Otherwise, that is us for another day. We will, of course, be back tomorrow at 11am BST – thanks for your company, thanks to Andy Murray, and peace out.
Andy goes out the back to wave to the crowd gathered there, but otherwise, that is that. A bit of what now feels like housekeeping but is actually important stuff: Alexander Zverev (4) beat Marcos Giron 6-2 6-1 6-4 and meets Cameron Norrie next; Caroline Wozniacki and Laylah Fernandez (30) stopped their match for the night at 3-3 in the decider.
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Obviously when we feel emotional about people like Andy, we’re also feeling emotional about the passage of time and our own lives. Some of us are old, and in two decades we’ve been watching him a helluva lot has happened – in the world and to all of us.
Nice boy that he is, Andy goes down the line of those there to support him, Mac, Novak, Martina and ilk, then shares a long hug and some words with Jamie; those two have been through a bit together. Then, finally, he departs through a guard of honour, rests on a bannister, head on arm, and shares a moment with Iga Swiatek, then Jack Draper, Max, Martina again. Everyone adores this man, and in any walk of life that is rare, but an entirely different thing in the brutal, cynical, selfish world of elite sport.
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Do we get to do this all over again when Muzzacanu win the mixed?
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It’s hard to finish, he says, but physically he can’t keep going – the injuries have been significant. He wants to play forever, though – he loves the sport, it’s given him so much, taught him loads of lessons that he can use in the rest of his life. “I don’t wanna stop, so it is hard,” he offers in conclusion. I love him so much and so should you.
Finally, perhaps, he says he’d better mention his wife lest he get into trouble – “This’ll be the hard part,” he says. They met when he was 18, her dad being a coach, and they went out for dinner but he choked. He walked her back to her hotel, asked her for her email address – “I don’t know if that’s a normal thing to do” – and the first time she came along to watch him, he gipped twice, once right in front of where she was sitting. Then he stood up and gipped on his opponent’s racket bag, but she still seemed to like him so he knew she was a keeper.
“She’s been an amazing, amazing support,” he says, “to me, to my family … she’s the best mum,” and he chokes then looks up at her. “And yet unfortunately a couple of months she’s going to have to see me every day so things might be rocky for a little while but hopefully we can stick it out and looking forward to the rest of our lives.”
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Ahahaha, Sue totally Hazel Irvines him: dissatisfied we’ve had insufficient tears, she asks him about his family. Speaking on behalf of Jamie, he talks about the support of his parents in pursuing their dreams – his brother left home at 12 and he then went to Spain – and now he has his own kids he knows how that must’ve felt because he hates them being away even for a day. His dad looks on the verge here and how couldn’t he be, aren’t we all when we focus on what our kids mean to us?
Otherwise, he’s really looking forward to spending more time at home – his daughters were asking for piggy backs just days after his back surgery – and he thanks his support staff, saying all players know you can’t succeed without great people around you. The last few years have been hard, he says, but also for those close to him and he pauses, trying not to greet; no such nicety in my box room, but.
The injuries have been tough and significant and they’ve worked hard just to be on the court competing, not at the level any of them wanted but they tried. I don’t think I could think more of any sportsman, honestly.
In 2016 he says he felt very different and had an amazing evening with his friends and family, properly enjoying it – it’s his favourite of his three slams. He’s told he danced but says he can’t remember, sharing that he yakked in the cab on the way home. Lovely stuff, I hope the cabbie scooped it up and sold jars. Why don’t I have one.
“They were alright weren’t they?” he says of the big three, and that it was amazing to be a part of what they’ve done and some of the big matches. Asked about how it was trying to win Wimbledon, he admits it was “pretty stressful” but the crowd helped him, especially when he won it for the first time – “Novak had an off-day, obviously” – and explains that he didn’t really enjoy it, having found the whole thing “very stressful.” When he got off the court he didn’t remember the last game but he’s watched it since and can’t believe what Djokovic was doing to him on match point. Had he lost it, he’d have found it hard to recover, but he got there.
A few weeks later, though, he won Olympic gold, which he says is one of the favourite days of his career, winning at home, at Wimbledon, against Federer. Sue then talks about how hard he worked, and the way he came back after his hip injury is, in some ways his greatest achievement.
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Exhibition curmudgeon to the end, he says he’d like this over quickly as two of his kids are here and it’s past their bedtime. But he’s taken back to 2012, when he lost at Wimbledon to Federer – he said afterwards that that was when he had to accept he might not win a major. He wanted to speak then, though, because he wanted people to see how much he cared, and that was an important moment in his career.
Goodness me, Martina, Mac, Novak, all in a line applauding. How on earth must that feel? And you know what? If Andy was just brilliant at tennis, it wouldn’t be like this; it’s like this because he’s brilliant at being a human. I am honoured to have watched him, it’s a privilege to be writing these words, and at the age of 45 I can’t believe I’m feeling these feelings about an individual sportsman. Team stuff, fine, those are our identity and heritage, but some random bloke? It takes something, someone, very special to have us in a mess, and the reason for it is that Andy Murray represents values: fairness, equality, bravery, decency and the triumph of the human spirit.
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“Are you proud of how you played the game?” asks Roger Federer. “Did you fight for yourself?”
“Or did you fight for others?” wonders Serena rhetorically.
“We’ve been against you and with you,” says Roger and Novak; “We were proud to play against you,” adds Rafa.
Jamie is almost gone, Kim is gone, Andy is going, Judy is gone, I am totally gone.
Oh man, remember when he flexed his biceps after winning a five-setter against Gasquet in 2008?!
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“Obviously really special,” he says. They’d never got to do it before but Jamie’s partner was playing with Neal Skupski, so it was a rush to get it sorted but they managed. So we’re now watching VT of Andy’s great moments, of him as a kid, and all of that. What a human being he is, what a total hero.
Ahahahaha, here comes Sue Barker, out of retirement to interview Andy. Lovely, lovely stuff. She tells him they want to celebrate everything Andy’s achieved and seeing the brothers together is so special, 10 grand slam titles between them. Oh look, Novak Djokovic is there too, and I’m afraid my eyeballs might be sweating.
Hijikata says it’s special to play today and he’s glad to have won, but today is all about Andy; “it’s an absolute honour to step on the court with him,” he says, and I just love how much everyone loves him. Murray had actually disappeared but he’s back now, which is good – I daresay there’ll be a losers’ interview.
Peers, who used to play with Jamie, is equally honoured, and the winners depart to well-earned cheers.
Rinky Hijikata and John Peers beat Andy Murray and Jamie Murray 7-6(6) 6-4
Hijikata and Peers were just too good, but what a joy to watch Andy and Jamie together, Judy looking on with naches. Well played boys, well played.
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The Muzzim make 0-15, but Peers then finds a tremendous winner, running to the baseline and curling himself around a forehand. Hijikata then takes a net exchange, Andy unable to bend a ball around the post, and a backhand overhead raises two match points…
Andy holds, sealing the game with an ace and forcing peers to serve for it at 7-6 5-4. I don’t know how to say this, but we might be about to watch Andy Murray play his last ever game on Centre Court (though it’s a fair guess he’s on there in the mixed). Goodness.
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Zverev holds to take the second set against Giron; he leads 6-2 6-1 1-0, and this has been, so far, an almost perfect performance.
Emil Ruusuvuori beats Stefanos Tsitsipas (11) 7-6(6) 7-6(10) 3-6 6-3
Tsitsipas just can’t get it going on grass, but that is a monumental win for Ruusuvuori, the biggest of his career. He gives it a frightful whack, so perhaps this is the result that fires his career; he faces Mpetshi Perricard next and I can’t wait to see them play.
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Tsitsipas holds, forcing Ruusuvuori to serve it out, and he quickly makes 40-0!
Back on Centre it’s now 3-3 in the second but Hijikata and Peers make 0-30, the latter thrashing a forehand into Andy’s shoulder to raise three break points. The Muzzas save two, but then Jamie sends down a double and I’m afraid at at 7-6 4-3, we may be minutes away from seeing an absolute hero depart Wimbledon for almost the last time. Let’s hold ourselves, mates.
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Giron has nothing for Zverev, nothing at all, and now trails in set two by two breaks at 4-1. But out on No 3 Court, Ruusuvuori has broken Tsitsipas to lead 2-1 4-2, and he’s two games away from a ridiculous shock. He only booked accommodation until yesterday, so spent last evening scouting about for a gaff … and now look! And as I type he holds for 5-2 in short order, his forehand dominating the set and exploiting Tsitsipas’ weak backhand
Great work from Laylah Fernandez, who levels her match with Wozniacki at one set apiece, taking the second 6-2. Wozniacki, though, is unhappy with the light and struggling to see, so asks if they can stop playing and return tomorrow. The supervisor, though, isn’t keen – in fairness, there’s a good chance they get this done in, say half an hour, and the crowd who’ve hung about will want to see a finish.
