Well, that’s just about it from me for tonight. Andy Murray has just gone two sets to love up against Nick Kyrgios, sealing the second set 6-1 in 26 minutes. You can follow that match here with Jacob Steinberg. Thanks for reading, have a good evening and don’t forget to join us again tomorrow.
Well, we now know who the winner of Murray-Kyrgios will play on Wednesday, because Gasquet has just conceded his match against Tsonga due to a back injury. That’s sad for Gasquet, who has twice been a semi-finalist in SW19 and has been playing some brilliant tennis of late. He was trailing 4-2 in the opening set at the time.
Tomas Berdych, however, the 10th seed and 2010 finalist, is in a spot of bother against Jiri Vesely. Vesely leads the all-Czech clash 4-2 after claiming an early break of serve. The winner will play whoever comes out on top between Bernard Tomic and Lucas Pouille, who are locked in an almighty struggle on Court 12. After almost three hours, Tomic leads 8-7 in the final set. It’s going with serve there.
Elsewhere, it’s going with serve in the all-French tussle between Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on No1 Court. Tsonga leads 3-2.
Andy Murray has won the first set 7-5 against Nick Kyrgios, and that’s not the only good news for British fans. Because in the girls’ singles, Jodie Anna Burrage has won her match against Caty McNally 6-1 in the third. At this point, she could well be playing Ioana Minca of Romania in the next round. The Romanian is a set up against seventh seed Dayana Yastremska.
Raonic was perhaps a little fortunate with that last shot, digging out the deepest of returns from Goffin – hard and true, it almost landed on his toecaps – to find an off forehand winner. Still, what a fightback. It’s the first time in his career that the Canadian has come back from two sets to love down. Spectacular stuff. Which is probably more than can be said of his prospective quarter-final against Querrey, a match unlikely to have the connoisseurs queuing along Wimbledon Park Road. I think we can confidently say that one will be service-dominated.
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What a comeback from Milos Raonic! He was two sets to love down but has turned it around against David Goffin, slamming a final forehand winner to reach the last eight.
Raonic perhaps betrays his state of mind with a double fault, but a big forehand and a 140mph first serve bring up two match points at 40-15 …
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Raonic makes a nervy start, slamming a first serve hideously long. But a 118mph second serve leaves Goffin helpless …
The talented Belgian responds in typically defiant manner, sealing a comfortable hold with a meaty forehand approach to which Raonic has no answer. Nonetheless, Raonic will now serve for it at 5-4. Watch this space …
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David Goffin must have been sensing blood in the water at 15-30 on the Raonic serve, but how well the Canadian snuffed out the danger. An absolute howitzer of a forehand from Raonic got him back to 30-30, from where a winning half volley and some big serving carried him safely through to 5-3. Impressive stuff, that, and Goffin will now have to serve to stay in the match.
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As Goffin holds with a cry of “Allez!”, I can tell you that Vesnina has come through that titanic tussle against Makarova, winning 9-7 in the third. What an effort by the Russian, who can now look forward to the first grand slam quarter-final of her career. Not that a contest with Dominika Cibulkova is a prospect to be relished just now, as Aggie Radwanska will attest.
Raonic, meanwhile, is storming through the fifth set against Goffin. After an early break, he’s 4-2 up.
Leanings towards the litigious have been an interesting feature of this year’s tournament. You’ll recall that, last week, a fuming Gilles Simon threatened to sue umpire John Bloom for making him continue on a wet court. Well, now Serena Williams is at it. During her win over Kuznetsova, she said to the chair umpire, Marija Cicak: “I’m going to fall. I don’t get it. Can’t they just close the roof?” Her response was inaudible, but not so Williams’ rejoinder: “If I get hurt, I’m suing.” Hopefully the precedent set by Eugenie Bouchard, who is suing the US Tennis Association after the locker-room fall at the US Open last year, isn’t about to catch on …
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It’s going with serve on Centre Court, where Andy Murray leads Nick Kyrgios 3-2 in the opening set. You can follow that one with Jacob Steinberg here.
“Am I surprising myself?” reflects Venus. “I’ve been in this position before.” That you have, Venus. “The first time you win, no one picks you; the last time you win, no one picks you. So you have to believe in yourself.”
