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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells, Dominic Booth and Taha Hashim

Wimbledon 2024: Raducanu, Alcaraz, Sinner, Gauff win – as it happened

Wimbledon SW19 (Facility)
Emma Raducanu celebrates during her straight sets win over Maria Sakkari.
Emma Raducanu celebrates during her straight sets win over Maria Sakkari. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

So that’s a wrap, on a day when Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff showed the exuberance of youth to win – and the old-timer Grigor Dimitrov also advanced – along with the new/old-timer Jasmine Paolini, the 28-year-old French Open runner-up who’s into the last 16 having never been beyond the second round of a slam before this year. Thanks for reading, do join us again tomorrow. Bye!

Sinner speaks.

I’m very happy about my performance. I was hitting the ball with a good pace. Thanks everyone for staying so long, I know it’s been a very, very busy day here on the Centre Court. I’m glad to finish it off.

It feels great to be back at Wimbledon, it’s a very special place, if not the most special place to play tennis. Me and my team are working very hard, my game has improved, but we still keep improving. We try to get better every day. Let’s see what’s coming this year here in London. Every year I feel like I’m improving [on grass].

Sinner beats Kecmanovic 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game Sinner to make it 5-1. The Italian is showboating now. But still hasn’t quite reached these levels. So it leaves Kecmanovic serving to stay in the match … and the Serb holds to 15.

But now the match is on Sinner’s serve … and from 0-15 down he flashes an ace – no, he hasn’t! Kecmanovic challenges and is proved correct! – and Kecmanovic wins the point with a backhand down the line! 0-30. 15-30. 30-all. 30-40, break point, when Sinner serves up only his second double fault.

Sinner is stretching and sliding as if he’s playing on clay rather than grass to avert the danger. And from break point down Sinner soon has match point, and Kecmanovic hits long! The world No 1 is through to the fourth round and is now just two wins away from a potential semi-final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

Updated

6-1, 6-4, 2-0 to Sinner soon becomes 6-1, 6-4, 4-1 as Sinner secures the double break when Kecmanovic clobbers long. The No 1 seed is on the home straight.

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Our man Kevin Mitchell on Murray and Raducanu playing their mixed doubles match last on No 1 Court tomorrow:

Sinner, clearly aware of my desire to have some dinner, breaks at the start of the third set. And then holds from 0-30 for 6-1, 6-4, 2-0. This match – as expected – is proving to be far more straightforward than his second-round tussle with Berrettini. They’ve only been playing for one hour and 13 minutes. Business-like from Sinner – but a bit of this would be good too (this was on his way to the Halle title a couple of weeks ago).

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Tiafoe in the press conference room:

Q. It was a great exchange at the net at the end of the match. Are you able to share what was said between each other?
Tiafoe: Just ultimate respect. Him just saying, “It’s good to see you play like that.” Me just saying, “I can’t stand you.”

Sinner strikes. He scrambles back from 40-15 down on Kecmanovic’s serve to force deuce, and dispatches the volley for advantage. And duly breaks. That leaves him serving for a two-set lead – and at 40-30 his serve out wide is too hot for Kecmanovic to handle. The world No 1 leads 6-1, 6-4.

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The final result of the day on No 1 Court: Croatia’s Donna Vekic has matched her best Wimbledon result – a fourth-round showing in 2018 – by taking out the 28th seed Dayana Yastremska in three sets, 7-6, 6-7, 6-1, on her ninth (!) match point. Vekic now faces Paula Badosa – who reached the last 16 earlier despite being told by doctors a few months ago that she should retire because of her injury problems. Vekic has endured her share of injury issues too, so it’s lovely to see them doing well here.

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It’s a much more competitive second set on Centre Court, and it’s already been going for nearly 15 minutes longer than the first set did. Kecmanovic was broken twice in that opener, but is holding firm here. It’s 4-all, but the atmosphere is a little flat – I think the crowd are a bit worn out after Alcaraz’s five-set comeback and Raducanu’s win. But they are gasping when Sinner brings up 0-15 as the Italian looks to pounce at the perfect time in this second set …

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Tomorrow's singles order of play

Centre Court, 1.30pm BST

Cameron Norrie (GBR) v (4) Alexander Zverev (Ger)
(10) Ons Jabeur (Tun) v (21) Elina Svitolina (Ukr)
Alexei Popyrin (Aus) v (2) Novak Djokovic (Srb)

No 1 Court, 1pm

(14) Ben Shelton (USA) v Denis Shapovalov (Can) to finish
(1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) v Yulia Putintseva (Kaz)
(4) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) v Caroline Wozniacki (Den)
Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Zhang Shuai (Chn) v Andy Murray & Emma Raducanu (GBR)

No 2 Court, 11am

Harriet Dart (GBR) v Wang Xinyu (Chn)
(5) Daniil Medvedev v Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger) to finish
(13) Taylor Fritz (USA) v (24) Alejandro Tabilo (Chi)

