Thank you for joining us for today’s Wimbledon action. The reports for the latest matches will be up soon but you can catch all of the rest of the action on our dedicated Wimbledon page. We will be back tomorrow with action from games such as Alex de Minaur v Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina v Elina Svitolina. Until then have a good evening.
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Racking up the records:
Carlos Alcaraz joins Rafael Nadal and Manuel Santana as the only Spaniards to reach multiple gentlemen's singles semi-finals 🇪🇸#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/4m1wcAJvkx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2024
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So two semi-finals have been decided today at Wimbledon. Jasmine Paolini overcame Emma Navarro to set up a match against Donna Vekic after she beat Lulu Sun.
And in the men’s competition Daniil Medvedev beat Jannik Sinner to reach the last four where he will play defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
A little cross over of sports as Carlos Alcaraz speaks about Spain’s Euros semi-final against France. The two teams will play each other tonight at 8pm GMT.
Carlos Alcaraz is already feeling nervous ahead of @SEFutbol's #EURO2024 semi-final ⚽️🇪🇸#Wimbledon | @EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/W4DogAyDgk
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2024
Jasmine Paolini is the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Paolini said post-match: “It’s unbelievable, it is amazing to get a win in this amazing court. It is so special, it is a dream to be in this position. I was watching finals when I was a kid on this court, it is strange to be here. I feel so happy. Today I played a really tough opponent.”
That was an utterly devastatingly clinical match. Navarro had broken first in the first set and was 2-1 up but it seemed to spark something in Paolini and she was in control from there.
Jasmine Paolini beats Emma Navarro in straight sets
Paolini beats Navarro 6-2, 6-1 in a clinical game to reach the semi-finals. She won the game within an hour.
In the final game Paolini was serving for the match and won the first point, Navarro levelled the score but the Italian was not affected. She took back control at 30-15 and a wild shot from Navarro gave her match point but she couldn’t take it first time but she does on the second. What a game.
Paolini draws first blood in this game and then quickly gets to 30-0. The Italian is completely in control with everything going her way. Navarro stretches back to smash but it only hits the net and Paolini has yet another break point. She takes it! Paolini will now serve for the match
Back to centre and Paolini is in firm control here. She is 4-1 in the second set after already winning the first. Navarro needs to do something special to pull this back.
Alcaraz says post-match: “He has been playing great game on grass, he has been doing really great stuff at Wimbledon. It was a tough game today.
“I had to stay strong mentally after I lost the first set, I knew it is a really long match. I am happy to find the solutions.”
Paul is applauded off court as he throws towels into the crowd, we will heard from Alcaraz shortly.
On centre Paolini leads the second set 3-1.
Alcaraz shouts vamos after winning, Paul looks frustrated as he knows he could have got more from that had he turned the tide at certain points.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz beats Tommy Paul
Alcaraz has beaten Paul 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
It was an incredible start to the game from Paul, winning the first set and pushing Alcaraz into errors. But the defending champion came back roaring.
In the last game Alcaraz hit two forehand winners, an ace and forced Paul long to see out the quarter-final.
Paul races to 30-0 lead but sends a sloppy shot wide, allowing Alcaraz into the game. A superb drop shot from Alcaraz earns him another point, could he break Paul here? No he can’t, Paul holds and Alcaraz will have to serve for the match.
It is now Navarro’s turn to try and close out at break point, she only has one currently at 40-30 but she isn’t clinical enough with the shot too long. To deuce we go and a powerful forehand return on serve gives Navarro advantage, an 88mph return, huge! A cracking drop shot close to the net from Paolini cancels it out though and she then wins advantage. Paolini sees it out to hold.
Alcaraz has held his game and is now 5-1 in the fourth, Paul must hold or he is out.
These players must be thirsty as all we have had in this game is deuce. Sorry, I will get my coat after that pun. But Alcaraz v Paul is at another deuce with the Spaniard gaining advantage and break point. Paul sends the ball wide and Alcaraz gets the break, he is now 4-1 in the fourth.
Navarro holds her first service game for the first time in her last four, that could really boost the American’s game. The second set level at 1-1.
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Alcaraz points to his ear after that one, it was a fantastic rally – 23 shots long – and it ends with a fabulous drop shot.
On centre, Paolini has held the first game of the second set. This one could be over quickly.
Alcaraz holds and he is calling all of the shots now as he holds his latest game. He is two sets to one up, three games to one up in the fourth but he can’t count all of his chickens yet. Paul is still showing his class in the longer points.
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Another bit of reading for you:
Paolini is really on top in this match at the moment, she has raced to a break point at 40-15. Navarro sees the ball out and after breaking Paolini first, it is the Italian who wins the first set 6-2.
Paul gets himself in a good position but cannot execute the shot and he is quickly 30-0 down on his serve. Alcaraz has a little chuckle to himself after a shot he has goes too long and a wild hit from Paul gifts Alcaraz break point. He saves the first with a beautiful drop shot and the second with an unreturnable serve, we’re at deuce again in this match. Paul forces a shot long, Alcaraz has yet another break point and it looks like Paul has hit a ball out but he challenges the call – it is a millimetre out and Alcaraz breaks.
Paolini holds and she is 5-2 up, in a great spot.
Navarro looked set to hold but Paolini races to 40-30 and she breaks as she marshals the ball left and right across court. That was astute and clinical from the Italian who leads 4-2 in the first set.
Alcaraz holds and it is 1-1 in the fourth set there. All the action happening!
