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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells and Will Unwin (briefly)

Wimbledon 2024: Djokovic wins, Swiatek, Jabeur, Dart and Norrie out – as it happened

Wimbledon Andy Murray Cameron Norrie Harriet Dart
Novak Djokovic fires down a serve under the roof on Centre Court.
Novak Djokovic fires down a serve under the roof on Centre Court. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

So that’s it from us, on a day when Iga Swiatek went out, along with Britain’s Harriet Dart and Cameron Norrie, to Alex Zverev. There was defeat too for Ons Jabeur, against Elina Svitolina, but wins for Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina. I think the final word, though, should be for a player who didn’t end up playing today, and never will again at Wimbledon. Thank you Andy. It’s been an absolute blast.

Updated

The men’s last 16 looks like this:

Sinner v Shelton
Dimitrov v Medvedev
Alcaraz v Humbert
Paul v Bautista Agut
Musetti v Mpetshi Perricard
Fritz v Zverev
Fils v De Minaur
Rune v Djokovic

He’s then asked about the pretend penalty he took on court when play was interrupted straight after England’s shoot-out victory. “Did England win in the end?” he asks. “Congrats to England.”

Djokovic will now face the 15th seed Holger Rune, who’s come from two sets to love down to end the run of the French qualifier Quentin Halys 6-1 in the decider. And one final result for today: in the darkness of No 2 Court, Taylor Fritz has set up a meeting with Alex Zverev, after defeating Alejandro Tabilo 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Djokovic’s thoughts:

It was another tough match, I didn’t expect anything less. He was close to winning that match we played in Australia earlier this year. With that serve and forehand, he’s dangerous on any surface. He was the better player for the first set. A very challenging match, mentally as well, not to have any concentration lapses. It was one of the best tie-breaks I’ve played this year, that’s for sure.

I think each match I’m getting better [physically], my confidence in my movement, I definitely felt better than in my second-round match. Hopefully the trajectory will keep going in a positive way.

Djokovic defeats Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6

Djokovic is unable to wrap up victory at the first opportunity, as Popyrin prevails at the net. 6-3. This time the match point is on Djokovic’s serve … and Popyrin prods his return into the net! Djokovic has been tested here – again – but is through to the fourth round. He celebrates by holding his racket by his head and pretending it’s a violin. I think it’s a dig at the crowd for offering so much support to Popyrin during the match.

Updated

A cross-court backhand exchange on the next point, then Djokovic mixes it up by going down the line. Popyrin challenges but it’s unsuccessful. 5-2 Djokovic – and he grabs another point on Popyrin’s serve when the Australian nets! 6-2, four match points …

Updated

Djokovic has another look-in with a second serve but Popyrin goes on to win the point at the net. 2-2, which becomes mini-break Djokovic when he covers every blade of grass to come forward and put away the pass! His knee is looking just fine. 3-2 Djokovic, make that 4-2 as they change ends …

A let-off for Popyrin as Djokovic overhits his return from a second serve on the opening point. Djokovic regroups with an ace. And attacks with a one-two punch for 2-1 …

At 15-all, Djokovic goes back behind Popyrin with a forehand winner. And an unreturned serve makes it 40-15. Djokovic miscues on the next point, going long. 40-30. And Popyrin then skews his slice wide. With nearly three hours on the clock, it’s tie-break time!

Tremendous net play from Djokovic gets him to 0-15. Popyrin attempts to serve-volley on the next point but is unable to dig Djokovic’s rasping return out of the grass. 0-30. An errant slice from Popyrin at it’s 0-40, three break points, which are as good as match points. Djokovic is doing what he does, stepping up when it matters. But Popyrin produces an ace on the first point, Djokovic unwinds on the second after a long rally … and his forehand bashes the net and bounces back! 30-40. And an unreturned serve saves the third! An ace takes Popyrin to advantage and he’s fist-pumping and screaming after he comes out on top in a showdown at the net to secure the game! Popyrin comes from 0-40 down to go 6-5 ahead!

Djokovic holds to 15 for 5-5. Back to you Alexei …

15-0, 30-0, 40-0. That’s 15 straight points for Popyrin on serve. The run comes to an end on the next point, but it’s the only blot for him in this service game, as he holds to 15. He’s then got his arms in the air, Djokovic-style, milking the applause of the crowd. Popyrin leads 5-4.

Djokovic hasn’t been feeling too charitable on serve either. 15-0, 30-0. But at 30-15, Djokovic tries to settle matters with a drop shot … and Popyrin is wise to it! 30-all, a glimmer for the Australian. Djokovic dismissively puts away a smash – and follows that with an ace on game point. He’s waving his arms in the air asking for Centre Court’s applause. The crowd oblige. It’s Djokovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 4-4 Popyrin.

Djokovic’s passing radar is a bit off tonight, and he’s annoyed with himself when he fails to pierce Popyrin’s net defences on the first point. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. That’s 12 consecutive points on serve for Popyrin. He leads 4-3 and keeps up the scoreboard pressure as the sun starts to set at the All England Club.

