We’re closing today’s Wimbledon blog down now. We don’t yet know the reason for her retirement, but we wish Emma Raducanu all the best, and look forward to seeing her back on a tennis court soon. Congratulations to all the players who have made it through to a prestigious Wimbledon quarter-final today: Medvedev and Hurkacz will come back tomorrow to settle the final last-16 match that was interrupted by rain earlier. Thanks for reading today, bye for now.
“To be at Wimbledon is always special. I remember Dad played here so many times and then he retired. It is very special to get out there and feeling maybe one day I am getting there, the same as my dad.”
Leo Borg, a Wimbledon winner, just like his dad. Here is Sean Ingle:
And the women’s quarter-finalists are as follows:
Barty v Tomljanovic
Muchova v Kerber
Pliskova v Golubic
Jabeur v Sabalenka
The men’s last eight looks like this:
Djokovic v Fucsovics
Khachanov v Shapovalov
Berrettini v Auger-Aliassime
Federer v Medvedev / Hurkacz
Djokovic also won in straight sets earlier on Manic Monday - and will meet Marton Fucsovics in the last eight.
Here’s Greg Wood on the Serb’s latest win:
Federer is through to the last eight, of course. Simon Cambers was there to witness his 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 win against the Italian Lorenzo Sonego:
Federer will learn of his quarter-final opponent tomorrow, as Medvedev v Hurkacz was rained off in the fourth set.
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Here’s Tumaini Carayol on Kerber’s earlier win against Gauff:
It will be a tough blow for Raducanu to take. On the plus side, she is at the very start of her career, and clearly possesses the talent to compete at the top level for a long time.
Such a shame, she was doing so well. My heart goes out to her, she must be devastated, but she should also be very proud of herself for how far she got.
— Pat Schofield (@patschof) July 5, 2021
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Tomljanovic meets Barty in the last eight. Here is the report of Barty’s triumph earlier, against the French Open champion, no less:
The BBC lineup - Balding, Croft and McEnroe - discuss how impressive Raducanu’s tennis has been at this tournament, and then send her best wishes, before wrapping up for the evening.
I think it is safe to say that the scheduling of that match would have added to any pressure Raducanu may have felt beforehand.
Regardless, it was a brilliant effort from the 18-year-old to get to this point.
Due to medical reasons, Emma Raducanu has retired from this match - but what an incredible run to the fourth round it was 💚 💜#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/fmp6M0twDw
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2021
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Before the match, the BBC pundit Annabel Croft made the point that the players had had to wait all day to get out on the court, and mentally that is difficult to deal with, even for far more experienced players. I should emphasise, however, that we do not know the reason Raducanu was not able to continue. There was speculation that she may have had stomach cramps or potentially some kind of muscle strain. We don’t know yet.
Clare Balding on the BBC states that Raducanu was hyper-ventilating. Again, I am not sure that is definitely the case, but that is Balding’s view.
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Tomljanovic speaks on court: “I’m actually really shocked. It’s obviously bittersweet. Emma must be really hurt if she came to the decision to retire. To play as a Brit at home is unbelievable, so I’m really sorry for her. I wish we could have finished it. It’s sport, it happens. I’m really wishing her all the best.
“The beginning of the match was really nervous from both sides, but at the end of the first set we started playing some really good tennis. I felt I found my groove and was playing well in the second set. But if Emma was hurt and not at her best, it kind of explains it.
“It didn’t really sink in that I’m in the quarters ... But to be playing Ash, two Aussies, with one of us sure to go to the semis – it’s great. Everyone at home will be happy ... I’m thrilled to play Ash [Barty] and I’m hoping it will be a great match.”
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Raducanu retires! Tomljanovic is through to the last eight!
Raducanu 4-6, 0-3 Tomljanovic
It’s over. What a shame. It’s not clear what the problem is - and we send our best wishes to Emma Raducanu - who played such incredible tennis to get to this stage and was competing extremely well with a far-higher-ranked player so far. It’s a sad end to a superb Wimbledon campaign for the 18-year-old British player.
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Long-term readers of this blog will know that Federer won earlier, too.
Here is Simon Cambers’ report:
It’s a medical timeout for Raducanu - she has three minutes to try and resolve the problem, whatever it may be.
Between the points, there have been regular shots of Matteo Berrettini, Tomljanovic’s boyfriend, who is cheering her on enthusiastically from the VIP seats.
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Raducanu* 4-6, 0-3 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
The British player made her work for it, but Tomljanovic eventually holds and fashions a 3-0 lead in the second. Two medics have come on to court to speak to Raducanu, who has been clutching her stomach, although it’s not clear what the problem is, whether it’s stomach cramps or pain, or some kind of muscle pull or injury.
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Raducanu gets down low to crush a big forehand for 40-30 on her opponent’s serve.
The crowd applaud, and there’s a shot of a women in the stands clapping frantically, with a cardboard sign that says: “GO EMMA - WE’RE FROM SIDCUP.”
Raducanu wins another point for deuce, and then another for a break point! But it’s another unforced error, unfortunately, as Raducanu hits long and it’s back to deuce.
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Raducanu 4-6, 0-2 *Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Tomljanovic is finding her range, and more unforced errors have crept into Raducanu’s game now. She looks a little pained as she readies herself to receive serve at two-love down. She has in fact called for the doctor, who is waiting at the side of the court for the next break.
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Djokovic won today, naturally, defeating Cristian Garín in straight sets.
Greg Wood has the story:
Raducanu* 4-6, 0-1 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
The 18-year-old British player, who is ranked 338 in the world, will serve to level things up after her opponent holds serve at the beginning of the second set. Several “Come on Emmas” are forthcoming from the crowd between games.
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Tomljanovic wins the first set: 4-6!
The rallies are getting longer, with both players warming to their task. After a couple of particularly punishing exchanges, the world No 75 Tomljanovic forces a break point. Raducanu hits long, and the Australian player has the first set.
Everything to play for, though, even if the first set has gone against Raducanu.
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Raducanu* 4-5 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
The Croatian-born Australian eventually manages to dig out a hold of serve - but was made to work a lot, lot harder than at any time before by her opponent.
A power-packed double-handed backhand down the line brings a break point for Raducanu. Raducanu’s next return of serve looks well wide, and is well wide, after Tomljanovic challenges ... but a mishit from Tomljanovic brings another break point!
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Raducanu 4-4 *Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
The British player holds after a game that featured the longest rally of the match so far - with some powerful, confident hitting from both sides of the net. All square in the first - and it’s a raucous atmosphere on Court One.
“At 4-4 in the fourth, every point is big now,” observes Martina Navratilova in commentary.
Borg victorious at Wimbledon - Leo Borg, son of Björn.
Sean Ingle reports:
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Raducanu* 3-4 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Raducanu forces her opponent to deuce, but Tomljanovic gets over the line eventually to lead in the first set - it’s still with serve after a high-quality opening to this match.
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Raducanu 3-3 *Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Raducanu rounds off a confident service hold with an excellent cross-court pass that Tomljanovic can only direct into the grass. With serve and all square in the first set and encouraging signs.
Raducanu 2-2 *Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Raducanu holds and it’s all square on Court One.
Federer speaks after a loud, long ovation: “I’m extremely happy ... after the first set, I was able to control things. It was a great match, I couldn’t be happier to be in the quarters ... thank you guys for coming out, and making it special.”
Told that the Medvedev v Hurkacz match will conclude tomorrow, he adds: “These guys are young, they can recover, it’s not a problem for them. Unfortunately they’re very very good, too.”
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Federer beats Sonego: 7-5, 6-4, 6-2!
All over. Sonego put up a spirited fight, especially in the first set, but he was eventually comprehensively outclassed. Still, there is a smile on his face as he walks off, pausing for a selfie with a fan.
Raducanu* 1-2 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Raducanu climbs into a second-serve return, but hits it long, and that’s a fairly comfortable hold for the Australian.
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Federer* 7-5, 6-4, 5-2 Sonego (*denotes next server)
Federer will serve for the match, and a last-eight meeting against Medvedev or Hurkacz.