There’s a Yiddish word, “naches,” which roughly means enjoyment, pleasure, usually from one’s children or grandchildren. So imagine the naches Judy Murray experienced watching her boys walk out together on Centre Court, the place in raptures. That said, what I’m certain gives her most pleasure is the way they conduct themselves, but back out there, Jamie has to save break-back point … and does, a T-serve returned out. But after they fail to challenge a first delivery called out that was in, Jamie nets a volley and we’re back on serve in set two.
I may be the only person ever to call Murray cool, but bear with me.
Why Andy Murray is such a boss https://t.co/iZKOFlsfNA
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) July 2, 2024
Zverev’s serve really is a helluva shot. Giron just can’t get near it, but forget about that because Andrew Barron Murray is roaring! Oh man, I almost teared up thinking about never seeing that again, but up advantage he nails a return to feet, and the brethren lead 2-0 in the second having lost the first.
Andy finds himself down 15-40 but quickly makes deuce, only to lose an absurd point with all four players at the net and the cord being twanged; at the moment Hijikata who eventually finds the winner, is the best player on court. No matter: the Murrances save another break point then close out to trail 6-7 1-0.
On No 1, meantime, Zverev secures a 6-2 first set. Hew’s playing really well, his backhand and serve better than ever and his forehand and volleying much improved, so Giron just can’t live with him.
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Great work from Tsitsipas, who returns from 0-30 to hold and secure the third set; Ruusuvuori leads 2-1 and realistically, we’ll only get one more set in tonight.
Elsewhere, Zverev is all over Giron, about to serve for set one at 5-2, while Tsitsipas has broken Ruusuvuori in set three and is serving at 5-3, and Fernandez has broken Wozniacki to trail 5-6 3-1.
And this is what can happen with a pair unused to playing together. With Hijikata about to play, back of the court, centre, after Andy isn’t firm enough with a volley, he moves away from Jamie to cover the left side of the court, and the winner duly comes down the middle. Hijikata and Peers lead 7-6(6).
So when Andy holds, the Muzzas have the first set point at 6-5. But he can’t quite direct his return down the line past Peers, who quickly ends the rally, then a terrific forehand winner form Hijikata means it’s he who has set point at 7-6…
We’re on serve at 3-2 Hijikata/Peers, then Andy slams down a volley to level things again. But then Peers forces Jamie’s serve cross-court for a winner and a return into the net makes 5-3. But it’s soon all-square again at 5-5, and these two teams look very well-matched.
The brothers Murrance make their first-set breaker, while Zverev leads Giron 3-1.
Thanks Will and hi again. While I was away, our friend Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard moved into round three, walloping Yoshihito Nishioka 4, 1 and 2. He meets Tsitsipas or Ruusuvuori next, and i’d fancy him to give either aggro. otherwise, Wozniacki leads Fernandez by one set to love, and every time I see her on court I feel just a little bit happier. Who doesn’t love a comeback?
Right, it’s time to hand you back over to Daniel Harris. The Murray brothers are about to serve to stay in the first set, with Peers and Hijikata leading 6-5.
In the women’s singles, Caroline Wozniacki is up a set against Leylah Fernandez and Liudmila Samsonova leads Elina Avanesyan likewise.
Over in the men’s doubles, Jamie Murray is on serve. He plays out a solid hold, drawing the pairs level at 4-4.
Ruusuvuori takes a two-set lead and Tsitsipas is in serious bother now. The Finn leads 7-6 (6), 7-6 (10).
Ruusuvuori and Tsitsipas are locked in a second-set tie-break. It’s 9-9 as things stand.
The Murray brothers have got under way against John Peers and Rinky Hijikata. The latter pair open the match by holding serve.
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Norrie, understandably soaked in sweat, takes his place for his post-match interview. “I think I just love Court 1, it’s a special court for me,” he says. “It was not easy for me coming out here today to play Jack, he’s been playing so well and we’re such good friends off the court, so we had to put that aside today.
“I think I felt I was a little bit the underdog coming into today, so I think I was pretty relaxed coming in to be honest. But, yeah, I was happy with my level, I played really physical, and thank you for the support.”
Elena Rybakina beats Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Rybakina is into the third round after beating her German opponent in three sets. A solid performance, all told.
Cameron Norrie beats Jack Draper 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (6)
It’s all over. Draper squanders a point and Norrie finishes off the match on serve, his opponent sending an attempted return into the net. The crowd are on their feet. What a show.
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Norrie earns match point. Draper wins a hard-running rally to prolong the drama.
Oof. Draper makes an unforced error, pumping a shot well beyond the baseline. There’s daylight between the two at 5-3, but Draper pulls a point back and Norrie then double faults to make it 5-5.
A vicious rally ends with Draper sending one long. Norrie’s passing shots are just superb, leaving his opponent reeling. Draper attempts a drop shot, but it falls wide. Another rally ends with Draper producing a deft backhand volley to make it 2-2.
Norrie holds serve and we’re going to a tie-break. Can Draper save himself here?
A fantastic rally ends with Norrie thrashing a brutal forehand down the line. Draper tries his best but can’t return it, sending the ball spinning wide.
A bit of Wimbledon, is it? Don’t mind if I do. Draper has just held serve against Norrie, extending the third set.
Righto, I’m off for a break, so here’s Will Magee to hang with youse for the next bit. But just to update the biggies, Rybakina leads Siegemund 4-1 in the third with two breaks, Halys has beaten Khachanov (21) 6-4 in the fifth and Ruusuvuori leads Tsitsipas 7-6 2-1.
Outstanding behaviour from Norrie – “the backhand redirect as an approach,” coos Kyrgios. And another brilliant point, a forehand smitten to the corner, makes 0-40, and a glorious forehand cross ends as fantastic a return-game, never mind one with the set in the balance, as you’ll ever see. Nozza leads 7-6 7-6 4-5.
Norrie’s been doing a lot of fist-clenching at his box and he does so again after holding; Draper must now serve for set three. For what it’s worth, he closed out his match against Ymer superbly, but as I type he’s down 0-15.
Next on Centre Court: Hijikata and Peers v Muzza and Muzza. Hold me!
Again, Draper holds easily enough, and this switch in momentum has been gradual. He’s been more aggressive in his play, and he needs short rallies, so that makes sense … and by virtue of so doing, he’s winning more longer ones too. he leads 5-2 in the tihrd.
Ruusuvuori has just absolutely smoked a backhand winner down the line to clinch his first-set breaker against Tsitsipas. He leads by a one set to love and looks really good in what I’m seeing when i turn eyes to screen three.
Draper’s making a impression on the Nozza serve almost every game – and he’s holding easily – but after he does so to love, he again fails to convert a break point. No matter: after winning a backhand-to-backhand rally – that just didn’t happen in one and two – he raises advantage, is sent out wide with a serve … and he punishes a wondrous backhand return from almost in the seats, down the line for a winner and his first break! He now leads 4-2 in the third, Norrie by two sets to one.
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Back on No 2 Court, Siegemund managed to break Rybakina and level their match at 3-6 6-3, but the 2022 champ broke her at the first time of asking in the third and now leads 3-0.
On No 3, Ruusuvuori and Tsitsipas as playing a first-set breaker – it’s 6-6 and I’m going to switch to it now.
Iga Swiatek (1) beats Petra Martic 6-4 6-3
Martic played pretty well, changing pace and angles, but Swiatek always looked like she had too much and so she did. Next for her it’s Putintseva.
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Holger Rune (15) beats Thiago Seyboth Wild 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2
A fine performance from Rune, who dashes off a four-set win in two hours 10. He meets Halys or Khachanov next, the former leading 3-2 with a break in the fifth.
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Norrie has dropped a little – which makes sense, it’s not possible to be steaming hot indefinitely – and Draper has risen a little, making deuce as he seeks his first break of the match. And when a forehand hoops long, he has advantage … only to ruin it with a backhand down the line which drifts wide. Norrie, though, can’t close out, receiving a taste of his own medicine when Draper retrieves improbably then rushes in to put away. And have a look! Nozza then comes to net only to push long … but again, finds his best gear under pressure, a serve out wide and forehand clean-up saving break point. So we go round again, deuce, advantage, before, after six, Norrie secures a crucial hold to lead 7-6 6-4 2-2.
Draper is getting closer, making 30-all, but from there Norrie secures his hold – so far, he’s played the big points superbly. But Draper is holding easily now, another to love meaning Norrie will soon go again, down 1-2 but up 2-0.