Updated

Djokovic’s son is watching on as Djokovic holds for 2-2 in the fourth. Surely it’s past his bedtime; maybe Djokovic will do his best to finish things off quickly. But Popyrin isn’t conceding – the Australian holds to love with an ace for 3-2. And seizes the first point on Djokovic’s serve. Djokovic takes the next four and they’re still on serve at 3-3.

Just the three matches still taking place now: Djokovic v Popyrin, Rune v Halys and Fritz v Tabilo. Rune is at 5-all in the fourth set as he tries to take the match to a decider; and Fritz is two sets to the good, 7-6, 6-3.

Collins’s victory means the women’s last 16 draw is now set:

Putintseva v Ostapenko
Collins v Krejcikova
Rybakina v Kalinskaya
Svitolina v Wang
Sun v Raducanu
Badosa v Vekic
Paolini v Keys
Navarro v Gauff

They’re back out on the outside courts and the Queen’s runner-up Lorenzo Musetti is through to the fourth round for the first time, ending the run of Argentina’s Francisco Comesana in four sets, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. He next faces the ace machine Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. And Danielle Collins, in her last Wimbledon, has also broken new ground by reaching the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. She’s the fourth American woman to reach the second week.

Updated

Djokovic wins the third set 6-4

Enough of my musings. Djokovic isn’t going anywhere quite yet, and is serving for the third set at 5-4. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Popyrin ignores the script by taking the next two points, but Djokovic seals the set with a second-serve ace. The seven-times champion is now in control at 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Updated

It’s not just watching Murray’s triumphs that makes us emotional, I think Daniel got it spot on the other day when he wrote about how Murray’s retirement makes us all keenly feel the passing of time. I was just starting out as a tennis reporter in 2004, when Murray won the US Open junior title; it was my first overseas grand slam as a journalist. It feels like a lifetime ago. And now Murray is departing, Roger Federer has already departed, Rafael Nadal is nearly departed, Djokovic is hanging on – and things will never quite be the same again.

It’s been an incredible era for tennis, and Murray can be so proud of the part he played in that, defying the odds against the three all-time greats through his sheer will to win, unwavering dedication and relentless work ethic. The sad irony is that his attritional style of play and desire to always hit one more shot than his opponent probably played a part in his body then breaking down. At least he’ll still get one final send-off at the Olympics in Paris next month.

Updated

Djokovic backs up the break for 2-0. And is still in charge at 4-2 in the third set. Meanwhile on No 1 Court there’s a huge Muracanu void, because Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu should have been playing their mixed doubles first-round match, but instead the crowd are filtering away. Instead we’ll have to console ourselves with this.

And this.

And why not a bit of this too.

Updated

Rybakina routs Wozniacki 6-0, 6-1

As Rybakina serves for the match, Djokovic strikes at the start of the third set with a break from deuce, when Popryin’s forehand whistles wide. Wozniacki appeals to Hawk-Eye in the hope of overturning a match point, but the appeal is in vain. So it’s 40-30. And a ruthless Rybakina wraps up the win. The only player left in the draw to have won Wimbledon before is looking in superb touch. She’ll face Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16 and, for me, is the favourite for the title going into the second week, just ahead of Coco Gauff, whom she could meet in the final.

Updated

Over on No 1 Court Rybakina is in the zone, leading 6-0, 4-1, and 30-40 on Wozniacki’s serve. Wozniacki is probably wishing right now that she hadn’t come out of retirement. But Rybakina – generously – throws in a rare error. Deuce. Advantage Rybakina. Wozniacki lets out a bit of frustration by battering a backhand down the line; that’ll have felt good. Deuce. Advantage Rybakina. Game Rybakina, when Wozniacki lobs long. Rybakina, the former champion, will serve for the match at 6-0, 5-1.

Djokovic wins the second set 6-3

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, three set points to level up this match. Ace down the T. No messing about there.

Updated

Djokovic is looking stronger and stronger. 4-2 is quickly 5-2, and then he’s scenting blood on the Popyrin serve at 30-all. Popyrin edges to 40-30 but is soon pulled back to deuce. Popyrin survives the next two points to hold but Djokovic, in this mood, looks set to serve this set out.

But 40-30 turns into deuce, and advantage Popyrin turns into deuce too. And deuce becomes advantage Djokovic. Popyrin saves the break point and should go on to win the game at his advantage, but miscues. Deuce. Eventually Popyrin holds, but it’s Djokovic still with the break, leading 4-2 in the second, having lost the first 6-4.

The hugest of cheers on Centre Court – but it’s not for Djokovic or Popyrin – it’s for England’s victory of course. Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please. But they’re not calming down. Popyrin and Djokovic are smiling, they don’t seem to mind too much. They eventually resume at 30-all on the Popyrin serve, and the Australian shows real composure to recover from the interruption and slam down another serve …

At advantage in the next game, Djokovic delays his serve – he’s being distracted by the noise of those watching the penalty shoot-out around the grounds. And probably in the stands too. He’s brought back to deuce but soon returns to advantage. And holds for 4-1. And the phones are out in force at the changeover. Jessica Ennis-Hill has now snuck down to the front row of the Royal Box because it looks as if Jason Kenny has his phone hidden on his lap. They’re both caught out by the cameras.

