Right, that’s it from us for day one. Stick around on site for all the reports and reaction from Wimbledon. But from me, cheerio!
Happy days for Bedene but not a good day for Stan Wawrinka, who crashed out in the opening round to Daniil Medvedev:
Bedene beats Karlovic
At 15-30 down Karlovic booms down his 44th ace and an 118mph second serve – 40-30, but Bedene battles back to deuce. And he brings up match point with a brilliant cross-court forehand. And he takes it! At the 65th time of asking we have a break of serve. And it’s enough to give Bedene a 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 8-6 victory.
Updated
65. Bedene holds to love. Meanwhile, Bouchard, having won the first set 6-1 against Suárez Navarro, has just lost the second set 6-1. And Azarenka, having lost the first set 6-3 to Bellis, has won the second 6-2. And Jelena Ostapenko, the French Open winner, has won her first set 6-0 against Marchenko.
Karlovic reaches 100 unreturned serves in the match and hammers down his 43rd ace as he, rather predictably, goes 40-30 up. But Bedene sparks hope after a double fault and a lovely passing shot, hope that is quickly snuffed out. Hold No64.
63. So Bedene leads 6-5 and Karlovic again has to serve to stay in the match.
Updated
62. Karlovic has won 102 out of 118 points in which his first served has landed in, Bedene 104 out of 126.
Petra Kvitova made an emotional return to SW19 this afternoon. Barney Ronay was there to see it:
The match was closed out to a wash of fond applause for a popular former champion who really might not have been back here had the knife cut a little deeper last December. The attack itself was both horrific and a little bizarre in its details. Kvitova was having breakfast when a man rang the doorbell claiming to be there to read the electricity meter. The man entered her home and attacked her with a knife, causing serious injury as the fought him off. Kvitova’s attacker fled with the equivalent of £150, although the incident has reportedly been reclassified as a blackmail attempt by local police.
61. And it’s just beginning to get a little murky as the sun disappears behind the stands. Karlovic is serving to stay in the match at 5-4 down in the fifth …
We’re up to 60 successive holds now between Karlovic and Bedene: 4-4 in the fifth.
How was Andy Murray feeling after his win over Sasha Bublik? Let’s find out together:
57.
Make that 56 consecutive holds.
On No1 Court, Azarenka has lost the first set 6-3 to Bellis, while on Court No2 the unseeded Eugenie Bouchard, a runner-up here in 2014, has powered through the first set 6-1 against the No25 seed Carla Suárez Navarro.
Meanwhile out on court three, Bedene and Karlovic are at the beginning of the fifth set. There have been 54 consecutive holds of serve in this one, with 60 aces boomed down. It’s 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7 … with Bedene now 2-1 up in the fifth. Make that 55 consecutive holds. This could go deep. Though surely not this deep:
It’s Medvedev’s first grand slam win, and what a place to do it. He kissed the Centre Court turf after the victory. He could, potentially, go on to face Andy Murray in the quarter-finals in the same arena later in the tournament.
So Wimbledon day one has a major upset. Daniil Medvedev, just 21 and ranked 49 in the world, has ousted the No5 seed and three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss player was struggling with his knee throughout but take nothing away from the Russian, he was superb and thoroughly deserved his 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Updated
Medvedev beats Wawrinka in four sets!
Wawrinka can barely return serve – whether it is his body or his mind that has given up the ghost is unclear. Perhaps it’s both. Two match points … but Medvedev tightens up and sends a couple of unforced errors sailing out. He bangs down an ace to bring up his third set point … and this time Wawrinka goes long. The No5 seed is out!
Make that 0-40! Make that a double break! Make that 5-1 to Medvedev!
And he goes 0-30 up on the Wawrinka serve. Huge problems for the No5 seed.
Medvedev holds and moves to within two games of the biggest win of his career.
Break point for Medvedev in the fourth game of the fourth set … and he takes it with a crashing backhand pass. Wawrinka is two sets to one down and now a break down at 3-1 in the fourth. Shock ahoy!
Updated
Karlovic-Bedene has gone to a tie-break in the fourth set, just as it did in the first. And the second. And the third. Breaks in short supply on Court No3.
