So, Elina Svitolina will play the top seed Iga Swiatek in the last eight. That’s it for today’s blog. Novak Djokovic is about to start on Centre Court against Hubert Hurkacz, and we’ll have a report of that game on the site later. Thanks for your company, please join us tomorrow – goodnight.
Elina Svitolina beats Victoria Azarenka [19] 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (11-9)
What a moment. Svitolina hammered down an ace and then fell on her back in joy. There’s no handshake – Svitolina, who is from Ukraine, won’t shake hands with any players from Russia or Belarus – and then Azarenka is booed as she walks off the court. That was a bit weird.
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She’s done it with an ace! The end of a glorious game.
Final set: Azarenka 6-6 (9-10) Svitolina It’s match point Svitolina – but this time it’s on her own serve! Another long rally was settled by a delightful drop shot. Azarenka got to it but could only knock it long.
Final set: Azarenka 6-6 (9-9) Svitolina A forehand from Azarenka is this close to going out, but it’s good and eventually she wins the point with a smash. My word.
Final set: Azarenka 6-6 (8-9) Svitolina It’s match point Svitolina on the Azarenka serve! Azarenka controlled that rally but then underhit a drop shot into the net.
Final set: Azarenka 6-6 (8-8) Svitolina And on we go: Azarenka breaks back straight away, and now Svitolina is the one under pressure on her own serve. This is so tense.
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Azarenka 6-6 (7-8) Svitolina She’s done it again! Azarenka slams a forehand and charges to the net, only for Svitolina to beat her with a majestic cross-court backhand. Now she has the advantage, and is two points away from the quarter-final.
Azarenka 6-6 (7-7) Svitolina Hello! Svitolina breaks back with a savage forehand that Azarenka can’t handle.
Azarenka 6-6 (7-6) Svitolina It’s going the distance. Svitolina stays in touch by winning both points on her serve.
Here’s a short report from PA on Iga Swiatek’s comeback
World No1 Iga Swiatek saved two match points and came through a marathon match with Belinda Bencic to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time.
Swiatek looked down and out when 15-40 down at 6-5 in the second set, but she produced her best tennis with two sumptuous winners to turn the tie around.
The four-time grand slam champion continued to be pushed all the way by Olympic gold-medallist Bencic in a tense third set before she eventually prevailed 6-7 (4) 7-6 (2) 6-3 after a three-hour epic on Centre Court.
Azarenka 6-6 (7-4) Svitolina After a long rally Svitolina puts a backhand slice into the net, and Azarenka remains a mini-break ahead.
Azarenka 6-6 (5-4) Svitolina Another unforced error from Svitolina puts Azarenka back in charge.
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Azarenka 6-6 (4-3) Svitolina Azarenka no longer has a mini-break after a tame drop shot goes into the net.
Azarenka 6-6 (4-2) Svitolina Azarenka has a mini-break.
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Iga Swiatek [1] beats Belinda Bencic [14] 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3!
The top seed has survived an almighty scare to reach the quarter-finals! Bencic had two match points in the 12th game of the second set - but Swiatek dug in, won the breaker and then got a crucial break in the final set.
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Azarenka 6-6 Svitolina: final set tiebreak Azarenka misses a routine forehand to give Svitolina a chance at 30-30, but then Svitolina mishits an overzealous forehand of her own. Another unforced error takes us to a tiebreak!
Swiatek 5-3 Bencic This is it, right here. Bencic holds without much trouble, and now Swiatek will serve for the match.
Svitolina 6-5 Azarenka There’s a hint of an opening for Azarenka at 30-15, but she misses a cross-court passing shot and Svitolina doesn’t give her another opportunity.
Azarenka 5-5 Svitolina; Swiatek 5-2 Bencic If anyone has a spare pair of eyes, could I borrow them for half an hour? Azarenka holds to 15 and Swiatek to 30; she’s one away from the quarter-finals.
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Svitolina (5-4) and Bencic (2-4) race through their respective service games. That means Victoria Azarenka is serving to stay in the tournament.
We are being treated right now 🤩#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/YOb9T1IejL
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023
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Azarenka holds to 15, so it’s 4-4 on Court One.
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Swiatek survives a peedie scare on her own serve to take a 4-1 lead in the final set. Bencic is starting to look like somebody who has been bitten by reality.
On Court One, it’s still with serve in the final set: 4-3 to Svitolina.
Swiatek breaks Bencic! Thanks Daniel, hello everyone. Just as I was sliding into the comfy GBG chair, Bencic double-faulted on break point. Swiatek leads 3-1 in the final set.
Righto, my watch is over. Here’s Rob Smyth to croon you through the next bit.
A gorgeous inside-out backhand takes Bencic from advantage down to deuce as Swiatek serves at 1-1 and then she puts another onto the line that’s called out; a challenge reveals it was in and when a serve goes into the net, she’s break point on a second delivery. Swiatek, though, relies again on her trusty body-serve to avert immediate danger and from there closes out, taking a 2-1 decider lead. Meantime, trailing 1-3, Azarenka earns a second break point on advantage, unfurls a mahoosive forehand, then a backhand, and when Svitolina’s riposte bounces on top of the net, thrice – ! – she’s right there to tickle it onto her opponent’s side for the break-back! Svitolina leads 3-2 in the third, and I’ve not a clue who’s going to win either match. It’s a beautiful thing!
