And there you have it. Andy Murray, four years after his previous appearance at Wimbledon, is into the second round after his four-set win against Nikoloz Basilashvili. Murray will be a bit annoyed that he was unable to shut the match down and finish it in three sets: he was 5-0 up, after all, and had two match points to seal the victory. But Basilashvili - the 24th seed - showed his quality to storm back into the match and win seven consecutive games to force a fourth set. But maybe, just maybe, the intensity of the emotion that resulted from winning the fourth set in those circumstances can inspire Murray to even greater things over the next fortnight? The crowd were in raptures, and Murray has missed that feeling. Haven’t we all? Thanks for reading, and emailing, and see you next time.
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Kristie Ahn beats Heather Watson! 2-6, 7-6 (3), 8-6
All over on Court 1, the British No 2 is out, having passed up one match point along the way ...
The victorious Ahn speaks to the BBC: “I was relishing every point, I was so amped, when I found out we were moving to Court 1, this is just about as good as it gets ... hopefully it’s not once in a lifetime, but it was a really special moment for me, regardless of the result.”
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Our man at Wimbledon is Tumaini Carayol: and here is his report of that emotional win for Andy Murray:
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On Court 1, Heather Watson lost the second set on a tiebreak to Kristie Ahn - and the British player is now serving to stay in the third set, at 6-7 ...
The second classic last-16 match of the day is into extra time right now: France are locked at 3-3 with Switzerland, Switzerland having battle back from two goals down (and having been one goal up). Scott Murray has the story right here:
Murray continues, talking to a captivated Centre Court crowd: “I keep getting asked: ‘Is this my last Wimbledon, is this my last match?’ I don’t know why I keep getting asked about it, like ... no. I’m going to keep playing - I want to play, I’m enjoying it, I can still play at the highest level. He’s ranked 28 in the world, and I haven’t hardly played any matches, and I beat him, so ... I’ll keep going. Thanks everyone, cheers.”
And with that - Andy Murray is gone. What a great man. A special, special win and emotional for all concerned: Murray himself, his family and friends, everyone on Centre Court, everyone reading this blog, I reckon, as well as the person writing it. Just brilliant, brilliant stuff. The BBC1 schedule for the evening has been left in tatters, but quite frankly, who cares?
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Murray goes on: “Yeah, I mean it’s been extremely tough, even these last few months ... I didn’t have the most serious of injuries ... but it’s been extremely frustrating not being able to get on the court, and I’ve had such little momentum over these last few years ... I kept trying, kept working hard in the gym, kept doing all the things to get me in this position, and I feel very lucky I get to do it again.”
How did Murray reset when the roof was closed, and he had lost the third from 5-0 up? “I went and had a shower, I went to the toilet ... just a number one [laughter from the crowd] ... and then er ... yeah, I was really disappointed to lose the third, I had to remember what I was doing that got me in the winning position, you know, cut out some of the drop shots ... I think I served slightly better in the fourth set, and I managed to turn it back round.
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Leigh McKenzie, on interview duty on Centre Court, tells Andy Murray that he tested a few people’s emotions this evening: “And my own,” he replies. “Look, it’s amazing to be back out here playing again on Centre Court ... [huge roar from the crowd] ... it’s such a brilliant atmosphere, it’s something that since I came back eight/nine months ago, I really missed playing in front of the fans. It was a great reception when I came out, and a great atmosphere for the whole match ... so thanks, thanks for that. Yeah, I mean, I did well to win the fourth set in the end because that was mentally not easy, going back to the locker room after that third. So I did well.”
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Murray beats Basilashvili! 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3!
He is BACK! Murray is officially back. The Georgian nets a backhand - and Murray, four years after his previous appearance at the tournament he has won twice, is into the second round. Murray is soaking in sweat - he shakes hands with Basilashvili at the net, then walks around the court roaring with delight. He punches the air (which brings an even bigger cheer from the crowd) ... What a win. What a noise from the Centre Court crowd ... and what a magnificent sight to see Murray back in his natural environment, having battled back from debilitating injuries, and surgeries ... That is special. Well done.
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And this game rolls on ... back to deuce for a third time - with Murray two points from victory. Can he spare himself the bother of serving for the match? Again, it’s advantage Basilashvili - again, Murray saves the game point, this time with a booming cross-court backhand. And now it’s match point Murray! But then there is a very, very gutsy down-the-line forehand winner from Basilashvili and he saves it!
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The 29-year-old Georgian produces a stunning volley - after a stunning rally - to create game point. That followed a crunching down-the-line backhand service return from Murray that was simply too good, that made it 30-15. But Murray now makes it deuce! He is making Basilashvili work to hold serve ...
Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 5-3 *Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Murray winds up two gynormous serves, and holds, and now the Georgian must serve to stay in the match!
Oh wow. At 30-30 on Murray’s serve, the Scottish player finds a massively powerful wide serve. But his opponent digs out a return, they engage in a captivating baseline rally, with both players striking the ball sweetly, ending when Murray hits fractionally long. That really was the kind of rally you only see deep into a match. Break point for Basilashvili - but Murray finds a cracking drop shot to force it back to deuce!
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*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-3 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Back to just one game in it, in this fourth set, after the Georgian world No 28 holds.
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“Is Andy Murray Scottish or British - make your mind up,” emails Jon Musgrave.
Silly question, to be perfectly honest with you, Jon. It obviously depends if Murray wins or loses this evening.
Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-2 *Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
A comfortable hold for Murray, and he’ll now try and ask a few more tricky questions of the Georgian’s serve.
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*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 3-2 Basilashvili (* denotes next server)
Basilashvili holds. A stunning 19-stroke rally sees Basilashvili save yet another break point. It goes back to deuce ... now Basilashvili conjures up a big first serve, which has been a rare occurrence in this set. The players sit down for a drink. Murray will serve, with a break, to make it 4-2 in the fourth.
This is odd. Hawkeye seems to have broken after Basilashvili asks them to have a look. The umpire, anyway, says the ball was out and it’s a break point for Murray ... but Basilashvili saves it with a massive serve, then wins a game point with a lovely cross-court winner. A long rally then ends with Murray forcing another mistake, and we are back to deuce at 3-1 in the fourth, Murray in the lead.
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 3-1 *Basilashvili (* denotes next server)
A hold of serve for the Scot! His opponent is still climbing into some huge groundstrokes, and trying to blow Murray off the court with his physical power - but he is often sending those shots a touch wide or long. Murray is back in control after a big wobble in the third. Now he needs to get over the line.
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*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 2-1 Basilashvili (* denotes next server)
Well well. Murray breaks to love - for the second time in this set - and he’s got his nose in front again in the fourth. Good signs for all you Murray fans out there: Basilashvili has forgotten how to serve so far in this set. Murray in back in control of the match, but it would be nice if he could hold this service game. The British player is definitely going to be annoyed that he hasn’t finished this match already, but then again, he’s got the experience to banish too much negativity and find a way to win this.