Victoria Azarenka, a two-time semi-finalist in SW19, has had her match against the young American Catherine Bellis bumped up to Court No1 but the Belarussian could be forgiven for wishing she was stuck out of the spotlight in some obscure corner – she’s 4-1 down in the first.
Here’s the full order of play for Tuesday:
Wawrinka loses third set
Stan Wawrinka, serving to stay in the third set, is 40-15 but a succession of errors hand his opponent four successive points and the third set. The three-times grand slam winner is in a heap o’ trouble.
Watson, by the by, is likely to face the No18 seed Anastasija Sevastova in the second round. She’s currently a set up against Yulia Puntintseva.
While Watson marches on, Naomi Broady’s Wimbledon is over – she has been beaten 6-4-6-2 by Romania’s Irina-Camila Begu.
Watson wins 6-1, 7-6
Watson has another match point, her fourth, at 6-5 in the tie-break … and this time Zanevska goes long! Watson makes the second round.
Updated
More treatment for Wawrinka on Centre Court, who is not looking quite so tranquilo about the problem now.
Watson, having had a couple of match points in the 10th game of the set, now faces a tie-break.
Top wordsmith Barney Ronay was on Centre Court earlier on to watch Andy Murray’s routine first-round win over Sasha Bublik and take in the opening day atmosphere:
Stroll around the floral byways of the All England Club and what strikes you each time is how strikingly un-striking everything is, how unremarkably just-so every beautifully tailored detail remains. Things that don’t really exist elsewhere these days exist here as staples, essentials. Panama hats. Blazers. Endless crinkly, sun-bronzed men with elegantly bouffant hair and crested ties: where are they the rest of the year? Even the impressive structural renovations seem to have been blended with conservation-area care, like the world’s greatest high-end suburban kitchen extension project.
Heather Watson was serving for the match on Court No2, but Zanevska has broken back so it’s 5-5 in the second.
Ice! Knee! Wawrinka! The No5 seed has had some treatment from the physio on his left knee but he looks OK to continue. He and Medvedev are on-serve in the third.
Updated
Here’s Konta’s post-match thoughts: she’s happy, she’s fully recovered from injury and she’s going to try her best for the rest of the tournament. Not exactly earth-shattering stuff but those tunnel, just-off-court TV interviews are generally a pointless exercise in flim-flam for those on both sides of the microphone.
Jo Konta wins 6-2, 6-2
With a booming ace down the middle, Konta wraps up a comprehensive victory over Su-Wei Hsieh. Impressive stuff from the British No1, who eased through that in just over an hour.
Updated
Wawrinka has levelled it up at one-set all on Centre with a 6-3 second set.
Konta has stormed into a 5-1 lead in the second set. Hsieh is serving to stay in the match but it is a forlorn hope, you would think.
A blow for Bedene as Karlovic takes the third set tie-break 9-7. The big-serving Croatian leads two sets to one.
Tuesday order of play
What have we got to look forward to tomorrow? Only Federer, Djokovic, Thiem, Raonic, Kerber, Pliskova, Kuznetsova and Radwanska!
Centre Court: Angelique Kerber (Ger, 1) v Irina Falconi (US); Martin Klizan (Svk) v N Djokovic (Ser, 2); A Dolgopolov (Ukr) v R Federer (Switz, 3)
Court No1: Milos Raonic (Can, 6) v Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger); Karolina Pliskova (Cz, 3) v Evgeniya Rodina (Rus); Dominic Thiem (Aut, 8) v Vasek Pospisil (Canada)
Court No2: Juan Martin Del Potro (Arg, 29) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (Aus); Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol, 9) v Jelena Jankovic (Ser); Jeremy Chardy (Fr) v Tomas Berdych (Cz); Ons Jabeur (Tun) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus, 7)
Jo Konta is cruising into the second round here. She has an early break in the second set.
The No26 seed Steve Johnson has begun his first-round match on Court 12 against Nicolas Kicker of Argentina, which I mention only because Nic Kicker is the best name you’ll see in SW19 this fortnight.
Having teased the prospect of a shock, Wawrinka has got himself going on Centre and is a break up in the second set.
Konta wins first set
After a slightly up-and-down start, Konta powers through four straight games to take the first set 6-2 on Court No1.