On Centre, we’re at 1-1 in the decider, but on No1, it’s one-way traffic, Svitolina spanking a backhand for a comfortable hold and 3-0. Azarenka is playing OK, but without the same devil as her opponent, and needs to find another level or hope that nerves do it for her.
At 1-0 in the decider, Svitolina earns a break point and Azarenka doubles! The Ukrainian leads the Belarusian, and is four holds away from a last-eight berth.
I wondered where I’d seen Bencic’s top before.
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Svitolina has such competitive charisma, and how well she’s playing nine months after giving birth is remarkable.
Decider incoming 👀@ElinaSvitolina takes the second set, 6-4 ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/4Y1vjU0aW2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023
Phew, what a passage of play that was. I’m exhausted, and I’m not even playing.
Yup, Swiatek takes the breaker to two, and here comes another richly-deserved final set!
So easily does Swiatek win sets that this is the first time she’s ever played two breakers in the same match; that feels insane. And she’s doing nicely in this one, 4-2 to the good, while Svitolina saves game point with a glorious inside-out forehand winner then earns advantage, saluting the crowd. A booming forehand down the line soon follows, and we’ve got ourselves a decider! From a set and a break down, at 2-6 6-4, Svito has forced a decider, and this is another outstanding match.
Again, Swiatek overhits, a forehand swiped marginally but definitely wide handing Bencic the mini-break at 2-1. Five holds, and she’s home! But she can’t even manage one, a decent return inciting her to net for 2-2, and we’re back on serve.
Ach, Svitolina mishits, so deuce it is.
Again, Bencic steps inside the baseline to attack a second serve, but again, Swiatek finds a winner, backhand cross-court to break the sideline! She played those pressure points so, so well. Advantage follows then game – here comes another breaker – while Svitolina now has set point at 5-4 30-40.
Superb from Swiatek, who punishes a booming forehand down the line for 30-40; Svitolina, meanwhile, holds for 5-4 in the second.
Now then. Swiatek mistimes a forehand, shanking it high and long for 0-1, but then, sending down a seconds serve with her opponent well inside the baseline, she finds a brilliant angle on a one-knee backhand to spirit a winner cross-court that breaks the sideline. Bencic, though, knows that this could be her moment, crashing a backhand down the line then cleaning up with a forehand into the open space. AND ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Bencic somehow returns a kicking body-serve, Swiatek again pounds long, and she’s two match points down!
Svitolina eventually wipes across a forehand sending the ball wide, and that’s 4-4 in set two; if i’m Azarenka, which I’m not, I’m attacking her serve next up while she’s still on a downer. meantime, Bencic holds to 15, guaranteeing herself a second-set breaker, minimum. Swiatek must now hold to stay in the championships.
Good work from Swiatek, who holds to 15 for 5-5, while, on No1, both players are putting everything into every ball, a game of grunt-pong backing a terrific game of tennis. We’re going back and forth from deuce to advantage, Svitolina burning a succession of break points while trailing 2-6 4-3.
Oh man, at 30-all Azarenka softens hands to slice a drop … which just about clambers over the net. But she then goes long on the backhand, taking us to deuce, while Bencic closes out a crucial hold from 30-all and, at 7-6 5-4, is a game away from a shock win. Can Swiatek hang in there?
Svitolina holds for 4-3 in set two – she’s into this match now – then gets to 0-30. Can she make something of the half-chance? Meantime on Centre, we’re at 4-4 in set two and I’m certain Bencic would take another breaker.
Bencic will know this might be the opportunity of a lifetime – at 26, she’s still young, but chances are the players younger still and already better than her improve faster and more than she can. She holds for 4-3, and Swiatek will know that she’s not got much margin for error here.
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Now then! Bencic earns a break-back point, finds a decent backhand return that launches her into the rally, and Swiatek overhits another shot, this time a backhand cross, and we’re back on serve in set two. Is something brewing here?
I enjoyed all of these, but Kaluuya and his mum is especially lovely.
Annie Verret, Jordan Spieth, Jillian Wisniewski, Justin Thomas, Allison Stokke and Rickie Fowler attend day seven of The Championships, #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1iSW0SQiSj
— Spotted @ Wimbledon (@CelebsWimbledon) July 9, 2023
Actor Daniel Kaluuya and his mother Damalie Namusoke look on from the Royal Box on day seven of The Championships, #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/AXo6eeKcxe
— Spotted @ Wimbledon (@CelebsWimbledon) July 9, 2023
Skepta court side of day seven of The Championships, #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/xJlNaZlsLZ
— Spotted @ Wimbledon (@CelebsWimbledon) July 9, 2023
I said Svitolina has moxie for months but I also thought she was done here; not so. She breaks back then holds, so now trails 2-6 3-2; Swiatek trails Bencic 6-7 3-2.
It’s just not happening for Svitolina, who makes deuce before netting a forehand that gives Azarenka 6-2 2-0. Meantime, Swiatek trails Bencic 6-7 2-1 with a break. That match is building, though ultimately I imagine the top seed’ll win; it’s hard to see anyone bar Rybakina and Sabalenka beating her.
I think that, of all the sports, tennis has the most work to do in terms of improving its analysis. We get comparatively little technical breakdown, when there’s so much that could be said to improve our understand and appreciation of the game.