Raducanu 1-1 *Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Big, big hold of serve from the Briton! She double faults to make it deuce in her first service game. If she is feeling a few early nerves, that is hardly surprising. On the next point, Raducanu hits long, and Tomljanovic has a break point ... but Raducanu saves it with a big serve! She then plays another superb point, including a rasping forehand, and has a game point ... and she takes it! Raducanu has shunted Eastenders to BBC2, by the way.
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Federer 7-5, 6-4, 5-1 *Sonego (*denotes next server)
Federer rounds off his latest service hold with an ace down the middle. This is very very nearly over, so we can focus on Raducanu’s fourth-round meeting.
Raducanu* 0-1 Tomljanovic (*denotes next server)
Tomljanovic, who is ranked No 75 in the world, holds her first service game against the Briton.
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Federer* 7-5, 6-4, 4-1 Sonego (*denotes next server)
The Fed strolls towards the net before a Sonego serve and pats it back dismissively. Sonego finds the winner down the line, but Federer is having fun.
Tomljanovic will serve first against the British 18-year-old hope, Raducanu, on Court One.
Federer 7-5, 6-4, 4-0 *Sonego (*denotes next server)
A distinctly processional vibe to this third set now. Federer will be back here on Wednesday.
Federer* 7-5, 6-4, 3-0 Sonego (* denotes next server)
Federer speeds to 0-40 on the Sonego serve. But the Italian will not lie down - at least not initially - and forces it back to 30-40 before sending a volley long. And it’s a double break for Fed in the third, and what looks to be final, set. Sonego is still raising his arms and whipping up the crowd at every opportunity, mind you. Fair play to him, as they say in Turin.
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Federer 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 Sonego
Meanwhile, over on Centre Court, Federer broke immediately and has now held, and has raced into a 2-0 lead in the third set.
Emma Raducanu will be on Court One from 8pm ...
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Auger-Aliassime speaks: “It’s a dream come true - it’s unbelievable ... I’m a normal guy from Montreal, Canada, and here I am ... Court One, packed, Wimbledon ... it’s surely the best win of my life ... it was super-difficult [to keep belief] ... I always struggled against Alex ... things got really difficult, I had to dig deep ... you guys [the fans] helped me so thank you.”
The crowd goes wild.
“I get to play another match so that’s always good ... It’s going to be exciting.”
Auger-Aliassime beats Zverev! 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4
The fourth seed is out! Auger-Aliassime, the 16th seed, is into the last eight!
The 20-year-old Canadian rounds the match off with a lusty smash and clenches his fists in exhilaration and delight. What a win!
He will take on Matteo Berrettini in the quarters.
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Federer wins the second set: 6-4!
Federer leads by two sets to love: 7-5, 6-4
This is becoming a little more one-sided. OK, much more one-sided. It will take some kind of miracle for Sonego to get back into this match.
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Federer* 7-5, 5-4 Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Fed finds 30-30 on the Italian’s serve, but his young opponent crushes a forehand to regain control, and soon takes the game. The 39-year-old Swiss will serve, now, for a two sets to love lead.
Auger-Aliassime moves 5-3 up against Zverev! The German now has to serve to stay in the set, and the match ...
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Federer 7-5, 5-3 *Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Federer holds serve with a minimum of fuss. The Italian must serve to stay in the second set.
Federer* 7-5, 4-3 Sonego (*Denotes next server)
In the next game, Sonego runs down another deep Federer effort, and produces an astonishingly good cross-court pass to win the point for 40-15. He whips the crowd up - then aces to take the game - and whips the crowd up a little more.
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Federer 7-5, 4-2 *Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Federer notches up another service hold.
Auger-Aliassime holds for 3-3 against Zverev, having been pushed to deuce.
This year’s breakout star, Emma Raducanu, is due on Court One at 19.45. She faces Ajla Tomljanovic in the last 16. But it all depends on when Zverev and Auger-Aliassime finish up, with no tiebreak in the fifth.
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Federer* 7-5, 3-2 Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Federer breaks! Sonego is starting to feel the heat. He is shaking his head, and naturally looking up at his team in the stands with regularity, as Federer begins to exert more and more control on this match.
Like it!
@LukeMcLaughlin It (almost) goes without saying that Auger-Aliassime serving to Zverev is (to use London parlance) a veritable A to Z..
— TheFlyingPasty (@ToffeeDan) July 5, 2021
Federer 7-5, 2-2 *Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Federer rushes through a love hold, and it’s time for Sonego to serve again.
At the start of the next game, Sonego berate himself after an unconvincing forehand allowed the Swiss to move 0-15 ahead. And then 0-30 and a glimmer of light for Federer!
And they say towels are over-used in professional tennis ...
Federer* 7-5, 1-2 Sonego (*Denotes next server)
Two punishing forehands from the Italian open up the court - and a third, down the line, buys him victory in the game. Federer trails 1-2 and it’s with serve in the second set.
Federer 1-1 *Sonego (*Denotes next server) Another rather uncharacteristic error from Fed in that game, as he butchers a forehand that flies wide and long. But he closes out the game easily enough to level in the second set.
On Court One, Zverev is having to work to hold his serve and stop Auger-Aliassime going 3-0 up - but the German pulls it off eventually, and it’s 2-1 to Auger-Aliassime in the fifth and final set.
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Sonego holds serve for 1-0 in the second set.
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Latest from Tumaini Carayol here -
“If ever there is an example of how quickly fortunes can change in tennis, the 2018 Wimbledon champion now stands resolute in the quarter-final as clear proof. On a particularly manic Monday, Kerber exhibited calm and considerable experience as she outplayed Coco Gauff, the 20th seed, on Centre Court to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon with a clean 6-4, 6-4 win.”
Ominously for Zverev - who has forced his way back into the match against Auger-Aliassime to force a deciding set from two down - the Canadian has gone 2-0 up in the fifth.
Federer wins the first set against Sonego: 7-5!
There was some sloppy stuff from Federer in amongst that, but he got over the line eventually. The return from the rain break for Sonego was a disaster, as he double-faulted for 6-5.
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At 0-30 and with a bit of pressure on, Federer dispatches an imperious forehand winner, cross-court, that kisses the line. But another unforced error from Fed, and it’s 15-40! Sonego sends a shot fractionally wide at 30-40 and Federer soon forces a set point!
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Fun fact from Wiki: A fan of Italian football club Torino, Sonego played for the Torino youth academy between the age of six and 13 before focusing on tennis.
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Sonego double-faults! Oh, that’s a shocker. It’s 6-5 Federer, and the eight-times champion can serve for the first set.
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Recap: The score is 5-5 in the first set, on Sonego’s serve, and it’s advantage Federer: break point.
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We are nearly back in business. The roof is on, the players are back on court, and they are having a little warm-up before getting down to it.
Henman calls it ‘a bizarre scenario’, to see a warm-up after a 20-minute break, while Inverdale points to the fact that in cricket, the batsmen don’t get a warm-up after a rain break. “Maybe they should just get on with it,” says Inverdale.
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I caught some of Ons Jabeur’s win against Iga Swiatek earlier today, which featured some seriously accomplished hitting from both players. Jabeur outclassed her opponent in the end, but they shared a warm hug at the net at the end of the match, the two players clearly holding each other in high regard.
Here’s Tumaini Carayol’s piece from Friday, following Jabeur’s third-round win against Garbine Muguruza -
Simon Cambers one of our men in SW19 - here’s his latest bulletin following Ash Barty’s win against French Open champion, Barbora Krejcikova:
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“The importance of this set has probably increased with this rain delay,” observes Tim Henman in the commentary booth. “You feel that if Federer were to get it under his belt, he might run away with things.”
The roof is currently rolling over on Centre Court. Do you think this is a match Federer will take control of eventually? You can email me here. I may as well declare an interest: I’ve got Centre Court tickets for Wednesday, and I have to admit, I’d rather like to see Federer in action ...