Updated
Brit-watch: the in-form Heather Watson has wrapped up the first set against Zanevska, 6-1, while Aljaz Bedene is on serve in the third against Karlovic. Naomi Broady is a break down in the opening set against Irina-Camila Begu.
Wawrinka has had five first-round exits in his 12 visits to Wimbledon, a ridiculous number for a player of his talents. He just doesn’t get on with the grass, while Medvedev loves the green stuff, as he showed by reaching the semi-finals in Eastbourne.
Wawrinka loses first set
The No5 seed is in a bit of trouble here: Medvedev takes the first set 6-4. The highest men’s seed to go out today is the No20 Nick Kyrgios, but he had to withdraw through injury. Fernando Verdasco, the No31 seed, was also beaten by the big-serving Kevin Anderson but that’s it for the shocks today. There could be one on the cards here though.
Here’s Bryan Armen Graham on Venus Williams’ victory and her tearful press conference:
With scant regard for newspaper deadlines, Hsieh has immediately broken back: 2-2. On Centre, though, Wawrinka is a set down against Medvedev, the 21-year-old world No49.
Jo Konta has her break and Hsieh is struggling to live with the British No1’s power as the shadows lengthen in SW19. She leads 2-1 in the first set.
In News From The Outside Courts, Mandy Minella was comprehensively beaten 6-1, 6-1 by Francesca Schiavone earlier today but has since revealed that she is four and a half months pregnant.
Updated
On No2 Court Britain’s Heather Watson has an early break against Maryna Zanevska of Belgium. The world No102 leads 3-0 in the first set.
Updated
No1 Court isn’t exactly packed as Hsieh sends down a pair of double faults to give Konta two break points in the first game. Hsieh recovers her composure though, and battles back to hold.
On Court No3, Aljaz Bedene has evened things up against Ivo Karlovic at one-set all. Again the set went to a tie-break.
Hello all. And welcome to the evening portion of today’s Wimbledon feast. Johanna Konta is indeed about to face Su-Wei Hsieh on Court No1, her conqueror at the French Open. Meanwhile, on Centre Court Stan Wawrinka, not exactly at home on the grass in general, is getting ready to face the awkward Daniil Medvedev.
That’s all from me. After a long day’s typing and looking I’mm off to lie down in a dark room, but my colleague John Ashdown is going to take over and monitor proceedings from Court No1, where Great Britain’s Johanna Konta is about to take on Su-Wei Hsieh, from Taiwan. Thanks for your time and ... don’t touch that dial!
Andy Murray on his injured hip
“I’m not in pain when I’m walking on the court,” says Andy Murray to the BBC when it’s put to him that he seemed to be limping between points during his match against Sasha Bublik. Laughing, he explains that he doesn’t have the most elegant gait at the best of times, before insisting he’s not suffering any pain.
"There's still time to get to 20 [double faults]!"
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2017
Murray sheds some light on his entertaining rain-delay chat with Bublik #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/h5oABWmaJq
Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic win in straight sets ...
The Spanish No4 seed has beaten Australia’s John Millman 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 and looks very pleased with life as he signs autographs on the way off the Court No1. Meanwhile on Court No2, the Croatian 11th seed Marin Cilic has triumphed in three sets over Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber.
“For everybody, for all the players it’s always special to play here,” says Nadal. “It’s always special to play here in London, at Wimbledon, so I’m very happy. I have an opportunity to compete here on grass and I’m looking forward to playing in the next round.”
Brit-watch ...
Having become a British citizen in 2015 after a seven-year wait, Slovenian born 27-year-old Aljaz Beden is representing Blighty out on Court No3, where he is facing the giant Croat Ivo Karlovic. Bedene lost the first set 7-6 in a tie-breaker in a state of affairs that suggests he might well be able to turn his match around.
Updated
Venus Williams breaks down in tears ...
Facing a lawsuit after being reported by police to have caused a car crash in which one elderly man lost his life last month, Venus Williams became visibly distressed in her post-match press conference after beating Elise Mertens. The American has already offered her condolences to the family and friends of Jerome Barson, 78, who died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash and became tearful upon being asked if she had anything further to say on the matter.
“I’ve learned that I have no idea what tomorrow will bring,” she said, her voice quivering. “There are really no words to describe how devastating ... [long pause] ... I’m just completely speechless ... [long pause] ... I’m just ...”