Djokovic is in danger at break point down, 30-40, 1-1. An ace gets him to deuce. And a second-serve ace brings up advantage. Popyrin’s return is then long and Djokovic holds … before he picks off Popyrin with the pass to give himself two break points in the next game at 15-40. Popyrin goes for a one-two punch before coming to the net … but he makes a mess of the volley! Djokovic breaks for 3-1 in the second set – could this be a turning point?

Rain is again interfering with play on the outside courts. Taylor Fritz had just got going against Alejandro Tabilo of Chile when they were taken off at 2-1 to Tabilo, on serve, in the opening set – while another American, Danielle Collins, was leading Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 3-3. The Queen’s runner-up Lorenzo Musetti was two sets to one up, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, 1-1, against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, while the Danish 15th seed Holger Rune was two sets to one down, 1-6, 6-7, 6-4, 2-3, to the French qualifier Quentin Halys.

The roof is now on and the second set under way. Meanwhile on No 1 Court Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and the best grass-court player in the women’s game when fit, is showing no mercy to Caroline Wozniacki. Rybakina has raced through the first set 6-0 against the former world No 1 who was given a wildcard to play here. Wozniacki saved two match points to win in the previous round, and she’s going to have to produce another escape act here.

Roy Hodgson is sticking with the action on Centre Court, by the way, rather than sneaking out to watch the football. I’m not sure whether having the architect of England’s Euro 2016 downfall in the Royal Box this evening is a good omen as England v Switzerland stretches into extra time. You can follow that action here – but you’re probably there already, aren’t you.

Updated

It looks as if the Centre Court roof may be being closed. Which could mean a delay before the second set gets under way.

Popyrin takes the first set 6-4 against Djokovic

Popyrin has set point at 40-30. He serves deep into the corner; it’s called out. Popyrin challenges – but is proved wrong. Second serve … and it’s an ace! Popyrin took a set off Djokovic at the Australian Open this year, and Djokovic is going to have to go to at least four sets if he’s to win again here. Could another big shock be brewing, after Iga Swiatek’s exit?

But back to the business of on-court matters. Daniil Medvedev is the latest name into round four, defeating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, in a match interrupted by many rain delays. And Novak Djokovic, after his unconvincing victory over the British No 13 Jacob Fearnley in round two, is a bit rattled on Centre Court. Djokovic is a break down, 5-4, against the big-serving, lanky Australian Alexei Popyrin. Djokovic hasn’t done too much wrong in this opening set, apart from one sloppy service game. But he can’t afford to do that against a server as strong as Popyrin.

Updated

I was wondering the other night why Wimbledon went ahead with that farewell ceremony given he was due to play mixed doubles. Now it’s been shown to be an inspired move by the organisers.

Andrew Benton also offers his thoughts via email. “Am I the only one who feels that Raducanu should have gone on to play at least a few games with Andy, or at least gone out to knock up and then decide? She’s depriving him and all of us a chance to say goodbye.”

Meanwhile Rick Harris emails: “Very bad judgement call IMO to pull out of what would have been a very winnable mixed doubles title and being part of a fabulous send off to Murray.”

Yes it’s hugely disappointing, and I’m sure Murray is wishing right now that he’d chosen to play with someone else, but if Raducanu does go deep in the singles draw – and there’s every chance she could given how open her quarter of the draw is – we probably won’t be complaining so much in a few days’ time. And as fun as Muracanu would have been, there is – now the news has settled – a tiny sense of relief on my part. Could you really have handled another goodbye ceremony? I’m not sure I could have. Everyone was in bits the other night.

Interesting thoughts from Navratilova on Raducanu’s withdrawal from the mixed doubles. She says that often when players make the decision to pull out of the doubles, they go on to lose their next singles match. “I feel sorry for Andy,” she says. “I just hope it was the right decision for Emma. But most of the time it doesn’t work out. At least he had a good send-off the other night.”

Putintseva will face Jelena Ostapenko next. They’re both such fiery characters; it should be fun. And they’ve got a bit of history:

Putintseva’s thoughts:

It feels great. The tactic was to play my game and stay intense every point. I was thinking during the play that I beat the world No 1 on grass before [Naomi Osaka]. I was really fired up. I have no words, I’m just so happy. You guys brought me back to life after the first set. It was a great energy from all of you today, I was feeling it and trying to entertain you with my shots. Thank you.

Updated

I really thought that this might have been the year Swiatek cracked the code on grass, but the Pole is left to ponder another missed chance at Wimbledon. She’s never been beyond the quarter-finals here – despite winning the junior title in 2018. It’s a curious stat; she just doesn’t seem to trust her game on this surface, despite having the tools.

Updated

Putintseva stuns Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

Swiatek, usually so calm, is muttering to herself after netting the return on the first point. She strides forward with purpose to bury Putintseva’s drop shot on the second. So it’s 15-all, as you were, and Swiatek shanks a return into row Z! Then Putintseva sets up two match points with an unbelievable forehand winner, which just clips the sideline!