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At 5-5, Federer and Sonego are now locked in a deuce battle on the Italian’s serve ... The world No 27 clips a beautiful forehand winner down the line, which bounces just in, and saves a game point. Then he dumps a regulation backhand in the net, and it’s advantage Fed yet again ... yet again, Sonego saves it!
There are a few drops of rain on Centre Court ... play has stopped on Court One ... and now they are going off for rain on Centre, too.
Sonego will head in for the rain break at break-point down and 5-5 in the first set.
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Zverev wins fourth set v Auger-Aliassime!
It’s 2-2 on Court 1 now, as the German roars back and forces a deciding set. Exciting times.
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Federer 5-5 *Sonego (*denotes next server)
The Italian breaks back! A crushing, deep Federer forehand is followed with a delicate drop shot - but Sonego isn’t fazed - he runs it down and pulls off a beautifully controlled lob for 0-30. And he goes on to break Federer’s serve to love! A couple on uncharacteristic errors in there from the Swiss, and he’s in a real match here.
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*Federer 5-4 Sonego (*denotes next server)
The Swiss will serve for set. John Inverdale is currently talking about Federer’s first appearance at Wimbledon, which was in 1999. He’s not looking bad, is he?
Thanks very much Daniel. It’s just gone to 5-3 for Federer against Sonego on Centre Court, and Lorenzo Sonego has to serve to stay in the first set.
Hurkacz leads Medvedev 2-1 in their fourth set, while Zverev has just gone 4-2 up against Auger Aliassime.
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Right, now I really am going. Here’s Luke to see you through.
Bad news for Sonego: Federer holds to love, and within what must seem like seconds, he’s back having to fight for his own.
This is a really good test for both Auger-Aliassime and Zverev; can the former serve well enough to hold, even if he can’t make much impression otherwise? And can Zverev assert himself when he really needs to?
On Centre, Federer and Sonego are still going backwards and forwards over deuce, but I’ll leave that one with Luke McLaughlin, who’ll guide you through what’s left of the day ... no I won’t, Sonego hung in there for 3-2. Ta-ra!
Medvedev [2] wins the third set 6-3 to lead Hurkacz [14] 2-1!
Hurkacz made him fight for it, saving set points in this game and the previous one, but a supreme forehand from Medvedev finally sealed things.
Auger-Aliassime saves two break points but Zverev nails the third and now leads 1-0 in set four; he’s getting stronger as his opponent is fading.
On No2, Medvedev will shortly serve for set four at 5-3 while, on No1, Auger-Aliassime is 0-30 down, and on Centre, Federer has a break point...
Fans set to be allowed back into sporting venues with no Covid restrictions. By @PaulMac https://t.co/88jLgXQLqU
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) July 5, 2021
Zverev [4] wins the third set 6-4 to trail Auger-Aliassime [16] 2-1!
Zverev’s serve, which has worked so well in previous rounds, is back, and he holds to 0, sealing the deal with an ace.
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Auger-Aliassime holds to love, so Zverev will serve at 5-3 and to halve the deficit.
As you’d expect, Zverev then hustles through a hold for 5-2, and momentum in this match might just’ve shifted. But even if it has, the world number four has a lot of work to do.
Zverev earns two break points and though Auger-Aliassime saves the first with a canny second serve, he then nets a forehand to give the German the 4-2 lead he held in both previous sets – that he wound up losing.
“Could they not have played the National Anthems before the Federer/Sonego game,” wonders @Mysteron_Voices, “for the only reason that the Italian one is rather brilliant...”
I was emptying the dishwasher the other night and caught myself bopping to the cupboards ... to Il Canto degli Italiani. Absolute tune.
I guess Sonego might be able to surprise Federer – they’ve only met once, he lost – and isn’t carrying the baggage of the two generations of players he’s been slapping up for the best part of two decades. He holds his first service game, then Federer does likewise.
Eesh, Zverev slips and hurts his knee – it looks nasty, but he gets up eventually and seems fine.
Medvedev, meanwhile, has punished Hurkacz for winning a set and leads 2-0 in set three.
Perhaps today will be the day he graduates from talent to player. He trails 1-2 in set three, on serve.
Boris Becker just now: “If there’s one area in Felix’s game that he needs to improve, it’s his forehand.”
— Calvin Betton (@Calvbetton) July 3, 2021
Yeah, sure Boris. The forehand. 👍 pic.twitter.com/FRHzAecWZL
It blows my mind that a phenom like FA-A has a hole in his game as big as he does with his 2nd serve, has done for years, then got the freakish opportunity of 3 months off just to work on that one area of his game, and came back after 3 months having made zero improvement on it.
— Calvin Betton (@Calvbetton) July 3, 2021
Federer and Sonego have come out onto Centre. Federer looked a lot more like himself against Norrie and Gasquet, and that level should be enough to see him through here, but he’ll have to get better again to challenge whoever comes next.
Hurkacz [14] wins the second set against Medvedev 7-6(2) to level the match!
Hurkacz is going for a lot more now, especially on the forehand, and we got ourselves a ball-game!
...and quickly nabs a second for 5-2.
Hurkacz takes the first mini-break to lead Medvedev 4-2 in their breaker...
Auger-Aliassime [16] wins the second set against Zverev [4] 7-6(6) to lead by two sets to love!
Five consecutive forehands are enough to settle things and you can see from his celebration that Auger-Aliassime is starting to believe. Similarly, the look on Zverev’s kipper tells you he can feel it slipping away.
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On No2, we’ve got ourselves a second-set breaker between Hurkacz and Medvedev.
Zverev retrieves the mini-break but must still serve at 4-5 and Auger-Aliassime has a second serve to climb into into which he can climb. But he nets a forehand from as close to the net as you’d like and Zverev wins the next point too, to lead 6-5. This is tense now, because you’d take whoever wins this set to win the match.
Next on Centre: Federer v Sonego.
On No1, Auger-Aliassime swings an ace out wide and now leads Zverev 7-0 in that second-set aspect, 4-1 in its tiebreaker.
Kerber is full of praise for Gauff, who she says is a great player and going to win a lot. She bigs up the crowd, who’ve given her the energy to produce her best stuff – she’d been on court a couple of hours longer than her opponent – and she’s looking forward to coming back tomorrow. She’s the only Wimbledon champion left in the draw and loves playing on Centre.
Zverev secures his hold so he and Auger-Aliassime will play a tiebreak.
Kerber [25] beats Gauff [20] 6-4 6-4!
Kerber thuds down an ace to complete the first love hold of the match, and progresses to meat Muchova [19]. She admitted to falling out of love with the game, but it’s making eyes at her now and she’s a big contender.
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Kerber makes an incredible winner, forehand cross-court on the run, for 15-0 and a service winner gives her 30-0...
Gauff holds to make Kerber serve for it, while Zverev is serving for a second-set breaker.
Auger-Aliassime’s top looks like a football top from the mid-90s.
Meantime on Centre, Gauff can’t convert two break points for 5-3, then Kerber gets to deuce and closes out with an ace. A break or a hold in the next two games and she’s into the quarters.
Auger-Aliassime plays a tremendous first point, a fine return putting him in control of the point, and when Zverev slips, he lays a drop-shot to make it his. But Zverev isn’t just stepping away, and quickly wins four points in a row for 5-5.
On Zverev, this piece by Tumaini Carayol is essential.
Then rattles through another service game, which he seals with an ace. Zverev will now serve to stay in set at 4-5.
Auger-Aliassime has got Zverev here, and he breaks him back for 4-4 in set two. This is getting very interesting.
Hurkacz has grown into his match with Medvedev. He’s going for his shots now, rather than waiting for his opponent to hit a winner, and leads 3-2 in set two.
Nothing to do with Wimbledon but everything to do with what Wimbledon is about:
While, on pronunciation, Robert Fleischmann notes that “When Juan Martín del Potro played, a British announcer pronounced his name as one would the kitchen item you might find alongside the pans. It was truly cringeworthy and there was no excuse for it.”
I guess there’s a fear of sounding like a pseud – I once got grief for pronouncing the Ga of Van Gaal with a guttural ch, which I did because I’m used to speaking Hebrew and that sound is omnipresent. But I understood why that incited someone to laugh at me.