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 1-1 *Basilashvili (* denotes next server)
Whoah! Basilashvili destroys a clean winner down the line to break straight back in the fourth. Yes, folks, it’s time for you to open another bottle of wine and settle in for the duration.
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“This Murray match is shaping up to be the most Murray-esque Murray Match Murray has ever played,” writes Gregory Phillips.
I can add nothing to that. (Thanks, Gregory.)
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, *1-0 Basilashvili (* denotes next server)
Murray breaks, at the first time of asking - to love - in the fourth. Lovely stuff (if you’re not a Georgian tennis fan that is). Murray is striking the ball with authority and has come out after the break for the roof closure with a fresh determination.
McEnroe: “If anything, Murray is moving better,” [after the break] and that is quite right.
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“I’ve blown some matches,” McEnroe says. “But nothing remotely close to this ... the let-down emotionally and physically he must have experienced, after dumping that third set ... I don’t know how you can keep it up, this is going to be a tall order for him to win this now.”
McEnroe is right that it’s going to be hard mentally for Murray, but it’s a bit soon to talk about ‘blown matches’ at this stage, surely? Murray was proving that he’s a better grass-court operator than Basilashvili, all the way to 2-0 and 5-0. That hasn’t changed.
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Speaking on the BBC, Tracy Austin observes that Murray did start to look tired as that third set progressed. Perhaps mentally, as he was so close to closing out the match at 5-0 up in the third set, he found it more and more difficult to handle how his opponent came back at him ... now, the players are back on court. Will Murray reset, and storm to a 3-1 victory in sets, or is Basilashvili going to take us deep into a five-setter? The Georgian richly deserved to get on the board in sets, with the way he fought back. The players are given four minutes to warm up after the stoppage for the roof closure.
There are some fans dotted around on Henman Hill/Murray Mount waiting for the roof on Centre Court to be closed. The weather isn’t great now, with a touch of rain in the air, not that it matters on Centre Court with the roof closed.
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Diego Schwartzmann (9) is two sets up on Benoît Paire, while Gaël Monfils (13) is a set all and 3-3 with Christopher O’Connell. Fabio Fognini (26) took his first set against Albert Ramos Vinolas on a tiebreak, and is 5-2 up in the second set and serving for it.
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In the women’s singles, Heather Watson is now in a tiebreak with Ahn in the second set. Watson took the first set 6-2.
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Basilashvili wins the third set, 5-7!
Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-7 Basilashvili
You have to say that Murray’s opponent looks fresher physically, a little more determined, and quicker around the court, just at the moment. He fully deserved to win that set after sniffing a tiny bit of hesitancy from Murray as he tried to close the match out. Murray was on the verge of a straight-sets breeze into the second round. Now, he’s got a fight on his hands. “What in God’s name did we just see there?” asks McEnroe on commentary. The Centre Court roof is now going to be closed, and the match will resume in 10 minutes. Murray will just be annoyed that he’s not already doing his post-match media, with one eye on starting his recovery, having a nice dinner somewhere, and getting to bed.
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Deuce. The Murray fist-pump has been replaced by the Murray head-slump. Murray now misjudges a drop shot and it’s set point for the Georgian. But Murray saves it with a BIG serve down the middle! Back again to deuce ...
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A tremendous point from both players, the Georgian working Murray all over the court, but he makes it! 40-15 ... but he really had to work for that. He crushes a first serve next up, but again Basilashvili does excellently to get it back, and it’s 40-30.
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At 0-15, an attritional rally - in which Basilashvili is really climbing into his forehands - is won by Murray when his opponent sends another big forehand long. That was a huge win for the home favourite, he was put under a lot of pressure then and he came through it, and he now moves 30-15 ahead ...
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*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-6 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Eastenders and Holby City have already been moved from BBC 1 to BBC2 ... is this match going to knock Monday evening’s BBC1 schedule out completely? Basilashvili has now won six straight games and his dander is up. “I don’t think anybody, including myself, can understand how this just happened,” observes McEnroe. Murray was 5-0 up in the third, now he has to serve to take it to a tiebreak. Pretty remarkable ...
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-5 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
Wow. Basilashvili breaks again. We’ve got a game on here ... the concern for Murray is that he doesn’t want to go too deep, physically, if he can avoid it. Judy Murray looks worried, as well she might.
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Whoops! It was another good serve by Murray but Basilashvili keeps it alive. Murray flops a backhand into the net and it’s 30-40.
Murray crushes a forehand which looks very inch a winner - but Basilashvili gets it back - next, Murray tries a drop shot but sends his next shot wide and it’s 15-30. He couldn’t, could he? Big serve from Murray is totally miscued by Basilashvili for 30-30! Murray is two points away!
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A couple of viciously spinning groundstrokes from both players - a baseline rally - and Murray hits long for 15-15.
Basilashvili gets an attempted Murray drop shot back but the Scot is all over it and clips a winner down the line for 15-0 ...
*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-4 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Murray fights his way to 15-40 - and two match points - on Basilashvili’s serve. A nervy, tentative rally ends with Murray netting a backhand for 30-40, before the Georgian hammers a big serve down to make it deuce. Murray grimaces and shouts something at his family in the stand. Basilashvili then fashions a game point, and crushes an ace down the middle. That took some guts from Basilashvili - hats off to the man. Murray will have to serve for the match for a third time ...
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-3 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
Well well. Murray was absolutely dominant a few minutes ago, but with the finish line in sight, things have got a little more complicated. Basilashvili impressively senses his chance and produces a second successive break of service to inject fresh life into the match ... Murray was a couple of big serves away, at 30-30, from taking the win but couldn’t produce them. He will, however, have another chance to serve for the set and match presuming his opponent holds now.
“Woohoo! Now we’re having fun,” Craig writes on email. “Next up, a slump in sets 3 and 4 before winning in 5 having put us all through the wringer.”
Oh, don’t ...
*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-2 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
The Georgian lends a little respectability to this third-set score, with a hold of serve. Murray will serve for the match, for a second time now.
Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-1 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
Basilashvili finds something, having looked punch-drunk for the past few games, and rustles up a break of serve. Murray has to wait a little longer, but surely, this is not going to last much longer. Basilashvili has recovered to win from two sets down at Wimbledon before but it would take a spectacular collapse from the two-times champion.
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Heather Watson has taken the first set against Kristie Ahn over on Court 1.
*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 5-0 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Magnificent from Murray, who breaks yet again. He whips up the crowd with multiple fist-pumps as they roar their approval. That service game from Basilashvili featured three searing winners from Murray. “He’s gotta feel amazing right now,” says John McEnroe on commentary. “This is great to watch this ... and the funny part - third set, the last three/four games, he’s out-hitting Basilashvili, he’s taking it to him.”
He certainly is. He will serve for the match and a place in the second round.
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 4-0 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
The Murray march to victory continues. He is two games away from a resounding, heartening win.