An aggressive return from Swiatek and she goes on to take the point. 40-30. Deuce, with more nerveless hitting from the top seed. She’s not going down quietly. Two match points saved – but Putintseva brings up a third with a drop shot, a tactic that has worked so well for her today. Swiatek snatches at her backhand return and nets! Her 21-match winning run is over; the world No 1, French Open champion and top seed is out!

Updated

Ouch. Swiatek gets is all wrong on the opening point. 0-15. And then double faults on the second. The world No 1 had been absolutely dominant this year, and hasn’t lost a match since April, but is now two points from an early Wimbledon exit. Swiatek hits an aggressive backhand, follows it up with the drive volley, and it has too much on it for Putintseva to get it back. 15-30. 30-all. 40-30, when Putintseva nets. But Swiatek can’t string a run of points together. Deuce. A fifth ace takes it to advantage Swiatek. Deuce. Advantage Swiatek. Game Swiatek. So Putintseva must try to serve this out at 5-2.

There’s no more time to dwell on that win, though, because a stunned and subdued Swiatek is a double break down, 4-1, in the deciding set. So much credit to Putintseva, the world No 35 from Kazakhstan, for the tactical changes she’s made against the world No 1, who dumps into the net as Putintseva goes 15-0 up on serve. Putintseva, all attitude and energy, is hitting with purpose, as Swiatek wildly hits out for 30-0. A netted return and it’s 40-0. A rare blip from Putintseva as she double faults for 40-15. Swiatek crushes a forehand … but it’s called long! Swiatek doesn’t even challenge. She looks as if she’s already checked out. At 5-1 down, the French Open champion is a game away from a third-round defeat.

Thanks Will. Devastating for Jabeur, who was hoping that this would be her year after defeats in the past two Wimbledon finals. She even admitted that she would have taken time out from tennis to try to start a family if she’d won last year; that’s some pressure to be playing under. But it’s a wonderful win for Svitolina, who’s such a popular player too for all she’s done to support Ukraine during the war and all she’s done on the court since becoming a mother herself in 2022.

Katy Murrells is back with you.

Svitolina beats Jabeur 6-1, 7-6

Jabeur makes Svitolina work for her victory but it eventually comes when her opponent pings a forehand long.

Updated

Svitolina takes a 4-1 lead in the tie-break and looks destined to win the second set and the match!

Putintseva holds her serve too, with Swiatek making a plethora of unforced errors. This is underwhelming from the Pole.

Putintseva breaks Swiatek in the first game of the decider, too. Is the world No 1 heading for a humbling?

Simon Cambers has been wandering around Wimbledon and brings his diary for your reading pleasure.

Jabeur is hitting her backhand well and sends a fearsome one down the line to make it 30:30 with Svitolina on serve. She gets her first break point of the match. Will this be significant? She pings a forehand to the right and it is just out. Deuce! After that brief moment of peril, Svitolina regains composure and takes the next two points to take us to a tie-break.

The crowd have begun a slow hand clap as they wait for Swiatek, who immediately returns.

Swiatek is not back on court yet and Putintseva is asking questions about where he opponent is while trying to keep warm.

Jabeur pushes Svitolina out wide with a serve and then pings the ball into open space to make it 30:15. She finishes the game off with an ace down the middle.

Svitolina pings a shot into the net from the baseline to make it 15:30 and give Jabeur a sniff of a break. Obviously, it does not come to pass and Svitolina wins the next points to make it 5-5.

Putintseva wins the second set 6-1. She has the momentum at the moment. Swiatek heads off court at the end. She needs to rebuild are a tough set.

Putintseva breaks Swiatek again, completing the game with a glorious backhand from deep that kisses the baseline. It is 5-1 and surely heading to a decider.

The Jabeur holds to love in the following game. This is some high quality tennis. Svitolina is yet to be broken in the match, so Jabeur will need to do that sooner or later if she wants to take it to a deciding set.

In case you are wondering, it is still pouring at Wimbledon so all the outside courts are covered.

Jabeur v Svitolina is going with serve in the second. Svitolina has just produced a masterclass to hold, sealing the game with a sliced backhand over the net. It is 3-3 on centre.

Putintseva breaks Swiatek in the second set to make 3-1 in the second set to the Kazakhstani. Swiatek does her best to break back in the next game and it goes to deuce but Putintseva is having none of it and battles to go 4-1 up.

Jabeur and Svitolina are trading blows in the second set. Svitolina looked like she was going to enjoy an easy hold of serve but Jabeur fought back to take the game to deuce. In the end Svitolina holds her nerve to edge the game and make it 2-2.

With the rain absolutely hammering down on the roofs of Centre Court and No 1, Will’s here to take you through the next part of the action, so I can take a break watch a bit of the England game. Over to you Will …

As Cameron Norrie and Alexander Zverev hardly need reminding, it’s the hope that kills you. This time, it was Norrie’s turn to feel the blood-shivering pain of dashed expectations.

Norrie the dream-killer beat Wimbledon’s latest pin-up boy, Jack Draper, in round two and thereby inherited the extra weight of love from his compatriot’s fan base, only to find the world No 4 waiting for him, a ready-made nightmare, lurking on Centre Court like a ravenous eagle.