Meanwhile, Venus Williams is beaming from ear to ear on No1 Court. And no wonder, because she’s just served out the match to take down Carla Suarez Navarro 7-6, 6-4 in an hour and 36 minutes. Thirty-six years old and she’s through to the last eight. Again. What a competitor.
With 88% of first serves in play, including seven aces, it’s no surprise that Milos Raonic has just squared his match with David Goffin. That was an impressive performance by the Canadian, who also slammed down 15 winners in that fourth set. Raonic was so pleased with his efforts that he rewarded himself with a comfort break. The winner will play Sam Querrey – conqueror of Novak Djokovic, as if I need to remind you – in the last eight.
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As Venus Williams prepares to serve for a place in the last eight, things are coming to a head nicely on Court Three, where it’s 6-6 in the final set between Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova. They’re the only unseeded players left in the women’s draw, and they’ve been going at it now for almost two and a half hours. The winner plays Cibulkova.
And in the time it took to write that last sentence, down went another ace and up went the sixth seed’s prospects of extending Goffin to a fifth set. Did you ever doubt it?
Anyway, back to the tennis, where a certain big-serving Canadian is now pounding down 130mph-odd deliveries with the benefit of a break of serve behind him. I have in mind Milos Raonic, of course, who is 4-3 up – and has two game points for 5-3 …
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Wondering how the players spend their downtime during Wimbledon? Well, it turns out that one of the many perks of participation in one of the world’s premier tennis events is a pair of top-price tickets to a London show. Figures released by the club show Matilda and Wicked have been especially popular, with 15 requests. Next comes Beyoncé, whose gigs at Wembley stadium have been attended by 13 players, including Britain’s Laura Robson. So now you know.
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Caty McNally has an early break in the girls’ singles and leads Britain’s Jodie Anna Burrage 3-0. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are no such problems for Venus Williams, who is still a break ahead in the second set against Suarez Navarro, despite the vocal encouragement of Spanish Fed Cup captain and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez. It’s a set and 3-2 to Williams.
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But what of Milos Raonic, I hear you ask? Well, the towering Canadian is still battling for his life against Belgium’s David Goffin, who has just held serve with a 126mph delivery. It’s 2-1 in the fourth, with the sixth-seeded Raonic trailing by two sets to one.
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You can follow Andy Murray’s match against Nick Kyrgios right here. That’s over on Centre Court. On No1, meanwhile, Venus has just broken Suarez Navarro to move 2-1 ahead.
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On Court 19, Britain’s Jodie Anna Burrage is in action in the girls’ singles. Burrage, you may recall, scored a notable victory over Marion Bartoli – reigning if retired Wimbledon champion at the time – as a 15-year-old. That was two years ago at the Liverpool Hope University International. Her opponent today is an American, Caty McNally, and Burrage will be keen to put the disappointment of last year – when she experienced breathing difficulties during a straight-sets loss to Lucie Wargnier of France – firmly behind her. She’s going well so far, having just won the first set 6-4. The reward for victory could be a crack at the Ukrainian seventh seed Dayana Yastremska, who faces Ioana Minca of Romania later. Good incentive, that. Best of luck, Jodie.
Talking of family matters, Serena – who has just taken the second set 6-0 against Svetlana Kuznetsova to complete a straight sets win on Centre Court – isn’t the only Williams making progress towards the last eight. Over on Court One, Venus has just pocketed the opening set against Carla Suarez Navarro on a tiebreak (7-3, since you ask). She’s amazing, is Venus: back in the top 10 and flying high at the All England Club once again. A sixth title may not be beyond her, you know.
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Many thanks, Jacob – enjoy. Well, what an absorbing day it’s been so far, not least with Dominika Cibulkova’s dramatic defeat of the third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the women’s draw. In one sense, it wasn’t a surprise: Cibulkova has been in fine form of late, and also beat the Pole en route to winning the title in Eastbourne. Even so, no one seems more surprised than the likeable Slovak herself. She was due to get married this Saturday, but may have to keep her fiance Miso Navara waiting if she carries on like this. Reaching a Wimbledon final wouldn’t be a bad excuse, mind.
That’s all from me today. I’m off to cover Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios, so I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Les Roopanarine.
