There’s a chance no one’s been reading this blog for around, hmm, three hours. Time to end it here. Night! I’m off to shout at Eric Dier.
Vitalia Diatchenko beats Maria Sharapova 6-7, 7-6, 6-4!
Sharapova double-faults on match point! The former champion had never lost in the first round. Until now. Until she faced the world No132.
Kirsten Flipkens beats Heather Watson 6-4, 7-5!
More disappointment for Watson. She’s 26. It’s not getting much better.
Kirsten Flipkens has broken against Heather Watson. The Belgian will serve for it at 6-4, 6-5.
There goes Maria Sharapova’s break. Vitalia Diatchenko’s a stubborn so and so.
Maria Sharapova has the crucial break in the third set against Vitalia Diatchenko. The 24th seed leads 7-6, 6-7, 2-1.
Denis Shapovalov beats Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4!
It’s the 26th seed’s first win at Wimbledon and it takes him through to face Benoit Paire.
Daria Kasatkina has beaten Jana Fett of Croatia 6-2, 7-5. There’s still a fair bit of light here. So on they go on Court 2, where Maria Sharapova’s proud record of never losing in the first round is under threat against Vitalia Diatchenko.
Maria Sharapova has been dragged into a third set by Vitalia Diatchenko. The Russian won the second-set tie-break against the Russian.
Jelena Ostapenko beats Katy Dunne 6-3, 7-6!
A brave effort from the British wild card, but it’s not to be. The 12th seed had too much.
Benoit Paire, who would have played Andy Murray, has beaten the Thai lucky loser Jason Jung in three tight sets. Elsewhere Viatlia Diatchenko has forced another tie-break against Maria Sharapova.
Katy Dunne’s scrapping at the end of the second set against Jelena Ostapenko on Centre Court. She’s seen two set points come and go. Heather Watson, however, is a set and a break down to Kirsten Flipkens.
Farewell, Jack Sock. The 18th seed has lost in five sets to Matteo Berrettini. He was two sets up.
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Horacio Zeballos will be Novak Djokovic’s second-round opponent. He’s triumphed in an all-Argentinian bout on Court 15, coming from behind to beat Guido Andreozzi in four sets.
It’s not been a good day for the seeds in the men’s draw and another big name’s under threat. They’re in a fifth set on Court 12, where Italy’s Marco Berrettini is making life inconvenient for Jack Sock, the 18th seed. Over n Court 16, meanwhile, Denis Shapovalov and Jeremy Chardy have split the first two sets.
Heather Watson’s a break down to Kirsten Flipkens during the early stages on Court 14. But Katy Dunne’s a break up in the second set against Jelena Ostapenko on Centre Court! Elsewhere the 15th seed, Elise Mertens, has seen off the USA’s Danielle Collins.
Novak Djokovic beats Tennys Sandgren 6-3, 6-1, 6-2!
The 12th seed glides into a 40-0 lead; then he watches a return from Tennys Sandgren drop long. It’s all over on Court 1. Djokovic is blowing kisses to the crowd. Into the second round he goes.
Tennys Sandgren loops a backhand long and Novak Djokovic breaks to love to lead 6-3, 6-1, 5-2. He’ll serve for the match.
Jelena Ostapenko wins the first set 6-3 against Katy Dunne!
The four people on Centre Court will be disappointed but not surprised to see the British wild card struggling against the 12th seed.
Novak Djokovic’s focus has dipped a bit. He’s been lost one of those breaks in the third set against Tennys Sandgren. The comeback’s on! Or not. Djokovic still leads 6-3, 6-1, 3-1.
Novak Djokovic leads 6-3, 6-1, 3-0 against the hopelessly outmatched Tennys Sandgren on Court 1. Over on Court 2, meanwhile, Maria Sharapova is making the most of her first match here since 2015 - she’s won a first-set tie-break against a fellow Russian, Vitalia Diatchenko.
Jelena Ostapenko, last year’s French Open champion, has taken charge on Centre Court. The 12th seed leads 4-1 against Katy Dunne, who isn’t being inspired by the thought of Ingerlund taking on Colombia.
Belinda Bencic beats Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-3!
That’s a great win for the young Swiss, who’s sent the sixth seed on her way with an immaculate display.
Novak Djokovic wins the second set to lead Tennys Sandgren 6-3, 6-1!
At this rate Djokovic will probably be able to catch the second half!
The very talented Naomi Osaka has moved into the second round after a 6-4, 6-1 win over Romania’s Monica Nicolescu. The Japanese youngster will play Katie Boulter next.
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The sixth seed’s in danger of taking her leave. Caroline Garcia trails Belinda Bencic 7-6, 5-2 on Court 3.
Centre Court is sparsely populated as Jelena Ostapenko and Katy Dunne get down to it. Somewhere to be, people? No interest in bonus tennis?
Katie Boulter speaks! “I’m a little lost for words right now. I put my heart out there and got the win. I came in here just wanting to play my game and I think that’s what I did out there. I will never give up, no matter what’s the score and where I am.”
Katie Boulter beats Veronica Cepede Royg 6-4, 5-7, 6-4!