Neither had dropped a set in their first two matches, but Zverev emphatically confirmed his pre-match favouritism to win 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (15) in just over two-and-a-half hours.

He will be devilishly hard to stop in the second week, as long as his booming serve remains so lethal. He was up at 130mph for most of the afternoon, powering down 15 aces.

Norrie, the man with more homes than your average Canada Goose, was up for the fight against an opponent who has sometimes struggled to deliver on his promise – interrupted by off-court distractions, it has to be said – but is now playing “better than ever”, according to John McEnroe.

Norrie had his friends in the commentary box too, none more vociferous than Nick Kyrgios, who warned against writing him off, with good reason. Norrie’s tennis – sometimes as mixed as his Scots-Welsh-South-African-New Zealand heritage – has been back to near its peak on his seventh visit to the championships, where he has made the fourth round only once. This was a different level altogether.

Wonder if the warm up has had anything to do with it:

The world No 1 has set point on No 1 Court, and Swiatek takes it when Putintseva, the Birmingham champion, nets with a backhand. So Swiatek leads 6-3.

Meanwhile on Centre, Svitolina has absolutely exploded out of the blocks, surging to a 5-1 lead over Jabeur, the beaten finalist here the past two years. Svitolina is serving at 30-0, which turns into 40-15. Both are big crowd favourites – but the crowd is a little muted here, they want more of a contest. There’s a smattering of applause when Svitolina wins the set point as Jabeur jabs her return into the net. With only 27 minutes on the clock, Svitolina is 6-1 ahead.

Tomorrow's order of play on the main courts

Centre Court
Alcaraz v Humbert
Raducanu v Sun
Gauff v Navarro

No 1 Court
Paolini v Keys
Sinner v Shelton
Dimitrov v Struff/Medvedev

The luckiest of losers Mpetshi Perricard Giovanni has reached the fourth round, defeating Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 4-6, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.

Here’s what Zverev’s had to stay about his knee injury. Hopefully he’ll be OK for his next match.

I do feel like a cow on ice sometimes. It is what it is but I managed. I do feel restricted on some movements but I’ll check and see what it is, but I’m pleased I was able to play the way I did. If I’d dropped in my level I would have had no chance against Cam.

The good news is: we’ve still got Raducanu. The last remaining Brit in the singles will play her fourth-round match tomorrow. But she won’t be teaming up with Murray in the mixed doubles any more, after pulling out as a precaution because of stiffness in her right wrist. Here’s the full story if you haven’t seen it:

Updated

Wang defeats Dart 2-6, 7-5, 6-3

Danger for Dart at 15-30, she’s potentially two points from defeat. Make that one as she swiftly slumps to 15-40. Dart goes for broke with a fizzing forehand down the line! 30-40, so she still has to save another match point. Which she tries to do with some terrific defending at the baseline, but Wang eventually settles the point – and the match – with a backhand volley.

Wang – who took out the fifth seed Jessica Pegula in round two – wins six straight games to beat the Brit and advance to a fourth-round meeting with either Jabeur or Svitolina, who are in the opening game on No 1 Court. And you have to say Wang dealt with the pressure better.

Updated

Dart responded well to losing the second set, racing to 3-0 in the third, but Wang broke to get back to 3-3 – and for the first time in this set is ahead as she goes after Dart’s second serve.

Dart has her face buried under a towel at the change of ends – she was able to come from 6-2 down in that final-set tie-break against Katie Boulter in the previous round – and she’ll have to show similar powers of recovery here. Dart does get a break point at 4-3 down – but her forehand drifts wide and Wang holds. Wang leads this final set 5-3.

Iga Swiatek is getting under way on No 1 Court against Yulia Putintseva, and Ons Jabeur and Elina Svitolina will soon be on Centre, but let’s turn our attention to No 2, and the final set between Britain’s Harriet Dart and China’s Wang Xinyu.

Updated

Zverev will face Taylor Fritz or Alejandro Tabilo in the last 16. And plenty of housekeeping to do, because there are a few other wins to report. Ben Shelton has survived his third consecutive five-setter, seeing off Denis Shapovalov 6-2 in the decider. Next up for Shelton is the daunting task of facing Jannik Sinner. Though I’m not sure the 21-year-old is type to get daunted, even against the world No 1.

Roberto Bautista Agut has also advanced in five sets, 7-6, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4, against fellow veteran Fabio Fognini. Jelena Ostapenko has defeated the American Bernarda Pera 6-1, 6-3 and consistency has won out over power, with Anna Kalinskaya defeating Liudmila Samsonova 7-6, 6-2.

Zverev speaks and tries to tap up Pep:

Cam is an incredible player, grass is his favourite surface, so I knew I had to play my highest level. It’s an honour to play on Centre Court, we had so many great guests in the Royal Box today, a football legend in Pep Guardiola. When I saw Pep I got so nervous, so it’s a great privilege and honour to play. Last thing … Bayern Munich needs a coach, man. And if you’re tired of football you can coach me any time.