“The tricky thing is that levelling up has two meanings in sport,” emails Gregory Phillips. “One tautological — levelling a contest — and the other not, as in reaching a new level, like your first Wimbledon semi. Neither bothers me, but then I no longer live in the UK and this have been spared listening to this government using it in what is probably some inane fashion.”
Hmmm, I’m not sure the second meaning works. I’d say it either means levelling a contest or evening a playing field.
Zverev, meanwhile, has broken Auger-Aliassime and leads 3-1, but trails by one set to love.
Kerber has broken Gauff for 2-1 in set two and needs to do something quicksmart if she’s to stay in the match.
Oh, Madison. A few years ago it looked like one of the most naturally talented players on the women’s tour had finally found herself, but then she perpetrated a total no-show against Stephens in the US open final, and hasn’t got back to there since. She’s now a set and 4-2 down to the unseeded Golubic, as decent an opponent as you can hope for to make the last eight of a major.
Medvedev [2] wins the first set against Hurkacz [14] 6y-2!
After a difficult match against Cilic, Medvedev’s needle os back hitting the groove. He’s winning 92% of first-serve points and 80% of second serve, which is very silly.
Gauff scraps her way to a hold to start the second set; this one is heating up nicely. Time to hand back to Daniel Harris ...
Fired up by losing the first set, Zverev breaks Auger-Aliassime straight away to go 2-0 up in the second. Finding top gear isn’t usually Zverev’s problem though, it’s maintaining it. Over on No 2 Court, Daniil Medvedev continues his off-radar progress; he leads the first set after breaking Hubert Hurkacz early on.
Kerber wins the first set 6-4! Kerber rolls to 40-15 and two set points, but Gauff isn’t quite done and saves the first with a clinical backhand. In the next rally, a smart change of direction proves enough to get the former champion ahead.
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Switching focus to Centre for a spell now, where Coco Gauff is digging in, holding serve at 5-3 down. Kerber to serve for the first set. The winner of this one will play Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals, after the Czech beat Spain’s Paula Badosa 7-6 (6), 6-4.
Auger-Aliassime wins the first 6-4! Zverev is edging the longer rallies but his serve is holding him up – another double at deuce gives his opponent set point, and Auger-Aliassime takes it as Zverev nets!
On Centre, Angelique Kerber has held firm after that early break and leads Coco Gauff 4-2 in the first set. Zverev is serving to save the first set at 5-4 down, and starts with a double fault ...
Fucsovics beats Rublev in five sets!
The No 5 seed looked to be heading for the quarters at two sets to one up, but Marton Fucsovics struck back and has won 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3! The Hungarian is into his first grand slam quarter-final, where he will play ... Novak Djokovic. The other quarter-final on their side of the draw is Shapolavov v Khachanov.
Updated
This is another lengthy game. There is little between these two. Zverev double faults on his second serve to go 15-30 down but then finds far better on his next second serve. Then double faults again to cough up a break point. Then misses his first serve again before Aliassime blows the chance to put it away when he weakly returns a lob. The Canadian should have done far better and then gets forced into an error to hand Zverev an advantage. There’s a beeping phone in the Court One crowd - what type of animal doesn’t use silent mode? Aliassime then holds off Zverev’’s advantage but another one comes. Then there’s another save with an exocet of a winning return. Then there’s a replayed point for deuce after the umpire correctly calls the ball in. A Zverev serve lands yet another game point. Then another double fault. Oh Sasha! A break point is presented to Aliassime as the game goes beyond ten minutes. There’s a loud interloper shouting as Zverev goes to serve, and twice she does it to stop him in his tracks. A break back and Zverev has someone else to blame rather than himself though he carries plenty of guilt for that series of missed chances. It’s 4-4 in the first. A long way to go.
Updated
Coco Gauff is on court against Angelique Kerber, and it’s windy on Centre Court. And it’s Kerber who gets the earliest break possible. It’s 0-1.
Aliassime seems a little nervous on his forehand, and is coaxed into netting by a powerful backhand for break point. He recovers himself with a thwacking winner, and an ace to seize and advantage, then challenges a backhand that he overcooked the slice on. There’s a break in play, as a spectator is taken ill, but they seem to have recovered sufficiently to get ushered out. The resumption sees recover his step with some hard hitting, but then gets greedy to be pulled back to deuce again. The same happens again when he attempts a passing shot. Then slips as Zverev takes another break point with a forehand. That’s aced away. Then comes another break point. Aliassime keeps hitting far too long, but his serve is excellent when a break point down. Then comes a crashing serve to take his own advantage, and then another. 4-3. And it took a long time to get there.
Zverev serves well against Aliassime to go 4-2 up, and there’s some big hitting going on out there.
I keep trying to go and collect my nipper from school, but things keep happening. Fucsovics has broken Rublev for 4-2 in the decider, and John Brewin will now coax you through the next bit.
Updated
Muchova wins the first set against Badosa 7-6(6)!
Badosa had so many chances to make that not happen, but played too many loose shots – she’s already lost more points, games and sets than she should’ve done in this tournament and they might just catch up with her today.
Updated
On No1, Zverev has broken Auger-Aliassime for 3-2 in set one, while Badosa has burned a set point and now faces one...
Updated
In classic Badosa style, she gets a 5-2 advantage then allows Muchova to claw back to 5-5, which really illustrates the thing with her; she’s got winners for years, but hasn’t quite got them balanced with errors.
Djokovic [1] beats Garin [17] 6-2 6-4 6-2!
Another straightforward afternoon for the best in the world, and he meets Fucsovics or Rublev next.
Updated
Elsewhere, Muchova and Badosa are playing a first-set breaker, which Muchova leads 2-1 on serve.
Yeah, Fucsovics is absolutely rousting Rublev here, dashing to the net to meet a terrific drop and flipping over a winning response! That seals his consolidation and he now leads 3-0! That’s nine games in a row.
Fucsovics can feel it coming in the air tonight. He breaks Rublev for the fourth time in a row and for 2-0 in set five!
Felt dirty typing it… Zverev sending down two doubles in his first service game before holding for 1-1.
“Strong and stable progress from Djokovic,” says Matt Dony. “Consolidating himself as the favourite, no interest in a vote for change. Just focusing on his next moves forward. Felt dirty typing it…”
No one will pay any attention unless he stands in that Tory power stance.
Elsewhere, Shapovalov has broken Bautista Agut and will now serve for the match, while Muchova has broken Badosa, who was serving for the first sry.
Fucsovics wins the fourth set against Rublev [5] 6-0!
Here comes the decider!
“Richard Carter has a point about foreign pronunciation,” says Gary Naylor, “but didn’t the BBC disband its department that advised on such things about 20 years ago? If they hadn’t, the BBC’s competitors’ newspaper platforms would have screamed it down years ago.”
Is a department really necessary? I’m not looking to can one of the best things about this country, but you could just ask someone.
Shapovalov and Bautista Agut are at 5-5 in set three, so I’ve switched to Fucsovics and Rublev who’ll shortly be addressing a decider (you’d think).
“And what about a slap-up dinner, as often happened in the Beano back when I was an avid reader?” emails Andrew Benton.
I was thinking of that too – though I failed to inculcate football and cricket into my daughter, she absolutely loves the Beano and reads it like someone in the Beano reading the Beano, laughing out loud repeatedly. I suppose she’s used to my gags.
But what’s going on on No2? Trailing 2-1, Fucsovics has won four straight at the start of set four and is poised to force Rublev to a decider.
Djokovic has had enough, breaking Garin first up in set three. He quickly consolidates, and is four holds away from the last eight.
Badosa – upon whom your intrepid liveblogger wagered a few pennies at 66-1 – leads Muchova 5-2.
Next on Court 18: Keys [23] v Golubic.
Khachanov [25] beats Korda 3-6 6-4 6-3 5-7 10-8!