Paul in under all kinds of pressure on court 1 as he knows he must win the two remaining sets if he is to progress. It is not just the scoreboard that has him under the pump but the ever-growing form of Alcaraz as the Spaniard sends the first game of the fourth set to deuce. Paul has advantage on his serve and he holds as Alcaraz smacks the net.
Paolini travels around the court so well and pounces on a drop shot to go 15-0 up. A powerful forehand is picked up by Navarro but the American can’t get it over the net. An unreturnable serve puts her 40-0 up but she then goes too long to let Navarro into this game. Navarro reads the ball and volleys it into the top left corner to cut the point deficit further but a Paolini drop shot sees her take the game. She is 3-2 up in the first set.
Alcaraz and Paul are underway in the fourth set.
On centre court Navarro has got herself an early break and is 2-1 up before she serves to try and extend her lead. Paolini steps in to return serve and wins the point and Navarro smacks the net after coming close to the net. A smash from Paolini gives her break point and she closes it out – what a response from the Italian after being broken. The two players 2-2 in the first set.
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So can Alcaraz serve for this third set? Well he wins the first point and follows it up with a deft drop shot. Paul sends a shot long and Alcaraz has set point which he takes.
Alcaraz now leads 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
Alcaraz has a break point, the 32nd break point over the entire match, and he takes it first time of asking. The Spaniard will now serve for the third set, he raises a fist in celebration to his box.
Abhay Phadnis emails:
Have the rules about coaching from the players’ box been changed? Alcaraz (my favourite current player!) is constantly talking to his box, and they seem to periodically respond to him. Other players do it too, but I haven’t heard a single caution at this Wimbledon.
I believe they are allowed to chat to their box, just not have extensive conversations with them. If someone out there wants to correct me feel free and I will share with the readers.
Paolini served first in her game against Navarro and it was a relatively easy hold. She finished out the game with a spliced backhand. 1-0 up there.
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Paul sends an Alcaraz service game to deuce and the defending champion hits a double fault to give the American advantage. It is break point for Paul but he sends a shot long, that will be frustrating for him as he was really putting Alcaraz under the pump.
The American has another break point as Alcaraz can’t return a drop shot cleanly, Paul using Alcaraz’ greatest weapon against him. But Alcaraz saves it once again and then wins his own advantage. Can he close this out now? Not yet. These players absolutely love deuce, I swear this is their 20th, if not higher, so far in this match. Alcaraz then holds and he screams ‘Vamos’. He liked that one. He holds 4-2 in the third.
On centre court Paolini v Navarro is underway.
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Paolini and Navarro are both now out on centre court preparing for their quarter-final. The seats look a little empty but hopefully the fans will return after a refreshment following that thriller between Medvedev and Sinner.
Alcaraz is on the precipice of breaking Paul again, racing to a 40-0 lead. Paul saves the first one with Alcaraz hitting the net and the second with a skilful shot. Alcaraz then sends his shot long meaning Paul saved three break points – hugely impressive from the American. A great forehand gives the Spaniard advantage but he mistimes his return and we’re back to deuce. The American then wins two points and holds. Alcaraz leads 3-2 in the third.
For all the action from Daniil Medvedev’s win over men’s world number one Jannik Sinner read the report below. It was an absolute thriller:
Next out on centre court will be Jasmine Paolini v Emma Navarro. I will let you know when they are out on court.
Alcaraz is heading to a hold, currently at 30-15. An unreturnable serve puts him 40-15 up and an ace sees him win the game. He now leads 3-1 in the third set.
So from one battle to another. Court 1, we left them just as Alcaraz had won the second set which balanced out Paul’s first set win. In the third set now and Alcaraz is 2-1 up after breaking Paul.
The defending champion is only growing in this game.
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Medvedev said post-match: “I knew if I wanted to beat Jannik it would be a tough match. I felt at one moment he wasn’t feeling good and then he started playing better. I am happy I managed to stay high level, I am happy to win.
“It’s actually very tough, one moment he didn’t move very well so it is always tricky as you want to play more points to make him suffer more but you know at one point he will say I can’t run anymore so he went full power.
“It’s my first time winning two matches on centre court at Wimbledon, usually I would win one or zero so this is record already.”
Sinner waves to the crowd as he leaves centre court, his 2024 Wimbledon is over. Illness and injury influenced him slightly but he fought back to push it to a fifth set, he just couldn’t overcome an in-form Medvedev.
Daniil Medvedev beats Jannik Sinner to reach semis
Medvedev wins 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 against Sinner
Sinner smacks the net and Medvedev is three points away from the last four. The Italian then sends one long and then wins another for three match points. He slots it and he is through, an upset of sorts.
Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 3-5 Medvedev* (denotes first server)
Sinner is serving to stay in the match here and starts well, going 30-0 up. He gets to 40-0 easily and holds. Medvedev will serve for the match.
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Sinner* 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 2-5 Medvedev (denotes first server)
Holding is no longer enough for Sinner, he must break Medvedev if he is to win this match. Medvedev though is in the mood to see this out and races to 30-0 lead. A delightful read sees the Russian come to the net to tap a shot in. Medvedev then holds and is one game away.
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Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 2-4 Medvedev* (denotes first server)
Sinner needs to rally now if he is to remain in this set and match. He wins the first point with Medvedev’s return on serve out. And then a fantastic lob sees him 30-0 up, even more impressive considering Medvedev is 6’6!
An ace puts him 40-0 up but Medvedev whallops a forehand across court to get some daylight in this game. Sinner then holds.