I listened to some of this while I had my tea and really enjoyed it.
Er, yeah. Azarenka breaks Svitolina to lead 6-2 1-0, and will feel she’s broken the back of this match. She’s hitting it really cleanly at the moment.
More break points for Swiatek at 15-40, and though Bencic saves the first, a slow serve allows her to make room, moving away from the ball to cream a forehand winner down the line. That’s the end of Bencic’s run – 24 holds in a row – and has momentum switched?
Svitolina holds for 5-2, asking Azarenka to serve for the first set, and a service winner gives her 40-15 … then a real brute secures things at 6-2. But don’t sleep on Svito, who has moxie for months.
Oh yes! Swiatek, 3-6 down, smokes an inside-out backhand, then cleans up with another down the line. Bencic, though, has another serve, and when the return drops wide, that’s the set! This is brilliant from the number 14 seed, and the best player in the world has questions to answer!
Bencic earns a double mini-break at 4-0, then when Swiatek whiffs long on the backhand, leads 5-1. This is superb behaviour from the Olympic champ, who’s two points away from the set, and an ace gives her five – five – set points! Who saw this coming?
Excellent from Bencic, winning the first point of the breaker – Swiatek only lost five points on serve getting to this point – then a third consecutive long forehand is enough for 2-0 before a backhand winner secures the consolidated mini-break. Meantime, Azarenka breaks Svitolina again, taking a 4-1 first-set lead.
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Swiatek goes long on the forehand and that’s 6-6. Bencic is one of those players who never seems to play well when I’m watching, but she’s done really well to face down early pressure and gradually assert herself.
Excellent from Azarenka, returning from 15-40 and several deuces for her consolidation. She leads 3-1 while Bencic is at 30-all serving to cement a first-set breaker against Swiatek.
Is it just me who sings Elina Svitolina to this?
Down two set points at 4-5 15-40, Bencic saves the first then patiently works Swiatek before laying a terrific drop that facilitates a winner down the line. She can’t close out from advantage on her first try but keeps composure to seal a crucial hold and it’s 5-5 while on No1, Svitolina forces deuce as she tries for an immediate break-back.
Beautiful from Svitolina, stroking a backhand cross-court into the corner, then another clean-up effort down the line to save break point. But Azarenka makes advantage then steps inside the line to spank back a slow second serve and when Svito drops long, that’s the break at 2-1.
Thanks Sarah and hi again everyone. Remember we’ve still got Djokovic v Hurkacz to come, but in the meantime we’re on serve in our two matches, Swiatek up 5-4 on Bencic with Azarenka and Svitolina at 1-1.
Swiatek 5-4* Bencic (*denotes next server)
The call of “out” reverberates around the court as Bencic’s forehand has too much on it. Swiatek then hits an ace but another great lob from Bencic has her on the board. Oh hello, Bencic hits a forehand winner to level the game 30-30. Swiatek takes a step toward holding with Bencic hitting the net and a call on Bencic’s forehand is challenged. It is called out and it is upheld! Swiatek holds. And with that I hand back to Daniel, thanks all!
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Swiatek *4-4 Bencic (*denotes next server)
Again Bencic loses the first point of her service game. Swiatek’s return is out and then she hits the net for Bencic to be 30-15 up. The top seed hits the net again and the Swiss player looks as though she will hold here. And a fantastic lob does the job! (I know, another rhyme).
Azarenka v Svitolina is due to start on court 1 shortly, we will bring you all the major developments from that one as it rolls out.
Swiatek 4-3* Bencic (*denotes next server)
An unforced error from Bencic puts Swiatek 15-0 up. Bencic then can’t return the serve and her backhand has too much on it – 40-0. And a forehand from Bencic is just out. A break it yet to be seen!
Swiatek *3-3 Bencic (*denotes next server)
Bencic needs to start her service games much better, so far she has lost the opening point of each on her serve. She hits it out but then Swiatek errors and it’s 15-15. The top seed then smacks the net but Bencic forces a forehand to level it once more. The Polish player hits the ball out and Bencic holds.
Swiatek 3-2* Bencic (*denotes next server)
A forehand winner rockets past Bencic and then she cannot return a serve to put Swiatek 30-0 up. Bencic takes on Swiatek in the rally but her forehand hits the net and Swiatek is on her way to a clean game. A beautiful backhand sees her hold!
Swiatek *2-2 Bencic (*denotes next server)
A great backhand winner from Swiatek gets this game underway. Bencic hits a ball way out of play to see Swiatek 30-0 up but the top seed hits the net next. Swiatek’s return on the serve is out to level the game but Bencic gifts Swiatek break point with her backhand hitting the net. But we head to deuce! Bencic gets advantage and manages to hold – a shaky start from the Swiss player but she has not been broken yet.
She has padding around the blister with a plaster on now, Swiatek is just putting her shoes back on and play will be back.
She has called a medical time out for this blister, she is receiving treatment for it. Play should be back underway shortly.
Swiatek has a blister I think, the trainer is out to help her with it. It is on the back of the heel, commentators are discussing how her shoes must be irritating her.
Swiatek 2-1* Bencic (*denotes next server)
Bencic smacks the net on her return on Swiatek’s serve and the Swiss player can’t return again to see Swiatek 30-0 up. Another error from Bencic and a backhand winner from Swiatek sees her hold.