At this point, as Williams wiped tears from her eyes, a press official interrupted to point out that the player was not allowed address the matter, due to the impending lawsuit. While police have said Williams, who has not been charged with any offence but remains under investigation, was responsible for the crash in which Barson lost his life, it has been made clear that she was neither using her phone nor under the influence of alcohol or drugs when her crashed into that being driven by Barson’s wife.
Updated
Rafa Nadal one set from victory
The Spaniard is looking lean and healthy in his match against John Millman, who he’s pummelling into submission with a series of brutal winners. At the times the Australian looks helpless in the face of the onslaught and he has it all to do if he’s to claw his way back into this game. Nadal leads: 6-1, 6-3 as the umpire calls for new balls.
Around the courts ...
Some latest scores of note - on Centre Court in the women’s singles, 11th seed Petra Kvitova leads Johanna Larsson by one set to nil, having won the opener 6-3. On No2 Court, Croatian 11th seed Marin Cilic is in control of his match against Philipp Kohlschreiber, which he leads 6-4, 4-2. Elsewhere in the men’s singles, it’s all square at one set apiece between Romania’s Marius Copil and Germany’s Peter Gojowcyczyk on Court No4.
Updated
Some minor controversy in the Nadal match
There’s something of a summit going on between the ball boys and girls, the umpire and the tournament referee on No1 Court, but nobody seems to know why. It seems that one of the ball boys has either been taken ill or been injured and is currently being treated courtside by a trainer. If that is the case, we wish him well. Meanwhile, play continues.
Rafael Nadal looking comfortable
The Spanish men’s No4 seed has raced into an early lead, taking the first set against Australia’s John Millman 6-1. Nadal leads two games to one in the second set, where it’s going with serve.
Updated
Women's Singles results so far
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Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra) bt Laura Robson (Gbr) 6-4, 6-2
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Qiang Wang (Chn) bt Kai-Chen Chang (Tpe) 6-3, 6-4
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Madison Keys (USA) bt Nao Hibino (Jpn) 6-4, 6-2
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Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) bt Irina Khromacheva (Rus) 6-3, 6-4
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Simona Halep (Rom) bt Marina Erakovic (NZ) 6-1, 6-4
Updated
Men's Singles results so far
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Andy Murray (Gbr) bt Alexander Bublik (Kaz) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
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Thiago Moura Monteiro (Bra) bt Andrew Whittington (Aus) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5)
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Jerzy Janowicz (Pol) bt Denis Shapovalov (Can) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2)
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Nikoloz Basilashvili (Geo) bt Carlos Berlocq (Arg) 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-1
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Dustin Brown (Ger) bt Joao Sousa (Por) 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4
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Simone Bolelli (Ita) bt Yen-Hsun Lu (Tpe) 6-3, 1-6 ,6-3, 6-4
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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) bt Cameron Norrie (Gbr) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
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Pierre-Hugues Herbert (Fra) bt (20) Nick Kyrgios (Aus) 6-3, 6-4 ret
Elina Svitolina advances to the second round
The Ukrainian fourth seed is though to the second round after beating Australia’s Ashleigh Bartley in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (8).
Currently on the show courts
Centre Court
Johanna Larsson (Swe) v Petra Kvitova (Czech Rep) (11)
- Players have just arrived on court
No1 Court
Rafael Nadal (Spa) (4) v John Millman (Aus)
- Nadal leads 2-0 in first set
No2 Court
Philipp KohlSchreiber (Ger) v Marin Cilic (Cro) (7)
- Cilic leads 3-2 in first set
No3 Court
Ashleigh Bartley (Aus) v Elina Svitolina (Ukr) (4)
- 6-6 in second set, Svitolina leads one set to love
Murray on Bublik: "I was chatting to him in the rain delay about Centre Court & the match, which is pretty rare. He's a bit of a character" pic.twitter.com/yRYp6KVQcC
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2017
Murray walks off court ...
The reigning champion packs up his belongings and walks off the court, throwing a sweaty towel to some lucky member of the crowd, before stopping to sign autographs.
His beaten opponent, Alexander Bublik is a clearly talented and very likeable young player, but has a hell of a lot of work to do on his discipline and shot selection if he is to iron out the many kinks in his game.