Rune now leads Seyboth Wild 2-1 3-1, and after ceding the first set, has played very well indeed. And back to Draper, we should note his body isn’t used to playing five-setters, which he did – unnecessarily – in round one, and which he’ll now have to do if he’s to win here. He holds to love, meaning Norrie leads 7-6 6-4 0-1.
Rybakina has broken Siegemund back and now leads 6-3 2-3; Swiatek leads Martic 6-4 2-1 on serve; Ruusuvuori leads Tsitsipas 3-2 with a break – we’ll take a closer look at that one as soon as one of our other matches finishes – Pouille has levelled against Kokkinakis at a set apiece; Fritz leads Rinderknech 6-3 6-4 3-6; Halys and Khachanov will soon start a fifth set; and Pera leads Garcia 4-3 in their third.
A decent return on to the line allows Draper to come in and he does, booming a forehand winner … only to swat a backhand wide. From there, Norrie makes 40-15, then punishes an ace on to the back line of the box and near the far corner; that is tremendous behaviour and he leads 7-6 6-4! Long way back for Draper now.
Serving to stay in the set, Draper finds himself down 30-40 but Norrie can’t return a serve out wide. Then, having been passed on advantage, a service-winner earns game-point and an ace forces his opponent to serve out at 7-6 5-4. Pressure.
Deep breaths from Norrie as Draper can’t control a return; it flies long and gives him 30-all. From there, he closes out, sealing the game with an ace, but this is more even now at 7-6 5-3. Oh, and Martic, having played a decent set, is broken in its final game so Swiatek leads 6-4.
Now then. Draper makes 30-40 on the Norrie serve, a double follows, and he has back one break at 2-4 in the second. I don’t think he did anything especially different there, we just saw his opponent drop a little, and perhaps his hot streak is cooling slightly; a simple hold for 3-4 supports that theory. Rune, meanwhile now leads Seyboth Wild 2-1, playing beautifully in taking the third set 6-2, while Swiatek leads Martic 5-4 in the first, on serve, and Siegemund has broken Rybakina to trail 3-6 2-0.
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Better from Draper, who punches away a volley and rains down an ace in the course of holding for 1-4 in the second. In comms, they show a graphic which tells us Norrie is hitting to the forehand even though it’s his opponent’s stronger wing and Nick Kyrgios explains that it’s different when the ball comes at it at the particular angles and speeds Norrie deploys. By way of illustration, he notes that he hits most winners on his forehand side, but on the return, his backhand is the better shot.
Back to our main match, Norrie consolidates his second break for 7-6 4-0 and Draper really needs to use whatever’s left of this set to try and fathom a way get into this. So far, every question he’s asked has been answered and he’s really struggling to assert his power game against the variations coming back from the other side of the net.
Rybakina breaks Siegemund and serves out for a 6-3 set; Martic is back on her feet trailing Swiatek 3-4 on serve; Fritz leads Rinderknech 6-3 6-4 0-1; Cobolli has come back from two sets down against Tabilo to force a decider; Kokkinakis leads Pouille 6-2 2-2; Svitolina is serving for the match against Niemeier at 6-3 5-4; and Rune leads Seyboth Wild 1-1 3-1.
Goodness me, Norrie is having a day out here. He makes 0-40, then hauls an overhead from behind him and forces it to the corner, then nails a flat backhand winner down the line! He is playing fantastically here, having conjured form out of nowhere during the course of his first-round match. He leads Draper 7-6 3-0.
Nozza consolidates to love and so far, this is what, in technical terms, is known as an absolute sonning off. Meantime on Centre, Martic has the trainer out trailing Swiatek 3-4 in the first.
Draper mustn’t lose this first service-game of the second set but a double at deuce means break point – we’ve not had one prior to – and when a decent approach offers a backhand down the line, Norrie slams it past him! He’s come to play today, and for now, Draper, though he’s hanging in there, can’t find an antidote. Draper 6-7 0-1 Norrie
Rune is now having his way with Seyboth Wild, taking the second set to level the match and breaking straight away in the third. On Centre, Swiatek and Martic are 3-3 in the first and on No 2, Rybakina leads Siegemund 4-3 on serve.
The longer the rallies go, the more likely Norrie is to be fist-pumping at the end of them; in particular, he looks stronger when they go backhand to backhand. But it’s a serve out wide, from wide, that sets up a forehand clean-up for 6-1, and though Draper plays a really good point to narrow the deficit, he knows the set is almost gone. And what play it takes to secure it, Draper thundering a forehand that Nozza somehow blocks back at the net then, when the ball comes back, a simple putaway has him roaring at the crowd. He leads 7-6(3).
Draper cedes the advantage immediately, going long on the forehand, and then Norrie lasts longer in the next rally, forcing Draper to play an extra shot when it looks over. But it isn’t, he eventually elicits the error, makes 3-1, and then sticks in another terrific rally, terrifically, his backhand doing the work to set up a forehand winner. Draper’s first serves have deserted him right when he needs them most; Norrie leads 4-1 and, as I type, 5-1, Draper netting a forehand!
Norrie holds, then Draper finds himself in trouble in the rally at 15-0, but from the corner hooks a fine backhand winner cross-court and seconds later he’s securing a tiebreak with an ace. I’n those, I’ll almost always pick the player with the bigger serve, and I’m not going to change that here – I think Draper will get this done and he gets an immediate mini-break to lead 6-6 (1-0).
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Draper holds again for 5-5 but Norrie might regret not taking advantage of a shot at a second serve. Elsewhere, Rune leads Seyboth Wild 5-2 having lost the first set; Khachanov leasds Hakys 4-6 6-3 0-2; Garcia leads Pera 6-3; Svitolina leads Niemeier 6-3 1-0 with a break; Fritz leads Rinderknech 6-2 2-3; Kokkinakis, who won a thriller against Auger-Aliassime last evening, leads Pouille 5-2; Collins leads Galfi 6-3 5-1; Rybakina leads Siegemund 2-1; and Swiatek and Martic are 1-1.
We’re away on Centre, and though Martic can find a way to lose any match, if she plays well she can cause Swiatek aggravation. Rybakina and Siegmund are also away – they’re 1-1 in the first – while Draper will now serve to stay in the first set, Norrie having held easily enough. We’ve yet to have a break point.
Draper decides to come in, perhaps because the balls are new, but he soon wishes he hadn’t because Norrie sends a backhand pass down the line. For all the good it does him, Draper playing a terrific shot at the net, sweeping a backhand across the tape, the angle improbable, then clouting down an ace. But a double at 40-30 makes it interesting … though not for long, Draper quickly cleaning up for 4-4 in the first.
Serving at 15-all, Norrie shanks a forehand, then doesn’t finish the next point with a swing volley … but Draper’s response has just too much pop on it; 30-all. We wind up at deuce, and from there, Norrie cleans up; we still don’t really have a read on what might be decisive here.
There’s not loads in this match and, as I type, Draper seals a hold for 3-2 with a huge swinging serve on which Norrie can only get frame. Both players are in decent nick and I’ve not a clue how things are going to pan out.
Email! “Excellent showing from Fearnley, “ coos Simon McMahon, “and am now very much looking forward to Draper v Norrie, but let’s cut to the chase. I really hope Andy, the most single-minded of competitors in one of the most individual of sports, gets to experience that winning feeling at Wimbledon at least once more time, even if it is in doubles. Goodness knows he deserves that. And the best thing about it will be that, whatever happens, he will treat it as just another day at the office, grateful for all the support I’m sure, but determined to show, to the very last point, his competitive instincts, and not really care about what anyone else thinks. Like when he was asked about what it must feel like for his parents watching him and replied, in all seriousness, that he didn’t know and didn’t care, because it was much harder for him playing. Certainly in the top one of British sportspeople in my lifetime. Thanks, Andy, you’ll be missed.”
I remember that interview! And yup, I love Andy too – everything I want in a sportsperson, and an absolute mensch.
Garrry Richardson: "How hard must it be for your parents?" Murray: "I'm not really that bothered, it's much harder for me". Superbly said.
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) July 6, 2012
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Norrie hammers a swing volley to lead Draper 3-2 on serve, and we’ll have a proper good look at that match now. On No 2, meanwhile, we’ll soon have Elena Rybakina (4) v Laura Siegmund.
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The men’s number 30 seed is out, Etcheverry downed in five by Popyrin, who’ll face Djokovic next.
Back with our Brits, Norrie leads Draper 2-1 on serve, while Seyboth Wild has played a tremendous set (of tennis) to take the first set off Rune 6-3.