No 3 Court, 11am

Lucas Pouille (Fra) v (9) Alex de Minaur (Aus)
(11) Danielle Collins (USA) v (20) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra)

Court 12, 11am

(16) Ugo Humbert (Fra) v Brandon Nakashima (USA) to finish
Bernarda Pera (USA) v (13) Jelena Ostapenko (Lat)

Court 14, 11am

(31) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Esp)
Francisco Comesana (Arg) v (25) Lorenzo Musetti (Ita)

Court 15, 11am

Arthur Fils (Fra) v Roman Safiullin

Court 16, 11am

Fabio Fognini (Ita) v Roberto Bautista Agut (Esp) to finish

Court 17, 11am

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Fra) v Emil Ruusuvuori (Fin)

Court 18, 11am

(17) Anna Kalinskaya v (15) Liudmila Samsonova
(15) Holger Rune (Den) v Quentin Halys (Fra)

Some match reports for you:

Raducanu’s victory means there’s one match left on Centre Court, and Jannik Sinner isn’t messing around. The new world No 1 has a 5-1 lead over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic inside 19 minutes. That tough test against the 2021 finalist and his fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini in the second round looks to have sharpened him up nicely. And then as the match clock hits 20 minutes, Sinner seals the set with a hold to 15.

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So up next for Raducanu is a (whisper it) very winnable last-16 match against Lulu Sun, the New Zealand-born, Swiss-raised 23-year-old who’s through to the fourth round on her Wimbledon debut. As it’s a match that Raducanu will be expected to win, it’ll be interesting to see how she deals with the pressure. But she’s looking so happy, calm and assured – it’s great to have her back in the mix.

She served strongly today, was aggressive on her return, played the big points well and is yet to drop a set. Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal threw Raducanu’s quarter of the draw wide open – and she could even be reaching for the semi-finals, as the winner of Raducanu v Sun will play the winner of Paula Badosa v Dayana Yastremska or Donna Vekic in the last eight. Yastremska and Vekic are currently locked at one set all on No 1 Court.

And confirmation that their mixed doubles match will take place tomorrow: Raducanu and Murray and scheduled fourth on No 1 Court, after the conclusion of Shelton v Shapovalov, and then Swiatek v Putintseva and Rybakina v Wozniacki.

“You’re on fire!” exclaims Annabel Croft in the on-court interview.

“I think today was up there with the most fun I’ve had on the court,” Raducanu replies. “I enjoyed every moment out there and I’m really grateful for the support.”

Asked what she’s most proud of after sealing her second win in two weeks over a top-10 opponent (after her victory over Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne), she says: “I was so focused and determined in every point. She [Sakkari] is top 10, in a way I came in with a free swing. But I knew I had to battle. I tried not to let the score affect me when I was break points down. I tried to play every point as if it was my last.

“Win, lose, I feel like every day I’m trying to win the day, giving my best, even if it’s not the best quality. As long as you give your all every single day.”

Raducanu – then, inevitably – is asked about playing mixed doubles with a certain Andy Murray. “Who’s the boss?” asks Croft.

“I’ll let him take the lead,” Raducanu says. “I need to do a crash course in doubles tonight. Of course I’ll cherish the opportunity. It’s going to be such an honour.”

Raducanu wins 6-2, 6-3!

Raducanu looks in the mood to end this match on Sakkari’s serve. The way she’s been returning so far, it would be a fitting way to complete the victory. 0-15, 0-30. But then Sakkari is swinging and hits the winner. 15-30. 30-all. Then Raducanu pulls off an incredible return winner from well within the baseline for match point! But Sakkari has the initiative in the point and Raducanu is forced into the error.

Deuce. Advantage Sakkari. Deuce, as Sakkari’s attempted pass whistles wide. Advantage Raducanu, a second match point. Sakkari saves it with an unreturned serve. Deuce. And here’s a double fault! Advantage Raducanu, a third match point. Sakkari tries a one-two punch but drags her shot wide! Suddenly it’s 2021 all over again and Raducanu is back in the Wimbledon last 16!

Updated

A slip from Raducanu at the baseline as she struggles to get to Sakkari’s return. Luckily it went long. 15-0. But then Raducanu, perhaps a little unsettled from that fall, goes long herself. 15-all. Sakkari responds with another error of her own and it’s 30-15. She’s berating herself for that. Raducanu is getting to the Greek here. And a 14th forehand error from Sakkari makes it 40-15. Raducanu holds and is a game away from equalling her run to the Wimbledon last 16 in 2021.

Updated

Raducanu has the Centre Court crowd in raptures with a fine forehand that clips the sideline. She still has much to do in this game at 40-15 down, though, but another aggressive return – she’s been returning so well in this match – makes it 40-30. She can’t get any further and Sakkari holds from there. Raducanu chews on a banana at the changeover and will come back to serve at 6-2, 4-3.

