray takes 2-1 lead in tiebreak. When he lands his first serve he looks imperious. That latest one was 131mp/h!
Murray forces the tiebreak. It looked like he was buried but stays in the contest. Tsitsipas’ backhand is misfiring. Murray can’t compete with his forehand. A clear pattern emerging.
Let’s GO!” Murray lets out a roar as he saves the first break point of the match. In doing so he keeps the set alive as they head to deuce. He has the advantage as he serves to Tsitsipas’ backhand and the ball bobbles into the net after an awkward looking shot.
Murray gambles but challenges is unsuccessful. Tsitsipas’ mishit was long, but it did touch the line. Set point for the Greek.
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100mp/h return. Tsitsipas has blasted Murray’s right back where it came from. That had steam coming off it as the game goes to 30-30. Murray wins the next point but Tsitsipas hammers an overhead volley to take this to deuce.
Tsitsipas slips in the same spot where Cornet went down. That patch of turf is cursed. It was almost an exact replay. Murray gets the point as Tsitsipas is prone on one knee. Murray then goes 30-0. Tiebreak incoming.
Blink and you’ll miss it. Murray might have Tsitsipas's number when they’re rallying off his serve, but when the Greek unleashes his own service game, there’s no contest. 40-0 in no time. He leads 6-5. Murray annoyed by something. Or is that simply his resting-grumpy face?
Murray holds from 0-30. Good effort that. He’s exerting himself more as the rallies go on. His backhand in particular has been on point. Tsitsipas will need to find a way past him.
Get it on his backhand. A monster forehand moves him 0-30 in front. He’s so strong with that shot. Murray wins a point with a backhand and then squares the game with a tricky serve to Tsitsipas’s backhand. That’s the target for Murray.
Tim Henman says that this is “Murray’s best chance in a number of years”. Britain’s darling with a hill named after him adds, “Murray is definitely moving so much better. Not quite as good as in his prime, but getting those matches in on the grass court gives him the best chance in a number of years at Wimbledon.”
We’re going at breakneck speed. This match is hurtling along. Tsitsipas recovers from that sloppiness and rediscovers a ruthless edge, putting Murray away after the ball sits up and begs to be spanked. He’s 5-4 up.
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Anything you can do, I can do better. Tsitsipas won’t be undone and unleashes some booming serves of his. He aces Murray to go 30-0 ahead. Murray is slick at the net though. Two deft touches – along with passivity from Tsitsipas – means he wins a point.
Murray sweeps game. All square at 4-4. Very impressed with Murray. He’s in excellent form. Maybe the best he’s been in for the past five years.
Murray’s serve now thrumming at a higher frequency. After a wobble at the start of the match he’s now hammering that first serve. He goes 40-0 up with a scything ace.
New balls for Murray, a new racket for Tsitsipas. A clear pattern emerging. Can either serve be broken?
Tsitsipas finishes strong. When he lands that first serve in he’s hard to put away. Murray won’t be aced, but he can’t control the tempo as he’s lunging to keep the ball in play. From 15-30 down, Tsitsipas storms to take the game. He now leads 4-3. Could be a long evening folks.
Tsitsipas showing emotion. He’s annoyed with himself. Two errors in this game has him 15-30 down. But smart control of the court has Murray going right, then left, then right again. 30-30.
Serves continue to hold. Murray is moving well and striking them clean. He looks the better player when they both go to the net. He takes that game and they’re locked at 3-3.
Cute from Tsitsipas. He unleashes several forehand slammers before pulling out a bitsy little drop. Grace and power all on show. 40-15.
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Murray’s challenge is successful. He goes toe to toe withy Tsitsipas’ forehand and comes good after the Greek’s thrusting shot towards the centre of the court is long. Murray then wins another tussle at the net. 40-0.
Murray lands a serve and wins a rally. Tsitsipas repeatedly going to the back hand drop. Murray looking to avoid his forehand. 15-0.
Serves holding so far. Tsitsipas 3-2 up. A strong forehand sees out this game.
Murray is on it! Excellent cross-court winner past a lunging Tsitsipas. Still work to do in this game. He’s down 40-30.
Murray is confronting the umpire. He’s not being aggressive but he’s convinced that Tsitsipas’ first serve clipped the net. It didn’t. Tsitsipas up 40-15.
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Murray’s serve comes good. 2-2. Better from the two-time champion.
Good question. Murray still not finding his radar with his first serve. Still, he’s 30-0 up.
@BBCSport #Wimbledon
— moi (@Who__me) July 6, 2023
What is the record number of letts from a single serve? 🤔
Tsitsipas 2-1 up. Murray is moving well. He’ll be relatively happy with that. Tsitsipas is winning the rallies but he’s not exactly putting away the veteran Brit. Big service coming up. Murray struggled with his first. Perhaps a way in for the Greek?
Tsitsipas uses all 1.93 metres (and then some) to smash home a winner. He’s one of the most watchable players around. Like liquid he moves. He’s 30-0 up before making a mess of a forehand. But he regains the cushion with a blistering ace. 40-15.
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Murray finally lands a first serve and takes the game. But that will be something to work on as the game develops. 1-1 in the first set.
Murray squares it killer forehand. Tsitsipas opts for a drop shot but it sits up and is spanked. Murray still can’t land a first serve.
Murray's first serve is off. He’s yet to land one. That means Tsitsipas can meet his second on the front foot. Still, Murray on the board in this game – 15-30 – after Tsitsipas’ lob is long.
Imperious from Tsitsipas. He comes out on top of that rally and takes a 0-15. Murray forced onto the back foot. An error from the Brit sees his forehand go beyond the baseline and he’s now 0-30 down.
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Tsitsipas takes the first game 40-15. This is his first ever match on Centre Court. Strong serve but showing off great touch as well.
Murray with a backhand down the line. He lands his first blow. 40-15.
What a first point! Titsipas unfurls an inch perfect cross-court forehand past Murray at the net. That was a rally to whet the appetite.
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This is the pair’s third meeting. One win for each. Murray, 36, is ranked 40th in the world. Tsitsipas, 24, is the fifth best player. Ttitsipas to serve. The stage is set.
Aaaaand we’re back. The players are warming up. The roof is closed. This is going to be a good ‘un.