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Next on Centre Court: Iga Swiatek (1) v Petra Martic
Djokovic praises Fearnley, noting windy conditions made it hard and that British players are used to grass. But he says his opponent serred well, made him work, and though he might’ve won it in three, the way Fearnley played, he was unlucky not to take it to a decider. He didn’t feel comfy in his opwn skin today, especially in the third and fourth, but sometimes you have rough days when you’re not feeling your best, but that also depends on your opponent and his forced him to earn the win because he hit a high level. So it’s a win and he’ll take it, but he hopes yo play better in the next round.
As far as he knee goes, Djokovic was feeling alright and he ought to have closed out the match when up a break in the third set. He can be playing and moving better, but as the tournament progresses he hopes to improve.
Novak Djokovic (2) beats Jacob Fearnley 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5
What a match that was and well played Jacob Fearnley. He took a set off the goat, not bad, but more than that, he engaged him in a very serious ruckus with no Slam experience. At 22, he can feel very proud of himself today and very hopeful for the future. Next for Djokovic: Popyrin or Etcheverry, the former about to serve for the match.
Updated
Ons Jabeur (10) beats Robin Montgomery 6-1 7-5
Montgomery didn’t quite have the skill or belief to seriously get at Jabeur, well though she played, and the Tunisian meets Niemeier or Svitolina next; the former leads 2-1 in the first, on serve.
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Ach, down break point, Fearnley sends down a double, and Djokovic will now serve for what’s been a much more taxing match than anyone could’ve predicted.
So how might Draper v Norrie go? Norrie is very tricky to play with his loopy lefty forehand and heavy use of spin. Draper, though, is also a lefty, knows Norrie’s game as they’re mates, and has a serve that can get him out of trouble. I’m favouring him, but Norrie improved through his first-round match and if he keeps that going, this will be intense.
Montgomery has made a much better fist of her second set against Jabeur, but she’s just been broken for 6-5 and in a few moments, the two-time losing finalist will serve for the match.
A good return from Fearnley sets up a forehand winner for 0-15, and another decent effort sees Djokovic net for 15-30; an ace follows, of course, and from there Djokovic closes out for 2-1 5-5.
Across the way on No 1 Court, Draper and Norrie are knocking up.
Seyboth Wild, who came back fro two sets down to beat Paul Jubb in round one, has made a better start here; he breaks Rune immediately and quickly consolidates for 2-0. Fearnley, meanwhile, has lost only seven points on serve this set and a fine forehand clinches a hold for 5-4; Djokovic will shortly serve to stay in it.
So I’m watching Djokovic v Fearnley and Norrie v Draper, obviously, and I’m also on Jabeur v Montgomery and rune v Seyboth Wild.
Denis Shapovalov beats Daniel Altmaier 7-6(3) 6-3 1-6 (3)6-7 6-4
He meets Ben Shelton (14) next, and that match should be a belter, both men in decent nick.
I liked what I saw of Jacob Fearnley in round one, and I also liked what I read about him: he’s had to overcome plenty to get to here, and he’s a very solid citizen. I didn’t expect him to crumble against Djokovic, but I did expect him to subside slowly; not so. He trails 2-1 but leads 4-3 on serve in set four.
Thanks Katy and hi everyone. As per the below, there’s an absolutely indecent amount of ridiculously good tennis going on and coming up so let’s get right on with it.
And with that, I’m going to lie down in a dark room. Daniel will take you through the rest of the day’s play, including the conclusion of Fearnley v Djokovic, plus all of Jack Draper v Cameron Norrie. And we’ve still got Iga Swiatek, Alex Zverev, Elena Rybakina and Stefanos Tsitsipas to come too, along with Andy Murray in the doubles. And a mention for Ons Jabeur: the finalist the past two years is a set up against the American Robin Montgomery. I’ll leave you with some food for thought. Bye!
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Big Ben Shelton celebrates the fourth of July with a bang 🇺🇸
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
The American defeats Lloyd Harris in a stunning five set encounter 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(7) 🤯#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/TmpoPjBLnl
Comeback Complete ✅
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
No.10 seed Grigor Dimitrov bounces back from two sets down to defeat Juncheng Shang 5-7, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3x3ddl3bCs
The results keep on coming: Ben Shelton has celebrated the fourth of July with a five-set win over the qualifier Lloyd Harris, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6, and Dimitrov has come back from the brink, grafting from two sets down to defeat Shang Juncheng 5-7, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.
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It's Dart's Day 😍@harriet_dart overcomes fellow Brit Boulter in a thrilling three-set contest on No.1 Court, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(10-8) 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/J7XFNaGsJi
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Dart, somehow, is able to speak:
I knew it was going to be a really tough battle, we played a few weeks ago and it didn’t go my way. I wear my emotions on my sleeve so you see how I’m thinking, unfortunately, but I’m so happy to be able to get through.
My head-to-head is woeful against Katie Boulter so I wasn’t expecting too much but I just tried my best out there and even though I was down in that tie-break I just thought no regrets, give it everything.
It’s massive, I haven’t played on Court No 1 for a few years, so it’s nice to get my first big win on a big court in front of a home crowd. It’s surreal.
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Dart beats Boulter 4-6, 6-1, 7-6
Boulter balloons another forehand long and it’s match point for Dart at 9-8! That makes it 74 unforced errors for Boulter today. Dart serves to Boulter’s forehand … and Dart completes an unexpected victory when Boulter goes long again! Dart has her head in her hands, Boulter is shaking hers – she knows that match was on her racket. The pair embrace at the net and after three hours Dart, the British No 2, has got the better of the British No 1, having come from 6-2 down in the tie-break! Phew.
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Dart scrambles back to 7-7 – and finally goes ahead in this tie-break when Boulter biffs another stray forehand long! Dart leads 8-7 … and the longest of rallies ends when Dart eventually makes the mistake after huge pressure in a superb exchange! 8-8 …
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And Boulter, from 6-2, is now pegged back to 6-5. She still has one mini-break, mind, but then she concedes that as well with a forehand error! 6-6. Boulter steadies her nerves with an assured drive volley for 7-6 …
After a tortuous few hours, Boulter’s form and ranking have told so far in this tie-break, can she finish the job? Dart appears to be fighting back tears, but stays in the mix by manoeuvring Boulter around. 6-3. And Boulter prods long! 6-4. This isn’t over yet. Remember it’s the first to 10, not seven …
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So caught up in the drama, Boulter almost forgets to change ends. Meanwhile Dart has got her face in her towel, before slowly walking to the baseline to serve. She doesn’t look in any hurry. Perhaps she knows what’s coming; because Boulter eats up another short ball. It’s 5-2 … and 6-2 as Dart drills her backhand into the net …
… but breaks haven’t meant too much is this match, and they’re back on serve for 2-2. Boulter wins the next point on her serve with a backhand volley into the open court for 3-2 – and then buries a short ball for 4-2 …
Phew. What drama. And just to crank it up a bit more, we’ve got a final-set tie-break to decide Boulter v Dart. Remember, because it’s the final set, this tie-break is the first to 10. The first two points are shared – but Dart’s arms and legs look weighed down with nerves as she double faults. Boulter has the first mini-break …
Fearnley takes the third set 7-5 against Djokovic!
Look here! Fearnley has a set point at 30-40 on the Djokovic serve! And he wins it when Djokovic makes the error! From two sets to love and a break down, the British No 13 has halved his arrears against the seven-times champion! And you have to say it’s no less than the 22-year-old deserves. It’s Djokovic 6-3, 6-4, 5-7 Fearnley.
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Fearnley holds for 6-5 and will be rewarded with a tie-break at the very least in this third set against Djokovic. Meanwhile Boulter, having led 40-0 at 5-5, is now break point down; she just can’t get her errant forehand under control. A tense, long rally ensues, and this time Boulter’s forehand does find its range! Deuce. And Boulter holds for 6-5! De Minaur is shouting his “C’MONS” from the box.
Xinyu Wang records her first ever Top-10 win! 👏
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
The 22-year-old has taken down No.5 seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7(9), 6-1#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/lQ1TFVOde4
Nothing giving on serve in the next two games on No 1 Court, and Boulter and Dart are now locked at five games all and one set all. This would be quite some result for Dart if she can get through, given she’s lost to Boulter six of the previous seven times they’ve met and she’s conceding 65 places in the world rankings.