Updated
Game, set and match Murray
Third set: Andy Murray* 6-2 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Murray races to 40-0, loses the next point and yet another ill-advised, wafting drop shot from his opponent secures his passage to the second round, where he will face Jamaican-German Dustin Brown. Murray wins 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
Updated
Third set: Andy Murray 5-2 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Murray will serve for the match after breaking Bublik again. A 135mph serve is swatted back contemptuously by the Scot to win yet another game in which Bublik’s questionable shot selection cost him dearly. That poorly judge drop shot from the baseline he loves so much needs to be cut from his repertoire immediately, if not sooner.
Third set: Andy Murray 4-2 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Murray holds serve to extend his lead, while Women’s No4 seed Elina Svetolina leads Ashleigh Barty 7-5, 4-3 on Court No3.
Third set: Andy Murray 3-2 Alexander Bublik* 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Bublik holds serve, while out on No1 Court, Venus Williams has seen off Elise Mertens 7-6 (7), 6-4 to advance to the second round. On No2 Court, Men’s No7 seed Marin Cilic is warming up with Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Third set: Andy Murray* 3-1 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
It’s worth noting that Murray appears to suffering slightly from his hip injury, limping slightly when the ball is not in play. When it is in play, he seems to be showing no adverse effects.
Bublik wins the first two points against serve, but can only laugh when Murray contests a call that decrees his next serve is long and is subsequently vindicated by the most slender of margins on Hawk-Eye. At 30-40 up, another poor forehand drop shot costs Bublik his break point and a contested call at deuce gives Murray the advantage. Bublik nets the second service and Murray holds.
Updated
Murray v Bublik resumes ...
Third set: Andy Murray 2-1 Alexander Bublik* 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
After our second rain delay, the players return and Bublik races to 40-0. Murray gets it back to 40-30, helped along the way by Bublik’s 12th double-fault of the match. The Russian serves out the game with his 11th ace.
The delay is expected to last 30 minutes
The Wimbledon announcer tells the Centre Court crowd “This intermittent light rain is expected to continue for the next half-hour. We will continue to update you with further developments”. If only there was some sort of roof with which Wimbledon officials could cover Centre C ... oh.
Venus Williams on verge of victory
The 37-year-old American is a set and a break up against Elise Mertens on No1 Court, where play has also been suspended. 7-6 (7), 5-3 is the score there, with Mertens serving to stay in the match.
Murray and Bublik return to action
Third set: Andy Murray* 2-0 Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Andy Murray and Alexander Bublik return after a short rain delay and get straight back to action without so much as a warm-up. Murray holds serve with a minimum fuss, showing no adverse affects after their brief interruption. And what’s this? It’s raining again - quite heavily this time - and we’re going to have another delay as the covers are dragged back across the court.
Updated
Simona Halep wins
The women’s second seed from Romania races through her first round match against New Zealander Marina Erakovic , winning 6-4, 61.
A rain delay ...
The covers are pulled across the Centre Court as it begins to spit rain. Murray returns to the locker room two sets up and a break to the good in what looks like being the final set. I don’t think this delay will last long.
Third set: Andy Murray 1-0 Alexander Bublik* 6-1, 6-4 (* denotes server)
Another break point costs Bublik dearly - when you’re a break point down at least make your opponent work for the win.
Meanwhile out on Court No3, there’s an interesting match going on, particularly for those who like their cricket. Ashleigh Barty, an Australian who once turned her back on professional tennis to concentrate on playing cricket, is a set down against the No4 seed Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian’s boyfriend is Hampshire and England bowler Reece Topley, who caught her eye in a London gym.
Updated
Murray leads by two sets to love
Second set: Andy Murray* 6-4 Alexander Bublik (6-1) (* denotes server)
Bublik races into a quick lead securing himself three break points at 0-40, only for Murray to rescue all three. He takes advantage with a marvellous cross-court forehand after being forced wide off the court, then wraps up the second set with his fifth consecutive point as Bublik can only return his second serve into the base of the net.
Updated
Second set: Andy Murray 5-4 Alexander Bublik* (6-1) (* denotes server)
The players exchange games, while the Guardian’s golf correspondent tweets.
Tremendous obsession with creating a Murray legacy. Which clearly doesn't exist. British tennis in a dire state.