Johanna Konta, a former semi-finalist here, makes an interesting point on the BBC, saying that Raducanu probably has very mixed emotions about that US Open win, given all the scrutiny and pressure that followed. Raducanu is showing absolutely no signs of feeling any pressure here, though, and holds to 15 with a punchy forehand into the corner. It’s 6-2, 4-2.

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Sakkari is such an athletic, versatile player, but can be up and down and doubt herself in the big moments, and that’s been the pattern here. Raducanu has brought her best on those break points, coming up with seven first serves, and her belief appears to have remained constant during the match, even when she’s made errors. Sakkari holds to 30 with a smash and Raducanu is 6-2, 3-2 ahead.

Updated

Here’s that underarm serve from Bublik that I was talking about earlier:

From 30-0, a sudden shift in momentum as Raducanu goes 30-40 down. But Raducanu, so full of belief at the moment, is up for the fight and battles to deuce. Sakkari edges ahead once more to advantage … and there’s a third ace from Raducanu! Deuce. Advantage Raducanu. Sakkari’s return clips the tape and agonisingly trickles over. Deuce. Advantage Raducanu. Game Raducanu. She leads 6-2, 3-1. And Sakkari has now seen seven break points come and go during this match.

Unfortunately all matches on the outside courts have been called off for the day. But Donna Vekic and Dayana Yastremska have been moved to No 1 Court, with Vekic leading 7-6. That makes sense, as finishing that match will ensure that the bottom half of the women’s draw is completed today. In the men’s, however, Medvedev v Struff, Nakashima v Humbert, Fognini v Bautista Agut and Shapovalov v Shelton will resume tomorrow.

Raducanu jumps on two second serves with two big returns. 0-30. She’s all energy on the baseline, ready for the next return, but this time goes long. 15-30. But then it’s 15-40, two break points. And the story of this match so far is that Raducanu has played the big points better. She does so again here, as Sakkari’s shot flies beyond the baseline. Raducanu breaks for 6-2, 2-1.

I like this version of Raducanu. It’s like the 2021 version, but with more experience and physical durability. These two did actually play each other in Raducanu’s unlikely run to the US Open title that year, with Raducanu winning their semi-final 6-1, 6-4. Raducanu has been through so much since then, of course – a loss of form, injury hell, trying to grow up in the glare of the world – but this is by far the strongest run of form she’s had since that autumn three years ago. Sakkari holds at the start of the second set – Raducanu replies with a hold to 30. Raducanu leads 6-2, 1-1.

Raducanu wins the first set 6-2

After pulling off an unlikely lob to break Sakkari again, Raducanu is serving for the first set at 5-2. But it’s not quite going to plan as she slides 30-40 down. Raducanu averts the danger but is soon facing another break point. Sakkari has had four break points in this match so far – and hasn’t taken any of them. And she doesn’t come good in this one either, because Raducanu rams away the winner. Deuce. Advantage Raducanu. Game and first set Raducanu. She is looking so strong and confident.

Updated

Gauff will play fellow American Emma Navarro in the last 16. “Last time I played Emma was earlier this year,” Gauff continues. “She’s had a great tournament, this is her first real season on grass. If I play good tennis hopefully it’ll go my way.”

Gauff’s thoughts:

I thought I played really well. She was playing at a high level in the first set, it’s been a great tournament for her. She wasn’t giving me much to work with and she does a good job of mixing up variety so you never feel settled. I was missing but eventually I was able to do well.

This is my first time playing a British player here, so I was a little bit nervous, I knew you guys would be for her. Thankfully you guys were pretty nice to me so that helped. Playing in front of the British crowd is great, you’re respectful, so I appreciate that.

Gauff beats Kartal 6-4, 6-0

At 15-0, another lengthy rally to match the last point from the previous game, but Gauff just isn’t missing now. 30-0 – with Kartal’s 12th unforced error of the set. And Gauff seals it with an ace. A competitive first set – but the second set went by in a blur for Kartal. The Brit can still hold her head high, having come through qualifying to claim the biggest wins of her career in rounds one and two, but it’s Gauff that moves on and she’s very much the player to beat in this half of the draw.

Updated

Gauff is running away with it on No 1. She holds for 4-0 – that’s her sixth consecutive game – and then works her way to advantage on Kartal’s serve. Deuce. Advantage Gauff, another break point. Deuce. Advantage Gauff. The pair trade forehands – the one weakness in Gauff’s game can be her forehand – and to totally disprove that point Gauff shows unwavering consistency on that wing and Kartal eventually makes the error. Gauff will serve for the match at 6-4, 5-0.

There was so much to like about Raducanu’s performance in the second round – it was so commanding and assured – and she’s looking good here too, despite blowing three break points at 0-40 on Sakkari’s serve. She still has the one break though, and leads 3-2.

Gauff, perhaps having seen in the locker room how Alcaraz finished off Tiafoe, has put her foot on the pedal now. After breaking Kartal at the start of the first set, the US Open champion does the same at the beginning of the second, though she was helped by a double fault from Kartal. Gauff consolidates the break for 6-4, 2-0 – and now it’s starting to unravel for Kartal as Gauff grabs the double break. Kartal, having held her own in the first set, is finding herself unable to match the world No 2’s power and aggression. Gauff leads 6-4, 3-0.