Boulter served for the match in the second set. But, well ... here we are. Let’s hope she makes a better fist of it this time. Moving into a 30-0 lead is a good way to start. A strong serve is what she needs next and she gets one, forcing Cepede Royg to return long. Three match points. Boulter serves crisply down the middle. A rally ensues. Cepede Royg leaves a shot short and Boulter skips forward to finish it off with a deft drop shot, ensuring she follows Katie Swan and Jo Konta into round two!
Katie Boulter breaks! Veronica Cepede Royg pulls a nervy forehand wide and Boulter, the British wild card, will serve for the match at 6-4, 5-7, 5-4! It’s bloody well coming home!
Katy Dunne’s match against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko has been moved on to Centre Court. What an experience that will be for the British youngster. Speaking of the locals, Katie Boulter’s still plugging away against Veronica Cepede Royg. They’re deep in the third set on Court 14.
Novak Djokovic wins the first set 6-3 against Tennys Sandgren!
The 2011, 2014 and 2015 champion can come and watch the England game with us when he’s done.
Simona Halep beats Kurumi Nara 6-2, 6-4!
The world No1’s up and running. She was never under threat.
By the way, staff in the media centre have pulled down the blinds to stop members of the public peering through the windows here during the England game. Poor members of the public! They’ll have to settle for some tennis instead.
Mariana Duque Marino bows out gracefully, a 6-1, 6-1 loser to Alison Riske, just in time for England v Colombia.
Tennis player Torben Ulrich, father of drummer Lars Ulrich, left midgame in the final of the danish championships to watch the 66'-final.
— Jens Andersen (@je_andersen) July 3, 2018
Mixed feelings in the Zverev household tonight: son No2 Alexander won easily earlier on, but son No1 Mischa is out after losing in straight sets to Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.
Billions extra Maria Sharapova has arrived on Court 2 and she’s a break up against Vitalia Diatchenko already. Elsewhere Colombia fan Mariana Duque Marino’s a set and a break down to Alison Riske. She’s going home, she’s going home, she’s going...
Novak Djokovic’s already a break up against Tennys Sandgren. Get it done in the next hour, Novak.
Veronica Cepede Royg wins the second set 7-5 to level against Katie Boulter
Boulter had a match point at 5-4. Now look!
What a day for Australia! After last year’s non-event, they’re finally putting in a good show. Alex de Minaur is the latest to prosper, dumping out the French Open semi-finalist and 29th seed Marco Cecchinato with a 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 win.
On Court 7, the USA’s Alison Riske has taken the first set 6-1 against Colombia’s Mariana Duque-Marino. I wonder if the Colombian has somewhere to be.
Over on Centre Court, Simona Halep has picked up from where she left off at the French Open. The world No1 leads by a set and a break against Japan’s Kurumi Nara.
Karen Khachanov, the destructive young Russian, has overpowered David Ferrer. The Spanish veteran’s hustle could only detain Khachanov for so long. Khachanov is through to face Marcos Baghdatis after a 6-1, 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 win.
To Court 14, where Katie Boulter’s serving for the match at 6-4, 5-4. At 30-all, Cepede Royg lashes a forehand return inches wide, handing Boulter her first match point. Boulter nets a forehand; then Cepede Royg earns a break point with a backhand winner. Boulter clings on, forcing deuce. But Cepede Royg earns a second chance and she converts it when Boulter’s accuracy disappears. Uh oh.
Alex De Minaur can see the finish line. The Australian youngster leads Marco Cecchinato 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, 4-2 on Court 17.
Next on Court 1, it’s Novak Djokovic versus Tennys Sandgren, the divisive American who reached the quarters at the Australian Open in January. Djokovic’s season finished here last year - he’ll be hoping for a better experience in the evening sun.
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Aliaksandra Sasnovich beats Petra Kvitova 6-4, 4-6, 6-0!
Well that’s a surprising scoreline. However Kvitova, the eighth seed, didn’t look right at the start of the third set and Sasnovich was able to take full advantage and secure a famous victory over the former champion. The Belarusian plays Taylor Townsend next.
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Nick Kyrgios, who plays Robin Haase next, has been speaking to the media after his win over Denis Istomin. Here’s a highlight.
Q. You served very well out there. Unfortunately one of your serves caught one of the ball girls. Was she okay?
NICK KYRGIOS: Yeah, it was tough. Originally when I heard the sound, I thought it hit the scoreboard. Then I realized it was her arm. It was tough. She started crying. It was tough. She took it like a champ, though. I would have been crying, for sure.
Dominic Thiem’s early exit means we’ve already lost the sixth, seventh and 10th seeds from the men’s draw, with Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin also out. It’s coming home! Wait. Wrong sport.
Marcos Baghdatis beats Dominic Thiem 6-4, 7-5, 2-0!
Thiem has retired! The Austrian had a medical timeout not long ago and has decided he can’t continue.
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Katie Boulter looks like she’s going to follow in Katie Swan’s footsteps. She leads by a set and a break against Veronica Cepede Royg. Hooray for Britain!