*Murray 6-4, 6-3, 3-0 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Another break for Murray! The 34-year-old is starting to stretch Basilashvili around the court constantly, and put him in places he really doesn’t want to be. He’s hitting his drop shots - hell, all his shots - with incredible authority and demonstrating all the experience he’s built up on his many campaigns - and two previous men’s singles triumphs - here at Wimbledon. Basilashvili has also made a few errors but he’s being taken to school here, and he needs a miracle to take this beyond three sets.
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Murray 6-4, 6-3, 2-0 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
Murray is really starting to remind Basilashvili who is boss here ...
A reminder that Murray is currently ranked 118 while Basilashvili is 28 in the world. Clearly, Murray’s injury toils have seen his ranking plunge but he is making this look pretty easy just at the moment. Meanwhile, Balding announces that Holby City is the latest casualty (pardon the pun) of BBC1’s Monday-evening schedule, and will be on BBC2 instead while Murray tries to close this out.
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Murray 1-0 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
Murray breaks to love at the start of the third! This could hardly be going better ...
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Murray takes the second set, 6-3!
Murray now leads Basilashvili by two sets to love: 6-4, 6-3
A sumptuous spinning drop shot has Basilashvili scrambling and the Georgian, yet again, can only direct his attempted shot into the net. That wins the second set for Muzza - and the crowd turn up the volume another notch or two as they cheer his latest mini-triumph on his return to Centre Court. Things are going to plan for the champion of 2013 and 2016.
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*Murray 5-3 Basilashvili (*denotes next server)
Murray breaks again! He sets up the break point with a fine spinning backhand down the line that Basilashvili can only dump into the net. On Murray’s break point, next up, he groans a couple of times as he chases down a couple of big forehands from his opponent ... but Murray keeps the point alive, Basilashvili nets another shot, and Murray can now serve for the second set! His mother Judy Murray, up in the stands, gets out of her seat and punches the air!
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The British No 5, Liam Broady, has won his first set against Marco Cecchinato, 6-3, and it’s with serve in the second, Broady serving at 3-2. On Court 2 meanwhile, Diego Schwartzmann and Benoît Paire are in their first set, it’s with serve at 2-2.
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Murray 4-3 Basilashvili* (*denotes next server)
The famous Murray fist-pump gets an airing after the Scot saves a break point, and grinds out a big service hold! He turns to his nearest and dearest in the crowd and yells “Come on!” after tonking down a couple of massive serves under a lot of pressure and keeping his nose in front in this second set against the Georgian, who is ranked 28 in the world.
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Basilashvili holds and we’re locked at 3-3 in the second.
Murray now leads 6-4 and 3-2 in the second set having saved the break point, produced that ace, before his opponent Basilashvili sends a big booming forehand wide. Murray is moving well, overall, but naturally isn’t as quick around the court as he used to be, and Basilashvili looks keen to work him around the place as much as possible. If you’re switched on your telly to watch Eastenders, it’s been moved to BBC2, announces Clare Balding. If that doesn’t demonstrate that Murray is a national treasure, what will?
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It was a sodden start to the day in SW19, but those clouds have now given way to a pleasant summer evening with rays of mellow sunshine falling across the court. Basilashvili, who looks like an awkward customer with his big double-handed backhand, hits a lovely clean winner to the corner. Then Murray gets a drop shot wrong, and his opponent has a break point for the first time ... Basilashvili has a clear chance to win the point and the game, but fluffs a drop shot of his own into the net, and Murray then finds a huge ace to gain game point!
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Basilashvili holds comfortably for 2-2.
Thanks Daniel - and good evening, everyone. Murray has gone 2-1 up in this second set, having won the first 6-4, for those of you who missed it. I’m currently trying to let my eyes adjust to watching tennis on lush green grass, rather than clay, or hard court. It’s almost like a different surface!
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Right, that’s the end of my day but fear not: Luke McLaughlin is here to guide you through the rest of Murray-Basilashvili. I’ll see you all tomorrow. Ta-ra.
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Marton Fucsovics beats Jannik Sinner [19] 5-7 6-3 7-6 6-3
That’s a superb win for Fucsovics – Sinner wasn’t at his best but gave him plenty – and he meets Vesely next.
“Whether or not he goes on to win the match Andy Murray has shown yet again why he is Britain’s premier sportsman and all-round good guy,” kvells Richard Hirst.
Yes, I can’t argue with that. There are a few others in his stratosphere – Lennox Lewis, Denise Lewis, Jess Ennis to name a few – but he is absolutely up there.
Iga Swiatek beats Su-wei Hsieh 6-4 6-4!
She meets Bouzkova or Zvonareva next.
In commentary, Mac notes that Basilashvili is up on a domestic violence charge back home in Georgia and perhaps it’s playing on his mind, but Murray’s doing ok here. Mainly, he’s serving really well – an ace in the first game of set two makes it eight in total - which means he can win a point here and there and make a break, as he did.
Murray takes the first set against Basilashvili 6-4!
A backhand return, Basilashvili nets again, and oh my absolute days, it’s beautiful to see Murray and Kim pumped like this. He punches and flexes, she’s up in her seat hollering, and there we go.
Here we go! Murray tries an innocuous-looking drop and Basilashvili nets. Murray has set-point...
“Tsitsipas losing today after making the final of the French Open just shows, again, how remarkable Djokovic, Federer and Nadal are,” emails Jon Collins. “It’s so difficult for players to go from slam to slam and keep their levels up but those three have done it time and time again over the years (at least until age caught up with the latter two). It’s easy to criticise the younger players for not having broken through their hegemony but they really are extraordinary.”
Yes, I’m not sure any sport has ever seen anything like it. They’ve pretty much outlasted the generation immediately below them – your Dimitrovs, your Raonices – and they’re still stopping the one below that from winning any of the bigguns
Murray, meanwhile, makes it 5-4 with another ace. He’s serving really nicely, but isn’t quite into his groundstroke game yet.
After a long, sapping game, Fucsovics – who leads by two sets to one – has broken Sinner back in set three.
Croatia have scored twice in the last five minutes and they and Spain are now locked at 3-3 with extra-time imminent. Niall McVeigh has the latest
Murray is looking the likelier here, but Basilashvili finds first serves when he needs them and holds for 4-4 through deuce.
Elsewhere: Swiatek is now a set and a break up on Hsieh; Rublev raced through the third set against Delbonis to lead 2-1; Cecchinato and Broady have just started and are 1-1; Khachanov is serving for 2-1 against McDonald; Bautista Agut leads Millman 2-1 and they’yre playing a fourth-set breaker; and Sinner has broken Fucsovics in set four, trailing 1-2, but it struggling to consolidate.
We’re at 3-3 now, Murray serving, and it’s pretty tight. But at 30-15, he lets one go by only for it to drop in, easily, and he’s now under pressure. So he hammers down a service winner ... only to slice a backhand into the tramlines ... before finding a delicious drop and another service winner. Murray 4-3 Basilashvili
“I know there’s far more important things going on in the world,” exculpates Simon McMahon, “but sport is important too, and there was many a time over the past four years I didn’t think I’d get the chance to say this again, so for old time’s sake, COME ON ANDY!!! LET’S GO!!!”