Pegula goes out
The biggest seed so far has fallen. Jessica Pegula, the world No 5 and the Berlin champion on grass only a couple of weeks ago, has been taken out 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 by China’s Wang Xinyu, who’ll now face the winner of Boulter v Dart …
Still struggling to get my head around Hubert Hurkacz injuring his knee after attempting to dive, taking a medical timeout and being unable to move yet attempting *another* diving volley on the very next point.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 4, 2024
Fearnley is entering the danger zone again. He’s 15-40 down on serve at 4-4. Lose the next point and Djokovic will be serving for the match. But Djokovic doesn’t do enough on the first break point, and Fearnley stabs away a winning volley on the second. Deuce. And Fearnley squeaks through! He’s 5-4 ahead in the third but 2-0 down in sets.
Boulter holds. It’s deuce on Dart’s serve. Dart is doing a good job of getting the ball back into play, and waiting for Boulter’s errant forehand to make the error, but then Boulter’s forehand finds its range and Boulter brings up advantage for break-back point! And Boulter breaks with a piercing backhand down the line! The British No 1 restores parity against the British No 2 in the final set and it’s 4-4.
Crunch time for Fearnley at 3-3, 30-40, after he double faults. If he drops serve here you’d fancy Djokovic to finish the job. But three big serves avert the danger! For the first time this afternoon the Brit wins two consecutive games.
Fran. The. Man 🇦🇷
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Francisco Comesana wins a five-set thriller over Walton 7-5, 1-6, 6-7(12), 6-1, 7-6(10-8) 😱#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/QPNbsu0Jph
Djokovic, meanwhile, lets out a roar on Centre Court and a customary “COME ON!!!!!” as he breaks Fearnley for 6-3, 6-4, 3-2. But Fearnley isn’t ready to wave the white flag, because the Brit has the chance to break straight back at advantage on Djokovic’s serve! Fearnley sends a frail backhand into the net. Deuce. Advantage Fearnley. And it’s Djokovic’s turn to send a backhand into the net! Fearnley breaks –it’s the first time Djokovic has dropped serve this tournament – and it’s 6-3, 6-4, 3-3.
A break on No 1 Court! After what feels like a lifetime in game five, Boulter misses another forehand, and Dart has a 3-2 advantage in the third set! Boulter challenges, but in vain. Dart finally breaks on the sixth break point – and swiftly backs it up with the hold for 4-2. This match has been scrappy – I’ve lost count of the unforced errors – but you can’t take your eyes off it. Like a film that’s so bad it’s so good.
Monfils defeats Wawrinka 7-6, 6-4, 7-6
Meanwhile on No 2 Court, Throwback Thursday didn’t last long, because the 37-year-old Gael Monfils, resuming at 7-6, 6-4, 5-5 against the 39-year-old Stan Wawrinka, has completed victory by taking a third-set tie-break seven points to three. Allez Gael. He’ll face the winner of Dimitrov v Shang in the third round.
Boulter has saved five break points in this fifth game of the decider. The game clock is ticking to nine minutes and the match clock two hours as Boulter moves to advantage. But Boulter’s forehand has been so wild and wayward today – the wind is partly to blame, but I think nerves are a factor too – and she goes wide. Deuce. And. They. Go. On …
A forehand winner from Pegula and, having saved a match point, the American has won the second-set tie-break 9-7!
Thanks Niall. Phew, it’s getting tight and tense around the grounds. So Boulter and Dart are locked at 2-2 in the decider; Ben Shelton, the new American kid on the block, has forced a deciding set against the qualifier Lloyd Harris; Jessica Pegula, another American and the fifth seed, has just saved a match point against Wang Xinyu; and Grigor Dimitrov has won the third set against Shang Juncheng, but he’s going to have to win the next two sets too to survive.
Djokovic closes out the second set against Jacob Fearnley, and the finish line is in sight for him now. On No 1 Court, Dart is digging in and frustrating Boulter, coming through a 15-minute game with the hold as Alex De Minaur appears courtside.
Time to hand back to Katy …
Updated
Boulter has rediscovered her focus in what’s been a scrappy contest – she has a break point at 2-1 up in the third, but lets Dart off with a loose forehand. Also bouncing back: Dimitrov, who has broken Shang in the third set. The world No 91 won the first two sets.
Arthur Fils beats No 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz is out in unusual circumstances – having tried to resume the tie-break, he went 9-8 down to Arthur Fils, and hobbled to the net to concede the match. I can’t recall many players retiring on match point, but he did look pretty badly hurt.
A sad ending to a thrilling encounter 💔
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Arthur Fils advances to his first Grand Slam third round after Hubert Hurkacz is forced to retire with injury in the fourth set tie-break#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/NdtNAOghue
Djokovic edges ahead in the second set, breaking Fearnley in the seventh game to take charge of the match. We also get a look at some random celebrities in the gallery, including Pat Cummins, Seb Coe and Bear Grylls, who will probably be worried about dehydration kicking in on this warm afternoon.
Trouble for a pair of American seeds, too: Ben Shelton is 2-1 down in sets to South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, while Jessica Pegula has lost the first set to China’s Xinyu Wang on No3 Court.
Potential upsets brewing on the outside courts: on Court 12, Grigor Dimitrov is two sets down against China’s Juncheng Shang. As for Hurkacz, he’s had to stop for treatment in the midst of a fourth-set tie-break with Arthur Fils, who leads by two sets to one.
Dart levels against Boulter, winning the second set 6-1
No problems this time for Harriet Dart, finding her range to close out the second set 6-1. The momentum is with the underdog heading into the decider …
Thanks, Katy. On No 1 Court, Boulter gets one break back but Dart hits straight back, moving 5-1 up as her opponent flays a backhand wide. Can she serve it out? On Centre, Jacob Fearnley is hanging in there, asking Djokovic some questions on his serve at 2-1 up in the second set – but after a looping forehand goes just long, Djokovic digs out the hold.
I’m off for some lunch, so I’ll leave you with Niall McVeigh for a bit …
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Brutal loss for Daria Saville. Had the match almost won at a set and 5-2, lost epic 12th game of 2nd set & a match point, battled back from 4-1 down in the third, so close to levelling at 5-5 but eventually loses 4-6, 7-6 6-4 to Kostyuk in 3 hours, 10 mins. That's going to hurt
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2024
Australian interest in the women’s singles is over:
▪️ One match point saved
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
▪️ Down 2-5 in the second set
After three hours and ten minutes, @marta_kostyuk comes back from the brink of defeat against Saville to move into the third round, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 😲#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sZLtWazEBw
Well, well. Boulter slumps to 0-40 on serve and here are three chances for Dart to secure the double break. After the first two opportunities come and go, it’s a case of third time lucky, as Dart rips a fizzing forehand winner on the run for a 4-0 lead in the second set!
De Minaur has made it to Boulter’s box having completed his press commitments after his second-round win. But he won’t like what he sees, as Dart breaks and backs it up with a love hold. Despite Boulter’s dominance in their head-to-head record, their match in Nottingham last month went to three sets, lasting more than three hours. More of same today would be good. It’s Boulter 6-4, 0-3 Dart.
First set in the bank for @DjokerNole ✔️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/KmPbzEO1qQ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
Djokovic takes the first set 6-3 against Fearnley
Boulter has won six of her seven previous meetings with Dart, so this is going with the script, but Dart digs in to win the opening game of the second set. And Novak Djokovic is starting to do what Novak Djokovic does, setting up a break point with a strong return. And Fearnley gives the break away by slicing wide. Djokovic then rattles through his service game to love to assume control.
I was laughing at first, but then it's really sad.... https://t.co/ZgkxhDUh3C
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2024
Boulter wins the first set 6-4 against Dart
Boulter has two set points at 5-4, 40-15. Dart drags her return into the tramlines and that’s the opening set! It’s first blood to the British No 1 against the British No 2.
Fearnley, with his cap back to front, Lleyton Hewitt-style, isn’t budging. He holds to 30 and it’s 3-3.
Dart is serving to stay in the first set at 5-3 down. Dart appears in command at 40-15, but Boulter biffs away the drive volley for 40-30. It’s been fine margins so far, but Boulter appears to have the edge when it comes to firepower and belief. This is the first year she’s been seeded at Wimbledon, having achieved such consistency this year, and it looks as if she believes she belongs now. Boulter gets to deuce and then set point, but Dart’s serve is strong and Boulter’s return loops long. And Dart secures a gutsy hold.
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Djokovic holds to love. But Fearnley holds to 15. The Brit isn’t being intimidated here. Djokovic conceded only five games in the first round but he’s already lost two today. He is human! It’s 2-2.
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Hurkacz, meanwhile, is starting to restore some sense of order on No 2 Court, where he’s taken the third set 6-2 to reduce his arrears against Arthur Fils to two sets to one. Ben Shelton, the 14th seed, is level at one set all against the qualifier Lloyd Harris – and Grigor Dimitrov, the 33-year-old who was once called “Baby Fed” but never quite turned into “Adult Fed”, has lost the opening set 7-5 and trails 3-1 in the second against Shang Juncheng.