Swiatek *1-1 Bencic (*denotes next server)
Swiatek goes 15-0 up and then Bencic pops the ball out to gift another point to her opponent. A double fault gives Swiatek break point but Bencic follow it up with a great forehand. Swiatek can’t convert on the first break point with an error, she has another. But again she pushes it out, deuce we go. Swiatek can’t return serve to give Bencic the advantage and she holds! Bencic does have her arm wrapped up, she could be suffering with injury here.
On centre court now and Swiatek held the first game of the match, Bencic now on serve.
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Sinner beats Galan 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-3
He has done it! He has become the first Italian man to reach two quarter-finals at Wimbledon! Here’s how it shook out: Sinner needs four points to win but it is Galan who draws blood first – a beautiful drop shot putting him 15-0 up. A forehand winner from Sinner (poet and I do know it) levels the game. And another great forehand, two points for Sinner to win this. An unforced error from Galan gives Sinner match point and he seals it with another error.
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Sinner *7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 5-3 Galan (*denotes next server)
So can Sinner break Galan to go through? We’re about to find out. A double fault from Galan to start but then Sinner can’t return the serve – 15-15. A Sinner error puts Galan on a holding path but after a great forehand from Sinner, Galan smacks the net and we are level once more. Sinner does really well to come forward to return a drop shot and beats Galan – break and match point! However, we go to deuce with Sinner forcing the ball out. A delightful slice gives Sinner advantage – his second match point but again he can’t convert and we are back to deuce. Galan manages to hold!
Swiatek and Bencic are in action, we will stay with Sinner to wrap up the match and then focus on the centre court.
Sinner 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 5-2* Galan (*denotes next server)
Galan has an error to start this game and a Sinner ace puts him 30-0 up. He is not messing around, he wants to wrap this game up. Galan smacks the net and an ace puts Sinner 5-2 up!
Sinner *7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 4-2 Galan (*denotes next server)
Sinner thought he had a forehand winner but it is out but he follows it up with a lovely drop shot, 15-15. Galan challenges a call which was called out, it looks marginal and it is in! A few millimetres in but a great challenge there. Sinner makes an error to put Galan one point away from holding but he stays in it with another class drop shot. Galan then sews up the match.
Sinner sums up his next match quickly to lead the third 4-1, Galan has a mountain to climb if he wants to stay in the match. Let’s have a little game-by-game action so you can have more detail on this.
We’ll spend some time focusing on this match before Swiatek v Bencic gets underway – the centre court match should start soon.
Sinner is leading Galan 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 3-0 – he is completely dominating the third set so far. But Galan looks as though he is about to hold his serve for the first time in the third set, he is 40-0 up and he seals it through a Sinner error. 3-1 now in the third.
Next up on centre court it is Iga Swiatek, who won the last grand slam in the calendar – the French Open – and is world number one. She is up against Belinda Bencic who has a big challenge to upset Swiatek. Right shall we have a look at what is happening on court 1 …
Thank you Daniel! Well what a match that was and an incredible point won by Rublev in that last game. He spoke about it in his post-match interview where he said: “Probably was the most unlikely shot ever, it was luck! I don’t think I can do it again. I was thinking each set I had break points, he played good. I said if I keep playing I knew I would have a chance. Keep playing but he somehow served full power 135mph. [I said to myself] Don’t start to explode before the match is over, you will have the chance and in the end I was able to make it. [On his hand] If I win the match and I am in the quarter-finals it was worth it.”
Righto, I’m off for a break. Here’s Sarah Rendell to chill with you for next hour.
Andrey Rublev [7] beats Alexander Bublik [23] 7-5 6-3 (6)6-7 (5)6-7 6-4!
Rublev finishes with an ace and meets Djokovic or Hurkacz next. That was a brilliant match.
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Bublik gets 0-15, but then running into the net he sends a top-spin forehand long with half the court at which to aim! “He has to make that!” says Mac, but he can’t and might that be his final opportunity? But, well, OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS! At 30-15, monstrous forehands from Rublev look to have won the point then, out of nowhere, Bublik’s stunning backhand down the line looks definitive … only for Rublev to play, on the dive, a squash-shot winner of his own. In the four decades I’ve been watching this thing of ours, that is one of the most ridiculous winners I’ve ever seen and raises two match points!
"That is one of the great shots we've seen here in YEARS!"@AndreyRublev97, take a bow! 😱#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/uEHcbcf1k8
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2023
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Galan gets to 40-30 but we reach deuce, then Sinner clobbers a backhand cross-court followed by a forehand down the line to raise set point … and when a backhand goes into the net, there it is! Sinner’s been made to work brutally hard for his lead, but he’s stayed pretty calm and is finding what he needs when he needs it. Meantime, a hold apiece means Rublev leads Bublik 5-4 in the fifth, and will shortly serve for the match!
Rublev and Bublik are again powering through their set, the speed of the serving quite something – they’re at 3-3 in the fifth – while, on No1, Galan is serving to stay in the second set trailing sinner 6-7 4-5. And Sinner quickly makes 0-30 then, at 3o-40, Buboik nets a backhand and doesn’t Rublev love it! He shouts, screams, leaps, and leads 4-3 in the decider. He’s two holds away from the last eight, having not been broken in the three hours 10 minutes this match has lasted so far.