Believe. I hadn’t stopped to consider how much joy I’d derive from simply seeing his happy little face on court at a major, but here we are so here we are.
Murray’s serving nicely here, holding to love with the help of an ace. He leads Basilashvili 3-2.
Sofia Kenin [4] beats Xinyu Wang 6-4 6-2!
She meets Brengle or McHale next.
Rublev has taken the second set against Delbonis; they’re now level at one apiece.
Katie Boulter beats Danielle Lao 7-6(6) 3-6 6-4!
She serves out beautifully to 15, sealing the match with a serve that Lao can only frame in front of her feet. It’s been a tough period for her, but now she gets to play Aryna Sabalenka, the number 2 seed, next. I daresay that one won’t be out on Court 17.
Elsewhere: Swiatek has taken the first set against Hsieh; Khachanov has taken the second set against McDonald to level the match; Fucsovics has taken the third set against Sinner to lead 2-1; and Boulter has broken Lao so is now serving for the match!
He begins with an ace but Basilashvili flicks an oblique backhand winner for 15-all. A service winer follows, then another, then an ace, and Murray is in the match!
Murray to serve and here we go!
Murray hasn’t played Wimbledon for four years – and he limped off then, after losing to Querrey – but here he comes now! The crowd stand to welcome him and he raises a hand, but he’s got things on his mind and you can tell.
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Kenin has broken Wang in set two to lead 6-4 3-2; Anderson now leads Barrios Vera (4)6-7 6-4 6-4 1-2 .
In the studio, Mac notes how much talent Tiafoe has, saying he could be top 15 in the world, and Wayne Ferreira, his coach, is giving him the devil he needs to win. He also confirms his locker-room popularity, noting that he loves hugging people and is great to have around in a team situation. But now he needs to focus on himself.
The roof of Centre Court is now open, and it’s sunny. This country.
Boulter, though, gets herself two break-back points and takes the first with a forehand winner cross-court. We’re back on serve!
I say that, but Lao manages to pin Boulter at the back of the court and two errors follow, giving the American the break. Boulter had to break points of her own in Lao’s last service game, but couldn’t convert. Lao 7-6(6) 3-6 3-1 Boulter
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Boulter and Lao are on serve in the third set at 1-2, and it’s extremely tight.
Andy Murray, then. How much he loves playing and competing is extremely inspirational, but you just know he thinks that he and his metal hip can do something – maybe not here, but eventually. Basilashvili plays the kind of erratic, attacking tennis you’d ordinarily expect him take apart, but who knows what’ll happen now?
Kenin has taken the first set against Wang, 6-4, while Bautista Agut has taken the third off Millman to lead 2-1.
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Also going on is Croatia v Spain. It’s 1-1 at half-time.
Andrey Rublev, the number five seed, is a set down to Federico Delbonis, while Fucsovics now leads Sinner by two sets to one.
Next on Centre: some bloke called Andy Murray meets Nikoloz Basilashvili.
I wonder how far Stephens can go in this competition. She’s won a major so knows she can do it, she’s a sensational mover, and she now has the number 10 seed’s route through the draw. No one is going to fancy playing her, but I’m not going to make any predictions because at the moment, predicting women’s tennis is one of the most foolish things any person can possibly do.
That was Stephens’ first grass-court match in two years and she’s very happy to beat Kvitova. She knew she’d be on a good court, and enjoyed playing in front of a crowd.
Stephens meets Kristie Ahn or Heather Watson next.
Sloane Stephens beats Petra Kvitova [10] 6-3 6-4!
Stephens goes long with a backhand to give Kvitova 15-all, then Kvitova elicits a further error for 30-all – both with backhand slices. But a service winner follows, giving Stephens match point ... and Kvitova frames her return, facilitating a forehand winner down the line! That’s terrific performance from Stephens, who might just be feeling her way back after a difficult time.
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Meanwhile on Centre, Kvitova has forced Stephens to serve for the match. She’ll do that after a little sit-down.
Boulter wins the second set against Lao 6-3!
They’ll now play a decider.
Anderson has take the second set against Barrios Vera to make it one set apiece, whole Mackenzie McDonald leads Karen Khachanov, the number 25 seed, 6-3. I wonder whether his hands are soft enough to do well on grass.
Kvitova plays a nice point to make 40-30 – it was 40-0 – closing it off with a high volley at the net. But when she gets a second serve to go at, she clobbers it wide, and Stephens is a game away. Stephens 6-3 5-3 Kvitova
Credit where it’s due, Stephens has served superbly when facing break points – especially when Kvitova started to hit the ball nicely.
You see it a lot, don’t you. Kvitova nearly breaks and doesn’t, then Stephens does. She now leads 6-3 4-3 and the 2011 and 2014 champ is very close to the door.
On Court 3, Sofia Kenin, the number 4 seed, is underway against Xinyu Wang. They’re on serve in set one.
Back on Centre, Kvitova’s turning it up. But Stephens hangs in there, holding onto her serve with an ace after several deuces. Stephens 6-3 3-3 Kvitova
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Bautista Agut, the number eight seed, took the first set against Millman, but Millman is so difficult to play because he takes very few risks while making very many balls. He’s nabbed the second set, and we’re on serve in the third.
Out on Court 17, GB’s Katie Boulter trails Danielle Lao by one set to love; it’s 2-2 in the second.
Back on Centre, Stephens and Kvitova are on serve in two, while on 18, Sinner took the first set against Fucsovics but now trails 5-2 in the second.
Next on No1, we’ve got Swiatek, last year’s French Open champ, against the veteran Hsieh.
“It sounds pretty damn good,” says Tiafoe when asked about his win. He says he was pretty clean throughout the match, this is what he trains for and this is what he lives for: playing the best players in the best arenas. Rishi Persaud asks him about the success he had as a young payer relative to now, and Tiafoe admits that he’s had some problems, but points out that this is what he can do. I really, really hope he can take it on from here – he’s got so much talent and seems like a really sound bloke.
Updated
As for Tsitsipas, I guess he just had nothing left after Paris and the death of his gran. He’s sticking around to play doubles with Pavlos, his brother, and I’m certain he’ll get grass-court tennis soon enough. But not this term.
Updated
Tiafoe meets Carballes Baena or Pospisil next, and might this be a turning point for him? As a kid, who looked like a superstar, and though it’s not happened yet, he’s got time – he’s also got the number 3 seed’s path through the draw.
Francis Tiafoe beats Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] 6-4 6-4 6-3!
Now then! Tiafoe steps into a short serve to punish back a forehand winner and make 0-30 – Tsitsipas looks extremely bedraggled now, like he knows – then a weak second serve allow Tiafoe to hit a decent return, and the world number three can only net! Tiafoe has three match points, and though Tsitsipas saves two of them, he then nets a backhand, and the runner-up at Roland-Garros is gone! What a performance from Tiafoe!