Dominic Thiem looks like he’s heading out. The seventh seed trails by two sets and a break to Marcos Baghdatis, who’s really rolling back the years against the young Austrian.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich has the double break on Court 1! The unseeded Belarusian, who’s a nifty player, leads Petra Kvitova 6-4, 4-6, 3-0. Kvitova is relying on a massive choke now.
The final match on Centre Court sees Simona Halep, the world No1, take on Japan’s Kurumi Nara. It will be fascinating to see how Halep copes after winning her first ever grand slam title at Roland Garros last month. Following that up won’t be easy.
Katie Boulter wins the first set 6-4 against Veronica Cepede-Royg!
It’s nerveless from the British wild card, who’s a set away from her first ever grand slam victory!
Speaking of wobbling seeds, Dominic Thiem is currently in a pickle. The seventh seed has lost the second set to Marcos Baghdatis, who leads 6-4, 7-5 o Court 2.
Matthew Ebden beats David Goffin 6-4, 6-3, 6-4!
It’s another one for the Aussies to celebrate! Ebden, the world No51, has beaten the 10th seed!
Sharp, snappy play from Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the net sees her break Petra Kvitova in the first game of the third set. Kvitova looks a bit weary to me. She’ll fight, though. Elsewhere Taylor Townsend has beaten Pauline Parmentier of France 6-2, 6-4.
Over on Court 14, Katie Boulter’s in charge of the first set against Veronica Cepede-Royg. The British wild card, who’s ranked 122nd in the world, has broken to lead 4-3.
Petra Kvitova wins the second set 6-4 to level against Aliaksandra Sasnovich!
It’s a slog for the eighth seed, who isn’t at her best, but she’s dragged it to a decider on Court 1. It’s bad news for those of us who WANT TO WATCH THE ENGLAND GAME.
Rafael Nadal beats Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-3, 6-2!
The world No1 and second seed yawns his way to a straightforward win, the highlight of which was an absurd no-look overhead winner on the run. The spin on this!
Rafael Nadal
— Tenis Kanalı (@TenisKanali) July 3, 2018
No look shot.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/J222tWVgAE
Petra Kvitova serves for the second set - and Aliaksandra Sasnovich breaks back! Kvitova saved one break point, but she misfired on the second. Sasnovich leads 6-4, 4-5 and will serve to keep the second set alive.
Frances Tiafoe beats Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3!
The young American made a bit of a meal of the final game, spurning match points before having to save break points, but he’s managed to battle past the 30th seed in the end.
Marco Cecchinato’s levelled it against Alex de Minaur after taking the second set on a tie-break. “Gah!” go the Aussies - until they hear that Matthew Ebden’s got two sets up against David Goffin. Hooray!
Petra Kvitova didn’t take kindly to losing the first set against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Czech’s a break up in the second set on Court 1. Dominic Thiem could do some of that rage. The Austrian, seeded seventh, finds himself a break down to the wily old Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis. Thiem reached the French Open final last month, but his record here is unimpressive.
Rafa Nadal was a break down in the third set. Now he’s a break up. He’ll be back in the locker room soon.
Over on Court 14, another British hopeful steps up. Katie Boulter, here on a wild card, is about to get going against Veronica Cepede Royg of Paraguay.
Here’s another special from Johanna Konta’s press conference:
You talked about your baking quite a lot last year, how that helped to take the edge off. It’s early days, I’m wondering what extracurricular activities you have going on at the minute on the side? I think you also promised Novak Djokovic some gluten-free treats.
JOHANNA KONTA: Well, I mean, if it was only gluten-free. I have a lot more criteria to meet than that. I will try.
He’s a no sugar, no dairy, but I can do alternatives to sugar, Xylitol, alternatives to dairy, coconut milk, almond milk. I haven’t thought up or even researched a recipe for something like that.
However, I’m really proud of this. I don’t know if you follow me on social media, but I made a Pavlova for the first time a couple days ago. It was the first time I ever made meringue. It was a strawberry, mint and elderflower Pavlova, and it looked unbelievable. It also tasted really good. It was the first time I ever had meringue or Pavlova in general. I didn’t know what to expect. I kept looking to my boyfriend. Is it good? Is it good? He said it was good, but I’ll take it.
So, yeah, I feel quite chuffed about that one. I actually cook a lot more than I bake. I don’t post it as much. I think I need to post my cooking more, like I marinated lamb two nights ago, made it last night. That was very good. I think I’m going to make a traybake this afternoon, this evening. I still have the elderflower cordial, so I’m going to make raspberry and elderflower traybake. You might see the big box coming in.
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Eugenie Bouchard beat Gabriella Taylor 6-0, 4-6, 6-3!
The Canadian qualifier continues her good form with an up-and-down win over the British wild card on Court 14. Bouchard, a former finalist, plays Ashleigh Barty next.
Aliaksandra Sasnovich wins the first set 6-4 against Petra Kvitova!
An upset’s on the cards on Court 1, where the eighth seed and former champion is up against it. Kvitova’s recent form has been outstanding, but she’s struggled to assert herself against a fearless opponent.