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) July 3, 2017
Updated
Second set: Andy Murray 4-3 Alexander Bublik* (6-1) (* denotes server)
Bublik holds to keep himself a chance of saving the set. Meanwhile on No1 Court, Venus Williams is a set up against Elise Mertens, but a break down in the second where she trails 2-0.
Second set: Andy Murray* 4-2 Alexander Bublik (6-1) (* denotes server)
An improving Bublik takes Murray all the way, but for all his fist-pumping is unable to prevent the defending champion holding serve.
Second set: Andy Murray 3-2 Alexander Bublik* (6-1) (* denotes server)
Bublik wins the longest game of the match thus far, again just about, but he won’t mind that. He’s very talented and a big personality, but crikey he could do with a good coach.
I’m not sure if it’s one he considers to be in his fabled repertoire of trick shots, but Bublik keeps attempting a sliced forehand drop-shot that is making life ridiculously easy for Murray.
“If I was his coach I’d be going crazy and fine him €10 every time he played that shot,” says BBC pundit Boris Becker, who, let’s face it, could probably do with the money.
Second set: Andy Murray* 3-1 Alexander Bublik (6-1) (* denotes server)
Murray holds serve, taking it to 40-15 and sealing the game with a violent smash.
Updated
Second set: Andy Murray 2-1 Alexander Bublik* (6-1) (* denotes server)
The spindly Bublik is doing his best to gift this set to Murray through a succession of double-faults and unforced errors. His shot selection is occasionally woeful, a state of affairs the BBC commentary team suggest might be down to the fact that he “seems to have four or five different options for every shot when only one might be suit him better”. Regardless, he holds serve here, just about, to give himself a much needed confidence booster.
“Currently sat outside a pub in Edinburgh,” says Melanie. “Is it worth necking my Sauvignon Blanc to go into a soulless bar with a telly to watch the rest of this? Or should we savour the bouquet of the wine, invest in another bag of crisps and soak up the watery sunshine whilst keeping up to date on the Guardian? Asking for a friend.” I’d stay put if I was you, Melanie. It’s turning into a bit of a procession.
Second set: Andy Murray* 2-0 Alexander Bublik (6-1) (* denotes server)
Murray holds serve with zero fuss whatsoever, winning to love.
Updated
Second set: Andy Murray 1-0 Alexander Bublik* (6-1) (* denotes server)
Bublik gifts the first break of the second set to Murray with a double-fault (his fifth of the match already), an unforced error and a diabolical drop shot. Having started well, he’s letting this match get away from him very quickly.
Murray takes the first set
First set: Andy Murray* 6-1 Alexander Bublik (* denotes server)
Murray serves out comfortably to take the first set with a scoreline that doesn’t entirely do his opponent justice. Bublik will be concerned that Murray has looked stronger and stronger as the set progressed. Meanwhile on No1 Court, it’s now 4-4 in the first between Elise Mertens and Venus Williams, with the Belgian having been 3-0 down at one stage.
Updated
First set: Andy Murray 5-1 Alexander Bublik* (* denotes server)
Bublik’s first serve is called out and he challenges the call. Hawk-Eye shows the ball bounced a couple of inches long. Bublik loses the point and has only two challenges remaining. A sumptuous backhand lob lays the foundation for Murray’s next break-point, which Bublik saves. We get to advantage Bublik, which Murray saves with one of the game’s more entertaining rallies, before earning himself break point with a sliced backhand down the line. Having embarrassed the umpire with a challenge that proved correct, Murray secures his double-break. This match is going his way, but he’s showing visible signs of discomfort on the rare occasions Bublik is able to give him the run-around.
First set: Andy Murray* 4-1 Alexander Bublik (* denotes server)
He’s certainly talented, the boy Bublik, but a few loose shots waft wide of the line to ensure Murray holds serve. He’s not looking totally comfortable, but there are signs that his hip injury is bothering him just a little.
Updated
First set: Andy Murray 3-1 Alexander Bublik* (* denotes server)
A lazy attempt at a drop shot from the baseline costs Bublik a cheap point and gives Murray two break points at 15-40. Bublik saves both, the second with a mighty serve measured at 133mph. Another 122mph effort follows to give him advantage, but consecutive double-faults return it to Murray. A marvellous passing shot from Murray leaves Bublik completely wrong-footed and Murray gets the break.