Zverev beats Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (15)

16-15, a sixth match point for Zverev. There have still only been two points against serve in this breathless breaker. But maybe typing that puts a curse on things, because Norrie, from his second serve, goes on to hoik his backhand long! Zverev triumphs but didn’t Norrie make him work for it. Supreme serving from Zverev after that knee injury and he’ll be mightily relieved to come through in three sets. Norrie’s defeat means that British interest in the men’s singles is over.

Updated

I wonder what the longest Wimbledon tie-break is. No time to look in the history books, though, because it’s set point Norrie and he’s got a chance with a Zverev second serve. Zverev attacks with the backhand and then follows up with a winning volley. 15-15 …

14-13, match point No 5. And you know the drill: Norrie saves it. 14-14 – and an ace out wide makes it 15-14 Norrie …

Another lengthy rally and Norrie tries to finish it with another drop shot. This one Zverev can’t get to! That exchange >>>> the 23-shot rally, because it went to 25 shots. Norrie with a fourth set point at 13-12 … and Zverev displays such patience to stay in it and draw the Norrie error. 13-13 … as the game time hits the 20-minute mark …

Zverev buries a forehand for 12-11. So Norrie is facing a fourth match point. Norrie serves down the middle … Zverev frames wide! 12-12. And. On. They. Go.

Updated

Zverev has dropped only two points on serve in this whole set. Another snarling serve and it’s 10-9, match point number three. But Zverev nets his return! And a quality point from Norrie, rounded off with a drive volley, makes it 11-10, a third set point for Norrie. A long rally plays out, no one is giving an inch, Norrie tries the drop shot, Zverev is up to it, and Norrie nets with the attempted pass! 23 shots. Phew. It’s 11-11.

Zverev has a second match point at 8-7 – again, Norrie survives. And carves out a second set point. Two poor errors from Zverev, one on the forehand and one on the backhand. Zverev’s sharper on the next point and drags himself to 9-9 …

Zverev’s backhand barely makes the net. 7-6 Norrie – so from match point it’s set point. Zverev serves … and Norrie isn’t getting that back. 7-7. Meanwhile Dart has been broken and Wang has set point at 6-5, advantage. Wang puts away the volley and Dart has been taken to a third set.

Zverev takes two quick points on his serve to bring up match point at 6-5 – but it’s on Norrie’s serve. A gutsy forehand winner down the line from Norrie saves it! 6-6. They change ends once more …

Zverev is able to cut his deficit from 4-1 to 4-3. But Norrie does still have the mini-break. Zverev’s shot clips the net and trickles wide. 5-3. But Norrie skews a routine backhand wide! 5-4 – they’re back on serve …

Zverev holds and it’s tie-break time. The world No 4 has been serving so smoothly so far, it’s hard to see how Norrie can make some inroads in the breaker. But just as I type that, Zverev coughs up only his second double fault! Norrie is in the ascendancy at 3-1, make that 4-1. Zverev steadies himself with a strong smash. 4-2 to Norrie as they change ends …

It’s a clutch moment on No 2 Court too, where Dart, leading 6-2, 5-4 on serve, is pushing at deuce on Wang’s serve. Dart, though, flaps at a smash and Wang then holds, with a little help from the net cord. Dart leads 6-2, 5-5.

And an underarm serve from Norrie! That’s so unlike the Brit, who’s usually so, well, conventional. It works though – and Norrie holds to lead 6-5. He’ll get at least a tie-break in this third set.

Updated

A quicker than quick service game from Zverev. The German leads 6-4, 6-4, 5-5.

Norrie is break point down at 30-40, 4-4. This may as well be a match point – because if the Brit loses it Zverev will be serving for the match. Norrie survives with a big serve and forehand. Deuce. Advantage Zverev. Deuce. Advantage Norrie. A huge hold for Norrie. Of course it’s a must-win set for him – but I think it’s also a must-win set for Zverev – if he’s taken to a fourth or even a fifth, how will his knee hold up?

Shapovalov has snatched the fourth set on No 1 Court. They’re into a fifth – making it a third consecutive five-setter for Shelton. It’s Shapovalov 7-6, 2-6, 4-6, 6-4 Shelton.

Updated

The problem for Norrie is that Zverev, despite his knee injury, has been a serving machine today. Norrie’s not getting a look-in. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Zverev has won an impressive 88% of points on his first serve and Norrie hasn’t been able to create a single break point. Zverev leads 6-4, 6-4, 4-4.

As for the British No 2s, Dart is broken back and it’s 3-3 in the second set. Norrie is in danger of conceding his serve at 0-30, 3-3 in the third set. At two sets to love down, he can’t afford to be broken here. And he isn’t. He holds firm from there. Crisis averted but he’s still in the danger zone against Zverev.

Elsewhere, Jelena Ostapenko, the wonderfully quirky big hitter who reached the semi-finals in 2018 and won the French Open in 2017, has thwacked and whacked her way to a 6-1, 4-2 lead over the American Bernarda Pera, and Anna Kalinskaya, the 17th seed and girlfriend of Jannik Sinner, is a set to the good, 7-6, 1-0, against Liudmila Samsonova.