Tsitsipas gets himself to 15-40 but Tiafoe saves a sixth break point of the match – none have been converted – with a big serve, then another elicits a poor return. He quickly cleans up, and is just one game away! Tsitsipas 4- 6 4-6 3-5 Tiafoe
Madison Keys [23] beats Katie Swan 6-3 6-4
She meets Burrage – another Brit, and also a wild-card entry – or Davis next.
Stephens takes the first set against Kvitova [10] 6-3
They swapped breaks twice at the start of the set, but it was Stephens holding it down thereafter, and after a disappointing go in Paris she looks pretty good on the grass.
Updated
Tsitsipas is finding himself, but is it too late? Various errors from Tiafoe help him to deuce, and a a blocked inside-out return gives him break-back point ... for as long as it takes for a monstrous serve to hurtle down. Tiafoe quickly cleans up, and now leads 4-2 in the third. This is very nearly over!
“Your comment about Djokovic being perhaps the greatest player ever of course sparks debate,” emails Richard Hirst. “Leaving aside his two contemporaries, it is of course immensely difficult to compare across eras. How would Rod Laver fare with today’s equipment and training regimes? Pretty well I suspect, but unfortunately we’ll never know. I just feel slightly uneasy when, in just about every sport, someone playing today/recently is called the GOAT, because it’s very easy to be swayed by what we see in front of us. Maybe Don Bradman is one of the few exceptions.”
Yup, the greatest of any era would cope in any era, which is why I said perhaps. But if I’ve got to choose one player in history to play for my life, I’m picking Djokovic without having to think about it too deeply.
On Court 4, Marcelo Barrios Vera has taken the first set off former finalist, Kevin Anderson. In a tiebreak, natch.
And there’s a decent match brewing on centre, onto which I’ve switched – how very BBC to be showing Katie Swann when Sloane Stephens is playing Petra Kvitova. Anyway, Stephens has just broken for 4-2, but they’ve been swapping them so I’d not read too much into it just yet.
Keys has broken Swann in set two to lead 6-3 3-2.
After various deuces, Tiafoe holds onto his serve then Tsitsipas holds. He remains in big trouble (but not in Little China) Tsitsipas 4-4 4-6 2-3 Tiafoe
Updated
Muguruza [11] beats Ferro 6-0 6-1!
She meets Kuznetsova or Pattinama Kerkhove next.
Updated
Elsewhere, Bautista Agut [8] has taken the first set from Millman.
On which point, Sinner is level with Fucsovics at 5-5 in the first set.
Tangentially, I was watching qualies last week and, though he lost in the end, I was extremely impressed with Anton Matusevich. He’s 20, and again, it’s not about looking where Sinner is, but appreciating the raw materials that could make an extremely serious player.
“Interesting that much was being made of Jack Draper and his physical development being in progress,” tweets @Myateron_Voice, “whilst nothing is said about Jannik Sinner from Italy, who is the same age, but seeded 19 ...”
Well players develop at different paces, so there’s that, and Sinner is a freak of nature who looks like he’ll be a world-beater. Draper played well today – against a different opponent he might have made round two – and at this point it’s about improving, not comparing.
Hi again. It’s all kicking off!
All eyes are on No 1 Court now and Tiafoe is playing like a dream. A brilliant backhand and strong serving takes him to 40-0 and a 124mph almost breaks Tsitsipas’s racket and completes the game. And with that I’ll hand you back to Daniel to follow this match until the end. Thanks for your time. Bye.
Updated
Tiafoe breaks in the first game of the third set. What is happening here? Tsitsipas is not playing terribly but he let that game drift and Tiafoe pulled out a lovely cross-court backhand that he could only volley into the tramlines. Something has to change for the Greek. And now. He’s two sets and a break down. This is a long road back.
Madison Keys wins the first set 6-3 against Katie Swan. The American’s serve is firing on all cylinders and there is little Swan can do.
Updated
Tiafoe wins second set 6-4 to go two sets up against Tsitsipas
A fine point from Tsitsipas and an unforced error from Tiafoe mean it’s 0-30. The American goes on the offensive to win back a point but another error gives Tsitsipas two break points. He spurns one with a long backhand before Tiafoe saves another with a fine serve, approach and smash. There’s drama when Tiafoe trips at deuce but he picks himself back up to attack the net and force another deuce, and then set point. That’s gutsy. Tsitsipas hits a backhand wide and Tiafoe is two sets up!
Two sets up against the No.3 seed 👏
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2021
Frances Tiafoe is enjoying himself on No.1 Court...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/jiL7u0Wyzx
Updated
Tiafoe breaks
Tow poor shots from Tsitsipas means he finds himself 0-30 on his serve and in trouble. A big first serve stems the tide but Tiafoe then pushes him back and forces a backhand error to make it 15-40. On the first break points of the second set Tsitsipas finds an ace to save one. Tiafoe puts a forehand into the net to allow the Greek some breathing space but at deuce he produces a scorching forehand return winner to force another break point. He then forces the error and there’s a huge roar from the American. He’s broke for 5-4 and there is a shock brewing here.
Tiafoe serves out to love and it’s 4-4 in the second set on No 1 Court. Tiafoe is showing no pressure. Big game ahead.
Updated
Swan shows great heart to take save break point and take Keys to deuce. She forces a game point with a punishing serve, then hangs in a rally she looks like losing and gets her reward, the American hitting a smash into the net. That’s 3-1 to Keys in the first set but Swan is on the board.
Garbiñe Muguruza has started strongly against Fiona Ferro of France. The No 11 seed has raced into a 4-0 lead after just 12 minutes. Just one unforced error so far in those four games for the Spaniard.
Katie Swan is a 22-year-old British player who won three qualifying rounds to get to the first Monday. Now she is up against the No 23 seed Madison Keys from America. It’s a big ask and a tough start. She’s 3-0 down in the first set on Court 3.
Tsitsipas needs to step up quickly and he knows it. Some power serving and a deft touch sees out the game to love and we stay on serve.
Back on No 1 Court Tiafoe took the first set 6-4 against Tsitsipas and is playing some fine tennis. A beautiful approach shot and soft-handed backhand volley means the American holds for 2-2 in the second set.
Updated
Djokovic speaks.
“It feels great being back on probably the most special, most sacred tennis court in the world. I was very sad last year, like all the players, that Wimbledon was cancelled but I’m really glad that the supporters are back. I’m glad you guys enjoyed it and hope you will enjoy the next couple of weeks.”
Of Jack Draper’s performance, the world No 1 says:
He’s only 19. Walking on to Wimbledon he backed himself, believed in himself and carried himself very well. I wish him all the best for the rest of his career.”