Kartal loses the first set 6-4 against Gauff

As Raducanu backs up her break for 2-0 in the opening set against Sakkari, having been 15-40 down, Kartal concedes the first set against Gauff. But Kartal, attempting to bridge a gap of 296 places in the world rankings, made Gauff work for it. Having been broken in the opening game, she broke back for 4-4, before Gauff hit back with a break in the next game and then served it out.

Updated

Thanks Taha. Wow, that was some response from Alcaraz. At two sets to one down and 0-30 down at 4-4 in the fourth, he came out swinging, and played some lights-out tennis. It’s easy to forget that this is only the sixth tournament the defending champion has played on grass. His last-16 opponent will be either Ugo Humbert or Brandon Nakashima – they were forced off court just as they were about to commence a fourth-set tie-break, with Humbert leading by two sets to one. It’s still raining so there’s no action on the outside courts right now – and with the bad forecast I’m not sure how much play there’ll be this evening – so let’s be grateful for the Centre Court and No 1 Court roofs.

And that’s enough from me, with Katy back to take over. Cheers!

And we’re up and away on centre court, with Sakkari serving … and Raducanu takes it to deuce as her opponent’s backhand goes long. Raducanu gets the advantage and Sakkari goes long again! It’s an immediate break for the 21-year-old thanks to a nervy start from the world No 9.

Emma Raducanu makes her way out to centre court, with the ninth seed Maria Sakkari alongside her. Meanwhile Coco Gauff is serving with a 4-3 lead in the first set against Sonay Kartal, having broken the Brit in the opening game.

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This was the moment Alcaraz completed his comeback victory. A particularly stylish way to complete a gruelling affair.

A nice moment as Alcaraz is reminded in his post-match interview that Spain are currently playing Germany in the Euros and he’s immediately on the case, wanting someone to tell him the score. Just hop on here, pal.

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Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2

He gets himself to 40-0 with some outstanding touches by the net, and the backhand drop shot wins it. It’s delicious from Alcaraz, having fought back brilliantly in this five-set thriller.

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The show rolls on at Court No 1.

Resistance from Tiafoe, going 30-0 up before Alcaraz advances to the net and somehow gets his powerful forehand to stay in with a delicious late dip. Tiafoe tries to be too delicate on a drop shot and nets but keeps himself in the contest – for now. Alcaraz leads 5-2 in the fifth set.

There’s just too much power there, isn’t there? Alcaraz races through the game, his confidence showing with an ace to close it. He’s just one game away now from victory.

A double fault and forehand smash from Tiafoe into the net grants Alcaraz two break points before the Spaniard sends a return long. And then, how about that to win the game and break Tiafoe once more: it’s a gorgeous drop shot that Tiafoe can’t slide under in time for the backhand. Alcaraz goes 4-1 up.

Thanks, Katy. Afternoon everyone! Alcaraz is into his work now, fists out, pumped up as he takes a 3-1 lead in the fifth and final set. Tiafoe’s task is immense.

I’m handing over to Taha to take you through the early stages of that – and the final-set shoot-out between Alcaraz and Tiafoe – as Alcaraz clinches the early break in set five with a combination of superb defence and a big misjudgment on break point from Tiafoe, who opts not to play Alcaraz’s backhand, thinking it’s going long. Agonisingly for Tiafoe it lands in. It’s Alcaraz 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 2-1 Tiafoe.

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Dimitrov’s win means that Sonay Kartal will be stepping on to court next, as the British qualifier faces the reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff. Which seems like the perfect cue to show you this again. It’s so good!

A fine win for Grigor Dimitrov on No 1 Court. The 33-year-old (can that be right?! It doesn’t seem so long ago that he was still being called “Baby Fed” Or maybe I’m just showing my age) has completed a straight-sets win over Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. In the last 16 Dimitrov will most likely face Daniil Medvedev, who’s two sets to one up against Jan-Lennard Struff.

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Alcaraz wins the fourth-set tie-break 7-2

This time Tiafoe finds his range on the lob, and it’s 5-2. But Alcaraz quickly gets himself four set points at 6-2. The way Alcaraz has found his A-game when it matters the most, you can’t see Tiafoe coming back from this. And he doesn’t, because Alcaraz takes aim with a stinging serve and Tiafoe’s return is well long! Tiafoe came back from two sets to love down to win in the first round – but he could be on the wrong end of a five-set match here, because the momentum is very much with the defending champion. And Alcaraz’s five-set record is formidable.