Updated

Rotten luck for Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Spaniard knocked out the defending champion Marketa Vondrousova in the first round – but has just been forced to retire injured at 6-0, 4-3 down against the former French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova,

Dart has broken on No 2! She’s well in control now at 6-2, 3-1 against Wang, who sends her backhand wide on the second break point.

Surprisingly there have been only 12 aces so far in the expected ace-athon on No 1 Court. But Ben Shelton does dispatch a 140mph bomb – the fastest of the match so far and the joint-fastest this year – and he’s currently 4-3 down on serve in the fourth set, leading Denis Shapovalov, the 2021 semi-finalist, by two sets to one, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Zverev wins the second set 6-4 against Norrie

Zverev, despite appearing to still be in some discomfort, is close to breaking Norrie – or rather Norrie is close to breaking himself with a very loose game. Norrie hands Zverev two break points with a double fault – Norrie tries to make amends with an ace on the first but throws in a forehand error on the second. Norrie, usually so consistent and hard to break down, will be kicking himself, especially given Zverev’s knee injury. Zverev zips to 40-15 as she tries to serve out the set – and takes it with an assured smash from Norrie’s return. Zverev leads by two sets to love, 6-4 6-4.

Updated

Dart wins the first set 6-2 against Wang

Harriet Dart is back under way on No 2 Court. Perhaps mindful of the fact that the weather forecast is still dodgy, she’s in a hurry, and now leads Wang Xinyu 5-2. Wang is serving to stay in the set – and Dart darts to two set points at 15-40. And a fine forehand down the line seals the set. The British No 2 is looking so much calmer than she did against the British No 1 Katie Boulter in the previous round – and is a set away from reaching the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time.

But instead – Murray’s name is being taken off the order of play board for the final time:

It’s a shame tournament rules prevent Murray from finding another mixed doubles partner at this late stage. I’m sure just about anyone at SW19 right now would pick up a racket and join him on court for his swansong. How about one of the sporting stars in the Royal Box? Maybe Jessica Ennis-Hill or Laura Kenny could be tempted out of retirement …

Andy Murray has played his last ever Wimbledon match after Emma Raducanu announced her withdrawal from the mixed doubles due to concern over her right wrist.

The pair had been due to play their first-round match on Saturday evening but, in a statement, Raducanu said she was pulling out to protect herself against injury.

“Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight,” she said. “I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”

Under tournament rules, Murray is unable to pick a replacement partner. An alternate pairing will replace them instead.

The news is a huge disappointment for the fans, who were looking forward to seeing Murray, in particular. The 37-year-old partnered his brother, Jamie Murray, in the men’s doubles on Thursday and received a touching send-off, which included a video tribute and an on-court interview with Sue Barker in front of many of his peers, including Novak Djokovic.

Raducanu is due to play her fourth-round match in the women’s singles on Sunday. The late scheduling of the mixed doubles would have left her with reduced recovery time.

Updated

Better news: Zverev says he’s OK to continue. It didn’t look that way a few minutes ago. He’s clutching at his knee again following the first point after the resumption, and he’s doing so again following the second. Norrie is serving at 2-2, with Zverev leading by a set to love. This will be hard for Norrie too; it’s never easy playing an injured opponent. But Norrie is able to focus enough to get to 40-30. Norrie then looks as if he’s pulled off a pass, hitting deep from the right corner, but Zverev is somehow able to dig the ball out of the grass at the net! There’s life in Zverev yet. Deuce. Norrie holds from there. It’s Norrie 4-6, 3-2 Zverev.

Updated

Bad news on Centre Court too, because Zverev had taken a tumble sliding to the net, and has fallen awkwardly. He’s hurt his left knee. It brings back bad memories of his horror injury at Roland Garros in the 2022 semi-final against Rafael Nadal, when he had to retire with a right ankle injury that kept him out of the game for several months. The trainer is on and it’s not yet clear if Zverev will be able to continue.

Updated

It sounds as if it’s a precaution from Raducanu, so hopefully she’ll be fine for her match against Lulu Sun tomorrow – but I don’t think it’s a decision she’ll have taken lightly, given how much it would have meant to her to play with Murray – and how much it would have meant to him and the fans too. At least his Centre Court farewell in the men’s doubles on Thursday evening was a fitting send-off.

Updated

Murray's Wimbledon career ends as Raducanu pulls out of mixed doubles

Ach. Some breaking news we definitely didn’t want to hear. Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the mixed doubles. She says she “woke up with some stiffness” in her right wrist – which she had surgery on last year – and is very disappointed not to be able to play “but has got to take care” given that she’s through to the fourth round of the singles. It means that, sadly, Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career is over. They had been due to play their first-round match on No 1 Court this evening.

Updated

Zverev wins the first set 6-4 against Norrie

At 15-0, Zverev has a simple smash but he’s too casual and skews wide! Zverev challenges but Hawk-Eye confirms he missed. 15-all. 30-15. Zverev’s been commanding at the net so far – Norrie isn’t playing badly here, he’s made only three unforced errors – but Zverev, a recent finalist at the French Open, is being aggressive and coming forward whenever possible. 40-15. Two set points. A forehand error from Zverev on the first – and a forehand error from Norrie on the second. An assured opening set from the world No 4.