Boulter backs up the break for 4-2. And Fearnley gets his name on the board in game two. That’ll have felt good. It’s 1-1.
Boulter bags the first break for 3-2 as Dart dumps a backhand into the net, just as Djokovic puts Fearnley in his place on the opening point with a dismissive forehand winner. I could really do with four eyes for these two matches, so it’s not ideal that I scratched my left one last week and can’t still see properly out of it. Hopefully my one good eye is up to the job – it looks as if Djokovic’s one good knee certainly is. He leads 1-0.
Yes Fearnley really has nothing to lose this afternoon, there’s absolutely no pressure on him, so hopefully he can enjoy the occasion.
A man who needs no introduction to Centre Court 🤩@DjokerNole faces British wildcard Jacob Fearnley for a berth in the third round!#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/9MuNAvsHQD
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
So how do you beat Djokovic at Wimbledon? “I’ve no idea,” admits Fearnley. “I’ve watched so many videos of him. It doesn’t look like there are many flaws in his game. I’m going to just try and enjoy it, put my game out on the court and see what happens.
“I don’t think there are many tactics going into the match. It’s going to be a little bit intimidating but it’s a match I’m super excited for. It’s the biggest match of my career so far. Just to be able to share the court with a player like that will be really special.”
Boulter is screaming and fist-pumping, as she finally sees off Dart in the fourth game after 10 minutes and three break points. They’ve been going nearly half an hour and it’s only 2-2.
A goosebump moment for the British No 13 Jacob Fearnley, as he walks on to Centre Court with Novak Djokovic. Only six weeks ago the 22-year-old was graduating from college in the US, now he’s got the matter of a second-round meeting with the seven-times champion to deal with. It’s been quite some month for him, having won the Nottingham Challenger title from nowhere in the build-up to Wimbledon.
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Not much giving on No 1 Court in the first three games. But …. here’s a break point on Boulter’s serve, at 30-40, 1-2. Boulter gobbles up the short ball after three fierce forehands. Deuce. Advantage Boulter. Deuce. Advantage Dart. Another huge forehand from Boulter. Deuce. Now a big backhand. Advantage Boulter. Deuce …
Hurkacz’s leg-bashing seems to have worked, because he has the break in third set at 4-2, but still trails Arthur Fils by two sets to love. The fans on No 2 Court have got a golden ticket today – with the conclusion of Gael Monfils v Stan Wawrinka and then Ons Jabeur followed by Elena Rybakina still to come.
Saville, having been broken in that 20-minute game when serving for the match, has conceded the second set to the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who now leads 4-6, 7-6, 1-0.
Boulter replies with a comfortable hold of her own. It’s 1-1. And the former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova has sealed victory in two tie-break sets against the American Katie Volynets. Up next for Krejcikova is Bouzas Maneiro.
Sealed with an ace 😈
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
No.9 seed @alexdeminaur downs Munar 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to move on at SW19! 🇦🇺#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/qdYW49zmKT
Alex de Minaur will probably be making his way to No 1 Court sharpish to watch his girlfriend Boulter, because he’s just sealed a 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar. He could face his fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in round three. De Minaur will, however, be too late to see Dart taking the opening game on serve.
Absolute epic 12th game between Daria Saville and Marta Kostyuk. Serving for the match at 6-5, the game took around 20 minuted before Kostyuk broke on her 8th break point. Not sure if/how many match points Saville had
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2024
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro is moving on 🇪🇸
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
After her dream win in the 1R, the 21-year-old Spaniard beats Cristina Bucsa 7-6(1), 6-3 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/O3MBCY4PK1
The clock strikes one. So it’s time to get going on No 1 Court, where Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart face off in the first of two all-British battles there this afternoon.
There’s been a bit of needle between these two in the past, and in Nottingham last year Dart accused Boulter of being “unprofessional” in her celebration after winning. Then Dart called out the umpire in their Nottingham rematch last month, offering to bet the official £50,000 that she was right about a disputed line call in her fiery defeat.
“We’re team-mates, we played big tournaments, we’ve grown up together, we’ve been close,” Dart says. “It’s always going to be tricky, especially when you play a fellow Brit. But it’s great to see that all of us are doing well and putting ourselves in positions where we do get to play each other, hopefully more so in the latter rounds. She’s been having an amazing year. She’s been playing great. I expect a very tough match.”
Meanwhile Boulter says: “We both know each other’s games inside-out, back-to-front at this point. We’ve played so many matches. But I do have to draw on the last things that I have played with her and use that to my advantage. I think it’s going to be extremely tough. I have a lot of respect for her on this surface. It’s one of her favourite ones.”
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro has also put another W by her name. The conqueror of the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova has come through her all-Spanish meeting with Cristina Bucsa 7-6, 6-3.
The Birmingham champion Yulia Putintseva has continued her good form on grass, defeating the 27th seed Katerina Siniakova 6-0, 4-6, 6-2. Up next for the Russian-born Kazakhstani player could be the small matter of Iga Swiatek. The world No 1 plays later on Centre Court.
Fils, unflinching despite being broken in his previous game, brings up three set points on the Hurkacz serve. Ah, the fearlessness of youth. Hurkacz saves the first two but Fils lands a deep return and Hurkacz goes long! Fils seizes the second set for a 7-6, 6-4 lead and a furious Hurkacz turns into Andrey Rublev by smacking his racket into his leg. He then walks off court, hopefully to regain his composure.
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Another young star generating a lot of excitement is the 21-year-old American Ben Shelton. After his superb run to the US Open semi-finals last year, he’s looking to reach the Wimbledon third round for the first time, but is a set down, 6-4, to the South African qualifier Lloyd Harris.
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The upset alert is getting louder! Hubert Hurkacz – who was the final player to beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon, by the way – is serving to stay in the second set against the flamboyant French talent Arthur Fils. Hurkacz’s huge serve gets him through that game to love. But Fils is now serving at 7-6, 5-3. And Hurkacz pulls off a lovely lob on his way to bringing up two break points! Fils flumps into the net and they’re back on serve.
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro has carried on where she left off against the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova on Tuesday, and has won the first set against fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa on a tie-break. The former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova has also won an opening-set breaker to lead the American Katie Volynets.
Look who's at @Wimbledon.... https://t.co/yzaLPvVaw0
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2024
De Minaur appears in a hurry to watch his girlfriend Katie Boulter’s match on No 1 Court at 1pm. He now leads Munar 6-2, 6-2, 2-1, with the break. Meanwhile Paula Badosa, one half of another tennis power couple with Stefanos Tsitsipas, has just booked a third-round meeting with Kasatkina after beating the Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-4, 6-2.
It’s also a curiosity that Putintseva, having routed Siniakova 6-0 in the the first set, went on to lose the second 6-4. But here’s another sharp shift in momentum, as Putintseva pulls 3-1 ahead in the decider.
It’s a curiosity that Madison Keys hasn’t gone further than the quarter-finals here in nine previous attempts, given that her power game should reap bigger rewards on the grass. The 12th seed is in the mix this year, though, as she completes a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over China’s Wang Yafan.
Upset brewing! Hubert Hurkacz, the 2021 semi-finalist and seventh seed this year, has lost the first set on a tie-break, seven points to two, against the young French phenomenon Arthur Fils.
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Saville did take that first set 6-4 against Kostyuk. And she’s not messing around in the second, leading 3-1. It’s a similar story for De Minaur, who leads Munar 6-2, 5-2. But it’s not such good news for the other Australian in action, Adam Walton, who, playing in his first Wimbledon, trails Francisco Comesana 7-5. Comesana, you may remember, shocked a self-flagellating Andrey Rublev in round one.
Ach, that was tough to watch. There’s certainly no shame in losing to the 14th seed, but that scoreline will hurt Miyazaki, who will be hugely disappointed that she couldn’t show the best of herself, especially after her excellent win over Tamara Korpatsch in the first round. At least we are guaranteed two British winners today, with Katie Boulter v Harriet Dart and Jack Draper v Cameron Norrie coming up on No 1 Court. Boulter and Dart get going in an hour’s time – as does Jacob Fearnley, in his Centre Court date with Novak Djokovic.
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A perfect performance 💯
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
No.14 seed @DKasatkina dashes through Miyazaki 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the third round! 😲#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/WvP9e1iyZ5
Miyazaki crashes out 6-0, 6-0
Miyazaki saves her best until last with a forehand cross-court winner for 0-15. But she can’t build on it, as she slices a backhand wide. And then hoiks another shot into the tramlines. And here at two match points at 40-15. Kasatkina misses with the first serve, makes the second, but puts Miyazaki’s return into the net. 40-30. And another error! Deuce. Perhaps Miyazaki can still put her name on the scoreboard in this match. But no that’s just wishful thinking – as Kastakina has a third match point – and Miyazaki slices into the net. Miyazaki is left chewing on a double bagel, crashing out 6-0, 6-0 in 50 minutes.