Serena Williams roars as she wins the first set 7-5 against Svetlana Kuznetsova. The roof is back on Centre Court and the world No1 has raised her level, responding to dropping her serve by winning consecutive games to burst into the lead.
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The rain has stopped and the players are returning on the outside courts. The action will resume shortly.
Play suspended!
It’s raining. I was assured there would be no rain!
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Is Bernard Tomic back on track? You betcha! The 19th seed has levelled the match against Lucas Pouille on Court 12, taking the second set 6-4. It’s never simple where Tomic is concerned.
John McEnroe has got rid of the snapback. Time to get serious. The sartorial switch seems to have a positive effect on Milos Raonic, who’s moving better now and he breaks for the first time in the match when David Goffin knocks a backhand long in the third game of the third set. It’s still a long way back from here from Raonic, who’s two sets down, but he will fancy his chances of at least pushing this into a fourth set now.
Carla Suarez Navarro served for the first set against Venus Williams. She failed to see it out. There’s been a lot of that today. Williams now leads 6-5 and she looks to be turning this one around against the 12th seed on Court 1.
An audience with Roger Federer.
Q. You’ve achieved so much in your career. If there was one thing, one more goal in life as much as tennis, what is it? Or have you done the lot?
ROGER FEDERER: In tennis?
Q. One big goal you want to achieve, tennis or in life, what would you say it was, or have you done the lot?
ROGER FEDERER: In life? In life there’s so much more to come. In tennis, tennis there’s not that much more. I hope there is a bit more in tennis. I hope I can win Wimbledon one more time. That would be nice.
In life, gee, I need to speak to my wife about that one, not with you in the press (laughter). I don’t know. I’m looking forward to a lovely life with my kids and my wife, travel, I don’t know, unbelievable moments.
Milos Raonic has won 62% of his second serves during the tournament. That stat’s down to 50% today, however. He’s in major bother. The neat and tidy David Goffin is playing extremely well.
There was some rain based controversy in the doubles on Court 7. Welcome to England.
Three match points to Marray & Shamasdin over Cuevas/Granollers and their opponents sit down because there's a bit of rain in the air
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2016
Marray and Shamasdin win it! 14-12 in the fifth to reach QFs. Fantastic match - Cuevas and Granollers still arguing with the umpire
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 4, 2016
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Milos Raonic has disappeared down the tunnel on Court 2, where a minor upset is brewing. He double faults on a set point and David Goffin, the 11th seed, leads 6-4, 6-3. Raonic looks baffled. Maybe it’s John McEnroe’s outfit. Maybe because his serve’s not clicking.
Venus Williams appears to be limping a little against Carla Suarez Navarro, who’s apparently the best footballer on the WTA.
Ekaterina Makarova has the first set in the bag against Elena Vesnina. The Russian wins it 7-5 against the other Russian on Court 3.
The sun has gone behind the clouds and it’s getting dark. A few umbrellas are up.
David Goffin saves two break points, then holds thanks to a laser guided volley. He leads 6-4, 4-3 against Milos Raonic. Venus Williams, meanwhile, trails by an early break against Carla Suarez Navarro. And there’s a spot of rain in the air.
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The ever enigmatic Bernard Tomic was a break up in the first set. He’s lost it 6-4 to Lucas Pouille, the 32nd seed, who put out Juan Martin del Potro yesterday. Meanwhile David Goffin is currently having a stormer. He has a read on Milos Raonic’s serve and he’s in control once they’re deep into the rally. So it’s not too much of a surprise to see Raonic net a forehand and drop his serve to trail 6-4, 3-2 on Court 2.
John McEnroe is watching Milos Raonic on Court 2. He’s wearing a black suit, a black tie, a white shirt and sunglasses. And a snapback.
Nick Kyrgios is preparing for his match against Andy Murray by watching Lleyton Hewitt play doubles on Court 18. I hope he’s enjoying himself.
Simona Halep is beaming. The Romanian can’t keep the smile off her face after downing Madison Keys 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the last eight. Keys put up a good fight and at one point appeared to be heading for victory, leading by a set and a break, but she was struggling with a knee problem by the end and whacked a forehand long on match point. Halep is through to face Angelique Kerber. She leads their head-to-head record 3-1.