On match point, Khachanov gees up the crowd, then Korda goes wide with yet another booming forehand! That was a belting match, and Korda, on his 21st birthday, showed why he’s going be a serious problem. But after 13 breaks, it’s Kahchanov left standing, and he meets Shapovalov or Bautista Agut next.
Updated
Djokovic [1] wins the second set 6-4 to lead Garin [17] by two sets to love!
I daresay he wins this one.
Updated
What! Khachanov has broken Korda yet again! He leads 9-8 in set five and will now serve for the match a fourth time.
Rublev [5] wins the third set 6-4 to lead Fucsovics by two sets to one!
He’s looking good for his first Wimbledon quarter.
There we go! Dkjokovic breaks Garin and will now serve for the second set at 5-4.
“If this were the first time you had seen Krajcikova play would you believe that she had won a major on clay?” asks Olive Barnes. “What a great all-court game she has. Shows how playing doubles can have such a positive effect on your singles game. Really enjoyed that match and well done Ash Barty.”
Yup, I guess those that know Krejcikova expected her to break through sooner so perhaps her mental game has caught up with her technical game. But as you say she gave Barty plenty, and Barty’s ability to win in straights tells us plenty about what she’s up to here.
And Khachanov holds too! I’d love to know what’s going on in the respective heads of these lads. We’ve been going three hours 45 minutes now.
Korda has held! What is going on?! Khachanov must now do likewise for 8-8!
“I can imagine it being said as someone sticks an equalising penalty away,” tweets Tom Goddard, “e.g. ‘Salah levels things up.’ However, if Tyler starts referring to how Rafa is starting to ‘build back better’ for Everton next season then we may have a problem!”
I wonder if it’s not in fact tautology, but a figure of speech. So you might slap someone up, but you’re not using “up” as a direction but as part of a phrase that draws together the other constituent aspects. If that makes sense, which it might not.
Next on No1: Auger-Aliassime [16] v Zverev [4]. I think Zverev will have too much – he’s playing as well as I’ve ever seen him – but if Auger-Aliassime turns up, there’ll be fireworks.
Back to Djokovic, he leads Garin 6-2 3-4 on serve.
Barty says it was an incredibly tough match and Krejcikova is an incredibly tough player, but she found her best stuff when she needed it most. She gets confidence from the work she does with her team and the matches are the fun part much as it’s frustrating at times. She’s looking forward to the Raducanu-Tomljanovic match, and to playing the winner.
Updated
Shut up! A 12th break, as Korda does Khachanov again! Six times, Khachanov’s been up a break and pegged back; this is his first five-set match!
On Court 12, Badosa and Muchova are away. I know Muchova is the higher seed, 19 v 30, but I fancy Badosa for this one if she plays well – she’s got everything you need to win majors.
Barty [1] beats Krejcikova [14] 7-5 6-3!
Krejcikova’s run ends at 15 straight wins, but she made Barty play properly to beat her. Next for Barty, it’s Raducanu or Tomljanovic which, for a Wimbledon semi-final, you’d take.
Updated
I give up! Kahchanov has broken Korda for 7-6! I don’t know how we can assess this, really I don’t; sometimes, sport just makes weird stuff happen.
What’s going on? No one is any match can hold serve! Shapovalov has nabbed one off Bautista Agut, so leads 2-1. Oh and it’s raining again – heavier than before, apparently.
Life from Bautista Agut: he breaks Shapovalov back at they’re now at 1-1 in set three, Shapovalov by two sets to one. And Barty has broken Krejcikova again, so will now serve for the match at 7-5 5-3 ... and oh my days, Korda has broken Khachanov for 6-6! There’s no breaker until 12-12, so we could enjoy plenty more of this.
“I don’t suppose you can do anything about it,” says Richard Carter underestimating my reach, “but I do wish the muppets at the BBC would learn to pronounce Barbora Krejčíková’s name correctly: it’s not Krey-CHI-kova but KREY-chi-kova.”
Well then! Krejcikova has broken Barty back immediately, and now trials 3-4 in set two (and by one set to love).
It's an annoying phrase for sure, but I suspect you've only just started noticing it because of the Tories. In my line of work IT people have talked about levelling up (usually skills) for years. Google thinks use is declining pic.twitter.com/3Ur5omEynM
— NIall Litchfield (@nlitchfield) July 5, 2021
No he didn’t! Khachanov has broken Korda for 6-5 and will now serve for the match a second time! What on earth is going on?
“Are you as annoyed as I am by the sports commentators’ embrace of phrase ‘level up’?” tweets Gary Naylor. “Just heard it twice in a minute on 5 live. It’s a Tory slogan. There’s almost never any need for the preposition and it was almost never used before Cummings suggested it.”
Sport loves a tautology. Toss-up is another, and I’m sure there are more.
Barty has broken Krejcikova for 4-2 in set two and just knows a little bit too much; a ludicrous whipped forehand from Shapovalov puts him up two sets and a break; and Korda has saved his match against Khachanov thanks to the eighth break of the set; I think there were only four in the the first four.
Sebastian Korda has stones! First of all he gets a couple of break-back points, and when Khachanov saves them then raises match point, he bangs a return then eventually puts away a volley at the net.
Shapovalov [10] takes the second set 6-3 to lead Bautista Agut [8] 2-0!
He is playing beautifully.
Pliskova [8] beats Samsonova 6-2 6-3!
She meets Keys [23] or Golubic next in a quarter-final no one’s talking about them derby.
Updated
On No1, the players have been asked if they’d like to go on and they would, of course they would.
Updated
Oh! Kahchanov has broken Korda again! He’ll now serve for the match at 5-4, but the rain has started.
You saw this one coming: after saving four break points the previous game, Shapovalov breaks Bautista Agut for 5-3 – ruckusing with the umpire in the process – and will now serve for set two.
And now it’s Korda’s go to break Khachanov back, the sixth time someone’s failed to hold in this set. It’s now 4-4 and I’ve not a clue what’s coming next.
Shapovalov has just survived three break points to hold for 4-3 and the manner of it – controlled power – makes you wonder, not just if he’s going to win this match, but what he’s going to do next, this week.
Khachanov has broken Korda for the third time in a row and if he can just muscle through this consolidation you’d fancy him to serve out. But it’s 30-all....
Rublev [5] takes the second set against Fucsovics 6-4 to level their match at 1-1!
Hard to see Fucsovics winning from here.
By way of compensation, here’s Rublev looking like Mike Flowers.
Ah, please forgive me: I neglected to note that Fucsovics took the first set off Rublev, 6-3. Rublev will shortly serve for the second at 5-4.
One thing I should add on Barty is how sound she seems. As I type that, she and Khachanov are both two break points in the hole and both come through: Khachanov seals his first hold in the decider – he and Korda are at 3-3 - while Barty now leads Krejcikova 7-5 2-1.
“Is Barty the most frustrating player since Evonne Goolagong?” wonders Olive Barnes. “I am old enough to remember Evonne when she first burst on the scene and loved watching her play. But sometimes she would hit a very strange shot which would leave us all grasping for an explanation but Evonne would shrug and move onto the next point/game/set. She always seemed to give the impression that there were more important things in life than tennis. I see many similarities in Barty. I love the way Barty constructs points. Also she seems to have the full range of shots in her skill set and is a joy to watch.”
She and Goolagong are good mates too, and Barty’s gear is in tribute to hers. I wonder if Barty does anything quite well enough to win lots of majors, but she does lots of things very well and that might be enough – especially when no one else is as reliably solid.
Djokovic [1] wins the first set against Garin [17] 6-2!
Decent player imo.
Korda has broken Khachanov again, so now leads 3-1 in set five, but is serving at 0-40. ... and can only get a racket on a backhand pass absolute lamped past him. He now leads 3-2 in the decider, but we’re back on serve a second time.
Yeah, Khachanov isn’t going away, and he breaks Korda straight back. But that doesn’t mean he can’t drink a pint of wine, garnished with all the spirits from the optics and whatever muck is under the counter.
Barty [1] wins the first set against Krejcikova [14] 7-5!