Updated
Djokovic beats Draper 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2
The noise from the crowd is quite something as the players leave their seats, the ;oudest ever on opening day, says Boris Becker. But Djokovic has no time for sentiment. Two aces help him to 40-0 and a third of the game secures victory. He parades around Centre Court, lapping up the applause and thanking the crowd for their support. He started slowly but was looking ominously good by the end. The biggest roar is saved for Jack Draper though. What a day for the teenager.
Updated
Draper shows some real steel, surging to 40-0 then producing a fine stopping backhand pass to buy himself a bit more time in the tournament. He can certainly be proud of the way he’s played today.
Afternoon all, and I bring news that Djokovic is one game from victory against Draper. The Brit had a break point in the last game but it was quickly snuffed out and the world No 1 will not be denied now.
Updated
Right, I’m off to do the school run; Rob Bleaney will guide you through the next hour, and I’ll see you again after that.
Tiafoe finds a sensational shot, a forehand taken while facing the wrong way and yanked over his shoulder, on the way to securing his latest hold. He leads 5-3 in set one, and Tsitsipas will now serve to stay in it. Tsitsipas 3-5 Tiafoe
Someone, I think in Djokovic’s box, has a canvas photo of a topless him that she’s holding like a religious icon. Meantime, a backhand down the line gives him a second break, and this is very nearly past tense. Djokovic 4-6 6-1 6-2 4-1 Draper
Tsitsipas plays a tweener that Tiafoe knows is going out, so he pretends to play and miss; naturally, Tsitsipas collapses with laughter before securing his hold. He trails by a break, though, and is running out of road in this first set. Tsitsipas 3-4 Tiafoe
Oh dear. Serving at 30-all, Draper slips, and must now defend a break point. He finds a decent first serve too, opting to serve-volley for the first time in the match, and when Djokovic goes cross-court not down the line, he puts away nicely at the net, then saves himself again with a snap backhand volley. But he can’t keep doing it, no one can, and the next time an opportunity presents itself, a brilliant backhand return is too much. Four holds, and Djokovic is in round two. Djokovic 4-6 6-1 6-2 2-1 Draper
Tsitsipas gets himself a break point, but a big serve and clean-up forehand save it for Tiafoe, who then closes out with minimum fuss. Tsitsipas 1-3 Tiafoe
Djokovic takes the third set 6-2, serving out to love in 46 seconds! It’s absolutely disgraceful how good he is. Djokovic 4-6 6-1 6-2 Draper
Meanwhile, Djokovic filches a double break in set three and Draper has nothing for him now. But he’ll be a far better player for the experience and the fact remains that he took a set off perhaps the greatest player ever. No one will ever be able to take that away from him. Djokovic will now serve for 2-1.
Updated
Tsitsipas opted to take off the start of the grass-court season so he could recuperate, physically and mentally, from the death of his grandmother and from losing the French final to Djokovic from two sets up. On top of that, he’s never gone beyond the last eight at Wimbledon, so it’s not great surprise to see him struggling first up. And, as I type that, Tiafoe consolidates for 2-0.
Updated
Tsitsipas and Tiafoe are away and immediately Tiafoe earns two break points ... but he only needs one! Tsitsipas goes long with a backhand, and that is not the start for which he was hoping.
Updated
As Djokovic rushes through a love hold, Tsitsipas and Tiafoe come out on No1 Court.
Draper’s serving hasn’t been as good in sets two or three as it was in set one, and finding himself break point down, he fails to put away a forehand. So Djokovic hoists a lob, and, well, oh dear. Draper misses an overhead – and when I say misses, I don’t mean goes long, or wide, I mean misses the ball. But he’s got time to swing around to play a forehand, only to send it long. Djokovic 4-6 6-1 2-1 Draper
Updated
Have you checked out our Instagram feed? I strongly recommend that you do.
It’s now much brighter in my enclave of north London, so hopefully we’re not far off play on all courts.
Excellent from Draper, fighting through a hold to 30 to being set three in the ascendancy. As Bozzer notes, he’s recovered well from tossing that second set so quickly.
Updated
“Sue Barker commenting that it’s only Sabalenka’s second win at Wimbledon,” returns @Mysteron_Voice. “On that basis she seems to be seriously over-ranked as the number two seed...”
Well, yes and no. She’s ranked two because she’s accumulated the points to get to four and Osaka and Halep are missing. Which is to say she’s a seriously good player - she’s won 10 titles – but just hasn’t done it at the majors. Yet, because I’m sure she will.
I assume Tsitsipas and Tiafoe aren’t yet with us because of how quickly Sabalenka-Niculescu finished.
Meantime, he serves out for 6-1 to level the match. Can Draper get a hold of himself? Djokovic 4-6 6-1 Draper
Updated
“What’s happening with Nole lately?” tweets @Mysteron_Voice. “0-5 against Nadal, two sets down against Tsitsipas, and now the first set gone against Draper...”
He seems to be doing ok. I think that, against Tsitsipas, he took a while to run the semi out of his legs, but his thing has never been impregnability. What he does better than anyone ever to play the game is find the perfect length on the big points and force his opponents to hit winners if they want to win them.
But he’s struggling in this second set, guiding a backhand down the line and into the net to hand Djokovic a double break. Djokovic 4-6 5-1 Draper
“Djokovic hasn’t been at his best (yet) and Draper has staged a few lucky escapes, but something tells me the 19-year-old’s a brawler,” emails Abhijato Sensarma. “He might almost be more dangerous for Djokovic’s Wimbledon campaign than the slippery grass!”
I’m told that Draper is “an animal” of a competitor and he showed that in the first set, saving seven break points before closing it out pretty smartly. He’s also tall and lefty, a mean combination, and in a couple of years could really be a player.
Djokovic is easing into stride, and now leads Draper 4-1 in set two.
What’s the reasoning behind a 50% crowd capacity if the organisers are going to sit those in attendance together?” wonders Adrian Fowell. “Seems nonsensical to me.”
It might be to do with public transport or common areas, I’m not sure. I don’t imagine it’s to stop people sitting outdoors from infecting one another.
Updated
Reminder: we’re still bereft of play on the outside courts.
A delighted Sabalenka thanks the crowd for helping her with her nerves, and notes that Niculescu is hard to play against. She is extremely likeable, and if she can just get her form at majors going, she could be a star.
Time’s up? A double fault and Draper hands Djokovic a break in the second game of set two. Djokovic 4-6 2-0 Draper
Next on No1, we’ve only got Stefanos Tsitsipas v Francis Tiafoe! Don’t mind if we do!
Sabalenka [2] beats Niculescu 6-1 6-4!
Niculescu played well as the second set progressed but was behind from early and ultimately couldn’t live with the power. Sabalenka meets Danielle Lao or Katie Boulter next.
Updated
Back on No1, Sabalenka is about to serve for the match, but Niculescu has improved a lot through this set, her strange deployment of spins and angles causing the second seed all sorts of issues.