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David Goffin has been threatening for a while on Court 2 and he makes the breakthrough in the seventh game of the first set, walloping a forehand down the line to break Milos Raonic for a 4-3 lead. Meanwhile the Sam Querrey story goes on as the American whips an ace past Nicolas Mahut to reach his first grand slam quarter-final with a surprisingly composed 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 win. Beating Novak Djokovic can’t have taken too much out of him, then.
Yaroslava Shvedova has beaten Lucie Safarova, the 28th seed, 6-2, 6-4. The world No96 plays either Venus Williams or Carla Suarez Navarro next. They’ve just arrived on Court 1.
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On Court 1, a potentially decisive break for Simona Halep. She leads 5-2 in the final set against Madison Keys. The winner plays Angelique Kerber next.
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Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova will be on Centre Court soon. You can follow the match here with my esteemed fluffer, Tom Lutz.
With rather less drama, meanwhile, Roger Federer is through to the last eight, crisply sending a second serve ace past plucky Steve Johnson on match point. That’s that, then, the world No3 comfortably wins 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 but he can expect a tougher test when he faces Marin Cilic on Wednesday. Cilic, remember, beat Federer in New York two years ago. Federer hasn’t dropped a set yet but he’s had a pretty simple run so far.
Dominika Cibulkova has done it! It’s third time lucky for the Slovakian. On her third match point, she crashes a forehand away to seal a 6-3, 5-7, 9-7 win over Agnieszka Radwanska, the third seed, and her place in the last eight! What a rollercoaster. That final set lasted 84 minutes. Overall Cibulkova hit 56 winners and 39 unforced errors, took seven of 22 break points and was twice broken when she served for the match. But she got there in the end.
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Roger Federer has been in pipe and slippers mode throughout the third set but he’s finally stirred and broken for a 6-5 lead. Steve Johnson hits long and that should be that. The American dream dies, here at last. Over on Court 18, Sam Querrey leads by two sets and a break against Nicolas Mahut.
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Madison Keys slaps a forehand into the net and Simona Halep, who trailed by a set and a break, takes the second set 6-4 on Court 1! They’re going into a decider. As for Dominika Cibulkova, she’s broken again and leads 8-7 in the final set against Agnieszka Radwanska. Surely she’s going to close it out this time. Surely?
Sam Querrey is going to win Wimbledon. There, I said it. Don’t argue, just accept it, it’s happening. The American leads 6-4, 7-6 against Nicolas Mahut, edging the second set tie-break by seven points to five.
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Agnieszka Radwanska breaks back! It’s 7-7 and they’ll be playing that match until next week.
Dominika Cibulkova breaks! She carves out a break point with a thumping forehand winner into the left corner, then grabs a 7-6 lead when a weary Radwanska nets a forehand. Cibulkova will serve for the match again.
Cibulkova holds. It’s 6-6. Who’s going to blink first?
Dominika Cibulkova saves a match point with a forehand down the line! It’s deuce in the 12th game of the third set.
And Radwanska holds for a 6-5 lead when Cibulkova skitters a forehand wide! This is one of the best matches of the tournament.
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Dominika Cibulkova has missed five break points at 5-5 in the third set against Agnieskza Radwanska. One of those days, I fear.
Roger Federer makes it 11 out of 11, serving solidly to advance into a 6-2, 6-3 lead over Steve Johnson. The American is no match for the great man when he’s in this form.
“Beautiful!” shouts a punter as Agnieszka Radwanska saves a break point with a cracking forehand. Radwanska thought Dominika Cibulkova had hit long, though, and looks disgusted with the line judges for failing to make the call. But it doesn’t matter. She holds to lead 5-4 in the third and final set, with Cibulkova about to serve to stay in a rather wonderful match on Court 3.
And after 43 minutes of desperately one-sided tennis, a despondent Kei Nishikori has had enough. Unable to compete properly because of an injury to his ribs, the fifth seed has finally seen sense and decided to retire with Marin Cilic leading 6-1, 5-1 about to serve for a two-set lead. He shakes hands with Cilic and is given a warm, sympathetic round of applause from the crowd on Court 2, which probably won’t be much of a consolation. It’s very hard for Nishikori to take. It’s another disappointing end for him at a grand slam and it’s Cilic who goes through to the last eight, where he’s probably going to face Roger Federer.