That’s excellent from Barty, who hung in there while Krejcikova had her period then took over. The backhand slice she played to clinch the set, as Krejcikova came in, was a delightfully clever, snide piece of work.
Updated
Alreet, Korda has broken Khachanov for 2-0 in the decider. I hope his mates are courtside preparing a 21st birthday dirty drink for when this is over.
Momentum has switched on No1, Krejcikova forced to save a set point to earn her hold for 5-5. Barty is looking much more comfortable now.
Djokovic has broken Garin at the first time of asking, of course he has. He leads 2-1 in set one.
Updated
Er, I don’t think so, but you never know.
Pliskova [8] takes the first set against Samsonova 6-2!
Could this be her major?
Shapovalov [10] takes the first set against Bautista Agut [8] 6-1!
I doubt Shapovalov can play much better than that – he absolutely smoked Bautista Ague there 13 winners to four, but he’s also patiently hanging in points until the time comes to strike. He’s a player.
On Centre, Djokovic and Garin are out, but given we can predict what’s going to happen there I’ll update scores without changing the matches I’m watching.
Barty has improved through the last few games and has broken Krejcikova back for 4-4.
Korda wins the fourth set against Khachanov [25] 7-5!
A decider – that did not look likely when Khachanov went up a break when already leading by two sets to one – is now upon us.
“Regarding the commentary discussion, by far my favourite so far has been Marion Bartoli on 5 live.” says Kathleen Pohl. “She has real insight into the technicalities of the game but also remarkable enthusiasm. It grates so much when rather than embracing their pool of talent the BBC chose to have Becker commentary bringing nothing new.”
Yes, agree on Bartoli though I’ve not listened to much radio this term. As well as bringing what you say she brings, she suffuses it with charm, which is also important.
Shapovalov is taking Bautista Agut to school, leading 4-0 in set one – a decent effort against a formidably doughty opponent. Meanwhile, Khachanov will serve for a fourth-set breaker against Korda, who he leads by two sets to one.
Much better from Barty, sending Krejcikova to hither and yon before clouting a forehand winner that saves break point. But on advantage, she sends down a fourth double – serving like this just isn’t sustainable – but clings on for her hold to trail 3-4.
Updated
Krejcikova is looking really good against Barty, her doubles hands working well alongside her French Open confidence. She leads 4-2 in set one and looks more likely to break again than she does to be broken.
That ruckus between Rybakina and the umpire, then. We couldn’t hear what was said, but someone could.
Rybakina wants the chair umpire punished for an incorrect call.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 5, 2021
"But OK, are you getting fined after this?"
"If I break the racquet I'm going to get fined--and you?"#Wimbledon
“Despite Jermaine Jenas plumbing new depths of banality,” says Peter Lee, “I have to agree with those that despair at the very poor levels encountered in Tennis. Whether it be the 3,000th mention in one match of Raducanu’s A-Levels or the gross embarrassment of Sue Barker describing Konta as a superstar when she reached the semi (made even worse by the fact that she was talking to Billie-Jean King, a genuine superstar in many fields, at the time) there is a focus on chummy anecdotes at the expense of genuine analysis. Don’t even get me started on Andrew Castle....”
It seems like all the other sports have made the leap, treating their audience like they know something and want to know loads more, while tennis is still deploying familiar platitudes to an imagined passing trade.
On Court 12, Karolina Pliskova, the number eight seed, is 1-1 in set one against Samsonova.
OK, we’re on No1 now – I’m watching Barty, who’s been broken by Krejcikova for 2-1, Shapovalov-Bautista Agut and Khachanov-Korda; those two are 2-2 in set four, Khachanov by two sets to one.
We’re away on No1, No2 and No3, but for some reason when you click on the former, to watch Barty v Krejcikova, you get Rublev v Fucsovics; Fucsovics has broken in the first game, while Bautista Agut has handed Shapovalov the same.
Ons Jabeur becomes the first Arab or North African - man or woman - to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since Egypt's Ismail El Shafei in 1974.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) July 5, 2021
Takes out No.7 seed Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the last-eight stage at the Championships.
“If someone gave me the choice of picking this year’s womens’ champion,” tweets @Mysteron_Voice, “or the winner of next year’s Grand National, I’m not entirely sure I’d go for the tennis.”
No, agreed – I keep saying that women’s tennis has overtaken MMA as the world’s least predictable sport and it has. The quality is so deep now, and we’ve yet to have a dominant champ assert herself. Swiatek might get there, but not yet.
Berrettini-Zverev in particular would be a fascinating matchup and a serious test of major credentials. Both serve and are serving like God, so the winner would have to deploy more hands than are usually necessary.
Berrettini [7] beats Ivashka 6-4 6-3 6-1!
He meets Auger-Aliassime or Zverev next, either of which will be a total treat.
Absolute gah.
The Nick Kyrgios-Venus Williams team will play no further part at #Wimbledon https://t.co/J0LPKldDUh
— PA Sport (@pasport) July 5, 2021
While we’ve got a moment of relative calm, a seeding point: to make sure we don’t get the same matches over and over, each round is drawn. So let’s say you’ve got the last four, rather than just play 1v4 and 2v3, you pick it out of hat. But for majors, it doesn’t seem right; in the men’s draw for this Wimbledon, it’s worked out to be 1v3 and 2v4, and obviously Tsitsipas is out, but if he wasn’t, Djokovic should not play a better opponent than Medvedev. So perhaps majors should just work it out according to ranking, while all other tournaments can divide into blocks and set matches at random.
Next on No3 Court: Shapovalov [10] v Bautista Agut [8]. You’ve twisted my arm.
Next on No2 Court: Fucsovics v Rublev [5].
Sabalenka [2] beats Rybakina [18] 6-3 4-6 6-3!
That is huge! Sabalenka makes her first Grand Slam quarter and her work in set three was especially impressive, given the block that’s stopped her going deep previously. She served beautifully in the decider, moved well throughout, and her match against Jabeur will be a jazzer. It’s tomorrow, people!
Updated
Khachanov [25] wins the third set 6-3 to lead Korda 2-1!
It’s all him now.
Sabalenka has broken Rybakina and is serving for the match at 5-3 in the decider....
What I love about Jabeur is exactly as she explained: the variety, uniqueness and unpredictability. Add power to that, and you get these flat winners that come from nowhere, until you see them again and can see how her brain worked during the point.
Jabeur really is an absolute pleasure, and I hope this is the start for her, not the beginning. She made sure not to get angry after losing the first set and decided to play fewer drop-shots after beating Muguruza. People know she does it so she decided to change up and play more aggressively, but because moving on grass can be difficult, she tried to deploy the long and short slice to keep Swiatek guessing.
Jabeur [21] beats Swiatek [7] 5-7 6-1 6-1!
What a performance from Jabeur, who recovered from losing a tight first set to power through the next two like Swiatek wasn’t there! She finishes the match 7-0 for break points, seals it with an ace, and meets Rybakina or Sabalenka next!
Oh I say! Jabeur guides a gorgeous backhand winner down the line for break point; if she can convert, she’ll be serving for the match at 5-1! And she does, though my screen drops out at the crucial moment; I think Swiatek sent down a double but couldn’t be sure. Either way, here comes Ons!
“Re the discussion of commentators,” says Faye Wood, “I do think the BBC (and ITV) could do with refreshing its crusty set of ‘star’ male colour commentators who add nothing – Castle, Becker, Inverdale, Henman et al. I find Castle and Becker unbearable and really lack the knowledge of the tour and ability to communicate the game. It really needs more knowledgeable detail and texture and fresher voices. I would point out that commentary on women’s matches is much better. I’d be happy if Chanda Rubin and Sam Smith could do every match! Also, great working keeping up with the matches and I also love Ons and Penko.”
Yup, you’re absolutely correct to draw that distinction – Smith and Rubin are both excellent, so detailed ands specific in their analysis.
Gah!
The Nick Kyrgios-Venus Williams team will play no further part at #Wimbledon https://t.co/J0LPKldDUh
— PA Sport (@pasport) July 5, 2021
Swiatek is absolutely tearing into things now – better to burn out than to fade away, as the teenage t-shirt says – but she can’t blaze consecutive winners, so Jabeur saves two break points then closes out.