Alcaraz is in lockdown mode right now. He’s all energy and focus and belief, and Tiafoe’s lob goes long. 4-0. 5-0. It looks for all the world as if it’ll be 6-0, Alcaraz sets up the point with more brutal hitting, but then overhits the forehand. Tiafoe tumbles. He hurt his knee at Queen’s last month, and it’s strapped here, but he’s OK, thankfully. So 5-1 Alcaraz as they change ends …

Alcaraz wins the first point on serve … and then Alcaraz steals the next for the first mini-break. Alcaraz is fist-pumping and vamosing, and then hammers Tiafoe with forehand blow after forehand blow and he puts away the winner! 3-0 …

A huge roar from the crowd as this fourth set – and possibly the match – reaches its denouement. Tiafoe takes the first point; Alcaraz fights back with the second. This is probably the highest level of quality this match has reached – but then just as I type that Alcaraz makes a loose error. 30-15. Alcaraz shows superb speed to chase down the ball at the net but Tiafoe calmly hits into the open court. 40-15. Game. This set is going to a tie-break – which is exactly what it deserves …

Alcaraz begins the game with his fifth double fault of the match. He levels it out with an ace – which Tiafoe challenges. Hawk-Eye confirms it clipped the line. 15-all. Tiafoe looks as if he’s going to challenge again after the next point when his backhand is called wide. But the American decides against it. 30-15. 40-15. Game, with an absolute firecracker of a forehand. It’s Alcaraz 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 6-5 Tiafoe.

Tiafoe brings up game point at 40-15, as the match hits the three-hour mark. From there he holds for 5-5. Back to you Carlos …

Alcaraz is flirting with danger here, at 0-30 on serve, 4-4. Lose this game and Tiafoe will be serving for the match. Alcaraz reminds everyone why he’s a US Open, French Open and Wimbledon champion with a gutsy winner to ease the pressure. 15-30. And then Tiafoe shows too much ambition with a backhand and it’s 30-all. 40-30. Ace, game. A champion’s response from the defending champion.

Nothing giving so far on serve in the fourth set on Centre Court, where Alcaraz leads 4-3 as he attempts to force a deciding set. These two have engaged in a five-set arm wrestle before, in the 2022 US Open semi-finals. Alcaraz won that – and went on to lift his first grand slam title. Tiafoe holds from deuce – and it’s 4-4.

Dimitrov is playing like it’s 2014 again. The Bulgarian has won 18 consecutive points on serve, including four love holds in a row, and he has a stranglehold on his match against Monfils, leading 6-3, 6-4. Meanwhile the match clock has ticked over three hours on Court 12, where the 2022 Next Gen champion Brandon Nakashima won the third set on a tie-break as he attempts to come back from two sets to love down against Ugo Humbert.

The wins keep on coming on the outside courts. Which is great news considering the forecast isn’t good this evening. Madison Keys, the two-times quarter-finalist, has booked her place in the fourth round with a fairly routine 6-4, 6-3 win over Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. Keys next faces Jasmine Paolini. And a huge win for Paula Badosa, the former world No 2 who’s been cut down by injuries since reaching that career-high ranking two years ago. The Spaniard has defeated the Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.

Tiafoe, not content with a two sets to one lead against the defending champion, is pushing on Alcaraz’s serve at 15-30, 1-1. But Alcaraz sends down a 130mph serve bomb and it’s 30-all. A 128mph one then gets Alcaraz to 40-30. Game. It’s Alcaraz 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 2-1 Tiafoe.

On the subject of obscenely wealthy tennis players (see about 40 minutes ago), here’s an email from Robert Dulgarian: “I am not sure about personal net worth, but the Pegula family is worth rather more than the Navarro family. Admittedly Jessica Pegula is better known on the WTA Tour than Emma Navarro, so perhaps your qualifier ‘that you have never heard of’ is definitive. Best, Robert (not much in the way of net worth)”

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Tiafoe wins the third set 6-4

This game goes to 30-all too. So will it next be set point or break point? Set point – as Alcaraz goes for the line but his backhand is just long. Tiafoe can’t take it as he blazes a backhand well wide. That was ugly. Deuce. Advantage Tiafoe, a second set point. Tiafoe puts the pressure on Alcaraz by rushing to the net … and Alcaraz’s attempted pass goes wide! The Spaniard is on the ropes – he’ll have to go to five sets if his title defence is to continue.

Crunch time for Alcaraz at 30-all, as he serves to stay in the set at 5-3 down. The defending champion produces a 127mph second-serve ace – which shows the risks he’s having to take against the inspired Tiafoe. Will enough of these low-percentage shots land? Alcaraz edges through from deuce – but Tiafoe will serve for the third set.

Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, has secured the first set 6-1 against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff; Daria Kasatkina and Paula Badosa are into a deciding set; Madison Keys has taken the opening set 6-4 against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk; Fabio Fognini and Roberto Bautista Agut are locked at one set all; while France’s Ugo Humbert leads the young American Brandon Nakashima by two sets to love – they’re in a third-set tie-break.

A chance for Tiafoe, at 15-40 on Alcaraz’s serve. Tiafoe lobs … Alcaraz chases it back and has enough time to run around it, but, always the entertainer, tries the tweener and it doesn’t come off. Tiafoe breaks and leads 4-3 in the third set! If Tiafoe holds serve from here, Alcaraz will have to go to five sets if he’s to survive.