Updated
First set: Andy Murray* 2-1 Alexander Bublik denotes server)
Murray holds serves easily to edge ahead in the first set. Elsewhere, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has eased past Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets, while Venus WIlliams has raced into an early 3-0 lead against Elise Mertens on No1 Court.
First set: Andy Murray 1-1 Alexander Bublik* (* denotes server)
Murray opts to challenge at 30-30 and Hawkeye proves it was an unwise decision. Bublik serves out to win the game. It’s a confident start by the Russian, who appears to have settled very well.
Updated
First set: Andy Murray* 1-0 Alexander Bublik (* denotes server)
Early signs suggest Andy Murray is not going to have it all his own way against his 20-year-old opponent. A double fault gives the Russian two break points, but Murray gets it back to deuce and wins the next two points to hold serve and take the first game of their match. An intriguing start.
Updated
Andy Murray is out on Centre Court ...
The Scot is out on Centre Court, bashing up against “lucky loser” Alexander Bublik, who didn’t actually qualify for this competition but got in through the back door anyway. A Kazakhstan-based Russian who speaks with an American accent, Bublik seems like a good laugh and seems decidedly unphased at the prospect of making his Wimbledon bow on Centre Court against the defending champion. “Why would I be?” he tells the BBC. “It’ll give people a chance to see my trick shots. I’m doing them all the time and nobody ever sees them.”
Updated
Kyrgios raises the white flag!
After going two sets down against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Nick Kyrgios has finally succumbed to the injury that was clearly hampering his movement and announced he is not fit enough to continue. The 20th seed is out of this year’s Championships.
Haddad Maia sees off Robson
Laura Robson leads the annual exodus of Britons out of Wimbledon at the earliest opportunity, losing 6-4, 6-2 to Beatriz Haddad Maia in little over an hour. Robson saved four match points in the final game as her opponent struggled to get over the line, but the 21-year-old from Rio eventually prevailed at the fifth time of asking.
Despite all her injury problems, Robson asked few questions of Haddad Maia and the queries now will regard where her career goes from here.
Nick Kyrgios still struggling ...
Clearly struggling with a hip injury, Nick Kyrgios goes two sets to love down against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. It’ll be interesting to see if the Australian will continue ... or indeed what can be achieved by him continuing. He looks a beaten docket, his movement is clearly impaired and struggling on is only likely to exacerbate his injury. For the time being, he’s sitting quietly in his chair with a towel over his head while his opponent heads to the bathroom for a comfort break.
Laura Robson heading out
Already a set down, Laura Robson’s Wimbledon looks to be over as she goes a double-break down against Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Englishwoman looks thoroughly fed up and disillusioned with life out on Court 18.
Tsonga takes the first
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took the first set against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-3 and leads 3-2 in the second.
Robson loses her first set
The big-serving Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia produces an ace to win the first set of her match against Laura Robson 6-4 and then breaks at the first time of asking to take a stranglehold on this match. Laura Robson has been through an awful lot in the past three years, suffering from serious wrist injuries, and looks to be struggling to settle into any sort of rhythm in this match. Robson was swatted aside by Angelique Kerber in the first round of Wimbledon last year and also looks set for a first round exit this time around.
Hawk-eye has a shocker
In the battle of the two lefties, Laura Robson’s match against Beatriz Haddad Maia, Hawkeye is called upon to settle a disputed line-call and those in charge clearly look at the wrong ball.
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Nick Kyrgios is in trouble
Having suffered a hip injury from a big fall at Queen’s, the Australian No20 seed Nick Kyrgios has gone a set down (6-3) against the Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert out on No3 Court and looks to be struggling badly with his mobility.
Joao Sousa wins the first set
The Portuguese right-hander, ranked 62 in the world, wins the first set of these championships: 6-3 against Dustin Brown, the dreadlocked Jamaican-German who famously knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon two years ago.
Another Briton in action
British wildcard Cameron Norrie, 21, is up against two-time semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Court No2 and will be pleased with the way he’s started. He leads 3-2 in the first set with the games going with serve.
Laura Robson loses serve
On Court No18, the Briton gets off to as shaky start against Beatriz Haddad Maia, losing her opening service game. She regains her composure to hold her second and trails 2-1.