Aged 11, Draper was sat on Centre watching Andy Murray beat Djokovic in the final, and here he now is serving for the first set. He gets 15-0 with a terrific wrongfooting forehand, then finds himself at 30-all; what does he have? Plenty! A big forehand gets him set point, then Djokovic goes long with a backhand and have an absolute look! Djokovic 4-6 Draper
Djokovic holds to love. After a little sit-down, Draper will serve for the first set!
Sabalenka, meanwhile, leads 5-3 in set two and is serving with serious pop.
Leading 4-3, Draper takes the new balls, which should help him in any case, but especially on a juicy, damp court that has its roof on. But he finds himself at 0-30 and shanks a forehand off the frame ...then finds a terrific second serve, onto the line and not for the first time. He stands pretty wide when delivering, which helps accentuate his lefty angle and looked to help there, but a poor backhand down the line is wide ... only for an ace to save break point number seven! Draper has stones! Another ace follows, and he quickly closes out from there! This is superb from Draper, and one more hold will give him the first set. Djokovic 3-5 Draper
Back on No1, they’re swapping breaks, with Niculescu is serving at 1-6 2-4.
A long forehand gives Djokovic two break-back points, the first saved by a colossal serve and clean-up forehand and the second by a succession of big groundstrokes, disbursed until Djokovic slips; Draper quickly closes out. Djokovic 2-4 Draper
Updated
The forecast is that it’ll stop raining around 5pm, so hopefully we’ll have a load going on from around then.
Calvin Betton, our resident tennis coach, notes that Sabalenka “can seriously play”, but hasn’t yet found a way to do it at the majors. Whether it’s a mental block or just coincidence we don’t know – she’s only 23 and the sample size is small – but the next fortnight should give us a clue. As I type that, Niculescu breaks to trail 6-1 3-1, while Draper consolidates for 3-1.
A double gives Draper 15-30 and when he fails to move away from the sideline as Djokovic tries a wrongfooting backhand, a clean-up winner raises two break points! And he only needs one, Djokovic netting a backhand, and the 19-year-old is in control!
Updated
He starts nicely, making 30-0, but soon afterwards is break-point down, saving himself when Djokovic slips – though he played a good point. He quickly closes out – that’s nicely done, a big serve and crunching overhead sealing the deal – while on No1, Sabalenka leads 6-1 3-0.
Djokovic begins his title defence with a love hold. Let’s see what Draper’s got on his own serve...
Sabalenka has broken Niculescu at the first time of asking in set two. She’ll have her feet up very soon indeed.
Djokovic and Draper are with us and I’m looking forward to this. Draper beat Jannik Sinner at Queen’s, no easy task, and whatever happens here, I’m assured he won’t be scared.
Back on No1, Sabalenka has taken the first set 6-1. She’s in nick.
On Centre, we learn that representatives of those who’ve worked on developing vaccines are in the royal box, likewise those involved in the NHS. A standing ovation follows.
A lovely backhand drop, her 15th winner of the set, arranges Sabalenka her first set point.But she then nets from half-court, misses another chance to take the set, and Niculescu hangs on. Niculescu 1-5 Sabalenka
Djokovic and Draper will be with us any minute now.
Sabalenka must have a bus to catch. She breaks again, and all that stuff I said about Niculescu being an interesting opponent? Yeah, forget that, this is a total mismatch at the moment. Niculescu 0-4 Sabalenka
Eeesh, we see drone footage of the complex and it looks very mizzly indeed – if it stays like this until Wednesday, we’re going to have a serious backlog to work through. Meantime, Sabalenka consolidates easily enough and looks solid in the process.
Nothing to do with tennis but everything to do with humanity and therefore worthy of your attention:
Sabalenka is, of course, renowned for her grunting, and she’s right into her stride when battering her first return cross-court for a clean winner. That gives her 0-15 and she races to 0-40 only to botch three break points, trying to whack the cover off it as is her wont. But a crushing forehand converts her fifth, and the number two seed is off to a flier. Niculescu 0-2 Sabalenka
Updated
Ah man, the court looks absolutely beautiful, and Sabalenka holds to 30, settling matters with her first ace. At 6”0, she’s really able to bang them down, and given the attacking nature of her game, it’s a matter of time before she has a good run at SW19.
And PLAY!
Niculescu is an interesting opponent for the no2 seed, her idiosyncratic style presenting different problems to those posed by any other player. She deploys a forehand slice that most do not, is good at the net, and has a reliable first serve. Sabalenka, meanwhile, has never been beyond round four of a major, strange for someone seeded so high, but she’s got loads of ability and at 23, has plenty of time in which she can realise it.
Right, here we go! Aryna Sabalenka and Monica Niculescu are out on Court 1, and Wimbledon 2021 is upon us!
“Which of the top players have you seen playing in person,” asks Andrew Benton, “and who impresses the most?”
I’ve actually seen Federer lose on Centre, to Berdych in 2010. The O2 is maybe the best venue for tennis – from high up, you get a really good sense of how hard they’re hitting it, and Murray does so with much greater venom than Djokovic. Many, many years ago, I was lucky enough to see Graf and Sabatini, both of whom were great.
It's still raining
So there’s no play on the outside courts. But we’ll be away at 1pm on No1 and 1.30pm on Centre.
Furthermore:
Moreover:
Nevertheless:
Oh my days, I did not know there is “an aesthetic called tenniscore”.
But I did grow up in the 80s and 90s, so am not remotely surprised.
Whatever else you think about Wimbledon, its refreshments are high-level.
You’ll note that at the top of the page, there’s a link to Tumaini Carayol’s piece on Serena. You should read it, but this quotation deserves its own entry.
“I’ve had a big X on my back since ’99, since I won the US Open,” Williams said. “When players play me that hard every single tournament, every single match, every single grand slam, it just doesn’t matter where, you just get better so … Yeah, it’s been difficult mentally when someone might beat you and they lose directly in the next round almost every time. At the end of the day that’s why I’m Serena. So thanks.”
Imagine saying that of yourself and it being true. Incredible.
Looking (yet again) at today’s order of play, Karolina Pliskova’s match against Tamara Zidansek looks extremely enticing. Pliskova is one of those world number 1s who never won a major, Marcelo Rios-style, while ZIdansek was brilliant in reaching the semis at Roland-Garros. Obviously she likes the clay, but there are fewer differences between that and the grass than there once were, and if she maintains her standard, she’s a danger.
He meets Feliciano Lopez later today, one of the few men whose backhand slice is as good as his. Both should be nifty on a damp, fresh court – though given it’s the third match on, we might not get to it until tomorrow.
On which point, Sue is now advising that the first tennis will likely be on No1 Court, where things get going at 1pm. Yeah, they’ve stuck on the final set of Djokovic-Federer from 2019. The outside courts are getting a big fat nowt but the looks of things.
And here he is in Joy of Six: cool sports stars. Gosh, it’s early in the fortnight to be wheeling this one out, but hopefully we’ll get some better weather soon.
In the studio, they’ve been discussing the importance of Andy Murray, who is not just good at tennis but good at being a human being. Here’s something to read about that.