Khachanov has broken Korda in set three to lead 3-1, while aggravation was averted on No3 where Sabalenka earned a break point but wasted it. That allowed Rybakina to hold, and she now trails 1-2 on serve.
Jabeur breaks Swiatek and is looking so good at the moment. Swiatek, meanwhile, spends the time between games practising her service action, and trailing 1-3 in the decider, is in big trouble.
Beerrettini wins the second set against Ivashka 6-3 to lead by two sets to love!
Ivashka fought hard at the end, but ultimately there’s a huge class differential.
Swiatek settles into the set with a confident hold of her own – Jabeur then retaliates with another and looks likelier for now – while Sabalenka is opening her shoulders. At 30-all, though, controversy. Rybakina hammers down an ace, Sabalenka challenges, and the ball was good, just. But the umpire asks them to play the point again, though Saba was nowhere near playing it, and we have a break while displeasure is voiced. I understand where Rybakina is coming from, but she needs to take care not to lose focus.
A monstrous love hold from Jabeur reminds Swiatek what’s up, just as Sabalenka does likewise to Rybakina. I’ve not a clue who’s going to win either of these matches, both at 1-0 in the decider.
(7) Iga Swiatek vs (21) Ons Jabeur: 7-5 1-6
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 5, 2021
(18) Elena Rybakina vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka: 3-6 6-4
Looking forward to a Manic Monday-free future where there is less chance of two matches like these ones being played at the same time.
Rybakina [18] wins the second set against Sabalenka [2] 6-4 to level the match!
Sabalenka disappears for a comfort break but I’d imagine she mainly wants to have a word with herself because if she goes out here, it’ll hit her hard. At some point, she needs to perform at a major, and this one is wide open.
Khachanov [25] wins the second set against Korda 6-4 to level the match at 1-1!
The crucial break came in the final game, but Khachanov gradually increased the number of points he was winning on Korda’s serve so Korda became more defensive as a consequence.
Jabeur [21] wins the second set against Swiatek [7] 6-1!
That is brilliant stuff from Jabeur, who upped her consistency after losing the first set, hitting 12 winners to three and serving much better. Buckle up for the decider, people.
“May I say that I completely agree with your earlier point about how tennis punditry needs to improve,” emails Matthew Reed. “Personally, I find that much of it just doesn’t add anything to what you can see for yourself on screen and if that’s the case then really what is the point of it? For example, during Katie Boulter’s match against Aryna Sabalenka, the commentators discussed Sabalanka’s relatively poor record in Slams whilst also referring to her as the second favourite for the title. I realise this was due to her seeding but for me it just illustrated that so much tennis commentary is superficial and about building some sort of narrative rather than offering proper insight into how the match is playing out. One commentator who I think does do an excellent job is Mark Petchey. His passion and love for the game always come through but he blends this with proper technical analysis that adds to the viewing experience. I wish more tennis commentary would follow his lead!”
Yup, before every day I ask Calvin for his thoughts because I don’t think we’re offered that kind of thing on telly.
Meanwhile, Swiatek rushes through a much-needed easy hold, finding her first ace of the match in the process, while Khachanov’s first break point of his match against Korda has been and gone. He leads 5-4 in set two, Korda by one set to love.
Goodness me, Sabalenka looks hot serving at 3-3 but suddenly loses it at the end of the game, a wild forehand handing Rybakina break point then, with the court open, a wilder one drops wide! That is inexplicable behaviour that explains why Sabalenka has struggled in majors, and she now trails 4-3 in set two, a break down. Rybakina 3-6 4-3 Sabalenka
But Jabeur saves both, then another, and at 4-0 in the second is looking good for a decider.
That was the seventh break of the match, by the way, and Swiatek now has two points for an eighth.
Check out Ons! Her forehand is booming and she absolutely climbs into it when Swiatek serves again, breaking again for 3-0 with a flat, whipped cross-courter! It’s looking a lot like a three-setter.
Updated
On Court 12, Berrettini is up a set and a break against Ivashka, leading 6-4 2-1.
As she did in set one, Jabeur has broken Swiatek in game one of set two and now leads 2-0, while Rybakina leads Sabalenka 3-1 after losing the first set.
Korda has cooled down. He started in the absolute zone – maybe he indulged in some birthday breakfast fizz – but Khachanov has woken up and now leads 3-2 on serve, first set Korda.
Swiatek [7] takes the first set against Jabeur [21] 7-5!
There was so much to love about that set but in the end ,Swiatek had just too much, able to turn it up when she really needed to to win the points she really needed to. Her poise, at just 20, is a criminal offence.
...Jabeur gets back to 30-all, but a belting forehand from the centre to the forehand side gets Swiatek set point....
Swiatek might just be on one now, directing Jabeur to her backhand corner before punishing a forehand into it as soon as she’s left. At 0-30, she’s two points away from the set...
Ahahahahahahaha! Jabeur and Swiatek are getting there! Jabeur plays a lavish drop return that bounces maybe a half a foot over the net and Swiatek, who is so, so quick, chases it down and flicks a winner around the post! She leads 6-5 and Jabeur will now serve to stay in the set.
Have a look! In classic Sabalenka style, the game after taking the first set she’s broken and Rybakina is arriving into this match.
Berrettini [7] wins the first against Ivashka 6-4!
His serve is just not to be messed with.
Serving at 30-40, Jabeur finds two colossal forehands when Swiatek might easily have expected something very different – it’s so hard to predict what she’s going to play. The second, in particular, was set up for down the line, but she ran around the angle to hook a top-spinning winner cross-court. And have a look! Swiatek earns another break point and looks to have done enough with a backhand down the line, only for Jabeur to stretch for a pick-up drop half-volley! That is ridiculous behaviour. Still, Swiatek then finds another bousting backhand and this time she converts! We’re back on serve at 5-5!
Sabalenka [2] wins the first set against Rybakina [18] 6-3!
At the moment, Sabalenka, though not at her best, is playing well enough.
Sebastian Korda wins the first set against Karen Khachanov [25] 6-3!
It’s an undressing, at least at the moment. Not a bad way to celebrate your 21st, if pouring down drinks at the Pick and Chicago’s is out of the question.
Updated
...but Swiatek wins four points in a row to make Jabeur serve for it at 5-4. So far, they’re both whacking it and going for it, but neither has hit a vein of consistency yet.
Jabeur holds again for 5-3 and Swiatek, now serving to stay in the first set, finds herself at 0-30...
“If I may join in the conversation,” says Tim, “Swiatek and Rybakina to win in straight sets.”
I’d not be surprised if Sabalenka lost but I’d be a little surprised if Rybakina was good enough to do her in two; Sabalenka leads 4-2 at the moment. Meanwhile, Jabeur has just clattered a forehand cross-court to break Swiatek again; she leads 4-3, and neither player has found consistency yet.
Sabalenka is asserting herself, breaking again – though Rybakina helps her with a double on 40-15. She now leads 3-2, while Jabeur plays a poor game that allows Switatek to seize the break-back she’s been threatening, sealing the deal with a tremendous backhand return. And, out on Court 12, Korda has broken Khachanov and consolidated to love. He leads 4-1, leaping into a putaway at the net that shows a man enjoying himself. He’s a player.
Switatek gives Jabeur plenty when she serves at 2-1, a backhand cross-court and a forehand winner earning break points. But Jabeur does really well to save them and now leads 3-2.
“You mention Henman,” says Darrien Bold. “The main thing that grates about his commentary is that for someone who ‘knows a thing or two’ about the grass court game he seldom imparts any of this knowledge, preferring to trot out tripe such as ‘the next game is crucial’ or patting himself on the back for guessing that the serve was going down the middle. I find the tennis punditry similar to the snooker - plenty of great stuff, alongside some drivel.”