Updated
The grass is turning into quicksand for Miyazaki. She now trails 6-0, 5-0.
As for the only Australian woman left in the singles: Daria Saville is serving for the opening set, leading the 18th seed Marta Kostyuk 5-4.
De Minaur downed Munar in the straight sets in the second round of the French Open recently – and is on course to do the same here as he secures the first set 6-2 against the 63rd-ranked Spaniard. It’s the same scoreline on Court 12, where Keys leads Wang.
Kasatkina is a tricky customer, no doubt, but Miyazaki, the British No 4, just hasn’t got going here. Already a break down in the second set at 6-0, 2-0, here are more break points against her. But a lovely drop shot gets her to deuce. And a bold backhand winner fends off a third break point at Kasatkina’s advantage. Miyazaki brings up her first game point … but mistimes and makes the error. There’s a collective British sigh around Court 18. And there’s an even bigger one when Miyazaki double faults to lose the game. It’s 6-0, 3-0.
A reminder of the rest of the action coming up on the show courts:
Centre Court, 1.30pm
Jacob Fearnley (Gbr) v (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser)
(1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) v Petra Martic (Cro)
Rinky Hijikata (Aus) & John Peers (Aus) v Andy Murray (Gbr) & Jamie Murray (Gbr)
No 1 Court, 1pm
(32) Katie Boulter (Gbr) v Harriet Dart (Gbr)
(28) Jack Draper (Gbr) v Cameron Norrie (Gbr)
Marcos Giron (USA) v (4) Alexander Zverev (Ger)
Updated
Jacob Fearnley, Djokovic’s opponent today, would have been just nine years old then. That match is coming up at 1.30pm on Centre Court.
On this day in 2011, @DjokerNole became World No. 1 for the first time!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 4, 2024
Best way to celebrate was with cake 🤩🍰 pic.twitter.com/pbOY3cnzaP
A lot of talk about the absences at the Olympics, but both entry lists released today are pretty strong, especially the men’s draw.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 4, 2024
- Men’s singles: 8 of top 10, 17 of top 20
- Women’s singles: 8 of top 10, 13 of top 20
Top 10 absences: Rublev, Dimitrov, Sabalenka, Jabeur.
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Also in the ascendancy: Alex de Minaur, who leads his near-namesake Jaume Munar 5-2 in the first set, and Madison Keys, who has the break at 3-2 against Wang Yafan.
On Court 15 Yulia Putintseva, the Birmingham winner, has also served up bagel set against Katerina Siniakova, who won the French Open doubles title last month with a certain Coco Gauff.
Kasatkina, the Russian who’s playing without a flag by her name as the championships, is full of confidence having won the Eastbourne title last Saturday. She’s such a talent, boasting a high tennis IQ, and is handing out a lesson here to Miyazaki, the 28-year-old who switched from representing Japan to Britain in 2022.
It’s now 5-0 – and Kasatkina is serving for the set. But Miyazaki saves her best for the set point, putting away the winner. Hopefully that’ll give the Brit a boost. But a second set point soon arrives, and Kasatkina comfortably takes it. The set has flown by 6-0 in just 19 minutes.
Not a good start for Miyazaki on Court 18, the scene of the neverending story between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010. Today’s match could be over in a fraction of the 11 hours and five minutes that Isner took to beat Mahut, because Miyazaki already trails Kasatkina 3-0 after only eight minutes.
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The players have been weaving and winding their way to the outside courts and completed their warm-ups, the umpires, line judges and ball kids are in position, while the spectators are still jostling for theirs. Let’s play!
Wimbledon looking picture perfect today ☀️ pic.twitter.com/JJhcVa9JW6
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) July 4, 2024
So let’s run through the early runners and riders. On No 2 Court we’ve got the seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, on No 3 it’s the ninth seed Alex de Minaur, on No 4 it’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the conqueror of the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova, on No 8 it’s the 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, on No 12 it’s last year’s quarter-finalist Madison Keys, on No 14 it’s Australia’s Daria Saville, and last but by no means least on No 18 it’s Britain’s Lily Miyazaki, looking to become the third British woman through to round three. But she’s up against the tricky 14th seed, Daria Kasatkina.
It was remiss of me not to mention Thanasi Kokkinakis in my preamble. Tennis’s marathon man will be playing for the third consecutive day after his wild five-set, rain-affected win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round. The Australian came back from two sets down – the eighth man to do so in the first round this year, a Wimbledon record – and saved four match points to prevail 4-6, 5-7, 7-6 (9), 6-4, 6-4. He clearly likes to put himself through the wringer, given that five of his six matches at grand slams this year have gone the distance. Today the 28-year-old faces the Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
Battles of the Brits await with Draper v Norrie and Boulter v Dart
Considering there were 18 home players in the main draws this year, that there should be a couple of all-British clashes at Wimbledon is no statistical surprise. But there is no doubt that Thursday will be a special day as the top-ranked British players meet one another in round two of the men’s and women’s singles. Jack Draper, the new No 1 British man, will take on the No 2, Cameron Norrie, while the women’s No 1, Katie Boulter, meets the No 2, Harriet Dart. Just call it the Battles of Britain.
In the Open era, which began in 1968, there have been 19 all-British clashes in the men’s singles and 38 in the women’s event. The most recent all-British meeting in the women’s singles, though, was in 2011, when Anne Keothavong beat Naomi Broady, while Murray’s win over Ryan Peniston last year was the most recent home clash in the men’s event.
The last time the top two British men met in a grand slam was in 2002 at the Australian Open, when Tim Henman beat Greg Rusedski. It’s happened in the women’s game just once this century, at the US Open in 2020 when Johanna Konta beat Heather Watson.
British players relish the support they receive at Wimbledon, for obvious reasons. But playing a fellow Brit adds a little extra spice, even if they are friends off the court. For Draper, seeded at a grand slam for the first time, it is also the first time he has gone into a slam as the British No 1, a title he intends to hold on to.
“Obviously he won’t like the fact that I’m British No 1 now,” said Draper, 22, who praises 28-year-old Norrie for helping him settle on Tour. “I’m a lot younger. [Britain has] Dan [Evans] and Cam, Andy might be stopping soon. Dan and Cam definitely probably won’t like seeing me being British No 1. I think that creates a really healthy rivalry and environment.
“I think we have huge respect for each other, for one. We’ve practised together so many times, been a part of the Davis Cup together. I wouldn’t say we’re extremely close, but we definitely support each other. We definitely have a great relationship.”