Rublev will be feeling pretty peaky as he serves at 2-3 in the fifth. Not that long ago, he had match point, but two poor breakers mean he’s got a problem – though he’s not lost his serve in the match, so will fancy himself for a super breaker at least.
Sinner is now 0/14 on break points – that’s remarkable for a match still in its second set – most of them coming in that long, long game at the start of set two. But he earns another here, Galan tries a drop, and though Sinner slips, the ball hits the net and we’re back on serve in set two. Sinner 7-6(4) 5-4 Galan
Safiullin says that he’s been working hard, but also that once he got into the top 100 he felt more confident in his game, which has altered his mentality.
Roman Safiullin beats Denis Shapovalov [26] 3-6 6-3 6-1 6-3!
Making his Wimbledon debut at the age of 25, Safiullin – aided by Shapovalov’s careless play – fought back superbly after losing the first set, and he meets Sinner or Galan next.
Safiullin holds, and at 5-3 in the fourth is serving for the match…
Sinner is not a happy boy. In the first set, he challenged, was right, and the umpire made the players replaying the point; then, a few minutes ago, the same happened with Galan, and the umpire gave him the point. Shortly afterwards, Galan broke, and now leads 4-2 in the second.
“Classic Shapo this,” returns Calv Betton as Safiullin breaks him for 4-2 in the fourth. Two holds, and the Russian becomes the first man since Kyrgios to make the last eight on Wimbledon debut.
No way! At 6-5, Bublik thrashes a forehand cross-court onto the line and Rublev can’t respond! At the net in case of a putaway, Bublik leaps with joy, and he’s enjoying the arse out of this! Here comes a decider!
Bublik sends down a double, challenging the second fault forlornly; the ball is long by a bit, and might that be the crucial error? Rublev makes 5-3 when a serve is returned wide and looks good when he clumps down the T next point. But Bublik gets it back, a shanked forehand returns the mini-break, and we’re now at 5-5.
He’s a proper loose cannon, is Bublik, serving out for a breaker. If he wins it, we’ve got ourselves the unlikeliest of deciders.
Galan holds, eventually, for 2-0; Safiullin, on a buzz, makes a ludicrous lob to seal a hold for 2-1 in set three; and Bublik, facing two match-points, nails a second serve ace at 135mph then makes deuce. Two more quick points follow, the second an ace out wide, and “that is an amazing way to get yourself out of trouble”,” says Mac. “That may be the hardest second serve ever hit match point down.”
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On Centre, we’ve rushed through set four, Rublev 5-4 up on serve leading 2-1, while Sinner and Galan are in the middle of a long, long game, the latter seeking to consolidate after breaking at the start of set three.
Trouble for Denis Shapovalov! Safiullin is by far the better player now, breaking for a 6- set – the final point was handed to hi with a double – and look at these stats. One player is playing well, the other not so much, and it might be that Shapovalov’s hand is fine but he’s feeling ill. Safiullin leads 3-6 6-3 6-1!
Is this Galan’s riposte? He breaks Simmer immediately in set two for 1-0 while, on Court 2, Shapovalov has the physio out looking at a blister on his hand – I think. Safiullin leads 4-1 in the third and we’re quickly back under way.
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Sinner gets the first mini-break and at 6-4, Galan sends a backhand marginally long. He challenges but he knows, and the number eight seed forges in front. That was a really good set (of tennis) and if Galan can maintain his level this is a match; I get the impression, though, that he can’t play any better than that and if he could sustain that standard, he’d be higher than 85 in the world.
Safiullin is riding the wave, breaking Shapovalov then holding, and he leads 2-1 in the third while Sinner and Galan are now4-4 in their first-set breaker.
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Brilliant from Bublik, an ace onto the outermost fibre of the chalk, then, on the run to the forehand corner, he curls a frankly obscene looping pass down the line for the set! Rublev now leads 7-5 6-3 (6)6-7!
At 3-6, Rublev saves two set points, Bublik sort of smirking following the second as he prepares to serve for the third. And what a return from the number 7 seed, the fastest serve of the match at 136mp guided down the line for glorious and crucial winner. Meantime, Sinner and Galan are 2-2 in their first-set breaker.
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Hello! At 3-3, Rublev goes long with a forehand down the line, and Bublik has the mini-break! A big serve follows, and at 5-3 it looks like we’re' getting ourselves a fourth set!
A gorgeous touch half-volley arranges a further set point and this time, a booming serve seals the deal. Safiullin levels against Shapovalov at one set-all while Sinner and Galan struggle about deuce with the score 5-5 in set one with Rublev and Bublik about to start a third-set breaker. Can Bublik force the match into a fourth?
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Bublik serves a double, his 10th of the match, but saves the eventuating break point and makes advantage with an ace before serving out for 5-4 in the third; on Court 2, Safiullin is serving for 1-1 and 5-3 and Shapovalov makes 0-30, missing two break-back points at advantage as we go round and round at deuce. This is such a tough game.
Updated
Safiullin breaks Shapovalov for 3-6 4-2, consolidates for 5-2, and is a hold away from levelling the match. On No1, it’s still on serve, Galan up 4-3 on Sinner.