Dimitrov, who reached the semi-finals here 10 years ago, has just edged the first set 6-3. Monfils seems to have forgotten he’s playing on a grass court rather than clay, and is playing a bit too defensively. Hopefully he’ll find some of that flashy power of his in the next set.

If you’ve recovered from all the tear-jerking tributes to Murray and can handle another trip down memory lane, let’s get over to No 1 Court, where the 37-year-old Gael Monfils is taking on the 33-year-old Grigor Dimitrov. Incredibly, it’s the first time these two have met since 2016.

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Tiafoe gets himself a break point with a volley so casual he almost didn’t make it. The American breathes a sigh of relief. But then has the wind knocked out of him, with another body serve from Alcaraz on break point. Alcaraz has been targeting Tiafoe with that tactic a lot this afternoon. Deuce. Advantage Alcaraz. Game Alcaraz. Alcaraz now leads 5-7, 6-2, 2-1, but they’re still on serve in this third set.

Updated

News of two more wins:

Emma Navarro, quite possibly the richest tennis player you’ve never heard of, has come from a set down to defeat Diana Shnaider 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Navarro, the daughter of an American billionaire investment tycoon, boasts an estimated worth that is more than Djokovic, Nadal and Federer combined. So it’s good to see she’s not afraid to slug out a three-set win on a wet day at Wimbledon.

And Lulu Sun, the 23-year-old New Zealander, has reached the fourth round on her debut here, beating China’s Zhu Lin 7-6, 7-6.

Remember this guy?

Nine years after pulling off one of the great Wimbledon shocks, taking out Rafael Nadal in the second round, Brown has been in men’s doubles action this afternoon. The German, who plans to retire at the end this year and is partnering Sebastian Baez of Argentina here, has won his opening-round match in three sets.

Alcaraz wins the second set 6-2 against Tiafoe

At 30-all on Tiafoe’s serve, Alcaraz looks in the mood to finish the set off in this game. That would leave him serving first in the third. Tiafoe moves forward on the next point, but takes a tumble at the net. Alcaraz comes over to check his opponent is OK. Nice touch. Tiafoe is good to continue, but must face a set point. A cross-court backhand winner from Alcaraz and they’re all square! What a response to losing the first set.

Tiafoe shows tremendous touch with a drop shot at the net. It gets him to 40-30 on the Alcaraz serve, and then Alcaraz’s feet don’t quite move fast enough on the next point and he mistimes his forehand. Deuce. A big body serve from Alcaraz and Tiafoe is winded. Advantage Alcaraz. Game Alcaraz – when he serve-volleys and is rewarded for his bravery. Tiafoe must serve to stay in the set at 5-2 down.

I’m in bits again, especially after listening to what Serena said about Murray’s fight for equality and his support for her and Venus. But I’m trying to dry my eyes because Alcaraz has just brought up a break point against Tiafoe at 3-2 in the second set, having lost the first set 7-5. Tiafoe thwacks away a smash. They’re back to deuce. Alcaraz gets himself another break point by charging to the net to take matters into his own hands. Tiafoe biffs a backhand into the net and Alcaraz has the break! It’s Alcaraz 5-7, 4-2 Tiafoe.

This is an emotional watch too, if you’ve not yet seen it.

Get the tissues out again. Serena Williams has just posted this for Andy Murray.

RBA, by the way, took the first set on a tie-break, eight points to six, against Fognini. It’s going on serve in the second, with Fognini 3-2 up.

Paul isn’t far behind Paolini, because the highest-ranked American man has breezed past Bublik 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 – having refused to be derailed by Bublik’s ace with an underarm serve in the second set. Paul will face Fabio Fognini or Roberto Bautista Agut next – so has an excellent chance of reaching the quarter-finals here for the first time.

Updated

Paolini, with that infectious smile that is as wide as the No 1 Court, says:

I was enjoying it a lot. It was really nice to play in front of you guys. It’s a dream to play in this stadium. I played a good match, I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for cheering for me. It’s really fun to play on grass. I’m playing doubles here too, I think it’s helping me.

Paolini beats Andreescu 7-6, 6-1

Match point for Paolini on No 1 Court, at 7-6, 5-1, 15-40 on Andreescu’s serve. And a blistering backhand return gets the job done! The French Open runner-up is the first player through to the last 16. Having never been beyond the second round of a grand slam and the first round of Wimbledon before this year, the 28-year-old is just getting better and better and is fast becoming a crowd favourite here.

Updated

Elsewhere: the Queen’s champion Tommy Paul is closing in on the fourth round, leading Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-4, 4-1. And the tall, powerful Spaniard Paula Badosa has won the first set on a tie-break, eight points to six, against the 14th seed Daria Kasatkina, who served out a double bagel to Britain’s Lily Miyazaki yesterday.

Tiafoe takes the first set 7-5 against Alcaraz

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game and set. Another nerveless love hold from Tiafoe, who’s pumping his fist repeatedly – and is still doing so as he sits down on his chair.