Rafa Nadal wins the second set to lead 6-3, 6-3 against Dudi Sela!
Nadal is cruising out of respect for everyone who wants to watch England v Colombia later.
This is turning into an excellent day for Australia. Now Matthew Ebden’s snatched the first set off David Goffin, the 10th seed, on Court 3.
Nick Kyrgios now leads the ace leaderboards after those 42 aces to beat Denis Istomin. That’s six more than Ivo Karlovic and Gilles Muller and 14 more than John Isner.
Nick Kyrgios beats Denis Istomin 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3!
Nick Kyrgios is mad. He moves into a 40-0 lead. A shot from Istomin seems to be dropping long. Kyrgios seems to celebrate prematurely, only to realise the ball’s still in play. His focus off, he nets a smash. D’oh! No bother, though. His 42nd ace of the afternoon takes the 15th seed into the second round.
Denis Istomin plops a backhand long and Nick Kyrgios, who’s very pumped up, breaks to lead 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 5-3 in the fourth set. Over on Centre Court, meanwhile, Rafa Nadal is busy grinding Dudi Sela into a thousand tiny little pieces. The second seed leads by a set and a break.
You might remember Frances Tiafoe giving Roger Federer an almighty scare at the US Open last year. The highly engaging young American is a big talent and he’s leaving it all out there against Fernando Verdasco. Tiafoe leads 7-6, 7-6 against the 30th seed. He’s a set away from joining his compatriot, Taylor Fritz, in the second round. Fritz, who’s only 20, beat Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
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“How did you make that?” a chuckling Nick Kyrgios asks Denis Istomin. “How did you make that? That’s hilarious.” I actually missed the rally in question - there’s a lot going on, okay! - but it seems Istomin pulled off some amazing acrobatics. Not that he won the point. Still, Kyrgios enjoyed it.
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Alex de Minaur, a very promising young Australian, is taking it to Marco Cecchinato, the Italian who stunned Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros. Cecchinato is seeded 29th here, but he’s a set down to De Minaur - and he’s not the only seed in bother. Fabio Fognini, seeded 19th, has lost the first set to Taro Daniel on Court 18.
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Johanna Konta’s press conference moved away from tennis at times. Exhibit A:
Q. A number of players like Alexander Zverev have spoken out and criticized the amount of single-use plastics you use at sporting tournaments. Do you have any thoughts about tournaments like Wimbledon should help save the ocean and get rid of their single-use plastics?
JOHANNA KONTA: Well, I know that the step has been taken already with straws, but I think that’s a government-run thing, isn’t it? It’s like it’s the whole of the UK that has brought in that law, right? Wimbledon have abided. I know we can see the cardboard straws.
In terms of water bottles and things like that, at home personally I don’t have water bottles at home. I have a filtration system. I have glass containers which I then put in the fridge. I try not to use plastic bags or anything like that.
I think you speak to Evian probably more than Wimbledon. Yeah, I mean, I think it’s a battle that everyone is facing. Yeah, no, I’m a big fan of looking after our planet because we’ve only got one.
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Kyle Edmund knows his second-round opponent now. It will be the USA’s Bradley Klahn, who’s beaten Yuichi Sugita 2-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal wins the first set 6-3 against Dudi Sela!
Turns out this Spanish chap isn’t bad at all.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to Dudi Sela. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
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Nick Kyrgios is chuntering as he wanders back to his chair at the end of the third set. “I’d rather have nothing!” he says. I’m not sure what he’s on about. What I do know is he’s going to a fourth set on Court 12. The third went to yet another tie-break (there hasn’t been a break of serve yet), but it would have been a bit embarrassing for Denis Istomin to lose another one. Kyrgios, who’s hit 32 aces so far, still leads 7-6, 7-6, 6-7 - but he’ll need to control his emotions now.
Alexander Zverev beats James Duckworth 7-5, 6-2, 6-0!
Well, this one got progressively more lopsided as it went on. The fourth seed rumbles into the second round with an emphatic victory.
Did Eugenie Bouchard think it was done after winning the first set 6-0? It wasn’t done. Britain’s Gabriella Taylor has closed out the second set, winning it 6-4, to force a decider against the Canadian.
Having lost the first set 6-0, Gabriella Taylor could easily have folded. Instead the British wild card’s maintained her composure and she’s a game away from levelling her match against Eugenie Bouchard on Court 14.
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Johanna Konta’s asked for her thoughts on playing Dominika Cibulkova in the second round. “She’s a feisty player.” That’s the understatement of the day.
Angelique Kerber beats Vera Zvonareva 7-5, 6-3!
Two former finalists; only one winner. Angelique Kerber needed three match points to get it done, but she can clench her fist when her Russian opponent brings a decent battle to an end with an errant backhand.
Alexander Zverev is displaying the ruthless steel of a proper contender. The German leads by two sets and a break against the outgunned James Duckworth, who can’t cope with the fourth seed’s rare ability.