Some reading before Murray takes to Centre Court …
I’m taking a breather. We’re potentially in this for the long haul. Grab a cuppa and a bite if you need. Catch you in 10.
They’re closing the roof! That means we’re going to 11pm if needed on centre court. Murray versus Tsitsipas. John McEnroe is talking up the Brit. But says he must be aggressive.
The No 3 seed, Daniil Medveded is up against Adrian Mannarino. They’re into the fourth game. Mannarino is 2-1 up.
Right then. Andy Murray is up next. There’s a whimsical piece on the BBC on right now. He’s reminiscing about his first Wimbledon title in 2013. No one is expecting him to repeat the trick (which he also did in 2016) this time round, but it’s going to be so good seeing him on centre court. Looking forward to this one.
It was a difficult match for the defending champ. What did she make of it? “I started the match good and had good energy. But in the second [set] it became more difficult. There was a tricky long game. It was a tough match but happy to win in two sets”.
She takes on Katie Boulter in the next round. “I know the crowd won’t be on my side,” she says. But thanks them now as she waves goodbye.
Elena Rybakina beats Alize Cornet 6-2, 7-6
It might have come in straight sets, but that does not tell the full story of this epic. The second set was a blockbuster battle as Cornet refused to lie down. Rybakina’s power game set her up but Cornet’s tenacity made a game of it. She hurt her knee after a nasty slip but continued through the pain with a ton of strapping on her injured leg. The defending champion kept her cool and is through to the next round.
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Cornet is complaining about… something? Fans walking? A challenge that didn’t go her way. Either way, Rybakina has match point. 6-2 up.
Rybakina double faults. I think that’s her third (at least) this match. Cornet finds the net in the next rally so the defending champion still has a cushion and leads 4-2.
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Rybakina 3-1 up. A slick cross-court backhand means she has control in this tiebreak.
Cornet takes the game. How she’s doing this on one knee, I have no idea. She’s limping. No doubt about it. But she’s moving well enough to take the game. 6-6 in the second. Rybakima to serve in this tie break. She’s won 10 of the 11 she’s played.
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BOOM! That’s more like it from Rybakina. A monster volley from a ball that dropped from high takes this game to deuce. If she breaks she wins.
Rybakina fluffs another gimme. She goes to the net – something she’s done more of as the match has gone on – but skews a volley wide. Cornet leads 40-15.
Cornet is limping but moving well enough. She’s 30-15 up. Rybakina not exactly putting away her wounded opponent.
Rybakina takes the game and leads the second set 6-5. Eventually the defending champion comes out on top. Strong serve and a clinical follow up. Cornet will serve on one knee.
Cornet returns! Credit to her. Let’s she what’s she’s got. Rybakina has the game point. But then fluffs a backhand and we have our 12th deuce.
Cornet’s knee now looks like it belongs in the British Museum. Because it has a lot of strapping. Like a mummy. No? Anyway, she’s going to carry on it seems. Would be a remarkable fight back from here. I’m not even sure she can walk with all that strapping. But it seems as if this marathon game will continue after 11 deuces.
Cornet is lying on her back receiving medical attention. After 15 gruelling minutes in this game alone, with the second set locked at 5-5, Cornet twisted her knee and doesn’t look like she’ll continue. The winner of this will face Katie Boulter who was sensational against Victoriya Tomova.
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She’s shaking her head. She’s holding her right knee. Replays show that her left foot slipped on the grass and her right knee stayed where it was. She’s in clear pain as she grips her knee.
Cornet is down! Looks like she twisted her ankle as she reached for a ball. She’s stayed down. Concerning scenes. Rybakina has come over to see if she’s OK but that might be that. She’s grimacing and is still on her knees. I really hope she can continue.
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Cornet has the advantage but coughs it up. Rybakina decides to come to the net. That’s been a feature of this marathon game and takes the point.
“Beautiful” says Martina Navratilova as the pair exchange some delightful drop shots and cross court teasters. It ends with Cornet taking the point. Rybakina takes the advantage but Cornet firces the 10th deuce.
8th deuce. The world record is 37 btw.
Rybakina double faults (again). That’s her second double error on her serve in this game. 7th deuce.
They keep going. Sixth deuce. Rybakina’s power takes away Cornet’s advantage. She then unfurls a big serve to take the advantage herself.
Neither are giving anything away. We’re back at deuce. This game has now dragged beyond eight minutes. Cornet is fighting on every shot.
Outstanding from Cornet. Tenacious defensive works eventually gets her into a position to play a sliced drop shot. Rybakina retakes the advantage though. If the defending champ can eradicate a little sloppiness she should have this in the bag.
Impressive from Rybakina. She seems to get better the angrier she gets. She overturns three break points to lock this game at 40-40. Now she has the advantage through sheer aggression and power.
Rybakina doesn’t look comfortable staring into the sun. And fair enough. That’s a third fourth hoick that’s landed far from it’s intended destiation. She’s down 0-40 on her own serve. She’s throw shouting at herself. Oi.
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Corney holds her nerve. Rybakina is staring directly into a low sun. Cornet’s cute lofted drop shot might have put her opponent off. She takes this second set to 5-5.
Rybakina one game away. She blitzes through her service to take a 5-4 lead. Cornet’s serve has been much improved in this second however.
A howler from Rybakina! It might not cost her in the end but she’s played a stinker there. Right by the net, she was under a high ball but could only clang it straight into the net with an open court at her mercy. Is that a turning point? Maybe. That gave Cornet the advantage and then another wild hack from Rybakina hands Cornet the game. 4-4 in the second set.
Back at centre. The defending champion, Elena Rybakina [3] isn’t having it all her own way. She crushed the first set 6-2 but is in a dog fight in the second. She leads 4-3. Cornet’s serve goes to duece.
Vekic is fighting through the tears as she addresses the crowd. A lot of energy and emotion was spent claiming that come from behind victory. What’s going through her mind? “I have no idea,” she manages before thanking the crowd.
“I’ve always said to my team that I think Sloane is one of the best players in the world,” she says. “I can’t believe I won.”
So, how did she turn that around? “I was having a panic attack in the second set. I told myself to try to enjoy it somehow.” She looks spent. What a game. What a player. She will be a problem in this tournament.
Vekic’s parents are losing their minds court side. And why not? They’re celebrating like she’s just won the title and maybe she will after that fightback.