Updated

Alcaraz tries to take Tiafoe’s head off with a passing shot, but Tiafoe reacts quickly enough to put away the winning volley. 30-all. And Tiafoe tugs Alcaraz forward on the next point and the Spaniard goes wide. 30-40, break point. And a deep return is too much for Alcaraz! Tiafoe breaks! And from 4-2 down the 29th seed will serve for the first set at 6-5. A superb display of returning from Tiafoe.

Updated

Can Tiafoe handle the pressure of holding serve to stay in the set? 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Yes he can. The American hasn’t had much form to speak of this year. He was two sets to love down in the outlands of the All England Club in the first round. But he’s pushing Alcaraz all the way in this opening set. It’s 5-5.

Over on No 1 Court, Paolini v Andreescu is going the way that their third-round encounter did at the French Open last month, when Paolini made a surprise run to the final. The Italian seventh seed has claimed a break in the second set and now leads 7-6, 2-1.

Alcaraz – normally so assured at the net – misdirects his volley! Break point Tiafoe … Alcaraz jabs Tiafoe with a body serve, Tiafoe ducks and improvises to get it back, but Alcaraz swats the return away. Deuce. But here’s another break point. Deuce. Advantage Tiafoe, a third break point. Bam. Ace. And three ferocious first serves get Alcaraz through the game! The defending champion leads 5-4.

Tiafoe, always the showman, is milking the applause on Centre Court as he enters the business end of the first set against Alcaraz. They’re at 4-4, having traded a break apiece. Alcaraz has been taken to a tie-break in both of his opening sets so far this tournament – but he may not even get that far here because Tiafoe has a chance here at 0-30 on Alcaraz’s serve. Alcaraz edges forward to 40-30 – but Tiafoe takes him to deuce …

Order of play

Here are the singles matches on the schedule today:

Centre Court
(3) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) v (29) Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Emma Raducanu (Gbr) v (9) Maria Sakkari (Gre)
(1) Jannik Sinner (Ita) v Miomir Kecmanovic (Ser)

Court 1
(7) Jasmine Paolini (Ita) v Bianca Andreescu (Can)
(10) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) v Gael Monfils (Fra)
Sonay Kartal (Gbr) v (2) Cori Gauff (USA)

Court 2
(12) Tommy Paul (USA) v (23) Alexander Bublik (Kaz)
Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger) v (5) Daniil Medvedev (Rus)

Court 3
(14) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) v Paula Badosa Gibert (Spa)
Denis Shapovalov (Can) v (14) Ben Shelton (USA)

Court 12
Brandon Nakashima (USA) v (16) Ugo Humbert (Fra)
(18) Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) v (12) Madison Keys (USA)

Court 15
Lulu Sun (Nzl) v Lin Zhu (Chn)

Court 16
Roberto Bautista Agut (Spa) v Fabio Fognini (Ita)\

Court 18
Diana Shnaider (Rus) v (19) Emma Navarro (USA)
(28) Dayana Yastremska (Ukr) v Donna Vekic (Cro)

We thought Murray and Raducanu’s first-round mixed doubles match would be tomorrow, by the way, but that now depends on how many matches we get through today. The weather is expected to get worse again later – but at least the organisers have spread the singles matches far and wide around the grounds – so hopefully we’ll get a number of results on the outside courts.

Thanks Dominic. My eyes may still be a little bit damp after Andy Murray’s emotional nearly-goodbye last night – but this is helping to cheer me up. I can’t stop watching. Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are both playing later, of course.

A display of passion from Paolini follows a slugfest of a rally, with both players hammering it at each other from the baseline. Andreescu has some set points to save on serve, but she cannot manage it, as a half-volley is slammed into the net.

What a magnificent set of tennis. Paolini takes it 7-6. Let’s all grab a drink.

Katy Murrells will be here shortly to take over on the live updates. Cheers!

Nothing to choose between them at the changeover in the tie-break, 3-3.

On Centre, Tiafoe saves a break point at 30-40 but is struggling to get beyond deuce.

What do I know? An utterly magnificent point, with nip-and-tuck play around the net from both players, brings the opening point against the serve for Andreescu. Her judgement of angles was sensational there.

Ah, but an unforced error gifts the mini-break back, and Paolini then powers one down the line and follows it up to go 2-1 up.

Updated

Paolini v Andreescu goes into a first set tie-break. We’ll stick with that one for the next couple of posts, as it’s been a really high quality and closely-matched encounter thus far. (My money would be on Paolini in the breaker, though, for what it’s worth).

A scoot around the other courts now, as Tommy Paul has raced to the first set 6-3 against Bublik; Badosa looks set to take the opener against Kasatkina; while Lulu Sun leads Lin Zhu on Court 15, and it’s on serve between Roberto Bautista Agut and Fabio Fognini on 16. The only other single’s match ongoing is between Diana Shnaider and Emma Navarro, with the former taking the first set 6-2.