Diego Schwartzman was in a hurry. The 14th seed has beaten Bosnia’s Mirza Basic 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
Kyle Edmund, the last British man still standing at Wimbledon, has a chat with a reporter. “I just do the best I can. I don’t think about this and that or what happens if I have this result. I’m just going to do the best I can. It’s no different now. It’s great I can go up the rankings and come out here as British No1 and get the chance to play on Court 1. I’m always hungry to keep pushing. The support today was great. Everyone can get off to watch the England match tonight. You’ve got to be positive. I’m positive for the guys today. The way they played in the group stages, it’s anyone’s tournament. All the best to England.”
Ernests Gulbis beats Jay Clarke 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4!
It’s not to be for Jay Clarke. Gulbis had too much experience in the end. The Latvian closes out a tough win with a big serve and accepts the respectful applause from the fans on Court 18. It’s a disappointing way for Clarke’s Wimbledon debut to end, but he’ll surely be back.
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Kyle Edmund beats Alex Bolt 6-2, 6-3, 7-5!
The British No1 puts his foot on the gas to earn two match points on the Australian’s serve. Bolt charges the net but his volley off an Edmund backhand doesn’t go over it. That’s that! Edmund is through to the second round after fighting back from a Murray-esque third-set wobble. He’ll be very pleased with his performance this afternoon. The locals approved.
Ernests Gulbis breaks to lead 5-4 in the fifth set! Jay Clarke nets a tired backhand and the Latvian will serve for the match on Court 18.
Eugenie Bouchard is showing the form that took her to the final in 2014. The Canadian’s taken the first set 6-0 against Great Britain’s Gabriella Taylor. Ouch.
On Centre Court, some Spanish chap called Rafa has arrived. Wonder if he’s any good. I suppose we’ll find out once his match against Israel’s Dudi Sela is underway.
Still Jay Clarke refuses to lie down. It’s 4-4 in the final set on Court 18, where the tension continues to rise. Could the British youngster be about to pull off a famous win over Ernests Gulbis? He’s giving it everything against the Latvian.
Kyle Edmund has endured a rough patch in the third set on Court 1, but he picks a good moment to wake up. First he saves a set point with a storming forehand, then he breaks Alex Bolt to make it 5-5, much to the crowd’s approval. He’s two games from the second set now.
Nick Kyrgios has polished off two good tie-breaks on Court 12. The Australian leads 7-6, 7-6 against Denis Istomin. Elsewhere Annett Kontaveit, the 28th seed, has beaten Denisa Allertova 6-2, 6-2.
Angelique Kerber, the former Australian Open and US Open champion, reached the final here two years ago. Don’t rule out the 11th seed, who’s taken the first set off the Russian qualifier Vera Zvonareva, who happened to reach the final here eight years ago.
Garbine Muguruza beats Naomi Broady 6-2, 7-5!
The defending champion inches closer to victory when Broady sends a forehand wide. Three match points. A razor sharp Muguruza backhand finishes the job and another British player bites the dust.
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Alexander Zverev, who got to the fourth round here last year, finds himself a set up against Australia’s James Duckworth. This side of the draw feels heavily stacked, but it would be good to see the fourth seed enjoy a deep run.
There’s no sign of Jay Clarke wilting yet. The British wild card holds in the fifth set to lead 3-2 against Ernests Gulbis.
On Centre Court, Naomi Broady saves a match point with a vicious backhand down the line and holds when Garbine Muguruza wallops a dismal smash long. Broady’s still in with a shout against the defending champion.
If Kyle Edmund’s going to follow in Andy Murray’s footsteps, he’ll need to suffer a few inexplicable mid-match wobbles every now and then. That’s mandatory. Luckily the British No1 is following the rulebook on Court 1, where he’s dropped his serve against Alex Bolt. He still leads the Australian 6-2, 6-3, 2-3, though.
On Court 14 Eugenie Bouchard is about to get underway against Britain’s Gabriella Taylor. Bouchard, remember, was a losing finalist in 2014. This year she’s had to come through qualifying.
Jacob again. Thanks to Alex for letting me get some lunch. And we head straight to Court 18, where young Jay Clarke has forced a fifth set against Ernests Gulbis.
Naomi Broady’s gallant stand against Garbiñe Muguruza isn’t done yet. After a game that almost refused to be settled, the Briton claws it back from Muguruza’s break point to level the second set up at 4-4. She allows herself a cathartic roar before steeling up to face the reigning champion’s serve.
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The clash between Angelique Kerber and Vera Zvonareva over on No 3 Court has gotten interesting. Consecutive games for the Russian had dragged herself right back into the first set, but Kerber breaks back immediately – although only just – to make it 4-2. A wake-up call for the former world No1.
Edmund leads Bolt 6-2, 6-3
Kyle Edmund has taken the second set against Alex Bolt. That’s him 6-2, 6-3 up and with the second round locked firmly in his sights.
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Broady, unseeded, continues to hold her own in the second set against Garbiñe Muguruza. Her fourth ace of the match makes it 2-2.
Kyle Edmund’s sixth ace of the match puts him 5-3 up in the second. Alex Bolt will need quite the turnaround to, erm, turn this one around.