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I didn’t quite realise how much Kei Nishikori was suffering, my attention on events on Centre Court. Well, he lost the first set in 16 minutes. Sixteen minutes!
Simona Halep will be furious with herself. She served for the first set twice, she was broken twice and now she’s going to have to do it the hard way. Madison Keys is rewarded for her persistency as the ninth seed wins the tie-break 7-5 thanks to a measured forehand winner.
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Roger Federer is close to making it 11 sets out of 11 for the tournament. He leads 6-2, 4-1 on Centre Court, where Steve Johnson’s run looks like it’s going to come to an abrupt halt.
His head is bowed, he wipes his face with his towel. But Kei Nishikori isn’t listening. He’s gulped down some painkillers and he’s going to carry on. What he’s getting out of this isn’t clear but you have to admire the heart and defiance.
Kei Nishikori has the trainer on and there’s concern amongst those in his box. He might be about to retire. Every member of his team is telling him to call it a day.
Simona Halep broke again to love and another chance to serve for the first set – and Madison Keys broke straight back thanks to a stunning forehand winner. Four straight breaks and they’re into a tie-break on Court 1.
Kei Nishikori, suffering from a rib injury, is still trying. But it’s surely a losing battle against Marin Cilic. He trails 6-1, 3-1.
Nishikori hitting 90 mph first serves...barring a magic trainer call, this isn't going much longer
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 4, 2016
Those anticipating a defeat for Sam Querrey today might have been mistaken. The 28th seed is just two sets away from reaching his first grand slam quarter-final after winning the opening set 6-4 against Nicolas Mahut on Court 18.
Madison Keys breaks straight back! She saves several set points, then earns a break point and takes it with a slightly flukey but nonetheless gutsy sliced shot down the line, Halep guilty of insufficient ruthlessness! It’s 5-5 on Court 1.
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Roger Federer isn’t going down the Novak Djokovic route. The Swiss master already has Steve Johnson worked out and it’s not taken him long to win the first set. 6-2 it is.
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There’s more than a sniff of a break on Court 1, there’s a full on stench. Simona Halep earns a break point, compelling Madison Keys to go on the offensive. Halep, however, is made of stern stuff. She reaches one forehand into the left corner. Keys gambols forward and takes the ball out of the air - but she doesn’t quite do enough with the drive volley and Halep scampers across, stoops and lifts a defensive lob over and just inside the line to break for a 5-4 lead.
On Court 1, it’s nip and tuck tennis between Simona Halep and Madison Keys. Seven games in, there’s not been a sniff of a break.
As for poor old Kei Nishikori, he’s having an awful time out on Court 2. The fifth seed already looks a broken man after losing the first set 6-1 to an imperious Marin Cilic, who might fancy his chances of winning a possible quarter-final against Roger Federer in this sort of form.
It must be good if Roger Federer is applauding. Forced out wide, and well past the baseline, Steve Johnson nonetheless produces a moment of brilliance, a wonderful forehand down the line for 0-30. Federer slaps his racket in appreciation. Then he wins the next four points to hold for a 5-2 lead. The generosity only extends so far.
Having staved off two break points in the fifth game of the first set, Roger Federer flays a regal backhand from left to right and Steve Johnson can only net a sharp backhand volley. The ball came at him too quickly for him to react properly and Federer breaks to lead 4-2.
There’s a role reversal over on Court 3. In Eastbourne, Agnieszka Radwanska led by a set and a break against Dominika Cibulkova before losing. Here, however, she trailed the Slovakian by a set and a break. But the third seed has regained her composure, stuck to the trusty game plan and fought back impressively to take the second set 7-5.
This is relentless from Marin Cilic. Another break, this time to love, and he’s swept into a 4-0 lead already. Kei Nishikori looks punchdrunk.
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Kei Nishikori’s hopes of gaining some revenge for his US Open final defeat to Marin Cilic are looking mightily slim at the moment. The Japanese star has trickled into a 3-0 deficit in the first set on Court 2. He’s got a lot to think about as he makes his way back to his chair, although it is only one break so far.
Over on Court 18, Djokovic slayer Sam Querrey is underway against Nicolas Mahut. Wouldn’t it be so very very if he experiences a crashing comedown against the experienced Frenchman?