Donna Vekic [20] beats Sloane Stephens 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
She was 5-2 down in the second set and was heading home. But she won five games in a row to rescue the contest and leaned on her mighty serve to take control. By the end she had momentum fully behind her and made the win look routine. But what a shame for Stephens who briefly reminded us what a talent she is.
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Oooo! Vekic’s challenge is successful and it’s deuce. That’s her fourth ace of the match. She now has the advantage.
Stephens leads 30-40. A rally that went left then right ends with a forehand winner down the line.
Vekic aces. 30-30.
Another outstanding return. Stephens had to reach for that one and dig out a cross-court forehand. She’s up 15-30.
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Stephens has upped her game! She’s just returned a blistering forehand with an even more impressive backhand to take a 15-0 lead. More of those and she might have a sniff.
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Vekic takes a huge drink of water. Her eyes are closed. She looks knackered but still focussed. She’s through if she holds here.
Stephens aces for the first time today. She leads 40-30 and then puts away another monster serve to take the game. Vekic will serve for the match.
Vekic one game away from victory. Her serve grew as that game developed and she puts away the game-winning shot after a monstrous serve sets her up.
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Oh Sloane. Three unforced errors hands Vekic the initiative. 40-15.
Vekic double faults. 0-15.
Fantastic Stephens! She fights back, and I want to emphasise the fight here, to hold her serve. She’s 3-4 down. If Vekic can hold twice she’ll advance. Stephens on it. Some lovely touches mixed with power.
Oh delicious from Stephens. A drop shot of the highest order means she’s 15-0 up on her own serve. I think that’s why she is a source of so much frustration. She’s a sensational player when she’s on. Only she’s not on enough.
Bang! Vekic goes 4-2 up in the third set. As simple as you like. Booming serve, step towards the net, wait for the looping ball and give it an old fashioned whack. Easy game when you play like that. Stephens in trouble.
Stephens isn’t lying down. She’s taken Vekic’s serve to deuce. Both players visibly flagging. It was Vekic’s error that extended this game. She really should have put that cross court forehand away. Then again, it was Stephen’s messy stroke that handed her opponent the initiative.
Rybakina in firm control. She stormed the first set 6-1 and now leads Cornet 1-0 in the second. Just too strong with her strokes from the baseline. Cornet can’t keep pace.
Vekic breaks Stephens. The tide has turned and now Vekic [20] leads 3-2 in the third.
They’re not going to play like that fir the whole match, are they? I hope Frances Tiafoe [10] and Dominic Stricker have plenty left in the tank after they went the distance in the first set. Tiafoe eventually claimed it 7-6 but only after a 13-11 tie-break.
Belinda Bencic [14] and Danielle Collins are going down to the wire. Collins took the first set 6-3 but the Swiss who has never progressed past the fourth round here took the second set 6-4. They’re currently locked at 2-2.
Stephens forces deuce. Much better. A strong serve gets her moving forward and she puts away a volley with some extra oomph. That felt like a statement shot. Can it galvanise her?
It’s just not working for Stephens. She attempts a drop shot from deep but was on her heels, never in control, and it bobbles into the net. She has the serve but must win this game. 30-15 down in the third set where she trails 3-1.
Switching over to the Stephens Vekic game. It’s shaping up to a be a cracker! After winning five games in a row, Vekic takes a 3-1 lead in the third set. She was 5-2 down in the second but stormed back. Stephens is visibly troubled. That is a wild backhand that skews off her racket. She needs to find her mojo again.
Back on centre court. Another sloppy forehand from Rybakina hands Cornet a game though she still leads 4-2 as she prepares to serve.
Stephens is visibly annoyed. She’s just lost a game to go 2-1 down in the third set. She’s remonstrating with the umpire about something. She was 5-2 ahead in the second and should have put this to bed. But Vekic rallied and now momentum is with her.
Stephens and Vekic are locked in a thriller. The American took the first set 6-4 but the Croatian, seeded 20th, claimed the second 7-5. They’re now square at 1-1 in the third.
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Cornet holds. She won’t lie down in the face of Rybakina’s power game. But the defending champ has a mighty service and her follow up stroke also packs a punch. She blitzes a through a cross-court double back-hand to take a 4-1 lead.
One for the Aussies. No, I’m not talking about the cricket, though that’s look good for the men in Baggy Green.
Wins for Alex de Minaur, Chris O’Connell and Jason Kubler means there’s a n “Australian revival” underway.
Sloppy from Rybakina. She had three break points to go 4-0 up but Cornet fought back with some hard graft at the baseline.
Over on centre court, the world No 3, Elena Rybakina has broken Aliza Cornet and is now leads 3-0 in the first. Clinical service game from the reigning champion. She had to pull out of the French Open with illness and the talk is she’s not quite 100% here. Looks good so far.
It’s been a good day for Brits. Liam Broady was sensational as he upset the fourth best player Casper Ruud to advance to the next round.
Keeping up the good vibes for the host nation is the double act of Connor Thomson and Toby Samuel. They’re looking good and are 4-2 up in the second set against Yannick Hanfmann and Pedro Cachin after taking the first set 7-5.
I’ve got Sloane Stephens v Donna Vekic [20] on the telly. The American won the first set 6-4 but was pegged back 5-7 in the second. Vekic on the verge of breaking Stephen’s serve in the deciding set.
Cheers Dan! Howdy everyone. Another Dan in the seat. Promise we didn’t plan it that way. Welcome to all Dans and non-Dans to the evening session. We’ve got Andy Murray v Stefanos Tsitsipas to look forward to among other tasty matches.
If you want to drop a line or send a tweet please do.
Righto, my watch is over. Thus, here’s Daniel Gallan to coax you through the absolute shedload that remains of this insane day. Peace out people.
Waiting to come out, Cornet rubs sunscreen on her face, and on the face of things she’s a perfect match-up for Rybakina at this stage: good enough to test her, probably not good enough to beat her.
“Superb win for Broady,” says Simon McMahon, though unfortunately the fall of another wicket at Headingley means my “good day for Broadys” line is on hold. “And I’m claiming full credit for, rather disparagingly but entirely deliberately, writing him off after the third set. I know how these things work. Tsitsipas in four against Andy.”
There’s no way Murray can cope with the aesthetic beauty of Tsitsipas’ fearsome one-handed backhand.