Sinner* 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 1-4 Medvedev (denotes first server)
Sinner cannot return the first serve from Medvedev, who must feel he has all the momentum now. But the Italian’s next shot but bounces over the net, he does apologise to Medvedev. The Russian has suffered under the drop shot today and it is a point he loses again to see Sinner 30-15 up in this game but Medvedev levels with an ace. Sinner misses his volley again but an ‘out’ call sends it to deuce. A groan from the crowd rings around the court as Sinner hits the net, he holds his leg too after losing that – hopefully he is okay.
Medvedev had the chance to see out the game but a double fault sends to back to deuce but he soon gets advantage again. A forehand winner from Sinner though and we are back to 40-40.
If anyone is looking in my window I must look like I am really disagreeing with someone the amount I’m shaking my head side to side as we are sent back and forth to deuce. Medvedev, who looks a little tired, gets advantage for the third time but he miscues a return on a drop shot – 40-40 once more. Medvedev then eventually holds.
Elsewhere, Alcaraz has taken the second set against Paul after breaking him twice across the set.
Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 1-3 Medvedev* (denotes first server)
The first break in this set feels key, can Medvedev get the first one in this game? Well he starts well, Sinner slips and cannot return and then Medvedev hits a brilliant shot in the top right corner. A double fault gives Medvedev break point and three of them at that. Sinner saves the first with an ace and the second with a forehand winner but he hits the net with the third. Medvedev has the upper hand in this final set.
Sinner* 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 1-2 Medvedev (denotes first server)
Two double faults sees the game tied 30-30, Sinner then sends it long to give Medvedev the opportunity to hold. He does so with an ace, a bizarre service game.
Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 1-1 Medvedev* (denotes first server)
Sinner starts his service game with a point as Medvedev sends his shot long but he then hits the net. The Russian wins a further point before an ace levels it 30-30. Medvedev hits the net but then makes a pinpoint shot from his forehand in the top right corner to send the game to deuce. A lofted forehand shot gives Sinner advantage and he seals it.
On court 1, Paul leads Alcaraz 3-2 in the second set. They have broken once another once again in this set. I could see that match going five hours long.
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Sinner* 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 0-1 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev had a break off of court between sets but he is back and we are underway. The first game is on Medvedev’s serve and it’s quickly up to 15-15. A forehand winner sees Medvedev 30-15 and he adds an ace before sending a shot long. A delectable drop shot from Sinner bamboozles Medvedev and we head to deuce. An unreturnable serve gives the Russian advantage and an ace holds it.
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I will of course bring you anything major from the Alcaraz v Paul match but I will be concentrating more acutely on the Sinner v Medvedev match now as we head into the deciding fifth set, score updates at the top of posts coming to keep track of this one.
Alcaraz looked slightly worried when the players had their break between sets. The first set was an absolute battle with Paul breaking Alcaraz twice and the defending champion also breaking Paul. But the American is firing on all cylinders on court 1, Alcaraz will look to hit back quickly. Paul is 1-0 up in the second set after a hold of serve.
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Sinner has four points between him and winning this fourth set. An ace gives him his first, he bags two more points in quick succession and he has set point. He has two opportunities to take it and he has it on the first try.
Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2 Medvedev. And into the fifth we go.
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Paul takes the first set. The first point goes to Paul with a backhand pass but the defending champ hits back with two points. Alcaraz then sends two shots long and Paul has set point. He takes it with a beautiful forehand. WOW.
Elsewhere, Medvedev held his game and Sinner will serve for the fourth set.
Now this will be interesting to see how Alcaraz handles this pressure, Paul has held once again to lead 6-5 in the first set. I’ll bring you all of those updates shortly.
On centre Sinner holds to take a 5-1 lead in the fourth.
Medvedev was shown pretending to play a violin, playing up to the crowd with the cheers with Sinner at the moment.
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Sinner once again has break point, the men’s world number one is in complete control at the moment. He had two break points and Medvedev hits the net – a double break in the fourth set. Absolutely huge. Sinner leads 4-1 in the fourth.
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We haven’t heard a ‘vamos’ from Alcaraz yet but I think it would be guaranteed if he takes the first set, he has just held to put the set 5-5. It was an impressive hold after Paul, who is playing some of his best tennis, went 30-15 up.
Medvedev tries to be too cute with a drop shot and he hits the net, he is feeling the pressure now which is bizarre as Sinner should have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he is the one who needs to win this set. Sinner now leads 3-1 in the fourth set, the final point in that game coming from an ace.
On centre court, Sinner has two break points and he takes it on the first time of asking. He is growing back into this match after Medvedev took a lot of the momentum, particularly in the second second. Sinner lead 2-1 in the fourth.
Paul holds after a looping return from Alcaraz is out, the American leads 5-4 in the first set. They have been playing for around an hour now and there is no way to call who will win the first set.
Sinner must win this set to remain in the match, lose it and Medvedev is into the semi-finals. The Russian starts the set on serve and it is an easy hold in all honesty, the final point coming as Sinner hits the net. But the Italian is not fading and hits back with his own easy hold. 1-1 in the fourth set.
Elsewhere, Alcaraz and Paul are still in their first set with a mammoth battle taking place. I think the match should just be titled ‘deuce’ because they have had at least 15 so far. And unsurprisingly we are back to deuce on Paul’s serve, it’s 4-4.
Want to read more tennis? Of course you do. Here are a few things to sink your teeth into:
Medvedev takes the third set after a clinical tie break, not allowing his earlier tie break loss to influence his game. That will boost him too after being 5-4 up in this set before Sinner pushed it to a tie break. So as things stand it is Sinner 7-6, 4-6, 6-7 Medvedev.