Madison Keys off to a bad start
The American 17th seed is broken in her first service game and trails Japan’s Nao Hibino 2-0 on Court No12.
Wimbledon 2017 has begun
The player’s in the 11.30am (BST) matches have completed their warm-ups and pre-match formalities and the action is under way. Stay with us as we meander around the courts and see what’s going on.
The action began at 11.30am (BST)
Among the big names getting their campaigns under way early doors are Nick Kyrgios, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Britain’s Laura Robson.
Players' clothing at Wimbledon
Labeled excessive by many and “ridiculous” by mild-mannered seven-times Swiss champion Roger Federer, the Wimbledon players’ dress code stresses that players should dress “almost entirely in white” has led to some farcical scenes over the years. Ivo Karlovic was once forced to paint a rogue bit of trainer white, while Eugenie Bouchard was once handed a dress code violation when spectators were greeted with the quite frankly horrific sight of a small bit of black bra strap poking out from beneath her white vest.
According to the Wimbledon rulebook, Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely in white and this applies from the point at which the player “enters the court surround”. While colour trims are permitted, they must be no wider than 1cm. Patterns are permitted but any solid mass of colour must be no wider than 1cm. So now you know.
Guidelines
- No solid mass of colouring
- Little or no dark or bold colour
- No fluorescent colours
- Preference towards pastel colours
- Preference for back of shirt to be totally white
- Preference for shorts and skirts to be totally white
- All other items of clothing including hats, socks and shoes to be almost entirely white.
Venus Williams first up on No1 Court
While Serena Williams is a conspicuous absentee from this year’s Championships, her sister Venus begins her assault on the women’s title against Elise Mertens on No1 Court at 1pm (BST). Williams has had a troubled build-up to this year’s Wimbledon, having been involved in a fatal car accident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on 9 June.
Jerome Barson, 78, died two weeks later as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. His wife, Lisa, sustained serious injuries to her right arm and hand and the family’s attorney, Michael Steinger, says she is “physically and emotionally devastated”.
Williams is now being sued by Mr Barson’s estate and the lawsuit came one day after Palm Beach Gardens police released a report saying Williams caused the crash by running a red light. Williams has not been cited or charged. Police say she was not drunk, on drugs or texting, but that she drove into the Barsons’ path.
Williams has already addressed the tragedy in a Facebook post. “I am devastated and heartbroken by this accident,” she wrote. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Jerome Barson and I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”
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Today's order of play on the show courts
Centre Court (from 1pm BST)
- (1) Andy Murray (GB) v Alexander Bublik (Kaz)
- Johanna Larsson (Swe) v (11) Petra Kvitova (Cze)
- Daniil Medvedev (Rus) v (5) Stan Wawrinka (Swi)
Court One (from 1pm BST)
- Elise Mertens (Bel) v (10) Venus Williams (USA)
- (4) Rafael Nadal (Spa) v John Millman (Aus)
- (6) Johanna Konta (GB) v Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe)
Court Two (from 11.30am BST)
- (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Fra) v Cameron Norrie (GB)
- Marina Erakovic (NZ) v (2) Simona Halep (Rom)
- Philipp Kohlschreiber (Ger) v (7) Marin Cilic (Cro)
- Maryna Zanevska (Bel) v Heather Watson (GB)
Court Three (from 11.30am BST)
- (20) Nick Kyrgios (Aus) v Pierre-Hugues Herbert (Fra)
- Ashleigh Barty (Aus) v Elina Svitolina (Ukr)
- (21) Ivo Karlovic (Cro) v Aljaz Bedene (GB)
- (13) Jelena Ostapenko (Lat) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Blr)
Wimbledon 2017 begins today!
Greetings one and all and welcome to the first day of the Guardian’s rolling coverage of this year’s annual jamboree of lawn tennis, jovial queuing, Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, intermittent rain and unfunny cries of “C’mon Tim!” that is The Championships, Wimbledon.
The weather is currently hot and sunny at the All England Club and with the queues for Centre and No1 Court already full and many of our readers office-bound anyway, stay tuned for all the build-up, news and action on a day when Britain’s Andy Murray begins the defence of the title against the 20-year-old Russian, Alexander Bublik. Women’s singles champion, Serena Williams, will not be defending her crown as she is expecting her first child.
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