On 12, Tiafoe and Stricker are away, Stricker missing chances to break before Tiafoe holds for a 3-2 lead. Meantime, Fernandez and Garcia are 4-4 in their decider and I’m fancying the youthful exuberance of the former to shade this.
“At Wimbledon why does everyone have to wear white? asks Kurt Perleberg.
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Soraya Cirstea beats Jelena Ostapenko [17] 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4!
She meets Haddad Maia [13] next, who outlasted Cristian 6-4 in the third.
Next on Centre: Alize Cornet v Elena Rybakina [3].
Before he went to bed last night, Broady was thinking about what he’d say if he won, and now he has, he’s not a clue. Playing on centre was “terrifying and exhilarating”, he reckons, but he’s been aiming for this since he was five, so. This morning, he told his mum, who doesn’t like watching him, that it’s fine, he’s already made 80 grand this week, then asked about the next match says Shapovalov is one of the best in the world … “like Casper is!” and mazal tov Liam Broady. A top bloke by absolutely all accounts, he’s earnt the arse out of this, and it’s so great to see moments like this; this is what sport’s all about.
Ever the gent, Ruud congratulates Broady, waves to the crowd, and signs some autographs. Broady meets Shapovalov next, and that’ll be quite an occasion.
Liam Broady beats Casper Ruud [4] 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-0!
A forehand winner down the line and what behaviour from Liam Broady! He has devastated the world’s fourth-best player in a final set! His whole life had been leading him to this point, and doesn’t he enjoy it! He takes his time to feel the moment, applauds the crowd, and his face expands in smiles; he can’t stop now, the magnitude of the moment enveloping him in a buzz of joy and love. Incredible.
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Eesh, Ruud ups the pace and Broady shanks a forehand wide. 30-all, nerves a-janglin’ … but seconds later a better forehand raises two match points…
Ah man, Broady’s dad is sat there with a straight face, his insides clearly in absolute turmoil. An ace gives his son 30-15…
Broady is absolutely pasting Ruud now, holding easily for 4-0 before racing to 0-30. He then rams a backhand winner down the line, flicks a backhand winner cross court, and he is flying! Liam Broady is devastating the world number four! What a feeling this must be! He leads 5-0 in the decider, and every mile, every tear, every injury is worth it for this moment. Here he comes to serve for the match…
Let’s round up some latest scores: Stephens leads Vekic 6-4 3-1; Collins leads Bencic 6-3 2-0; Fernandez leads Garcia 6-3 4-6 2-1; Lehecka leads Cerundolo 6-2 6-2 5-2; Ostapenko and Cirstea are level at 3-3 in the third; Paul leads Raonic 6-4 7-6 3-3; and FFrotz leads Ymer 6-3 2-1.
I was making my way up the stairs at the start of that last game, so didn’t realise Broady was 40-0 down in that last game. Ridiculous behaviour.
In Broady’s box, his older sister Naomi looks extremely peaky; I can’t begin to contemplate the tension of not only watching a sibling compete on Centre but as a former player used to having the power to (theoretically) resolve situations. Anyhow, Ruud saves the double break with a mahoosive forehand, burns a chance to take the game, then Broady forces another … and this time he takes the chance superbly, slamming down the overhead his good play earned! He leads 3-0 in the fifth!
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Thanks Dominic and hi again – er, um … it seems Broady is a break and a break point to the good in set five? The game has been going seven minutes so far…
I’ll now hand back to Daniel Harris, then. Broady and Boulter on the charge for Britain. Sorry to go all patriotic on you.
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Katie Boulter beats Viktoriya Tomova 6-0, 3-6, 6-3
Nervy stuff for Boulter but she’s through! Another quite excellent grass-court performance from the British player, even if she was made to work hard for it by Tomova. A delighted court 12 is in raptures. See you in the third, Katie.
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Stephens fought back and won the first set 6-4 against Vekic on No 1 court. Maybe I was a little too hasty in dismissing the hype around her as … hype. It could be more than that, actually.
The fifth side in the women’s draw, Garcia, looks to be on the brink of crashing out to Fernandez.
And back on Centre, Broady laments a glaring missed volley at 30-30. But Ruud duffs a drop shot and we get to deuce. Enthralling stuff.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto beats Rebeka Masarova 6-3, 6-1.
A stroll in a south west London park for the Italian. Keep an eye out for her. Broady breaks serve in the first game of the fifth set. A Ruud awakening for his opponent. (Sorry)
We’re nearing results in two ladies’ singles matches, on court nine and court 10.
No 23 seed Magda Linette and the dominant Elisabetta Cocciaretto are both marching into the third round, barring something miraculous.
Broady forces a fifth set! 6-3 to the Brit in the fourth. He’s a happy bunny.
Maybe a little happier than the ultra-chilled Berrettini …
Matteo Berrettini after beating Sonego:
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 6, 2023
"I didn't know if I was ready or not. I didn't practice much. I didn't serve much. Like what you're supposed to do before a tournament, before a Grand Slam... At the same time, my will of playing was bigger than my preparation, I guess."
Goffin won that tie break. Boulter made heavy weather of holding serve on court 12 but she does so and is now only two games away from the third round. Back on Centre, Ruud holds serve to set up a test of Broady’s nerve. Can he serve this out and force a deciding set? The Wimbledon crowd, no doubt generously oiled on Pimm’s by this stage, think he can.
5-2 Broady. Let’s go. Oh, but Ruud is calling the trainer on, also taking a trainer off to have his right foot inspected. It did appear as if the Norwegian was under the weather in some way, he’s not been himself in this set.
A tie break on court 16 will decide the match between Sorana Cirstea and Jelena Ostapenko. It’s been truly nip and tuck in that one.
Oh Casper Ruud, that is delightful. A thumping serve and then the touch of an angel with the drop volley as he approaches the net. Broady top edges the next serve and Ruud reduces his arrears to 4-2 in the fourth set. Are we going all the way to a fifth on Centre Court?
Marie Bouzkova [32] beats Anett Kontaveit 6-1, 6-2.
It took little more than an hour on court 18. The Czech player is into the third round, and Kontaveit waves goodbye to Wimbledon – she is set to retire this season.
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Ups and downs for Britain’s Boulter against Tomova. She lost the second set 6-3 but is already a break up in the third. Out on court six, David Goffin will need to win a tie break go a set u[ against Barrios Vera. Always been a lovely player to watch, Goffin, who is 32 these days.