On Courts 1 and 2, the second matches of the day are underway. That’s Madison Keys versus Simona Halep and Marin Cilic versus Kei Nishikori.
Thanks, Les. I’ve sped over to Centre Court to get a closer look at Roger Federer. After the seismic shock of Novak Djokovic’s exit, surely a similar fate won’t befall Federer today against Steve Johnson. But stranger things have happened, friends.
It’s a comedy of second-set service breaks between Radwanska and Cibulkova, but only woman is laughing – and it’s the Slovak, who has just broken again with an absolute bullet of a forehand winner. She’ll now serve for the match. And with that, I’ll put you back in the capable hands of Jacob Steinberg.
Roger Federer and Steve Johnson are making their way on to Centre Court for what promises to be an entertaining contest. Federer will be looking to find a way past the in-form American with minimal fuss because, let’s face it, we’ve all seen the damage in-form Americans can do at this tournament. Meanwhile, Radwanska has broken back on Court Three – it’s 4-4.
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The “vital seventh game”, they used to call it in days of yore. That moniker may be slightly less relevant in these days of big serving and super powerful rackets, but Cibulkova is doing her best to reinvigorate the tradition by breaking to move 4-3 ahead against Radwanska. Meanwhile, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has beaten Coco Vandeweghe in straight sets and will now face the winner of this afternoon’s Centre Court showdown between Serena Williams and Sveta Kuznetsova.
Sad news from Court 16, where Britain’s Katie Swan – seeded 12th in the girls’ singles – has been forced to withdraw injured against Mariam Bolkvadze of Georgia. She was trailing 6-5 in the opening set at the time.
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The skies are blackening over the All England Club – how often has that sentence been written over the past week and a bit? – but Radwanska will be trying not to think about that too much. She’s got enough on her plate with Cibulkova, who is giving her a rare old run around and has just answered the Pole’s hold in the previous game with one of her own, Radwanska driving a forehand wide. It’s 3-3 in the second set.
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Over on Court 18, Coco Vandeweghe’s bid for a second successive quarter-final appearance in SW19 is coming off the rails rapidly. She’s now a set and a break down against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, although the Russian is seeded six spots ahead of her at 21st.
Thanks, Jacob. Refreshing to see Kerber, who is now just a game away from the last eight, back on the up after a pretty chequered few months since winning the Australian Open earlier this year. As for Radwanska, she’s just broken back to level the second set at 2-2. There’s life in this one yet.
Cibulkova is utterly dominant on Court 2. More thunderous groundstrokes is too much for Radwanska to handle and she breaks to lead by a set and a break. Meanwhile Angelique Kerber is marching towards victory - she’s 6-3, 4-0 up against Misaki Doi. I’m going to grab some lunch before play begins on Centre Court and Court 1, so Les Roopanarine will be your guide for the next 20 minutes.
Angelique Kerber stretches and strains every sinew into a forehand on the run and pierces it beyond Misaki Doi to break for a 2-0 lead in the second set on Court 2. This one is heading towards a predictable conclusion. Kerber’s in the mood.
Agnieszka’s Radwanska’s shoulders slump as she’s forced to direct another shot into the net. That pesky net. Dominika Cibulkova then spies her tentative approach and pings a backhand down the line for a 30-0 lead before earning two sets with another firm backhand. She’s all over Radwanska here and the first set is hers, 6-3, when another crunching forehand draws another error out of the Pole. That was a very impressive set from the Slovakian.
Angelique Kerber is also a set away from reaching the last eight. Misaki Doi saved two set points quite brilliantly but she couldn’t keep the fourth seed at bay for ever. Kerber takes it 6-3 on Court 2.
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Coco Vandeweghe was inspired against Roberta Vinci yesterday but the 27th seed is struggling today. A quarter-finalist last year, she’s lost the first set to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who takes it 6-3 thanks to a searing forehand winner. Vandweghe can’t hide her disappointment.
Radwanska saves two break points and holds to trail 4-2. Cibulkova was wasteful there.
Cibulkova is a ball of explosive intensity out on Court 3, fighting back from 0-30 to hold for a 4-1 lead thanks to some more assertive hitting. She’s picked up where she left off after beating Eugenie Bouchard. Radwanska is looking very vulnerable.