Paul lead 4-3 against Alcaraz after holding, it was another long game and fatigue could influence this one as it rolls on.
Sinner is serving first in this tie break (remember he won the tie break to take the first set). He gets the first point with Medvedev sending a shot long. An ace comes over from the Russian but Sinner makes a challenge and it turns out to be a perfect one with the ball out. A lovely underarm forehand levels the tie break 1-1 and then he takes the lead.
A drop shot from Sinner levels it 2-2 but the Russian takes the lead once again with a long shot from Sinner. 3-2 the tie break stands.
Sinner has set point after coming back to his best in these last few games, my word what a comeback. The Italian challenges a call but loses it and the game goes to deuce. Medvedev gets the advantage, can he hold and send it to a tie break? Not quite yet as we are back to deuce. Some delicious tennis from both sides of the net but eventually Sinner pops a drop shot over for another set point but he can’t take it and we head back to deuce.
A further deuce comes and goes and then Medvedev wins a point. He holds and we have another set tie break.
My word that is one of the longest games I have ever witnissed. Paul sets up break point against Alcaraz. The defending champ puts in one of his famous drop shots but Paul slips so he cannot return – we are back to deuce. We are replaying a point as someone in the crowd called out and it made both players stop before realising it wasn’t a lines judge. Alcaraz sends a ball long and Paul has yet another break point but it is saved for deuce again. We have two more deuces, the latest sent back after a between the legs shot is out by Alcaraz who laughs. Back and forth we go to deuce and advantage (the game had nine deuces in total) but eventually Alcaraz holds.
First set: Alcaraz 3-3 Paul
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I will bring you an update from Alcaraz and Paul soon, I’m writing a post as a game that has lasted over 10 minutes plays out. But an update from centre, Sinner held and now it is Medvedev who must hold to remain in this third set. How the tides have turned.
Medvedev is looking frustrated as he returns shot but it smacks the net to give Sinner three break points. Remember, Medvedev was serving to win the third set. The Russian saves the first but can’t save the second! What a turnaround by Sinner, 5-5 in the third now.
Sinner that was stunning, he cracks a smile after that as he knows how skilful that was. He plays a drop shot, luring Medvedev into the net as he returns and then Sinner whacks a forehand across court. But the Russian is playing some of his best stuff on grass as he wins a point to trail Sinner in his service game 30-15. Sinner lobs Medvedev and then holds the game – maybe whatever (if anything) he was given in that medical time out is taking hold. He is showing shots we are used to seeing him produce.
A score update for you in Sinner v Medvedev as the Russian holds his latest game – which held the longest rally since the first set as the battle between these two gets closer once more. Medvedev currently leads 6-7, 6-4, 5-3.
Over on court 1, Alcaraz thought he had the upper hand after breaking early but Paul broke right back. This could turn into one for the ages. Paul hits an ace on his latest service game to go 3-2 up in the first set.
As soon as Sinner sits in the break between games he puts his towel over his head, he is definitely feeling whatever was troubling him earlier.
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Sinner getting a lot of applause when he wins any point at the moment, it is clear the crowd want the battle they saw in the first set. Sinner went off for a medical time out and isn’t back to his best but is pulling out some skills to remain in this. His latest service game goes to a deuce as Medvedev seeks to get the upperhand in this third set but Sinner holds with a delightful drop shot. Medvedev leads the third 4-3.
Back to centre court and Medvedev saw off a break charge from Sinner to go 4-2 up in the third set. What is really letting Sinner down at the moment are his volleys. He has tried the shot seven times in this match and lost the point every time.
Alcaraz held his game and quickly with the battle between these two heating up. A fabulous rally ends with Alcaraz smiling and shaking his fist as he looks to break Paul early on. A sloppy shot from Paul gifts Alcaraz break point but the Spaniard hits the net to send it to deuce. Alcaraz takes the break and he leads 2-1 in the first set. That all came from that sloppy shot from Paul, he will be so frustrated.
Now that is the Sinner we know. He sends Medvedev a pinpoint forehand on the line which is returned beautifully but the Italian slices a drop shot to take the point, he drops the next two points but closes out the hold to remain in this set.
Medvedev holds as the centre court match gets back underway, taken a 3-1 lead in the third set. Sinner is back on court but he does not seem back to 100%, we don’t have confirmation on what was wrong with the world number one but he isn’t himself.
What a battle already on court 1, Alcaraz and Paul have been to deuce and back several times – Paul currently with the advantage. he closes out the first game with a shot from Alcaraz hitting the net. 1-0.
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Medvedev is asking what is happening and the umpire is chatting with him but no official announcement has been given on centre court.
Sinner. however, then re-emerges on court and seems okay to continue – much to the applause of the crowd.
The camera pans to Princess Beatrice in the royal box, then Sir Cliff Richard, Sienna Miller and Michael McIntyre. Quite the range of celebrities in the house today.
Alcaraz has pushed Paul to deuce in the first game of their match. A lovely overhead hit while facing away from court from Alcaraz gives him the advantage. A classic Carlos.
Medvedev is out of his chair and he is practising his serve, running back and forth to keep himself match ready as Sinner takes time out with the medical team.
In Alcaraz v Paul, it is the American who serves first.
The umpire has a walky talky in his hand awaiting updates and there are murmurs from the crowd on centre court. Sinner is yet to re-emerge.
Over on court 1 Alcaraz and Paul are just getting underway.