And have a look! Up 0-30, Bublik stands feet inside court – against the unwritten rules, reckons Mac – mooches in along the backhand sideline, runs around his backhand to slice a forehand, and raises three break points! He needs to take one of these to make a match of things, you’d think, but Rublev saves one, then another with an ace and the third with a controlled half-volley off the baseline, ball almost behind him, that goes from centre to sideline, making deuce. From there, Rublev closes out, and now leads 7-5 6-3 3-3.
Updated
Bublik leads Rubelv 3-2 in set two and, of course, these two grew up playing each other, both being Russian natives. Bublik, though, defected to Kazakhstan in 2016, and this is why:
As hurtful as it may sound, nobody cared about me in Russia. And now people care about me. And they do everything for my career to be successful. That’s the most important thing! Kazakhstan Tennis Federation — they really look after me. They help, work, create the conditions for me to play well. It was impossible in Russia. There is also a wonderful tennis center in Astana. I don’t know how to describe it in words. But it’s awesome. Since we have already made a decision to play for Kazakhstan, I am never going back to the Russian team. I am not going back.
Liam Broady and Jonny O'Mara are out of #Wimbledon
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2023
Francisco Cabral and Rafael Matos are through to the men's doubles second round 👏 pic.twitter.com/oIwIbmB23C
Sinner earns break point at 1-1 and unfurls a succession of booming forehands before a drop carrying too much spin sits up and Galan reverses momentum with a well-judged lob. A service-winner on advantage then follows and from there, the Colombian secures his hold for 2-1 in the first.
Rublev has too much for Bublik, serving out for a 7-5 6-3 lead, and he looks very strong. He’s never got beyond the last eight of a slam and, let’s be real, with Hurkacz or Djokovic up next he’s struggling to manage that here. But he is improving, looking more certain in disposing of inferior players – for many, an important staging post on the road to winning the big pots: beating all the players you should. Meantime, Shapovalov holds for a 6-3 set against Safiullin.
Andy Murray, you have a big fan 🥹@andy_murray Mirra Andreeva ❤️ #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/eWbGgTJ2UY
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2023
Shapovalov is now serving for the first set at 5-3, and on him, Calvin Betton returns: “He’s should be a lot better than he is but he plays so many stupid shots at key moments. He hits the ball exceptionally clean, but has huge swings so doesn’t have time against serious power and is also a terrible volleyer.” I wonder if he might’ve sorted that propensity to do silly things over the last few months; should he win here, there’s a fair chance we’ll get a good look in the next round, assuming Sinner beats Galan.
On No1, Sinner and Galan are away.
Updated
Rublev gets his break and now leads 4-2; as Calv Betton noted earlier, he’s the better player with the tougher mentality and it’s hard to see what Bublik does from here; as I type, a love consolidation leaves him 2-5 down in the second, and he’ll shortly serve to avert a 2-0 deficit.
Bublik hangs onto his serve through advantage for 2-2 in set two while Shapovalov gets to 3-2 and 0-30 on the Safiulln serve only to play a shoddy volley at 30-all. No matter: he makes advantage, Safiullin sends a forehand long, and that’s the breakthrough! Shapovalov leads 4-2 in the first while, on Centre, Rublev saves break point then holds for a lead of 7-5 3-2. In the previous game, Bublik tried an underarm serve, with which Mac was not impressed.
Next on Court 1: Jannik Sinner [8] v Daniel Galan.
Updated
On 2, Shapovalov leads Safiullin, aiming to be the first debutant to reach the last eight since Nick Kyrgios in 2014, 2-1 on serve. It’s so good to see the big Canadian back after struggles with form and fitness – if he wins here, he’ll likely play Sinner next, a match that could be something special.
Updated
And yet more ridiculous live sport!
To go with:
Oh man, Alexander Bublik will be feeling extremely poorly. Having fought his way to 5-6 in set one, at 30-40 he sends down a double, enough to hand Rublev the first set.
Pegula thought about ending her career after what happened to her mum – her dad, who co-owns the Buffalo Bills NFL team with her, wanted her to skip last year’s Wimbledon – but she played it for her mum and now wants to do well here for her. That kind of mission can can inspire incredible things, so let’s see what happens next
That’ll be Pegula’s first Wimbledon quarter – she’s now made that stage of every major – and says in the first set, she played pretty much exactly as she wanted to, before having to guts it out a bit in the second. Momentum can switch quickly on the grass, she says, and Tsurenko picked up her level as Pegula’s dropped a bit. She knows Vondrousova is a great player and a nice girl who’ll bring her best tennis to their meeting, and she’s looking forward to it.
Jessica Pegula [4] beats Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 6-1!
She sends a backhand onto the sideline and it’s called out, but a review shows the ball was good and she meets Vondrousova in the last eight!
Updated
Ach, it’s an epidemic! At deuce, Tsurenko has to call out the trainer to treat a blister on the sole of her right foot, so Pegula has to take some time to focus. She’s had a lot to deal with lately, her mum having suffered a life-changing cardiac arrest last June, but she responded superbly with the best form of her career and on the resumption quickly earns a second match point…
Safiullin and Shapovalov are out on 2, knocking up; on 1, Tsurenko has saved a match point as she tries to force Pegula to serve for it a second time at 3-5 in the second.
Eeesh, on Centre, Rublev takes a medical timeout to treat a cut on his hand – the kind that might easily affect his ability to hit the ball as he wants. But we’re back under way and Bublik seals a hold for 4-4 in the first.
Next on Court 2: Roman Safiullin v Denis Shapovalov [26].