“Things which make the world slightly better simply by existing?” asks Matt Dony of himself. “It’s a few years old now, but I recently re-read Embassytown by China Mieville. The sci-fi oeuvre has presented lots of ideas for how an alien race might present itself, but few have been quite so ‘alien’ while still being relatable and interesting. (Unfortunately, the book resolves the plot weirdly quickly, but the set-up is worth it.) And, maybe not to everyone’s tastes, but Between The Buried And Me create some of the most intricate, dense, weird and complicated music in the metal world. Their 2007 album Colors is a masterpiece, and they’ve just announced Colors II will come out in August. I am unreasonably excited, and I am being unapologetically proselytical about it. Anyway. Tennis…”
Great stuff.
A montage of Andy Murray was just soundtracked with this. Iiiiiiinteresting.
On one of the BBC channels, we’re watching last year’s women’s final. That is not a good sign.
Absolutely brutal.
The covers are coming on
That’ll take us to at least 12.30pm, you’d suppose.
The nets aren’t yet up, not a good sign – likewise the roofs already on Centre and No1 Court.
Apparently, Andy Murray has advised Jack Draper not to “fear the moment”. Likewise the reaper.
“You’ve set yourself a high bar from the off,” says Richard Hirst, “bracketing olive oil and books for seven year olds. Will be fascinated to see how you progress from there. Good luck.”
I have every confidence that the world can come up with at least a handful of things to make us happy.
BBC are showing us an interview with Francesca Jones, who meets Coco Gauff in round one. She suffers from Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare genetic condition, and as such was born with seven toes and a thumb and three fingers on each hand. But despite all she was told as a child, she proved everyone wrong to become a professional tenniser and total inspiration.
“I fell in love with tennis during the 2019 Australian Open,” says Abhijato Sensarma. “Murray’s farewell match and the Federer v Tsitsipas epic left me with no other choice, after all. But the pandemic put a stop to my following of the game. Watching the French Open final, I remembered once again how good this sport is at its best. I’m eagerly looking forward to Wimbledon serving up more of the same (hopefully with no faults along the way, pun intended)!”
The intensity of tennis – one person against one other person, whacking the everything out of a little ball – is very special. Add to that the heady relief of sport during the working day, along with the unique wonder of Wimbledon, and you’ve got the absolute bomb.
No play prior to midday
That’s a further half-hour on top of the previous half-hour delay. Let’s hope that’s it, but I can’t say I’m especially hopeful.
First email of the fortnight comes from Andrew Benton, who wins the apathy of the cosmos. “I hope we get new victors in each of the competitions,” he says. “The men’s singles especially is usually far too predictable....”
Previously I’ve not found it too problematic in general because dominant champions move sport on and you’ve been picking one of three or four. But this is the first time in a long time that there’s only one feasible winner, and that’s not a great state of affairs ... if we’re right.
Looking through the outside courts, there’s plenty going on right from the off. Garbine Muguruza, the 2017 champ, gets us away on 2. She’s has fitness issues and lost at Roland Garros in round one, but if she finds some form, she’s trouble. On Court 3, Katie Swan of Great Britain meets Madison Keys – I daresay that’ll be on telly – but Millman v Bautista Agut is another goodun, and dearie me, Fucsovics v Sinner too. And these are just the first matches!
Here’s one: Barbora Krejcikova, the French Open champ, has never played Wimbledon! I can’t wait to see how she does, because she’s got a lot of talent and a lot of confidence.
Naomi Osaka is missing Wimbledon and getting ready for the Olympics; let’s hope she’s doing well, and people with no knowledge of her are treating her with understanding and sensitivity.
A joy of writing blogs such as these is the opportunity to draw people’s attention to great things they might’ve missed or of which they might be unaware. So allow me to draw you attention to Rincón de la Subbetica olive oil – this is the Guardian, darlings, I promise you you’ll thank me later – and Chris Colfer’s Land of Stories series, which my seven-year-old absolutely loved and loves. I’ll do a few every day; feel free to send in your suggestions too.
No play prior to 11.30am
(At the earliest, depending, etcetera).
It doesn’t appear to be raining, though that might change later. It’s certainly extremely grimy.
Updated
There’s currently no indication as to whether or not it’s raining.
Breaking news: Boris has a goatee and a fade.
Tell you what, this is a monstrous opening day. Jack Draper is a serious competitor with a nasty lefty serve and a booming forehand; he’s probably not as good as Djokovic, but he got to the quarters of Queen’s and won’t just let things pass. Stephens v Kvitova, meanwhile, is a gigantic match at any stage never mind this one, along with which we’ve got Murray returning to meet Basilashvil, while Tsitsipas meets Tiafoe who, once upon a time and not that long ago, was the next big thing. And that’s just the show courts!
Updated
Show-court order of play
Centre Court
Novak Djokovic [1] v Jack Draper
Sloane Stephens v Petra Kvitova [10]
Andrew Murray v Nikoloz Basilashvili [24]
**
No1 Court
Monica Niculescu v Aryna Sabalenka [2]
Stefanos Tsitsipas [3] v Frances Tiafoe
Iga Swiatek [7] v Su-Wei Hsieh
Updated
I’m not sure how this is going to work yet – play on outside courts is meant to start at 11, which seems extremely unlikely, while play on No1 and Centre is meant to start at 1 and 1.30 respectively. Given the forecast for the next two days and accordant likely backlog, it might make sense to sneak in a match on each prior to, but there’s been no indication as yet.
Er yeah, about all that stuff I just said.
Preamble
“Ladies and gentlemen, please could you turn off your mobile phones and refrain from calling out during points.”
*Wild applause*
Never will these words and noises have sounded so sweet. OK, never have these words and noises sounded remotely sweet and never will they do so again. But in the 144 years Wimbledon has existed, it has failed to crown a champion on just 11 occasions: four during the first world war, six during the second world war, one during the coronavirus war. Now, though, we’re back in business, luxuriating in the rare certainty that a fortnight of brilliance, love and joy awaits us. We’re safe.
The men’s competition looks open and shut. With the tricky one already out of the way, Novak Djokovic is halfway towards an unprecedented open-era grand slam, and if he can win here he joins the other two absolute freaks of nature on 20 [twenty] majors. Of course, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and a dark horse by the name of Roger Federer have their own ideas, but ultimately it’d be a significant surprise if this latest bid for affection failed.
On the women’s side, though, no one knows anything. Simona Halep, the defending champion, is injured; Ashleigh Barty, the top seed, hasn’t played since injuring her hip at Roland Garros and has never gone past round four; and Serena Williams is Serena Williams. On top of which, it’s impossible to know which of Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Angelique Kerber and about 985 others will find their best form, but at least one of them will, at which point it’ll seem like the most obvious thing in the world. Or, put another way, this is going to be great.
“Can everyone please settle down, the players are ready. And ... PLAY.”
*Wild applause*
Play: 11am BST
Updated