Sinner leans forward with a hand on his forehead, he doesn’t look in good spirits. He wipes sweat from his face as he continues to chat to the medical team. He is now going off court, Medvedev remains in his seat and stares forward – remaining in the zone.
The commentators are discussing the possibility that Sinner is feeling ill rather than it being something like a muscle injury. He is getting his heart rate measured at the moment.
A physiotherapist has been called to centre court for Sinner, I’ll update you on anything that comes from that. They are in conversation now between games.
Let’s check in on Sinner and Medvedev shall we? We’re in the third game of the third set and Medvedev is 40-15 up, two break points on offer now. Sinner sends Medvedev left and right, sets himself up for a powerful shot but it slams into the net – Medvedev breaks and is now 2-1 up in the third set. A momentum shift after taking the second set? Potentially.
Carlos Alcaraz is stretching in the corridor ahead of walking out on court 1. Tommy Paul joins him, they both pick up their bags and they walk out to applause. What a match we have on our hands here, the defending men’s champion against the Queens champ.
Ashleigh Barty has told the BBC about Tommy Paul ahead of his match against Carlos Alcaraz: “He can come up with some incredible shots. Physically he needs to match Carlos as best as he can.”
Pictures from the match so far as Medvedev holds – the third set now 1-1:
Sinner has not lost a match on grass this year, he is nine matches to the good. Can he continue that record? He starts perfectly on serve but Medvedev reads his opponent’s movement perfectly to hit a backhand winner past Sinner. But the Italian finds a way to hold.
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So can Medvedev see out this set after losing the first in a tie break? It starts slightly nervously with a serve into the net but the flow of the rally soon begins. There is a long back and forth but eventually Sinner slams the ball into the net. The Italian is really battling though and a fantastic forehand winner sees him level the game but two can play at that as Medevdev immediately responds. Sinner can’t return a serve and Medvedev has two set points, he takes the first with an ace. We’re now a set a piece.
On court 1 we now wait for the men’s defending champion Carlos Alcaraz who will compete against the American Tommy Paul. We aren’t short of absolute corkers today.
Medvedev is leading the second set against Sinner 5-3 and so the Italian must hold here to remain in the set. A lovely forehand winner after sliding along the grass begins that hold but then a wry shot is hugely wide to allow Medvedev into the game. An ace puts Sinner 30-15 up and two more points in quick succession sees him hold, Medvedev will serve for the second set.
Vekic speaks after the match: “It was a really tough match, she played unbelievable. She really pushed me to my limits. I felt like I was dying out there the first two sets, I just kept going and hoping to have a chance and it came in the end.”
The crowd erupts in applause as she becomes slightly emotional when talking about her return from injuries: “I have a box of people over there and without them I wouldn’t be here”
In Sinner v Medvedev, the Italian has weathered a storm as Medvedev had break point at 40-15 but Sinner fought back to hold the game. Sinner leads that match 7-6, 3-4.
Vekic puts a hand to her mouth, she looks completely stunned. She applauds the crowd and he box erupts. Such an emotional moment.
Donna Vekic into first Wimbledon semi-final
Vekic pulls off a stunning comeback.
A delightful forehand winner bags Vekic’s first point in this game. A wide shot from Sun puts the Croatian 30-0 up, two points and she is through. The qualifier hits the net and now Vekic now has three match points to see this out. She doesn’t need all of them as she takes it on her first chance.
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Sun 7-5, 4-6, 1-5 Vekic* (*denotes next server)
Vekic is just four points away from reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final but it is Sun who takes the first point. She follows it up with an ace, amazing composure from the qualifier here. Vekic whacks the net on a return and Sun could hold for the first time in this final set. And she does it, Vekic will have to serve for the match.
Sun* 7-5, 4-6, 0-5 Vekic (*denotes next server)
There is so much pressure on qualifier Sun to stay in this game now, Vekic is really running away with this final set. Vekic starts this game well, going 15-0 up. Sun thinks she has hit a great shot but it hits the top of the net but Sun gets some daylight in this game with a double fault from Vekic. The Croatian falters slightly with Sun getting to 40-30 down but Vekic sees out the game to hold.
In Sinner v Medvedev, the match continues to be a close one but Medvedev is leading the second set 4-2.
Sun 7-5, 4-6, 0-4 Vekic* (*denotes next server)
The two players exchange points to be 15-15 but Vekic then hits a great back hand winner from a Sun drop shot. Vekic challenges a call but loses, the hawkeye showing the ball clearly in to see it 30-30 but she responds to send it to break point. Will she get a double break in this final set? She does! Sun goes too long.
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Thank you Daniel, I take over just as Vekic holds to lead the third set 3-0. It is quite the comeback after losing the first set 7-5. I’ll concentrate on that match for now with a sprinkling of Sinner v Medevdev too.
Righto, my watch is over; I’ll be back later on, but for now, here’s Sarah Rendell to chill with you as these matches intensify.
We see a graphic which shows us that Vekic is hitting the ball deeper now, and perhaps that’s making the difference, giving Sun less time and space to unload the suitcase when hitting forehands. And after she holds for 1-0 in the third, she quickly makes 0-40; big moments coming up now, and I’m afraid Sun doubles. Vekic leads 5-7 6-4 2-0 and it feels like momentum has definitively switched, but the Croatian has been jumpy as hell today, so I’d not assume she’ll stay composed with the finish line hoving into view. Meantime, Medvedev holds for 6-7 3-1, and looks good to level the match; for now, at least, he’s the better, more dominant player from the back.