Meanwhile the No11 seed Angelique Kerber has started imperiously against Vera Zvonareva. 3-0 to the German in the first set.
Back on Centre Court, Naomi Broady is doing everything she can to keep her serve against the reigning champion in the second set. So far she’s done so – a perfectly judged drop shot eludes Muguruza and takes it to 1-1.
Kyle Edmund is three break points up against Alex Bolt … and there it is. Edmund breaks to lead 3-2 in the second.
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report from Johanna Konta’s first-round, straight-sets win over Natalia Vikhlyantseva
Kyle Edmund won all of his first serves in that impressive first set, and he’s begun the second similarly – although it’s 2-1 to Alex Bolt as it stands, both having kept their serve.
Naomi Broady loses the first set to Garbiñe Muguruza
…and now she’s 1-0 down. That’s the first set to Muguruza, who seems to be finding her form ominously.
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Hello all. Over on Centre Court, British No 4 Naomi Broady is serving to stay in the first set against Garbiñe Muguruza. She’s 5-2 down…
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I’m off to grab some lunch. Please put your hands together for Alex Hess!
Kyle Edmund wins the first set 6-2 against Alex Bolt!
The British No1 is in control on Court 1.
Bernard Tomic beats Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-2, 7-6!
It’s safe to say that the Australian, a lucky loser this time, has enjoyed his Wimbledon experience more than he did last year.
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Juan Martin del Potro beats Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 6-4, 6-3!
A routine win for the fifth seed.
Johanna Konta’s second-round opponent will be Dominika Cibulkova, who’s got over her disappointment at not being seeded by beating France’s Alize Cornet 7-6, 6-1. That will be a tough match for Konta, who’s here for a chat! “First rounds are always tricky,” she says. “Both players are trying to find their footing. Conditions were quite tricky. It was breezy and dusty. I’m playing this championship independent of what happened last year. Last year gave me memories and valuable experience, but I’m older and a little wiser. I think I stayed very tough out there. It wasn’t easy. There were parts where I didn’t make the right decision but I stayed my own biggest fan and that’s going to be important.”
Johanna Konta beats Natalia Vikhlyantseva 7-5, 7-6 (7)!
A good serve from Konta brings up her sixth match point. This time she charges the net and puts a volley away! At last. What a palaver. It wasn’t entirely convincing from Konta, but she’s dealt with a tricky opponent, avoided the banana skin and moved into the second round.
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Vikhlyantseva jabs a backhand wide. Here’s a fifth chance for Konta! She goes for a serve down the middle, but she slices it wide. Her first attempt at a second serve clips the net. Another try. This one clips the net too - and goes wide. A double-fault. Dearie me. 7-7.
Konta survives a gruelling rally, dealing with everything the Russian throws at her before taking advantage of a handy net cord to punch a forehand down the line for 5-2 in the tie-break. Soon she has four match points. She can’t take the first. Or the second, dabbing a hopeful backhand lob wide. She has another serve, though. In it goes. They rally. Vikhlyantseva belts a backhand at Konta, who thinks it’s long. Nope! There goes a third opportunity. She can’t convert on the fourth one either, netting a return. It’s 6-6 and it’s getting edgy...
Jo Konta’s in control of that second-set tie-break on Court 2. She leads 4-2 and is about to serve. She’s three points from the second round.
Pablo Carreno Busta still hasn’t won a match on grass in his career. The Spaniard, seeded 20th, has lost to Radu Albot in a match that was held over from yesterday. Albot, an unseeded Moldovan. won 3-6, 6-0, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1.
Konta holds to 30 on Court 2. Tie-break!
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Damir Dzhumur has been playing some lovely stuff recently and that shows no sign of stopping at the moment. The 27th seed is through to the second round after clinching a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Germany’s Max Marterer. Sam Stosur’s also through after dismissing China’s Shuai Peng in straight sets.
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Feliciano Lopez really does love the grass. The Spaniard’s beaten Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
On Court 1, Kyle Edmund breaks in the first game against Alex Bolt. Who needs Andy Murray?
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Vikhlyantseva’s losing her nerve at pivotal moments. She’s hit eight double-faults. But despite slumping to 0-30 and being taken to deuce by Konta, she shows grit to hold for 6-5 in the second set.
The first matches on the two main courts are set to begin. On Centre Court we have the women’s champion, Garbine Muguruza, against Britain’s Naomi Broady. On Court 1 it’s Britain’s Kyle Edmund against Australia’s Alex Bolt, who beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in qualifying.
Vikhlyantseva holds to lead 5-4 in the second set on Court 2. Konta’s grappling for control now. But Viklhyantseva’s not making it easy. At 0-15, the Russian reads a drop shot and slaps a forehand down the line for 0-30. This is a sticky spell for Konta, but she does well to gather her thoughts and rattle through the next three points to lead 40-30. But the game goes to deuce and Vikhlyantseva earns a break point with a stout backhand pass. Nervy times. Konta’s pulled wide by a forehand, but her riposte is good enough for Vikhlyantseva to miss with an attempted winner down the line. A woeful drop shot gifts the Russian another chance. Konta nets a first serve. Vikhlyantseva can’t take advantage of the second and a relieved Konta holds when the Russian nets a forehand. That was close.