Back to Centre, where Norrie is serving to stay in the first set. He gets off to an inauspicious start, dropping 0-30 down. He recovers to 30-all, but then goes long. 30-40, set point. Zverev shanks his forehand, deuce. Ace, advantage Norrie. Zverev decides to drop-shot on the next point, Norrie strides forward … and fires a forehand pass down the line! Norrie survives, but Zverev will now serve for the set. The German leads 5-4.

And look who’s on No 1 Court today.

Thanks Will. So Zverev leads Norrie 5-3 on Centre Court, while on No 1 Court Ben Shelton, the exciting young American, has just levelled his match against Denis Shapovalov, the 25-year-old who was once called the exciting young Canadian but has struggled with injuries of late. It’s one set all now, Shelton taking the second 6-2 after Shapovalov won the first on a tie-break.

Zverev double faults to make it 15:15. We then get a decent rally from the back of court, ending with Zverev limply finding the net. This seems to just make the German angry and he gets to game point, which he takes with ease.

The good news is that I am handing over to Katy Murrells.

Zverev puts the pressure on Norrie, winning the first three points of the Brit’s service game. The German has three break points. The crowd try to encourage Norrie and he gives them something to cheer with an ace, before bringing it back to 30:40 but Zverev is superb at the baseline, moving Norrie across the court, forcing him to ping a shot into the net. We have our first break.

If you like commanding service games, Zverev has you covered. He is looking fierce meaning Norrie has barely provided one convincing return. Zverev wins the game with a beautiful backhand down the line. Oooof! We are 3-3 in the first set.

We do eventually get something akin to a rally in the fifth game of the match but it ends with Zverev pings a forehand well wide. Norrie goes on to win and hold once more. A promising start from both men.

Norrie wins his first point on Zverev’s serve which is a psychological victory if nothing else. That is Norrie’s only notable involvement in the game as the German does good work from the back of court and closer to the net. I am not sure we will be seeing many rallies in this match at this rate.

Not to be intimidated by Zverev’s first service game, Norrie maintains composure to hold his service. The Brit looks in decent nick to be fair and will be hopeful of going long into this match.

Zverev shows he is not too fussed and pings an ace to get himself up and running. The second point is equally easy as Norrie just about returns but the German finishes it off aggressively. Bish, bash, bosh Zverev also wins to love. Norrie, like many before him, has no answer to the serve.

Guardiola is in attendance, sat just along from Ben Stokes. That would be a cracking chat to be in the middle of.

Norries is not messing about in his first service game. He wins it in dominant style to love. That should settle the nerves and show No 4 seed Zverez he means business.

Henman has called Norrie winning in five. Will he be right?

Norrie and Zverev are out on centre court, which is packed with Olympians and cricketers. Is Pep there too? The warm ups have begun.

Updated

Shapovalov wins the first set! The Canadian has two set points but only needs one, ripping a forehand past his opponent.

Do not fear, we have some covered action on court one. Shapovalov is taking on Shelton. We are in a first set tie-break. Shapovalov is two points away from winning the first set …

The home crowd is giving Dart plenty of encouragement, celebrating each point with gusto. She is on top here and Wang, who tries to return a second serve but it catches the edge of the racket and pings upwards. Dart lets Wang back in with a double fault and we end up at deuce. Dart is struggling with her serve because of the wind and it keeps Wang interested. After a few tries we end up back at deuce but the match is curtailed by rain. Off the players go and on come the covers with Dart 3-1 up in the first set.

And Dart breaks again. She seems to have adapted best to the conditions on a cold and blustery day, forcing her opponent into mistakes by keeping her moving.

Not to worry too much for Dart as she immediately breaks back and then wins her next service game with next to no fuss. She is very much up and running.

It looks a touch cold out on court 2 where Dart is in long sleeves and trying to cope with gusty winds. She is broken in the first game of the match after being taken to deuce.

Harriet Dart and Wang Xinyu head out to warm up on court two.

Some lovely praise for Andy Murray.

Because we have zero action, I will run through some celebrities in attendance.

A glorious British summer.

Start delayed by rain

Anyway … the bad news is that rain has delayed the start to proceedings at Wimbledon today. The good news is that it seems to be stopping and some covers are coming off.

Soccer and tennis all in one day …

Catch up on what happened yesterday.

Preamble

Hello! Could today see Andy Murray’s final game at Wimbledon? He is playing alongside Emma Raducanu, who has found found in SW19, in the mixed doubles. After the emotional chat following his men’s doubles exit earlier in the week, some might have forgotten he still has the chance to progress into the second week of the tournament, so it’s almost a nice surprise.

In other British news, Cameron Norrie faces a tricky test against Alexander Zverev on Centre Court this afternoon. Norrie made relatively light work of compatriot Jack Draper in the second round, so might be hopeful of giving the German a run for his money.

Over in the women’s singles another Battle of the Brits victor, Harriet Dart, fresh from despatching Katie Boulter, faces Wang Xinyu. Dart’s confidence will be high thanks to exploits in south London and reaching the fourth round would be a fine achievement.

We will be keeping across it all.

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