…and she takes the first! Pegula now leads 6-1 5-3!
Tsurenko holds, forcing Pegula to serve for it at 6-1 5-1. I daresay she’ll manage, but as I type that a forehand goes long, ceding two break points….
Grigor Dimitrov [21] beats Francis Tiafoe [10] 6-2 6-2 6-2!
A poor performance from Tiafoe, but hold tight Dimitrov who meets Rune next. That could be a blinder.
Updated
Pegula now leads 5-1 in the second and, after less than an hour, Tsurenko must serve to stay in the tournament.
Otherwise, Pegula is nearly done, 6-1 3-1 up on the over-matched Tsurenko, while Dimitrov is now a break up on Tiafoe at 4-2 in the third set, having take the first two. “All the talent in the world,” says Calv of Tiafoe, “but he can’t string seven matches together, a brain fart in every tournament.”
Rublev and Bublik are away on Centre, and they played just a couple of weeks ago in the final at Halle. Bublik won that one in three, his first ATP 500 title, but Calv Betton, our resident coach, reckons the number seven seed will turn this around as the courts at Wimbledon are slower. He also thinks if Rublev can get in front early, Bublik will sack it off as he’s not the most resilient of players – but he does have better hands. Currently, Rublev leads 2-1 on serve.
Andreeva says she couldn’t show emotions on the court because she was so out of breath, but in general she’s learnt to stay calm. She enjoys the atmosphere in the locker room, is particularly pleased to have seen Djokovic, who she likes, and hopes that next yesr she’ll be in a locker room a level above her current status. I have no doubts. What a talent, what a temperament, what mentality!
Mirra Andreeva beats Anastasia Potapova [22] 6-2 7-5!
What on earth?! Mirra Andreeva is a phenomenon! she does really well to stay on the point with some desperate lobs, then advancing to put away a volley, Potapova nets! Andreeva meets Madison Keys next – that match should be a jazzer – and what else can you say?! Sixteen years old, amazing!
Updated
At 30-all, Potapova goes long on the backhand, and Andreeva is a point away from the biggest win of her life…
Meantime, Andreeva breaks Potapova for a 6-2 6-5 lead, and the 16-year-old will now serve for a last-eight spot! I was not doing this at her age, and what a test for her temperament this is.
Pegula closes out to 15, securing a 6-1 set that was almost perfect. So I’ve switched from that match to Dimitrov v Tiafoe, which could get tasty if the American starts well. Dimitrov, for his part, is in terrific nick – he’s been gradually improving over the last year or so, and played beautifully yesterday.
Potapova is letting it all hang out, shouting like her life depends on it with every shot. But on break point she nets, to her intense devastation, then Andreeva nails a backhand winner down the line before laying a drop that can’t quite clamber over the tape. No matter: she soon cements her hold and that’s 5-5 in the second while, on No1, Tsurenko gets on the board at 1-5, thereby forcing Pegula to save for the set and on centre, Bublik and Rublev are out.
Updated
Meantime Andreeva, serving at 4-5 in the second, finds herself down 15-30 as Potapova chases a decider…
On Court 1, Pegula is absolutely wasting Tsurenko, 5-0 in front after 19 minutes.
Next on Court 2: Grigor Dimitrov [21] 6-2 6-3 1-2 Francis Tiafoe [10].
Vondrousova’s had a fair bit of injury-aggro over the years and says she’s not played much on grass, so is buzzing to have reached the last eight. You just have to stay focused and not think it’s the quarter-finals, she says, and I quite fancy her to beat whichever of Pegula and Tsurenko is next.
Marketa Vondrousova beats Marie Bouzková [32] 2-6 6-4 6-3!
Bouzkova tamely nets a forehand and that is that! Vondrousova meets Pegula or Tsurenko next in the last eight.
Updated
Before last week, Andreeva has never played on grass, but after ceding all three break points, she earns another with a pair of explosive forehands. Potapova, though, finds a big first serve when she needs one while, on 2, Vondrousova makes 15-40 and can smell victory…
Andreeva’s reading of the game is so good – her shot selection is excellent, and a judicious forehand gives her 0-40; if she takes one of the next three points, she’ll shortly serve for the match while, on 2, Bouzkova is now trying to stay in hers against Vondrousova, trailing 5-3 in the decider.
Yup, Pegula breaks Tsurenko right away for 2-0 and she’s playing with a lot of confidence; Andreeva saves three break points to level the second set with Potapova at 4-4; and Vondrousova strikes what might be the key blow against Bouzkova, breaking for 403 in the third.
“Oh unbelievable! This girl is the real deal! What a story!” Andreeva secures her break-back with a tremendous deuce point, a lob then two big forehands giving her a lead of 6-2 3-4, back on serve in the second.
On Court 1, Pegula and Tsurenko are out knocking up. Pegula is one of those players whose ranking almost feels like a misnomer – she’s never done better than the last eight of a major and has no major weapon – but it might be that, relatively late in her career, she’s hit a groove, and Tsurenko is a pretty friendly draw at this stage of proceedings.
Bouzkova makes Vondrousova work for her latest hold but she gets there in the end for 2-2 in the third; meantime, Potapova is forcing Andreeva to fight for every point at 4-2 in the second, the kid serving out to 30.