Ashleigh Barty beats Stephanie Voegele 7-5, 6-3!
The 17th seed could easily have lost the first set. Instead the result has a convincing look.
This is poor from Jo Konta, a double-fault handing Natalia Vikhlyentseva three break points, her first of the match. The Russian spurns the first two with wayward groundstrokes, but she converts the third when Konta knocks a forehand long. They’re back on serve in the second set. The Russian will serve at 4-4.
Juan Martin Del Potro leads by two sets on Court 3, Peter Gojowczyk slicing into the net on set point. The Argentinian giant is making serene progress. The same can’t be said for Kei Nishikori, though. The 24th seed’s in a battle with Christian Harrison on Court 14 and has dropped the second set to the unseeded American.
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Daria Gavrilova beats Caroline Dolehide 6-2, 6-3!
A comprehensive win for the 26th-seeded Australian.
Konta guides a clever backhand down the line to lead 7-5, 4-2 on Court 2. She’s been very composed today.
Ernests Gulbis wins the second set 6-3 to level against Jay Clarke!
Gulbis slams an ace down the middle. It hits a line judge; it also brings up two set points. The line judge survives. But the set’s about to end and another ace from Gulbis sees him achieve parity with the young upstart on the other side of the net.
You wouldn’t think Bernard Tomic was a lucky loser. Just look at the Australian go! He’s 6-4, 6-2 up against Hubert Hurkacz! Not so bored now, are you?
It’s coming home latest: Jay Clarke finds himself a break down to Ernests Gulbis in the second set on Court 18.
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Johanna Konta’s starting to roll now. An early break in the second set has the British No1 in a very good place against Natalia Vikhlyantseva, who’s in danger of fading.
A big Australian cheer goes up on Court 12, where Ashleigh Barty’s just dug out the first set against Stefanie Voegele. Barty trailed 5-3, but she kept fighting, broke back and made Voegele think. Voegele’s serve deteriorated and she knocks a forehand long while set point down. Barty takes it 7-5.
Fans of big forehands will be pleased to hear that Juan Martin del Potro’s a set up against Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk. The fifth seed was a semi-finalist here in 2013. Don’t count him out.
Johanna Konta wins the first set 7-5 against Natalia Vikhlyantseva!
Konta whacks a backhand away to make it 15-0. Soon it’s 30-0. Konta’s flowing now. She forces another error from the Russian to make it 40-0. Three set points. She can’t take the first, but a sharp serve down the middle’s enough to settle the argument. Efficient from the British No1.
Perfect timing from Johanna Konta. She holds for 5-5 and then she moves into a 0-40 lead, carving out her first break points of the set. Natalia Vikhlyantseva has looked strong - until now. The first sign of any heat on her serve is enough for the Russian to melt. Two double-faults put her in trouble and she sends a backhand long to gift Konta the chance to serve for the set at 6-5!
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The Australians are impressing so far. On Court 8, Daria Gavrilova’s swept away with the first set against the USA’s Caroline Dolehide, while Ashleigh Barty’s broken back against Stefanie Voghele on Court 12.
In the battle of the lucky losers on Court 17, it’s advantage Bernard Tomic. The Australian’s won the first set 6-4 against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. He could meet Nick Kyrgios in the third round, you know.
Natalia Vikhlyantseva is serving so well. She holds to love to lead 5-4 in the first set. The pressure’s on Johanna Konta now.
Damir Dzhumur, the 27th seed, is set up against Germany’s Max Marterer. Feliciano Lopez is also going well. The Spanish veteran has taken the first set 6-3 against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis.
To Court 14! And if Kei Nishikori’s feeling glum about Japan’s defeat to Belgium last night, he’s hiding it well. The 24th seed has won the first set 6-2 against the USA’s Christian Harrison.
Jay Clarke wins the first set 6-4 against Ernests Gulbis!
That near Konta-Kalamity meant I missed Clarke seizing the advantage on Court 18. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. The British youngster’s enjoying his Wimbledon debut!
Jay Clarke during his match with Ernest Gulbis. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian
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Natalia Vikhlyantseva clips a forehand from right to left, wrongfooting Konta, who slips and stays down for a moment. Konta quickly gets back to her feet, though, and walks back to her chair. It’s still coming home! But the Russian leads 4-3 in the first set and Konta’s finding it hard to carve out opportunities. On Court 4, meanwhile, Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena has the first set of the day, taking it 6-1 against Romania’s Ana Bogdan.
On Court 3, Germany’s Peter Gojowcz sprays a forehand down the line. Out! Or is it? No! Hawkeye overrules the call, which is just as well seeing as Juan Martin del Potro had a break point. The point’s replayed - but the German can’t make the most of his reprieve. Del Potro converts at the second time of asking to lead 4-2 in the first set.
Ernests Gulbis holds to 15 on Court 18. But Jay Clarke will serve for the first set. How are your nerves, Jay?