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Belinda Bencic and Danielle Collins are under way on No 2 Court in another second round encounter.
Ruud has finally awoken from his fourth set slumber and pings down a straightforward service game. 3-1 to Broady in the fourth.
An early break of serve for Vekic on No 1 Court. Stephens has been much hyped going into this one but she’s slow out of the blocks this afternoon. Meanwhile, Harold Mayot has taken the first set 6-2 against Guido Gella in their second round match on court five.
Woah, and hang on … Broady leads Ruud 3-0 in the fourth set on Centre Court! Game on, Stockport!
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Remember when Raonic reached the final here? Heady days. They seem a long way off at the moment for the big-serving Canadian. Having lost the first set 6-4 to Tommy Paul, he’s batting to hold serve in the second.
An email from Simon McMahon.
Hello Dominic. I think we can sound the ‘plucky Brit’ klaxon on Centre Court for Broady now? A valiant, yet ultimately futile, effort. A bit like Bazball and the Ashes. Or me and a healthy lifestyle.
(Insert joke about ‘Broady’ .. Stuart, Liam etc). The tennis version holds serve in the first game of the fourth set.
Around the courts now. Leylah Fernandez is 5-3 up in the first set against Caroline Garcia on court three. Boulter has battled back from 2-0 down in the second set – having stormed the first set 6-0 – and it’s 4-3 to Tomova but on serve. Elisabetta Cocciaretto has taken the first set 6-3 against Rebeka Masarova on court 10.
Ruud wins the third set! So close for Broady. As a fellow 29-year-old from Stockport, I’m pretty partisan in this one. The rallies are long and Ruud looks fallible, with Broady dictating from the bassline, but he didn’t pounce on a couple of break points. 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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This is what rain does. It’s made today pretty manic, too.
Thursday, almost 3.30pm.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 6, 2023
The #Wimbledon first round is over.
Sloane Stephens and Donna Vekic are about to get going on No 1 Court following Zverev’s straight sets victory.
Broady is pushing Ruud all the way in this vital service game for the No 4 seed. Back and forth from deuce to break point and back.
Thanks Daniel. Being here is taking my focus away from the Ashes, which given the current situation is no bad thing. I come in as Liam Broady loses his serve at an awful time against Casper Ruud on Centre. Ruud is now 5-4 up in the third and serving for the set.
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Righto, I’m off to do the school run, so please give a big welcome to Dominic Booth, making his debut on the GBG. He’s British and this is Wimbledon, so it’s fine to act like he’s family you’ve known all your life.
Well done Aslan Karatsev! Rublev goes long and that’s a break-back to 30! He’s still in the set, still in the match and still in the competition! Rublev leads by two sets to one but it’s now 5-5 in the third.
Karatsev forces Rublev to serve for the match at 4-5 in the fourth, while Tomova has broken Boulter immediately in set two having lost the first 6-0.
Rublev has broken Karatsev for 4-3 in the fourth, and is now two holds away from progression; Broady leads Ruud 3-2 on serve in the third.
Boulter bagels Tomova while, on No3, Fernandez and Garcia are 2-2 in a match that should be a lot of fun.
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Next on Court 1: Sloane Stephens v Donna Vekic [20]. Like Vondrousova v Kudermetova and Mertens v Svitolina, this is one I expect the seed to lose.
Alexander Zverev [19] beats Gijs Brouwer 6-4 7-6(4) 7-6(5)!
He meets Watanuki next.
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Another GBG fave, Haddad Maia, will again have to come from a set down if she’s to progress – she trails Cristan 6-4 while Bouzkova leads Kontaveit 6-1 0-1.
Boulter is absolutely splattering Tomova here, 4-0 up now. Meanwhile, GBG favourite Jelena Ostapenko, has taken the first set off Soraya Cirstea, 6-4. Good.
I’m sure there’s a reason why Zverev’s match with Brouwer was put on a show court, but I don’t know what it is. Anyhow, the number 19 seed, leading by two sets to love, has a mini-break in a third-set breaker.
Katie Boulter has just sealed a consolidation after breaking Tomova in the first game of the match, on which point her boyfriend, Alex De Minaur, is through to round two having beaten Coppejans in four – he’ll meet Berrettini next.
it is just me who thinks of the England all-rounder every time they see the word Broady? Anyhow, other Broady saves three set points then gets a break point, only to botch it with a poor forehand before stymying two further opportunities for Ruud to get over the line. But eventually, a booming serve does the business, Broady netting a forehand, and that’s one set-all.
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Broady holds to love, forcing Ruud to serve for the set, while Karatsev takes Rublev to deuce; from there, he serves out to lead 6-7 6-3 6-4.
Ruud now leads Broady 5-2 in the second and Rublev, 5-4 up on Karatsev, is about to serve for a 2-1 lead.
Next on 12: Tomova v Boulter. And they’re out already.
Other news: Andreescu beats Bondar 6-3 3-6 6-2 and meets Kalinina next; Zverev now leads Brouwer 6-4 7-6(4) 3-2; Jarry leads Cecchinato by two sets to one; Van de Zandschulp leads Zhang 3-1 in the fifth; Haddad Maia leads Cristan 3-2 with a break; and Ostapenko and Cirstea are 2-2.
Marketa Vondrousova beats Veronika Kudermetova [12] 6-3 6-3!
No great surprise there, and Vondrousova meets Stephens or Vekic next.
Matteo Berrettini beats Lorenzo Sonego (5)6-7 6-3 7-6(7) 6-3!
That was a really good match and the two hug at the net, then the crowd enjoy when Berrettini removes his top. He meets Coppejans or De Minaur next.
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Yes yes Lorenzo Sonego! He flows a forehand onto the sideline to stick in the match, but soon has to go again…
Serving at 1-2 15-40, Broady totally loses the flight of a lob, spinning about searching for the ball, and from there, Ruud takes control of the rally to break for 3-1. Meantime, Sonego punishes forehand then backhand to raise break point with Berrettini serving for the match; Berrettini quickly extinguishes the opportunity with a big serve and raises match point…
Doing what it takes to win: this is probably my all-time favourite.