Hold tight Daniil Medvedev! He might’ve sulked after jiggering himself in that breaker, but instead he raises two break points with a forehand down the line, the first of the match for either player, and a forehand error from Sinner means he needs only one! Sinner leads 7-6 1-2.
Outside, by the way, it’s absolutely clattering down. But not under the roofs, and on Centre, our boys have exchanged a hold apiece at the start of set two so Sinner leads 7-6 1-1.
Better from Vekic, who smokes a backhand winner from the back to make 30-all, and when Sun goes long on the backhand, she must defend a second set point … with a second serve. But she’s absolutely nails and swings a nasty serve out wide; Vekic, though, does well to find a telling return, and then out of nowhere, with delectable disguise, she slices a drop that’s far, far too good and well worth the 6-4 set it cements. So we’ve got ourselves a decider and might that turn of events – botching a chance to level the match via hold then redeeming it with a break and brilliant shot – be enough to get Vekic playing as she usually does? I’m sure, though, that Sun will have some thoughts on the topic – she went a little defensive at the end there, while her opponent upped the aggression – and I can’t wait to see how this one shakes out.
Which he can’t take, an 84mph second serve allowing Medvedev to take control of the rally with a backhand while Sinner skids off to the side; “Have you ever seen a slide like that on grass?” asks our commentator. Er, yes. But we digress: down 7-8, Medvedev slings over a second serve so dreadful I can barely describe it, the ball looping up and over the service box. So a set of fantastic quality ends in a shower of errors and a 7-6 lead for the world number one, while on No 1 Sun has broken back for 7-5 4-5, Vekic unable to serve out. Given the way she’s been playing and acting, I worry for her ability to forget that and move on.
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The closeness of these contests is making them extremely nervy. On No 1, Vekic starts her attempt to serve out with a double, then Sun misses an overhead and we wind up at 30-all, while Sinner sends down a double which means at 6-5, Medvedev has a chance to secure the set on serve. But he swipes a forehand wide, while Sun lands a return on to the chalk for deuce – throughout this tournament, she’s played the big rallies superbly … and another forehand error means Sinner now has a point on serve to seal the first set at 7-6.
Sinner goes wide on the forehand, handing over the first mini-break, the Medvedev somehow sticks in a brutal rally, cementing the advantage when his opponent can’t manage to return a drop. No matter: Sinner quickly restores parity and we wind up at 4-4 while, on No 1, Vekic finally gets her break at 5-7 3-5 having upped her intensity, and she’ll now serve for the second set.
“Have you ever noticed how the weather in Britain is unreliable, and British people always talk about the weather? I know!”
Michael McIntyre makes Stephen Fry laugh, in the Royal Box on day nine of #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/U6maVao3KT
— Spotted @ Wimbledon (@CelebsWimbledon) July 9, 2024
A tremendous forehand down the line earns Medvedev 0-15, though Sinner eschews a few earlier opportunities to attack … for all the difference it makes. It’s soon 40-15, and even though the Russian closes thanks largely to a net-cord, a monstrous first serve makes it 6-6 and a breaker – that I’ve not a clue who’s going to win. Generally I’d go with the bigger server but it’s hard to split them in that department and both are also consistent; I just don’t know. Back on No 1, meantime, a love hold apiece means Sun leads 7-5 3-3.
Vekic holds for 5-7 2-1 but sitting in her seat at change of ends, she doesnae look happy. I wonder if Pam Shriver, one of her coaches, might intervene – I know it’s more complex than I’m about to imply, but if she just decided to enjoy herself out there, I think she might play better. Meantime, Sun makes 2-2 easily enough and Medvedev holds to 30 for 6-5. Sinner must now serve to stay in the first set for the second time.
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There’s a real difference in the demeanour of our women. Sun is largely inscrutable, treating every point the same, whereas Vekic is constantly at herself, perhaps desperate not to let this opportunity forsake her. They both hold at the start of set two so Sun leads 7-5 1-1, while Medvedev, serving superbly so far, holds for 5-4. Increasingly, it looks like this set will be decided on a breaker-point here and there.
On Centre, the players are playing closer to their best but each is struggling to make an impression on the other’s serve. With Medvedev up 4-3, we’ve yet to have a break point and I’d not be surprised if he was happy with that – if he can take each set to a breaker, I’m sure he’d consider that a result.
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Back on Centre, Sinner slams down an ace that levels us up at 3-3. Vekic, meanwhile, looks frenetic, making 15-30 but chuntering in the process, and when Sun mashes a backhand winner cross-court, she’s unlikely to feel any better about life. But Vekic thrashes away from the back and a netted slice raises break-back point … so Sun rains down a T-serve, and another service-winner gives her set point … converted with a drop! Who saw that coming?! Lulu Sun takes the first 7-5, and the qualifier is looking good to reach the semi-finals while Vekic is struggling to assimilate and settle into the enormity of the moment.
Now then. Sun raises 15-40 without having to do much, errors from Vekic presenting her with two break points. The first, though, disappears when a backhand falls fractionally long … but the second is seized when, on the backhand line, Vekic looks to hammer cross-court on the forehand, almost a table-tennis shot. And she goes long so, at 6-5, Sun will soon serve for the first set. In the little bit of play we’ve had since she gave up that 0-30, she’s been so poor we can only wonder if the disappointment is lingering.
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On Centre, we’re chozzing through games at quite a rate. Both players are clobbering it from the back and we’ve already enjoyed, while the players have endured, extended rallies. But so far, both look solid on serve, so Medvedev leads 3-2.