It’s very tight on Court 2. No breaks yet. Natalia Vikhlyantseva is looking solid on serve and she holds for 3-2 when Konta slaps a volley wide. Over on Court 18, meanwhile, Jay Clarke remains a break up against Ernests Gulbis. The youngster’s faring well against the Latvian.
Plenty of intrigue on Court 5. That’s more down to Dominika Cibulkova than Alize Cornet. Cibulkova was due to be seeded 32nd here - until the All England Club decided to name a certain Serena Williams as the 25th seed. That meant Cibulkova fell below the cut-off and it’s fair to say she wasn’t happy. “I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” she said in Eastbourne last week. I think it’s just not fair. I have tried and I should be seeded. If they put her in front of me then I will lose my spot that I am supposed to have. I was a former number four, and it’s also like why should I not be seeded if I have the right to be?” At least Cibulkova landed a first-round draw against another unseeded player.
Natalia Vikhlyantseva swerves an ace down the middle to hold for 2-1 in the first set against Johanna Konta. It’s been a good start on Court 2.
Great Britain’s Jay Clarke breaks in the first game against Ernests Gulbis on Court 18! It’s coming home!!!!!!!!!!!
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And ... play! We have tennis!
WEATHER UPDATE: It is hot. Stay tuned for further analysis.
Here they come! Players, umpires and ball kids are arriving on the outside courts. Day two is almost underway.
It promises to be an intriguing day from an Australian perspective - especially on Court 12. The first match there sees Ashleigh Barty, cricket whizz and 17th seed, meet Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele. Barty has an agreeably big game, although she’s never won here before. She’ll be desperate to break her duck today. There should be a strong Australian presence in the stands, though, because the second match sees Nick Kyrgios, the 15th seed, meet Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin. Kyrgios had a torrid time here last year, pulling out of his first-round match with an injury, and doubts remain about his mindset. However, at least he’s in a better place than Bernard Tomic. Last year Tomic earned a record $20,000 fine for feigning injury and saying he was “a little bored” during his first-round defeat to Mischa Zverev. He lost in qualifying to Ruben Bemelmans last week, which pretty much sums up his current level, but he snuck into the draw as a lucky loser and faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz first on Court 17.
Keep an eye on Court 18, where Britain’s Jay Clarke plays Latvian dandy Ernests Gulbis first up. Clarke is a promising young player and this is Wimbledon debut. He could be in business if Gulbis isn’t in the mood.
What of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic? The former is second on Centre Court, along with Israel’s Dudi Sela, and the latter is third on Court 1 against the USA’s Tennys Sandgren. Both know what it’s like to lift the title here; both have suffered disappointing results in recent years. Nadal’s recent experiences at Wimbledon have been especially galling. The two-times champion and king of clay has only made it out of the first week twice since 2011 and has struggled to deal with the speed of the grass. Might the hot conditions suit him, though? We’ll see. He could be vulnerable early on and the same applies to Djokovic, who hasn’t done much of note since completing the career slam at the French Open in 2016. The Serbian followed up that achievement by losing to Sam Querrey in the third round here, since when he’s struggled physically and spiritually. You can’t write him off, but you can’t be too confident about his chances either.
Our early focus will be on Johanna Konta, because we’re a parochial punch round these parts. The British No1 is up first on Court 2 - no big court for her just yet - and she’ll be hoping for a smooth ride against Russia’s Natalia Vikhlyantseva, a 21-year-old who’s ranked 103rd in the world. They’ve never met before, but Konta won’t want to be too cocky. After all, her results haven’t been great recently. A semi-finalist last year, she’s since slipped to 24th in the rankings. There were early defeats at both the French Open and Australian Open and preparations for SW19 have been a mixed bag. She reached the final in Nottingham, only to implode against Ashleigh Barty, and then she crashed out early in Birmingham and Eastbourne.
Preamble
Hello. Let’s not make the mistake of calling it Super Tuesday again. Not after last year. Once bitten, twice shy. But hey, the sun’s stillshining and there’s no harm in a bit of optimism, is there? How about we call it Mildly Promising Tuesday? That way nobody will get there hopes up too high, which would only lead to disappointment, and we can also acknowledge that, all being well, this is set to be a, er, super day of tennis.
There’s potential excitement wherever you look. It could come from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Sascha Zverev or Juan Martin del Potro, or from Kyle Edmund and Johanna Konta’s attempts to safeguard British pride. Then there’s the start of Garbine Muguruza’s title defence, a Centre Court outing for French Open champion Simona Halep and a chance to run the rule over Petra Kvitova, the 2011 and 2014 champion. Phew! With all that going on it will be hard to keep track of Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova are in action, plus the meeting between Caroline Garcia and Belinda Bencic.
No point complaining, though - not when Denis Shapovalov is about to introduce himself to SW19. Nick Kyrgios, who had an entourage-free stroll around the grounds yesterday afternoon, will be one to watch too.
What a line-up. What a day. What a ... super day. What a ... super ... Tuesday. As long as everything’s done before England play Colombia in the World Cup later. No pressure everyone.
Play begins at: 11.30am BST on the outside courts, 1pm BST on the show courts.
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