That 2009 final, by the way, may be the ultimate doing what it takes to win. Federer had lost the previous year’s classic to Nadal so really couldn’t afford another defeat, and somehow managed to preserve his aura despite playing less well than Roddick.
Time’s up, you’d think. Rublev breaks Karatsev for 2-0 in the third while Berrettini breaks his good mate and compatriot Sonego for 4-2 in the fourth. To avoid defeat, Sonego now has two goes to take a serve that, so far this match, has been beyond him.
“Roddick improved the backhand massively to reach that 2009 Wimbledon final, that he really would have won nine times out of 10,” returns James W. “Broken once the entire match – in the last game! There’s this annoying tennis commentator, Robbie Koenig, who always says something like ‘Call the cops – coz Federer just got out of jail!’ Seemed appropriate to that 2009 match somehow. But yes, Roddick was mostly all serve and forehand (and horrendous smash - see this point vs Fed from 2002) til the latter stages of his career (the very beginning of the clip).”
Calv Betton emailed earlier saying Ruud was useless on grass, and we’ve seen little to disprove that so far today. It doesn’t look like he’s got a plan, and grass with no plan is the last thing you want on Centre Court against a British player with a swinging lefty serve.
This is not good from Broady who, at 30-15, shanks a forehand wide and ups the pressure on himself. A serve into the net ratchets it up another level … so he plants a second serve onto the outermost fibre of the sideline for an ace, then sends another out wide, cleaning up with a forehand into the opposite corner, and that’s the first set! Broady leads Ruud, the number four seed, 6-4!
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Ruud saves both set points and holds, while Rublev levels his match against Karatsev, taking the second set 6-3. Shapovalov leads Barrere 6-3 6-4 4-5, Vondrousova leada Kudermetova 6-3 2-1, Azarenka has beaten Podoroska 6-3 6-0, Andreescu leads Bondar 6-3 3-6 2-0 and Cppoejans is serving for a decider against De Minaur.
Broady consolidates, and Ruud is now serving to stay in set one at 3-5; he nets a forehand, and that’s 15-40!
Ruud and Broady swap breaks, then Broady secures another – he was handed it really – and will now serve with the new balls at 4-3 in the first. Meantime, Berrettini and Sonego are out – there was a kerfuffle last evening when the latter slipped on set point – not the first such incident – and the umpire asked them to continue. “If I get injured I’ll sue you,” Berrettini told him, before the match was eventually called by the higher powers.
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“Currently following the Aslan v Andrey slap-fest,” says Kerrith Britland, “and James W’s comment got me thinking: who has an elite forehand but is let down massively by their backhand?
Working list: Berrettini, Auger-Aliassime, Rublev, Stefanos.”
Er Raonic, and Roddick’s wasn’t much cop either.
That was such a good match, two hours 52 minutes of exciting and intelligent play between two natural grass-courters – what a shame it ended as it did. Next on 12: Berrettini 6-7 6-3 7-6 Sonego. Not bad!
Jule Niemeier beats Karolína Muchová [16] 6-4 5-7 6-1!
Niemeier doesn’t celebrate too much, though I’m sure she’s buzzing, because she respects the circumstances of her win. Instead, she collects all the towels, and meets Galfi next; let’s hope Muchova isn’t too badly injured.
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Ach, Muchova is done. She drops her serve again, handing it over with a double, and Niemeier will now serve for the match at 5-1 in the third.
The protests do, though, raise a question as to how well our players are protected – not from Just Stop Oil but from anyone wishing them harm.
“I’m sure it’s not much fun for the players or spectators but if there’s one thing guaranteed to get the public on the side of the Just Stop Oil protests it’s Westminster politicians describing them as ‘arrogant’,” says Simon McMahon. “I mean, hello? From where I’m sat, which admittedly is at home following online and watching TV, the protests seek only to draw attention to an impending global climate emergency and are entirely non-violent. Targeting high-profile sporting events to ensure maximum exposure, while keeping disruption to a minimum – start of play was delayed at Lord’s for all of five minutes and the rain at Wimbledon held up play for far longer – well, it’s hardly 1789, is it? And what’s the point of protesting if no one sees or hears about it? Like when workers go on strike, and people cry ‘that’s inconvenient’, as if teachers should walk out during the school holidays or something. Right, off to have my tofu for lunch now.”
I can’t disagree with of that. Important though sport is, the destruction of our planet and species, causing pain and suffering to those lacking the wherewithal to escape it, might be even more so. I was at Lord’s and liveblogging the snooker during the protests; both times, I coped.
Ruud leads Broady 2-1 on serve and Calv Betton messages on that: “Could be interesting. Ruud absolute nonsense on grass. Both make a lot of balls. Broads flat backhand could cause him issues, but his forehand is really bad.”
Muchova is not going to win this match. She’s struggling to move, and Niemeier keeps the head to make her run, it’s over – which is to say the Czech should do the decent thing and retire, saving the accumulators of those who picked her. Otherwise, Zverev now leads Brouwer 6-4 0-1 and Karatsev took the first set off Rublev 7-6(4).
Stanislas Wawrinka beats Tomás Martín Etcheverry 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-2!
It’s so good to see him still enjoying his tennis and being wonderful at it; he meets Novak Djokovic next, so expect to see a fair few winners attempted.
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Muchova returns with strapping on her thigh and unleashes a pair of violent forehands that give her 15-30; she makes deuce, and is trying to convince herself she’s fine by leaping, skipping and such. Otherwise, Wawrinka has broken Etcheverry again so is now serving for the match at 5-2 in the fourth, while Ruud opens against Broady with a tight hold.
“Rublev,” says James W, “the perfect namesake of a revered 14th century Russian icon painter who did Russian version of the Cistine Chapel ceiling, is a funny one. Wins so many matches on the tour yet never can quite put it together at the majors. Has so many weapons and wears something like four necklaces at the same time. I always wonder how he runs weighed down by all that metal on his neck.”
I think he’s not quite got the game to beat all the players he should when they play well, and at the majors that can happen a lot.
On No2, Karatsev, having broken back, is 4-1 up on Rublev in a first-set breaker; Shapovalov leads Barrere 6-3 4-3; Azarenka leads Podoroska 4-3 with a break; and Andreescu leads Bondar 6-3 1-0.
Lorenzo Musetti [14] beats Jaime Munar 6-4 6-3 6-1!
He meets Hurkacz next, and that should be a lot of fun.