Paolini was forced to deuce on her serve at 5-5, but an unforced error on a slice forehand from Andreescu let the Italian off the hook – as did the forehand that was hit long to make it 6-5. Andreescu is now serving to force a breaker.

On Centre, it’s Tiafoe who has been holding serve more comfortably. But neither player has come close to breaking.

Updated

Andreescu lets out another cry of joy after a clinical service game, which has very much been the story of this set, after both players dropped their opening game on serve. Are we heading for a tie break?

Whatever you can do … Paolini also holds to love on No 1 – after an astute challenge secured her the game – while Tiafoe has got himself on the board against the defending champion. The American has a big serve and a whole lotta power.

4-4 and on serve between Andreescu and Paolini. Alcaraz, meanwhile, holds to love in the opening game and looks to be in a hurry. Over to you, Frances.

Stuart Broad is having a lovely old time since his retirement from cricket, isn’t he? Fair play to the guy. I wonder how he’d get on with the challenge system in tennis …

Alcaraz and Tiafoe are knocking up on Centre, which is filling up nicely.

This is seriously high-quality stuff. With all due respect to Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart, whose Battle of Britain yesterday was all nerves, tension and tetchiness, this is comfortably a cut above. Paolini looks like she’s about to hit every shot into the net, yet never does. Her forehand is an absolute sledgehammer. On serve at 3-3.

It’s a hard-fought hold and a visceral “C’MON!” from Andreescu in the end. 2-2

Things are now well under way on the outside courts. Tommy Paul v Alexander Bublik has just started on Court 2, while Carlos Alcaraz is about to make his grand entrance on Centre, facing Frances Tiafoe.

Some lovely stuff around the net from Paolini. She anticipates the drop-shot well and then shows a delicate touch with the volley to see out the point. And then, in the next point, she unfurls a fantastic volley on the stretch.

Andreescu’s early momentum seems to have already been halted. Ah, but at 15-40 and under pressure, goes bang, bang – successive aces.

Daria Kasatkina versus Paola Badosa is under way in the women’s singles on Court 3. Meanwhile, Paolini holds serve – the first hold of the match. It’s 2-1 to the this year’s French Open finalist.

It’s easy to forget Andreescu was a mere 19-year-old when she beat Serena Williams in the US Open final in 2019. She’s never made it past the third round at Wimbledon, but she could be involved in a classic here, judging by the opening exchanges. Paolini has dug deep to force deuce, then a break point, then Andreesu skews it into the net. Break back! 1-1

A couple of mighty groundstrokes from Andreescu force it to 15-40 on the Italian’s serve. A floaty second serve is then brutally punished by the Canadian, who thumps it down the line to break in the opening game. Wow.

I’m hearing a few whispers that patches of blue sky have been spotted above the All England Club. Don’t quote me on that, though.

We’re ready to rock and roll on No 1. Paolini to serve first.

Play is set to commence on the outside courts from 1pm BST after rain but the roof is on Centre and No 1, the latter of which has just seen Jasmine Paolini and Bianca Andreescu enter the court. They’re knocking up now after a brief pep talk from the umpire.

This should be a good match. Paolini is bang in-form and a very likeable player, a revelation even, while Andreescu is making an almighty comeback after years of injury.

Andy Murray had an emotional swansong to remember on Thursday night but his tournament isn’t over yet, with practice slated for Friday before a mixed doubles date alongside Emma Raducanu that could take place on Saturday.

Murray was in tears after watching a montage of the most memorable moments of his career, with tributes from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams, before talking through his memories with Sue Barker. Per PA:

“It was really nice,” said Murray. “When the video was playing, my head was spinning a lot. I know I’m about to have to speak. It’s difficult in those moments because there’s a lot of people you want to thank and address. It was pretty emotional as well. Watching the video was nice but hard as well for me because it’s coming to the end of something that you’ve absolutely loved doing for such a long time.

“But it was obviously really nice that a lot of the players stayed. I have very close, good relationships with the British guys that were there but there’s also a number of players there on that court that I have enormous respect for, some of the greatest players in the history of the game. It feels like an ending to me. Whether I deserve it or not, I don’t know. But they did a really, really good job.”

There’s a cracker on Court One to open up at 1pm, when the No 7 seed Jasmine Paolini tackles Bianca Andreescu, and fans should be treated to another when Grigor Dimitrov faces Gaël Monfils afterwards. And then it’s the biggest match of Sonay Kartal’s career when the Briton faces No 2 seed Coco Gauff to round off the action there.

From one of our team at SW19 …

Preamble

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage from day five at Wimbledon. First to mention: it’s been raining in SW19 again this morning … but don’t let that dampen your enthusiasm. Centre Court is due to open up with Carlos Alcaraz in action against Frances Tiafoe at 1.30pm BST, followed by Emma Raducanu v Maria Sakkari, and then Jannik Sinner v Miomir Kecmanovic.

We’ll keep you updated with any weather updates and for any news out from the All England Club.

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