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Dominika Cibulkova is packing a slightly heavier punch than Agnieszka Radwanska at the moment, overwhelming the crafty Pole with some firm groundstrokes. Cibulkova is only 5ft 3in but she’s a strong hitter and she’s playing aggressively here, earning two break points and taking the first thanks to a whizzing forehand that Radwanska can only direct back into the net. The Slovakian breaks to lead 3-1.
Coco Vandeweghe, the 27th seed, had a chance to break in the third game on Court 18. She didn’t take it and now she’s 3-1 down against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 21st seed.
But here’s the first break. It’s happened on Court 2, where Misaki Doi double-faults before sending a forehand well wide to drop her serve. Angelique Kerber creeps into a 2-1 lead with the minimum fuss.
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No one’s giving anything away at the moment. There isn’t a break of serve in sight. On Court 3, Agnieszka Radwanska comes through a tricky opening service game, holding to 30.
And ... play! We’re off.
The players are out, the grass is looking plush in some areas and suitably weathered in others, and play will begin shortly. “How nice that the sun is shining,” says the BBC’s Andrew Castle.
The sun’s out and the courts are beginning to fill up with spectators. Play begins soon, with our attention dominated at first by events on Courts 2, 3 and 18. That’s Misaki Doi versus Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska versus Dominika Cibulkova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova versus Coco Vandeweghe. Radwanska and Cibulkova have recent history. Cibulkova was a set and a break down in her Eastbourne quarter-final with the Pole 10 days ago but a rain delay came at a good time for her and the Slovakian fought back to beat Radwanska, the third seed here, in three sets. That turnaround is likely to be on Radwanska’s mind today.
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Preamble
Hello. It’s known as Manic Monday round these parts and with good reason. This year Roger Federer dresses up as a giant strawberry, Sue Barker and Andrew Castle have a competition to see who can drink the most Pimm’s before passing out live on air, Nick Kyrgios announces plans to become the new prime minister of the United Kingdom and Serena Williams goes 6-0, 5-0 down to Svetlana Kuznetsova before winning in three sets.
It’s going to be a great day of tennis (come on, forget everything that’s going on outside, it’s better here). With the schedule back on track after people’s Sunday, we’re into the fourth round of Wimbledon. The usual faces are here – minus one or two, of course – but there are some newcomers too. How about Steve Johnson? The 26-year-old American went past the third round of a major for the first time after beating and he’s first up on Centre Court against Roger Federer, for whom the outlook is decidedly rosier now that Novak Djokovic has been removed from his path by Sam Querrey.
Then there’s Jiri Vesely, the 22-year-old lefty outsider who stunned Dominic Thiem. He faces his fellow Czech, the 10th seed Tomas Berdych, on Court 3.
Where to look? While Querrey concentrates on Nicolas Mahut, elsewhere the second match on Centre sees Serena Williams, the world No1, take on former French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova; anything could happen. Venus Williams, meanwhile, continues her charge against Carla Suarez-Navarro. There’s a Gallic affair on Court 1, where Richard Gasquet faces Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, perhaps not so fresh after his epic win over John Isner. First on that court, though, it’s Simona Halep, the fifth seed, against the rising American, Madison Key, seeded ninth. That one could be a classic.
On Court 2, a Japanese flavour. Misaki Doi, a 25-year-old who’s reached the second week of a grand slam for the first time, has a tall order against the Australian Open champion, Angelique Kerber. Then in a repeat of the 2014 US Open final, Kei Nishikori seeks revenge against Marin Cilic. It ends with Belgium versus Canada as David Goffin tries to live with Milos Raonic’s pounding serve.
On Court 3, there’s a battle of brains and guile as Agnieszka Radwanska and Dominika Cibulkova present each other with a series of logic puzzles, before a meeting between two Russians, Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. On Court 12, meanwhile, Lucie Safarova and Yaroslava Shvedova fight for a place in the last eight, before stepping aside to make way for Bernard Tomic and Lucas Pouille, conqueror of Juan Martin del Potro.
And finally, third on Centre, it’s Andy Murray versus Nick Kyrgios - we’ll be covering that match away from this blog. With the sun shining at last, everyone’s for tennis. Phew.
Play begins at: 11.30am.
Updated