Potapova has settled now, slamming a forehand winner that gives her the break for 3-1 in the second. And she absolutely loves it, hollering in delight while Andreeva has, for the first time today, some thinking to do.
Well done Anastasia Potapova! She breaks back for 1-1 – Andreeva’s lack of a big serve will be a problem however well she does the intangibles – then holds easily for 2-1 in the second. On No2, meanwhile, we’re at 1-1 in the decider, Vondrousova looking the likelier.
Potapova just can’t get it going, botching a forehand on game point then swiping a backhand long on break point. The pressure of an opponent hitting with Andreeva’s consistency is too much for her currently and the 16-year-old now leads 6-2 1-0.
At 30-all, Vondrousova goes long on the backhand, but running in to the net, Bouzkova is fractionally hard with a slice to the corner so we’re at deuce. A fine volley at the net then gives her set point, and when Bouzkova nets a backhand returns, that’s the set! So the players will have a little sit-down during which they’ll steel themselves for a decider, and this is a really fun match.
Brilliant from Andreeva, who closes out to love in confident and clinical style, advancing to the net for the volley putaway that gives her a 6-2 set. She is so, so competent and composed, landing 74% of her first serves,, winning 86% of first-serve points, and making just 4 unforced errors relative to Potapova’s 16.
Potapova holds for the first time, forcing Andreeva to serve for the set at 5-2, while Bouzkova eventually secures her hold so Vondrousova will shortly serve for the second set at 5-4.
Andreeva consolidates with 3-1, and she’s just so solid. In comms, they note that both her serve and groundstrokes lack the extreme power you’d expect, especially for someone doing so well so young, but she does have a superpower: the ability to compete under pressure and, as I type, she breaks again and will shortly serve at 5-1; Bouzkokva and Vondoursova are at deuce as the former seeks to force the latter to serve for a decider. Vondrousova 2-6 5-3 Bouzkova
Potapova nets a backhand and, eventually, after a 10-minute game, Andreeva breaks again for 2-1; neither player has yet held their serve, but Vondrousova does so in short order and is now back serving again with a 4-3 lead in set one.
Andreeva raises three more break points and Potapova saves them all, then another on advantage as we go round and round – we could be here some time – while Bouzkova saves break point with successive booming backhands only for Vondrousova to then secure her break for a 3-2 lead in set two.
Potapova breaks Andreeva straight back and they’re now 1-1 in the first. But Andreeva now has 0-30….
Controversy! Pray for any watching subeditor who sees the word “Fortnight” with a capitalised “F”.
Potapova prepares to open her match against Andreeva, but there’s a pause as the umpire asks that those opening champagne refrain from so doing once the players are settled at the start of a point. Incredible scenes! Andreeva then works two break points, taking the second when Potapova goes long on the forehand, while Bouzkova breaks back against Vondrousova so now leads 6-2 2-2.
There is, I believe, some other sport taking place today, and of course we’ve got you.
Updated
Mario Berrettini isn’t playing until tomorrow – he faces Carlos Alcaraz – but this, from yesterday, really resonates. I can’t begin to grasp the frustration of being an elite-level sportsman unable to compete, and it’s great to see him back and happy.
Matteo 🥺
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2023
"I spent many days in bed, crying about not being able to play."#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/RTcIq9thK4
On Court 2, Bouzkova, the number 32 seed, took the first set against Vondrousova 6-2, but now trails 2-0 in the second; on 3, Potapova and Andreeva are knocking up, Van Asche and Fils having beaten the brothers Tsitsipas 6-2 in the third.
Preamble
Hello, good morning and welcome to Wimbledon 2023 – day seven!
This is our second year of Middle Sunday and, though the dilution of Manic Monday is a loss keenly felt – no other tournament in the world played the entirety of round four in a oner – it gives us an extra day of lovely tennis, and it’s hard to whine too much about that.
Our day begins on Court 2, where the unseeded but dangerous Markéta Vondrousová faces her fellow Czech Marie Bouzková – after which Griggzy Dimitrov resumes his third-round match against Francis Tiafoe, two sets to the good. Around then, the 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva, conqueror of Barbora Krejcikova, looks to make Anastasia Potapova her latest victim, then No1 Court also swings into action, Jessica Pegula, the number four seed, looking to improve on what’a already a best-ever performance in SW19, against Lesia Tsurenko.
Centre Court, meanwhile, begins with Andrey Rublev, hoping to finally break his Grand Slam quarter-final hoodoo, against Alexander Bublik. Following them, Iga Swiatek, the best player in the world but still learning on grass, battles Belinda Bencic while, on 1, Jannik Sinner will expect to despatch Daniel Galan.
But both main arenas have their likely highlights at the end of the day. On Centre, Hubert Hurkacz is the latest patsy to take on Novak Djokovic … but armed with a brutal serve that once helped him deal with Roger Federer. Of course, it requires much more than that to beat the greatest of all-time – though six holds in a set are worth having, they make little difference against an opponent barely capable of losing a point in a breaker never mind the breaker itself. Nevertheless, it’s a potential foothold in the match, which is a start.
Meantime, on No1, we’ve a battle of the mums with a sad political dimension, as Victoria Azarenka, a Belarusian, meets Elina Svitolina, a Ukrainian. Do not expect to see amity at the net; do expect to see an intense, emotional battle of will and skill that reminds us of the unique power of sport.