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On Centre, Broady and Ruud are knocking up; on 4, Andreeva and Krejcikova are 3-3.
Muchova leaves the court, hopefully to preserve her modesty rather than because she’s in serious shtuck, so Niemeier sits down, has a drink, and shares a smile with her coach.
Oh no! A wrongfooting forehand from Niemeier sees Muchova slip and she’s hurt. it looks like it’s the right side of her hip or an adductor, and she calls the trainer. I can see why, for someone with her injury record, this is extremely disconcerting, but hopefully this is a precautionary measure.
Wawrinka breaks Etcheverry for 2-1 in the fourth, and might just’ve broken the back of this match. Four holds and he’s through.
Now then! This time, Niemeier breaks Muchova at the first time of asking in the decider and leads 2-0!
A result: Petra Martic [30] beats Diane Parry 4-6 6-3 6-3 and meets Swiatek next. Good luck with that, old mate.
Few more games under way: Andreescu leads Bondar 5-3, Kudermetova and Vondrousova are 1-1, Azarenka leads Podoroska 3-1 and De Minaur, leading Coppejans by two sets to one overnight, are back on court.
For now, I’ve stuck on Rublev v Karatsev, Rublev leading 4-3 with a break, but Broady v Ruud starts in 10 minutes or so so when they’re away I’ll move over to that.
Hubert Hurkacz [17] beats Jan Choinski 6-4 6-4 7-6(3)!
Choinski played pretty much as well as he can, but Hurkacz was too good for him and moves on. He meets Musetti or Munar next.
A tremendous point from Wawrinka, playing his sixth set point – serve out wide, wrongfooting backhand, clean-up forehand – gives him the set, and he leads Etcheverry 6-3 4-6 6-4.
They’re away on No1, Brouwer taking the first game against Zverev, and on four where Andreeva takes on Krejcikova. On 18, meanwhile, Choinski and Hurkacz are playing a third-set breaker, currently 2-2.
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Rublev has broken Karatsev immediately, leading 2-0, while Shapovalov, hopefully on his way back to his best, leads Barrere 3-2 on serve. Meantime, two long-arse games for sets are in progress, Etcheverry holding after numerous deuces and various set points, forcing Wawrinkz to serve for set three at 5-4, and Niemeier saving five … then swiping wide as Muchova levels their match at 4-6 7-5. This is why I’ve spent the last three days banging on about how good it was going to be.
Muchova is so solid, hitting the kind of forehand that cost her the previous game for 0-15 and eventually breaking when Niemeier nets. She’s still not playing as she can and it’s her bad luck to have drawn so tough a first-round opponent, but at 6-5 she’ll now serve for a decider.
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Few more results: Bublik [23] beats Wolf 6-3 7-6(5) 6-0 and meets Marterer or Mmoh next; Carballes Baena beats Arnaldi (0)6-7 6-3 6- 6-4 and meets Rune next; and Davidovich Fokina [31] beats Fils 7-6(3) 6-1 6-2 and meets Zhang of Van de Zandschulp next.
Musetti now leads Munar 6-4 6-3 1-0, while Niemeier has broken back! Muchova misses the kind of forehand winner she’s been making under pressure all day, missing the sideline by a fraction, and you can’t keep digging yourself out of the muck. Niemeier leads 6-4 5-5.
I said Etcheverry was giving Stan all he could handle and he was, but then serving at 30-all, a rrrrridiculous forehand, from deep in the corner and cross-court, dips just inside the line, then a succession of backhand slices seal the break! Wawrinka leads 4-3 in the third!
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Niemeier does everything to break Muchova, a lovely, deep approach allowing her a putaway for the break-back … and she nets! Dearie me, she’s played the big points poorly today, and Muchova doesn’t let her off, sealing the hold with an ace. She leads 5-3 in the second having lost the first 4-6.
Martic has levelled her match with Perry at one set-all, Davidovich Fokina leads Fils 7-6 6-1 4-1 and Musetti, already up a set on Munar, is now up a break too and 5-3 in the second.
Choinski’s hanging in there well against Hurkacz, forced through deuce for his hold – he trails 4-6 4-6 3-2 – and Etcheverry is giving Wawrinka all he can handle, 3-2 up in the third and making his every service-game a ruckus.
Two more results: Ana Kalinina [26] beats Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4 6-3; and Katerina Siniaková beats Lesia Tsurenko 6-4 6-1.
OK, I’ll probably watch Rublev v Karatsev when they come out next on 2, but in the meantime I’m on Etcheverry 3-6 6-3 2-1 Wawrinka.
Elina Svitolina beats Elise Mertens [28] 6-1 1-6 6-1!
What a strange match! Svitolina played almost perfect tennis in the sets she won, and on the one hand, who wants to bang on about her giving birth in October; but on the other, how not to bang on about her giving birth in November? Incredible stuff, and she meets Kenin next in a match for which I’m already buzzing.
Updated
On 12, Niemeier is hanging in there, a tough hold – featuring a glorious stretch volley that deflects a pass cross-court – keeping her in contention in set two. She leads Muchova 6-4 2-3.
Sofia Kenin beats Xinyu Wang 6-4 6-3!
She meets Svitolina or Mertens next, and is in tremendous nick – great to see after her struggles with fitness and form.
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Interesting! Etcheverry – who remember, got to the last eight in Paris – has levelled his match with Wawrinkz at one set-all, taking the second 6-4.
More live sport for you:
Again, Hurkacz cements his break, securing a 6-4 6-4 lead; Choinski isn’t getting near a break, I’m afraid, no surprise against one of the best servers in the game.
Talking of Svito and Mucho, news: Svito breaks immediately in the decider and leads Mertens 3-0; after all that work, Niemeier hands Muchova a break in the first game of set two, a miserable second serve ruffling the net; and again, Hurkacz has broken Choinski in the ninth game of the set so will now serve for a second 6-4.
My mate LD – no, sadly not that one – messaged me before, saying he’s on No1 today and asking if there’s anything on outside courts he should watch. If I were him, and much as I love Sloane, I’d bin the pew entirely to go and sit on 2 – Mertens v Svitolina, Rublev v Karatsev, Collins v Bencic and medvedev v Mannarino – or 12 – Muchova v Niemeier, Berrettini v Sonego, Tomova v Boulter, Tiafoe v Stricker and bonus Jamie Murray.