Some reading for you:
Today's order of play
(All times BST)
Centre Court, 1.30pm
Jacob Fearnley (Gbr) v (2) Novak Djokovic (Ser)
(1) Iga Swiatek (Pol) v Petra Martic (Cro)
Rinky Hijikata (Aus) & John Peers (Aus) v Andy Murray (Gbr) & Jamie Murray (Gbr)
No 1 Court, 1pm
(32) Katie Boulter (Gbr) v Harriet Dart (Gbr)
(28) Jack Draper (Gbr) v Cameron Norrie (Gbr)
Marcos Giron (USA) v (4) Alexander Zverev (Ger)
No 2 Court, 11am
(7) Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) v Arthur Fils (Fra)
(10) Ons Jabeur (Tun) v Robin Montgomery (USA)
(4) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) v Laura Siegemund (Ger)
No 3 Court, 11am
Jaume Munar (Spa) v (9) Alex De Minaur (Aus)
Xin Yu Wang (Chn) v (5) Jessica Pegula (USA)
(11) Danielle Collins (USA) v Dalma Galfi (Hun)
Emil Ruusuvuori (Fin) v (11) Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre)
Court four, 11am
Cristina Bucsa (Spa) v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spa)
Luciano Darderi (Ita) v (25) Lorenzo Musetti (Ita)
Diana Shnaider (Rus) & Elena Vesnina (Rus) v Yulia Putintseva (Kaz) & Clara Tauson (Den)
Harriet Dart (Gbr) & Maia Lumsden (Gbr) v (5) Sara Errani (Ita) & Matilde Paoletti (Ita)
Court five, 11am
Magdalena Frech (Pol) & Katarzyna Kawa (Pol) v Anna Danilina (Kaz) & Yi Fan Xu (Chn)
Marcelo Demoliner (Bra) & Daniil Medvedev (Rus) v Gonzalo Escobar (Ecu) & Aleksandr Nedovyesov (Kaz)
Emma Navarro (USA) & Diane Parry (Fra) v Lucia Bronzetti (Ita) & Varvara Gracheva (Fra)
Alexander Erler (Aut) & Lucas Miedler (Aut) v (9) Neal Skupski (Gbr) & Michael Venus (Nzl)
Anna Blinkova (Rus) & Mayar Sherif (Egy) v Eri Hozumi (Jpn) & Moyuka Uchijima (Jpn)
Court six, 11am
Victor Vlad Cornea (Rom) & Fabian Marozsan (Hun) v Andreas Mies (Ger) & John-Patrick Smith (Aus)
N.Sriram Balaji (Ind) & Luke Johnson (Gbr) v (4) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Mate Pavic (Cro)
(13) Giuliana Olmos (Mex) & Alexandra Panova (Rus) v Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) & Elena Gabriela Ruse (Rom)
Ingrid Gamarra Martins (Bra) & Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra) v Irina Khromacheva (Rus) & Kamilla Rakhimova (Rus)
(6) Santiago Gonzalez (Mex) & Edouard Roger-Vasselin (Fra) v Daniel Evans (Gbr) & Henry Searle (Gbr)
Court seven, 11am
Tereza Mihalikova (Svk) & Olivia Nicholls (Gbr) v (6) Demi Schuurs (Ned) & Luisa Stefani (Bra)
(7) Caroline Dolehide (USA) & Desirae Krawczyk (USA) v Shuko Aoyama (Jpn) & Aleksandra Krunic (Ser)
Xiyu Wang (Chn) & Lin Zhu (Chn) v Emily Appleton (Gbr) & Yuriko Miyazaki (Gbr)
Cristina Bucsa (Spa) & Nao Hibino (Jpn) v Tatjana Maria (Ger) & Arantxa Rus (Ned)
Hailey Baptiste (USA) & Alycia Parks (USA) v Makoto Ninomiya (Jpn) & Fang-Hsien Wu (Tpe)
Court eight, 11am
(31) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) v Katie Volynets (USA)
Tomas Machac (Cze) v Roman Safiullin (Rus)
Thanasi Kokkinakis (Aus) v Lucas Pouille (Fra)
Greet Minnen (Bel) & Heather Watson (Gbr) v (14) Sofia Kenin (USA) & Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
Court nine, 11am
Sarah Grey (Gbr) & Tara Moore (Gbr) v (3) Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) & Ellen Perez (Aus)
Alexander Bublik (Kaz) & Alexander Shevchenko (Kaz) v Yuki Bhambri (Ind) & Albano Olivetti (Fra)
Fabrice Martin (Fra) & Matwe Middelkoop (Ned) v Tallon Griekspoor (Ned) & Bart Stevens (Ned)
(1) Marcel Granollers (Spa) & Horacio Zeballos (Arg) v Arthur Fils (Fra) & Ugo Humbert (Fra)
Magda Linette (Pol) & Peyton Stearns (USA) v Ana Bogdan (Rom) & Jaqueline Cristian (Rom)
Court 10, 11am
(15) Asia Muhammad (USA) & Aldila Sutjiadi (Ina) v Irina-Camelia Begu (Rom) & Martina Trevisan (Ita)
Jay Clarke (Gbr) & Marcus Willis (Gbr) v (15) Max Purcell (Aus) & Jordan Thompson (Aus)
(4) Katerina Siniakova (Cze) & Taylor Townsend (USA) v Rebeka Masarova (Spa) & Linda Noskova (Cze)
Naiktha Bains (Gbr) & Amelia Rajecki (Gbr) v Timea Babos (Hun) & Nadiia Kichenok (Ukr)
Miriam Kolodziejova (Cze) & Anna Siskova (Cze) v Lauren Davis (USA) & Kimberley Zimmermann (Bel)
Court 11, 11am
(3) Rajeev Ram (USA) & Joe Salisbury (Gbr) v William Blumberg (USA) & Casper Ruud (Nor)
(30) Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Arg) v Alexei Popyrin (Aus)
(16) Sadio Doumbia (Fra) & Fabien Reboul (Fra) v Oliver Crawford (Gbr) & Kyle Edmund (Gbr)
Katarzyna Piter (Pol) & Viktoriya Tomova (Bul) v Clara Burel (Fra) & Maria Camila Osorio Serrano (Col)
Christopher Eubanks (USA) & Evan King (USA) v Liam Broady (Gbr) & Billy Harris (Gbr)
Court 12, 11am
Yafan Wang (Chn) v (12) Madison Keys (USA)
(10) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) v Juncheng Shang (Chn)
(13) Taylor Fritz (USA) v Arthur Rinderknech (Fra)
Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v (30) Leylah Fernandez (Can)
Court 14, 11am
(18) Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) v Daria Saville (Aus)
Flavio Cobolli (Ita) v (24) Alejandro Tabilo (Chi)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Fra) v Yoshihito Nishioka (Jpn)
(1) Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Elise Mertens (Bel) v Alicia Barnett (Gbr) & Freya Christie (Gbr)
Court 15, 11am
Yulia Putintseva (Kaz) v (27) Katerina Siniakova (Cze)
Maria Camila Osorio Serrano (Col) v (20) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra)
(17) Anna Kalinskaya (Rus) v Marie Bouzkova (Cze)
Quentin Halys (Fra) v (21) Karen Khachanov (Rus)
Tomas Machac (Cze) & Zhizhen Zhang (Chn) v Ariel Behar (Uru) & Adam Pavlasek (Cze)
Court 16, 11am
Francisco Comesana (Arg) v Adam Walton (Aus)
Daria Snigur (Ukr) v (13) Jelena Ostapenko (Lat)
(23) Caroline Garcia (Fra) v Bernarda Pera (USA)
(9) Lyudmyla Kichenok (Ukr) & Jelena Ostapenko (Lat) v Daria Saville (Aus) & Yue Yuan (Chn)
Federico Coria (Arg) & Mariano Navone (Arg) v (7) Wesley Koolhof (Ned) & Nikola Mektic (Cro)
Court 17, 11am
Paula Badosa Gibert (Spa) v Brenda Fruhvirtova (Cze)
Denis Shapovalov (Can) v Daniel Altmaier (Ger)
Jule Niemeier (Ger) v (21) Elina Svitolina (Ukr)
(11) Cori Gauff (USA) & Jessica Pegula (USA) v (11) Anhelina Kalinina (Ukr) & Dayana Yastremska (Ukr)
Court 18, 11am
(14) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) v Yuriko Miyazaki (Gbr)
Lloyd Harris (Rsa) v (14) Ben Shelton (USA)
(15) Holger Rune (Den) v Thiago Seyboth Wild (Bra)
Elina Avanesyan (Rus) v (15) Ludmilla Samsonova (Rus)
Preamble
Hello! Yes, yes it’s a big day for Britain – but not just in the political stakes. As Rishi Sunak attempts to defy predictions, Jacob Fearnley will also be seeking to defy all odds against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. There again Djokovic is defying medical science by playing here, only weeks after knee surgery.
Fearnley, the British No 13 who is ranked No 277 in the world, will have to pull off one of the greatest Wimbledon shocks to beat the seven-times champion and reach the third round – but after the 2021 version of Emma Raducanu went through yesterday, along with Sonay Kartal, we’re guaranteed two more home winners today, because the British No 1 takes on the British No 2 in both the men’s and women’s draws. Cue the first of countless “Battle of the Brits” mentions.
Jack Draper faces Cameron Norrie – Norrie will have a point to prove after being overtaken in the rankings by his compatriot recently – while Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart play each other for the second time in less than a month, after Boulter won their tense three-hour tussle in Nottingham en route to successfully defending her title.
And if that’s not enough, Andy Murray will begin his men’s doubles campaign alongside his brother Jamie – but even if they lose it won’t be the final goodbye in his Wimbledon farewell, after he signed up yesterday to play alongside Raducanu in the mixed doubles. And the Tokyo-born Brit Lily Miyazaki plays her delayed second-round match.
It’s not all about Britain today, though, because we’ve got Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, Elina Svitolina, Jessica Pegula, Caroline Wozniacki, Alex Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz in action, along with the conclusion of Gael Monfils v Stan Wawrinka. Oh and we’ll also be keeping on eye on Jessica Bouzas Maneiro after she took out the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round. Perhaps we’ll be talking about someone else being deposed not far from Wimbledon by tomorrow morning.
Play begins at: 11am BST on the outside courts, 1pm on No 1 Court and 1.30pm on Centre. The sun is shining, we’re not expecting any delays, so don’t be late!
Ready for more on Day 4 😍#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/nEDrgXWMbm
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024
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