I think that tennis punditry probably has further to go than that in any other sport. There’s so much stuff that we, as punters don’t know, and I don’t think we get much beyond the basics at the moment. Calvin Betton, our resident coach, did a few Futures tournaments a while ago, and the technical stuff – why players were hitting particular shots, how it worked in terms of their gameplan and skillset, what their strengths and weaknesses were – was so insightful and revealing.
In the match I’m not watching, Berrettini is already a break up on Ivashka and leads 2-1, while Korda has started well against Khachanov but we’re 1-1.
“Cannot watch Wimbledon, but looking forward to reading your report of Swiatek’s match!” emails Katarzyna Łaskawska. “Not as biased as Polish ones!”
Well I do love Iga, but Ons is, along with our friend Ostapenkz, probably my absolute favourite favourite.
Rybakina has broken Sabalenka back for 1-1, while Swiatek is now on the board and trails Jabeur 1-2, still that break behind.
As for my recommendations for today, it’s sunny enough for this:
Here are some more cochlea-caressers.
And here’s a book that I absolutely loved, John Yorke’s Into The Woods: How stories work and why we tell them. If you’ve the slightest interest in writing, it’s a terrific adventure in doing and enjoying.
Jabeur breaks Swiatek at the first time of asking and Sabalenka does likewise to Rybakina.
Anyway, we’re away!
A pre-emptive email: every day, we’re sharing life enhancers, and those of you who were with me on Thursday might remember an email from Dan Rubins, who works for a charity called Hear Your Song. He send this recording by nine-year-old Violet – a brain cancer survivor – who wrote her own melody and lyrics, based on the affirmation that she recites to herself to boost her confidence and combat anxiety. He gets back in touch today as follows:
“Thanks so much for the share on Thursday,” he writes. “Glad you had such a visceral reaction! — it was amazing to get so many new views for Violet’s song! And a huge honour to have Hear Your Song show up in Wimbledon coverage!
If you’re looking for more life enhancers to share this week, Hear Your Song kids have written some more really incredible songs (our Instagram is @HearYourSongHYS for more!):
Jadyn’s Song: Jadyn shared how her mom has supported her throughout her medical journey.
Zippy’s Song: 12-year-old Zippy’s a lot like other kids his age. Except he’s obsessed with pasta. REALLY obsessed.
Jazlyn’s Song: “Mediate before you manifest” in 13-year-old Jazlyn’s musical landscape filled with “clouds formed from saturated thoughts.”Christopher’s Song: 12-year-old Christopher’s family loves to go hiking — but meets with disaster every time!
A central part of our mission is to amplify the voices of kids with serious illnesses wherever we can to help them show the world that they are more than their diagnoses. Thanks for joining us in doing that!
And what an exhilarating day of tennis ahead!”
There will now be a break in coverage while I compose myself once more.
I’m going to start off watching Swiatek v Jabeur, Rybakina v Sabalenka and Khachanov v Korda, because I think Berrettini will have too much for Ivashka.
Shapovalov’s feeling good and says he knows he can compete with the best guys and so do they. He thinks he’s a way away form winning a major, but I’d be shocked if he didn’t beat Bautista Agut and after that it’d be Korda or Khachanov, neither of whom are as good as he is.
Tim Henman sticks his neck out and predicts a men’s final between the top two seeds. In fairness, it’s hard to see anyone getting close to Djokovic, but I’d not be shocked to see either Zverev or Berrettini beat Medvedev, who’s playing well and moving beautifully, but might struggle to break two of the best serves in the game.
On BBC, Martina is talking about how quickly Coco Gauff gets to the ball, which reminds me of something Graeme Souness always says. It’s very yer da, but he reckons the team which gets to the ball first will almost always win, and I guess it can be similar in tennis. If you anticipate where it’s going and arrive in good time, you can get set to hit the best possible shot.
Back to the final Manic Monday situation, I wonder if the way tickets have been sold this term – online – will continue. Making people queue overnight has its merits – it’s not like it was in 1995, the first time I did it, when it was literally sleeping bag on pavement, it’s park, tent, delivery pizza and cans all day – but you need to have two days clear to do it, which necessarily excludes some people. The problem, I guess, is software that blocks the site until those buying ti sell have rinsed all they need. It’s tricky.
Rybakina v Sabalenka is also an extremely compelling prospect. It’s about time Sabalenka did something at a major but she’s had to work really hard to get to here and isn’t quite playing freely. The pair of them will knock the cover off it, so expect plenty of winners and unforced errors, with Saba’s serve ultimately decisive. Or not.
Khachanov v Korda should also be a lot of fun. A few years ago, it looked like Khachanov had a chance of breaking into the top echelon, but he’s been quiet since then and ultimately his hands haven’t quite been good enough. But on his game, he’s good – and so is Korda, who might just go on to be better than good. I don’t think this match is too early for him, and also think there’s a good chance he wins it because he seems to have a very fair handle on his capabilities.
Looking at the 11am starts, I can’t wait for Swiatek v Jabeur. Swiatek is going to win all sorts and for years, but Jabeur is unlike any other player on the tour, a beguiling mix of power, spin and touch. She’s never quite put it all together and, at 26, it was beginning to look like she never quite would. But she’s been extremely impressive over the last few matches and if she maintains that level she could go all the way.
I’m absolutely buzzing for Raducanu’s match today. Tomljanovic, her opponent, is a good player, but she’s a long way from unbeatable and even if she wasn’t, this is women’s tennis in 2021, the least predictable sport in the world. By far.
I mean, just have a look at that.
Order of play (singles)
Centre Court (from 1.30pm BST)
(1) Novak Djokovic v Christian Garin (17)
(20) Coco Gauff v Angelique Kerber (25)
(6) Roger Federer v Lorenzo Sonego (23)
No 1 Court (from 1pm)
(1) Ashleigh Barty v Barbora Krejcikova (14)
(16) Felix Auger-Aliassime v Alexander Zverev (4)
Emma Raducanu v Ajla Tomljanovic
No 2 Court (from 11am)
(7) Iga Swiatek v Ons Jabeur (21)
Marton Fucsovics v Andrey Rublev (5)
(14) Hubert Hurkacz v Daniil Medvedev (2)
No 3 Court (from 11am)
(18) Elena Rybakina v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
(10) Denis Shapovalov v Roberto Bautista Agut (8)
Court 12 (from 11am)
(7) Matteo Berrettini v Ilya Ivashka
(8) Karolina Pliskova v Liudmila Samsonova
(30) Paula Badosa v Karolina Muchova (18)
Court 18 (from 11am)
(25) Karen Khachanov v Sebastian Korda
(23) Madison Keys v Viktorija Golubic
Preamble
It’s just another manic Monday ... except it isn’t. First of all, it’s a manic Monday on which no one sensible wishes it was Sunday; second of all, it’s not just a manic Monday but Manic Monday; and third of all, it’s Manic Monday the last of its name. From next term, it will no longer be the case that all 32 players still in the singles competitions have a match at this juncture; rather, the lunacy will be broken into two portions, thanks to the introduction of a middle Funday which, on the one hand, that means the end of tennis’ greatest single session but, on the other, will hopefully entice a new and more diverse crowd to embrace the wonders of SW19.
But make no mistake, we’re going out in style. Obviously Novak Djokoic and Roger Federer are on Centre, meeting Cristian Garin and Lorenzo Sonego respectively, but the most attractive and compelling matches are not theirs. Splitting those two in the schedule is Coco Gaff v Angelique Kerber – Kerber’s match against Sara Sorribes Tormo was the first week’s best – while on No1 can be found three absolute belters: Ash Bary v Barbora Krejcikova, Felix Auger-Aliassime v Alexander Zverev and Emma Raducanu v Alja Tomljanovic.
Nor is that all, or even close to it. Iga Swiatek v Ons Jabeur, first on No2, might well be the pick of the day; Andrej Rublev, into the second week for the first time, takes on Marton Fucsovics; while elsewhere we’ve got Denis Shapovalov v Roberto Bautista Agut, Paulo Badosa v Karolina Muchova – and more! Welcome to Wimbledon day seven!
Play: 11am BST outside courts, 1pm No1 Court, 1.30pm Centre Court