The best things in life come to those who wait! Niemeier runs half the width of the court to circumnavigate her backhand, thwacks a forehand, at at the 13th time of asking, the eighth in this game, she secures the break which gives her the first set against Muchova, 6-4.
Mertens clinches a 6-1 second set. Can Svitolina rediscover the form that gave her her 6-1 blowout? Looking around the courts, Marterer leads Mmoh 7-5, Kenin leads Wang 6-4 3-1 – she’s looking extremely dangerous – Davidovich Fokina leads Fils 7-6 1-0, Parry leads Martic 6-4 0-1 and Hurkacz leads Choinski 6-4 3-3.
Updated
Muchova has such composure under pressure. Her performance in beating Sabalenka in their Roland-Garros semi was sensational and looked like a breakthrough for her – even more so when she gave Swiatek is a serious test in the final. She’s not quite at it here though – she looks undercooked having not done much since Paris – which is why she’s to keep saving breaking opportunities, five in this game now. So we’re back at 4-5 and deuce…
Hello! Again, Muchova finds herself trailing 0-40 and this time, at 4-5, the set is at stake; Niemeier, who made the last eight here last term, is hitting it hard and with good length.
Goodness me, it’s now 5-0 Mertens in set two, and where, 10 minutes ago, I was chastising my cowardice in not sticking Svitolina in my accumulator, I’m now praising my farsightedness. What a tennis brain!
Updated
Mertens is fighting back having been wasted in set one, breaking Svitolina for a 3-0 lead in two. Elsewhere, Zhang leads Van de Zandschulp 6-2 1-1, Parks leads Bogdan 6-1 1-1, Musetti leads Munar 6-4, Halys leads Vukic 6-3 3-1 and Mucxhova secures her hold – after saving a fourth break point – for 4-4 against Niemeier.
Two break points down following a double and a mis-hit forehand, Choinski produces a second-serve service winner … but Hubert Hurkacz, owner of one of my favourite tennising names, then slams a monstrous forehand down the line, a winner that gives him 5-4 and the chance to serve for the match once he’s scranned his banana at change of ends. Meantime, trailing 3-4, Muchova is busy saving break points, three of them after patting a volley wide. And each time, she lands her first delivery, then nails a wrongfooting backhand for advantage, during which time Hurkacz serves out to love against Choinski for a 6-4 set.
There’s nothing better than someone who doesn’t look like an athlete performing athletics, and Stan Wawrinka of course looks like he’s come to court from the kluhrb; well, he’s taken the first set against Etcheverry 6-3.
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And there’s the first set, 6-1 to Svitolina. Work for Mertens to do. Elsewhere, Musetti has broken Munar for 4-3 while we’re on serve in our other big matches.
Now a double-break for Svito, who’s playing with real venom, confidence and consistency. She leads Mertens 5-1.
At 3-2, Choinski has served five aces already, and against Hurkacz, not behind the door in that department himself, we may find ourselves enjoying a few breakers. He’s started well.
Niemeier has started the better on Court 12, Muchova forced to save two break points – which she does, the first with a superb backhand from baseline to baseline. A double, though – her third already – cedes another … so she skips onto a half-court ball and punishes an inside-out forehand winner that sends up a puff of dust as it kisses the sideline. From there she holds, and will feel more in the match now, I’m sure.
I quite fancy Svitolina to bin Mertens this morning and just as I type that she breaks to love, sealing the deal with a forehand of generous proportions. She leads 3-1.
Games I’d like to be watching but amn’t: Etcheverry 1-2 Wawrinka, Wang 1-2 Kenin, Musetti 1-2 Munar – all on serve.
Choinski and Hurkacz are now away and 1-1 in set one, which is the score in all our feature matches.
There is, I’ve heard, some other alright sport going on…
I’m watching Mertens and Svitolina, who’re just under way, Muchova and Niemeier who aren’t. and Choinski v Hurkacz who also aren’t.
Apologies! In taling you through our day, I failed to notice that the belowmentioned Krejcokova is playing Mitta Andreeva, the 16-year-old who gave us so much pleasure in Paris, There, she beat Riske-Armritraj and Parry then took the first set off Gauff, and is well on the road to becoming a superstar.
Regular readers may recall we’ve been wondering what on earth is going on as regards the colour beige – both Roger Federer and David Beckham turned up wearing it earlier this week, but this? This is something else.
Preamble
Morning all and welcome to Wimbledon 2023 – day four!
I can’t say I like it when it rains, but when it gives us a schedule like the one we’re about to enjoy, it’s hard to complain too much. The highlight is, of course, Andy Murray v Stefanos Tsitsipas, a battle between yesterday and today that could get extremely intense. We’ll preview it properly in due course, but Murray grew into his first-round match and is clearly more confident in his body than for some time. He’ll know that Tsitsipas is no grass-court specialist and will target an aesthetic but vulnerable backhand while keeping the points as long as possible. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, will feel grooved having won a five-set thriller last evening, and will look to keep Murray moving by attacking corners and lines.
But they’re not on till much later. Before that, Liam Broady meets Casper Ruud and Alize Cornet challenges the champ, Elena Rybakina – and that’s just on Centre. On Court 1, we’ve got Alexander Zverev, Jessica Pegula, and a nasty assignment for Donna Vekic, the number 20 seed, against the in-form Sloane Stephens.
And then there are the outside courts! No2 kicks off with a jazzer, Elise Mertens v Elina Svitolina, doesn’t let-up with Andrey Rublev v Aslan Karatsev, and also features a tricky engagement for Daniil Medvedev against Adrian Mannarino. Goodness me, I can’t list every match, but Tomás Martín Etcheverry v Stan Wawrinka could be great, I’ve been buzzing for Karolína Muchová v Jule Niemeier for what seems like a week now, and Mario Berrettini v Lorenzo Sonego has been great so far.
Add to that Caroline Garcia, Katie Boulter, Frances Tiafoe, Sofia Kenin, Barbora Krejcikova, Denis Shapovalov, Lorenzo Musetti, Choinski v Hurkacz, Bouzkova v Kontaveit and Raonic v Paul, and I’ve not a clue how we’re going to keep track of everything ... but we will!
Play: 11am BST outside courts, 1pm BST Court 1, 1.30pm BST Centre Court