Down 0-30, Sun is under pressure, two points away from losing the first set. But she finds a service-winner, then Vekic makes a hash of returning a second serve– in the context, that was a chance – ballooning the ball somewhere towards Selhurst Park, wherever that is. And from there, though a line judge does a phenomenal job of calling in a serve that was some way long, Vekic getting it back via challenge, Sun closes out for 5-5.
Either I’m talking nonsense or Vekic has righted herself – who can say which, it’s a real head-scratcher! – because she holds to love, sticking a terrific forehand on to the sideline to seal the deal. At 5-4, Sun must now serve to stay in what’s been a strange set, largely dictated by first serves so featuring little in the way of rallies.
Sinner and Medvedev have started like they never stopped, basing brutal groundstrokes at each other; in the course of ending a 17-shot rally, Sinner disburses a colossal forehand and holds for 1-1. So Medvedev quickly makes 2-1 with one to love, while Sun confidently makes 4-4. I think she might be feeling more confident now, while Vekic seems to still be composing herself.
Medvedev, serving, challenges on the first point of the match but he’s wrong and has to go through deuce for his hold; he’s doing all he can to stay on the baseline, whereas usually, he’s miles behind. On No 1, Vekic is “under the pump” – says Barty at 30-40. Martina is unfamiliar with the phrase – she needs to watch more cricket – but break point disappears when Vekic attacks Sun’s backhand. These two look very well-matched, both with big serves and forehands, but neither is finding consistency on the latter … though, as I type, Vekic deploys huge interpretations of both to hold for 4-3.
We’re away on Centre…
I do enjoy Sun’s forehand – not only is it lefty but it’s also so joyously uncomplicated. And an inside-out beauty gives her 40-15, but a framed mishit soon means deuce; no matter, she closes out from there and we’re at 3-3.
Vekic holds easily for 3-2 and still we’ve no real sense of what might decide this match. Currently, serve is dominant – we’re not seeing enough rallies to know the key points of difference.
On Centre, Sinner and Medvedev arrive on to court. Can Medvedev find a way to assert himself from way back?
A double gives Vekic 15-30 but then Sun unfurls her forehand, controlling the longest rally of the match so far before hitting a big swing-volley putaway. Vekic, though, finds a decent backhand return and when Sun nets, she bellows her approval. The break point is quickly extinguished via big serve, though, but a few advantages are spurned by Sun before a poor drop invites Vekic in and she whacks a forehand to raise break point. A fine point, though, is settled by Sun, and we go back and fourth between deuce and advantage, intensity and tension rising. The match now feels like it’s properly under way, both players loose, and Sun uncorking another venomous forehand that bounces low and underneath Vekic’s racket. So we’re now on our 10th deuce, three break-points having been confiscated, and soon after Sun secures a monumental hold with an ace down the T. We’re level at 2-2 in the first and already this feels intense.
Vekic holds to love for a 2-1 lead and the match is still to settle. The serving is decent, but we’ve not seen very much of anything else; Sun hasn’t been able to get her forehand into the match.
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Sun goes down 0-15 when a backhand falls fractionally wide; she quickly redeems the situation with an ace and a service-winner. There’s a fist-pump when she makes 40-15 and when Vekic sends a return long, we have 1-1. So far, neither player has managed to keep the ball in play on return long enough for us to have an idea of how the rallies might go.
Vekic goes long on the forehand to cede 15-30, but Sun can’t control her next return. From there, the Croatian holds, and in comms they discuss her difficulty in realising her potential – she made her first final at 16, and her first title at 18. “It’s about understanding that no one can touch you when you’re on the court,” says Ash Barty. “It’s a sanctuary.”
We’re ready to go and … play. Vekic to serve.
Vekic and Sun arrive on No 1 Court. What a moment for both of them.
Otherwise, it’s hard to see how Alcaraz loses, but he’s been a little erratic lately and Paul has never played better. There’s a feeling watching the best players that, even when off it, they’ll find a way to do the necessary, but if Paul’s serve and forehand are working, and if he can keep Alcaraz guessing with his length, spins and angles, he’s a chance.
As for our second round of matches, the clash between the exuberance of Jasmine Paolini and the steel of Emma Navarro looks exceedingly enticing. I couldn’t be more impressed with how Navarro has played in this tournament – she’s battered both Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff – and given all her best Slam performances have come in the past year, it seems fair to posit sh’es hitting a stride.
The same, though is so of Paolini, but if you’re asking, I’m backing Navarro’s composure and consistency over her unpredictability. But there’s a strong chance I’m wrong.
What I especially enjoy about Sun is how hard she hits it, but how deft her touch is. Listening to her coach, he sounds genuinely shocked he found someone so good, and the sense is she’s got a fair bit of catching up she can do having not had the coaching and facilities others had in their youth.
Email! “Such an exciting day as a New Zealand tennis fan,” writes Nick Fenton. “Lulu Sun was born in Te Anau – a town of about 2,500 people (1/5th of the capacity of Centre Court!) set in amongst the mountains of Fiordland National Park at the bottom of the South Island. Her quarter final starts at midnight NZ time, but I was pleased to see this isn’t stopping the locals from getting behind her. There is now a sign up on the drive into Te Anau that says ‘Go Lulu – Te Anau to Wimbledon!’ – and Radio New Zealand today reported that the Te Anau tennis club is holding a screening of the match, complete with midnight snacks and decorations. Vekic is obviously a wonderful player too but I’m selfishly hoping Lulu can keep us Kiwis dreaming!”
Ah, thanks for that – it’s so moving to hear about the impact sport has on people, and to understand our sportsfolk’s stories. Sun will have to play the match of her life to win, but she’s become quite adept at that over the last few weeks, having won seven in a row including qualifying. Given on Sunday, she beat Emma Raducanu on Centre Court – convincingly – we can be almost certain she won’t shrink at the enormity of the occasion.
For balance, then, a question: does Novak Djokovic possess the greatest hairline of all time?
Back to Djokovic, who they’re discussing on BBC – and there’s a general sense he overreacted – I baulked at his accusation the crowd were disrespecting him. No one with the remotest interest in tennis can possibly fail to respect the greatest male player of all time; what hurts Djokovic, I think, is that among that respect there’s not always love – especially relative to how much there is, uniformly, for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Carlos Alcaraz.
As for Sinner v Medvedev, it’s hard to see a way the world number one loses on grass. The roof being closed, assuming it is, will help both – Sinner can hit it cleanly, while Medvedev will appreciate the sureness underfoot, sometimes unwilling to plant for fear of slipping. If he serves and returns like God, he’s got a chance, but even then the confidence, authority and composure of Sinner looks likely to be decisive because almost everything Medvedev does, he does better.
Frankly I’ve not a clue how Lulu Sun v Donna Vekic might go. Vekic is of course the favourite and if she plays at close to her best, she wins. She hits it hard, moves well, has improved over the last couple of years and as 28 knows this might be her best chance of winning a biggun.
Sun, though, is a wild card. She too gives it a hearty thwack and, though she doesn’t move as well, she has far less to lose and the advantage of surprise: no one quite knows what to expect from her.
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So what of today’s matches?
Also going on:
Nor is that our only controversy. It turns out that while Taylor Fritz was coming back from a two-set deficit to beat Alexander Zverev, members of his box were, according to the German, going “over the top” in their support.
Later, Morgan Riddle, Fritz’s girlfriend, posted a video – now deleted – on her Instagram story captioned “when ur man wins 4 the girls” and during the match posted a photo – also now deleted – of the court, with the caption “cheer loud ladies”.
“His team is extremely respectful,” Zverev said. “I think his coach, his physio, also his second coach, they’re extremely respectful.
“I think there are some other people that maybe are in the box that are not maybe from the tennis world, that are not maybe from particularly watching every single match.
“They were a bit over the top.
“That’s okay. No issues. No drama. He fought back from two sets to love, so they’re obviously all excited, very pumped up, yeah.
“But no issues with Taylor. I think Taylor is a great guy. I have absolutely no issues with him.”
Fritz, meanwhile, said:
“I think he was annoyed at some people in my box just being loud, cheering for me,” the American said.
“Honestly, I can’t hear. I don’t know. Like, no big deal. He said it’s nothing towards me or anything like that.”
Fritz added: “I don’t really hear my box when I’m playing like that.
“I didn’t hear anyone being, like, extremely loud.
“He’s totally allowed to be annoyed if they were being annoying.
“That’s one of the things I asked him at the net, Who was it? Yeah, I mean, again, it’s not a big thing. It’s all good.”
I was blogging this match, and I must say I didn’t appraise anything untoward. There are phonic similarities between Ruuuuuune and booooo, it’s true, but Ruuuuune seems like a fairly obvious way to support a player called Ruuuuune – especially in England, where chants of Ruuuuuuud and Rooooot have been commonplace for decades now. It may be that those involved were enjoying the opportunity to boo without actually booing – as if they were saying boo-urns – but I’m not sure how anyone could know for sure. I guess if I thought I was being booed, I like to think I’d introspect to wonder why – Novak Djokovic is the greatest player of all time but not everyone vibes with his persona. Other hand, I’m certain he’ll play even better as a consequence, so.
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Of course, we’re still processing yesterday’s controversy…
Preamble
The great Mike Costello tells a story that after he did his first boxing commentary he was given some advice by an old pro: always leave yourself somewhere to go. Or in other words, if you get too excited too early, when the really big stuff happens it necessarily sounds like everything else that’s gone before.
Easier said than done: over the last eight days, we’ve seen some fantastic matches, incredible comebacks and ridiculous shocks. But now, as we begin our quarter-finals, we’re free to let it all out because that really big stuff is upon us.
As is often rhapsodised in these pages, women’s tennis is the most unpredictable sport in the world. So just as it would’ve been impossible to predict that Jasmine Paolini would meet Emma Navarro and Lulu Sun play Donna Vekic, so it is impossible to guess which pair might make the semis.
We’ll dig into the hows and whys later on, but for now, we have four players in terrific form who know that these are the days of their lives. They may reach this stage again or they may not, and with that comes pressure, intensity and emotion – for our delectation. So we can expect these matches to be moving, affirming and – given two of them must lose – distressing. What more could we possibly want?
On the men’s side, meanwhile, we begin with a repeat of the Australian Open final, the last thing Daniil Medvedev will want to remember. For two sets he played celestially, only for Jannik Sinner to steal the title – his first major – to fortify an already brilliant game with confidence and legitimacy. It’ll take something special to stop him not just today but between now and Sunday teatime.
To call Carlos Alcaraz merely special, though, is to insult one of the most inspiring talents in all sport. The energy, creativity and aggression he brings to court is unlike anything we’ve seen before, but there’s a sense he’s not quite at his best – unlike Tommy Paul, winner at Queen’s and in the form of his life. Like Taylor Fritz yesterday, if he stays calm and in the moment – easier typed than achieved! – he’s a chance.
Play: 1pm BST on No 1 Court, 1.30pm BST on Centre
