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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells at Wimbledon

Wimbledon 2018: Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber reach final – as it happened

There’s no stopping Serena Williams – she will face Angelique Kerber in the final.
There’s no stopping Serena Williams – she will face Angelique Kerber in the final. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

Right that’s it from me for today. I’m going to have a lengthy sleep before what is likely to be a loooooong day tomorrow, if previous encounters between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are anything to go by. Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow. Bye!

Updated

Murray and Azarenka lose the set 6-4. Murray is defending the title he won last year with Martina Hingis, who has now retired. Meanwhile mixed fortunes for Britain in the juniors: Anton Matusevich lost earlier but Jack Draper, the 16-year-old son of the former LTA chief executive Roger Draper, is through to the semi-finals. And victory for Alfie Hewett but defeat for the 2016 champion Gordon Reid in the men’s wheelchair singles.

Meanwhile in the mixed doubles, Jamie Murray and his partner Victoria Azarenka are a break down, 5-4 in the opening set, against Jean-Julien Rojer and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands. Britain’s Jay Clarke and Harriet Dart are just getting under way in their quarter-final.

Updated

Bad news for Britain in the men’s doubles. Dom Inglot and his Croatian partner Franko Skugor have been beaten 6-4 in the final set by Jack Sock and Mike Bryan. The Americans will face New Zealand’s Michael Venus and South Africa’s Raven Klaasen in the final after they defeated Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Denmark’s Frederik Nielsen in four sets.

Updated

That was hugely impressive from Williams, she’s getting better match by match, and she’s now only one win away from the mother of all victories. Not only would it be an eighth Wimbledon title, it would be a record-equalling 24th major and, after all that she’s been through over the past year, it would surely be her greatest achievement. And that’s saying something given what she’s already accomplished in her career.

Updated

The first take of our match report. We’ll have Andy Bull’s version up soon:

Updated

Serena speaks. So how does it feel reaching the Wimbledon final, only 13 matches into her comeback?

It’s crazy. I literally didn’t expect to do this well in my fourth tournament back. I just feel I don’t have anything to lose, I can play so free.

I had a really tough delivery, I had to have multiple surgeries and almost didn’t make it. I couldn’t even walk to my mailbox. So I’m enjoying every moment now.

I played [Kerber] in the final [in 2016]. I love watching her play, so I get to play her now. Whatever happens now it’s an incredible moment for me.

Updated

Williams beats Gorges 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final!

Williams looks angry. And you don’t want to make Williams angry. 0-15. 0-30. 0-40. Three match points. And Gorges’s resistance in the previous game proves futile, when the German’s attempted lob loops long! Williams clenches her fists, commiserates with her beaten opponent, and takes in the adulation of the crowd. In previous years at Wimbledon people would ask: “Who can stop Serena?” This year you get the sense most people don’t want anyone to stop Serena, it would be such an inspirational story her winning the title here only 10 months after giving birth. And there’s only person who can possibly stop her now: Angelique Kerber. It’s a repeat of the 2016 final, which Williams won in straight sets.

Williams beats Gorges 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final.
Williams beats Gorges 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final. Photograph: Steven Paston/PA

Updated

Second set: Williams 6-2, 5-4 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Williams is serving with new balls. As if she needs any help given the way she’s served today. But look here, 0-15, 0-30, courtesy of Williams’s second double fault. Williams comes to the net on the next point and Gorges hits a passing winner off Williams’s volley! 0-40, three break points. Williams fends off the first. And the second with her fastest serve of the match. But Gorges cracks a thunderbolt of a return on the third! Fantastisch. We’re back on serve. Well, well.

Second set: *Williams 6-2, 5-3 Gorges (*denotes next server)

Gorges has not been overwhelmed by the occasion of her first grand slam semi-final, the underdog has simply been outclassed. However Gorges’s story isn’t quite over yet. At 40-30, Williams rams a return into the net. Williams will have to serve this out.

Second set: Williams 6-2, 5-2 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it service game from Williams. She’s dropped only one point on serve in this set and stands potentially one game away from a place in her 10th Wimbledon final.

Second set: *Williams 6-2, 4-2 Gorges (*denotes next server)

This is the stage when Gorges dropped serve in the first set, and there’s the sense history could be repeating itself when Gorges concedes the first two points, the second with a double fault. 0-30. A fine serve lands bang on the service line, Williams lands the return, but Gorges reels off the winner. 15-30. 30-all. A great get from Gorges but Williams wallops away the winner. 30-40, break point. And Gorges’s attempted drop shot clips the net tape and agonisingly falls back on to her side of the court! Williams is in full charge.

Second set: Williams 6-2, 3-2 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game Mrs Williams. There’s very little giving on serve at the moment. Williams has won 92% of points when her first serve has gone in.

Updated

Second set: *Williams 6-2, 2-2 Gorges (*denotes next server)

Williams hasn’t lost a Wimbledon semi-final since 2000 and this would be some turnaround if she was to do so now. Having said that, Gorges is refusing to roll over, and she secures another comfortable hold.

Second set: Williams 6-2, 2-1 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

However Williams wouldn’t be the first mother to win a grand slam; Kim Clijsters, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Margaret Court have done so previously. Meanwhile Gorges steadies herself with a straightforward hold – but Williams, determined not to be upstaged, responds with a love hold of her own.

Updated

Second set: Williams 6-2, 1-0 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Another impressive hold from Williams – this time to 15. She looks so focused out there. This is perhaps her best performance of the tournament. The 2013 champion Marion Bartoli, who knows Williams well, offered an interesting insight into her friend’s mindset a couple of days ago. Bartoli said Williams is determined to win Wimbledon as a mother, to show her daughter, Olympia, how good she is, and also to prove to everyone it’s possible to have a baby and be a grand slam champion. It’s as though she’s not going to let anything – or anyone – stop her.

Williams wins the first set 6-2

0-15. 0-30. 0-40. Three set points for Williams. A long rally plays out, Gorges decides she’s had enough and attempts to drill a forehand down the line, but it skids wide. From 2-all, Williams has taken four games in a row to secure the set!

Williams wins the first set 6-2.
Williams wins the first set 6-2. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

First set: Williams 5-2 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

A few years ago, when Williams was chasing Steffi Graf’s Open era record of grand slams won, she looked rattled at times. But now she’s attempting to draw level with Margaret Court’s all-time record, she seems, well, so serene. Perhaps being a mother helps her put tennis into perspective. But she still has the focus, fight and fierce will to win. Williams charges to the hold and Gorges is staring down the barrel in this first set.

Updated

First set: *Williams 4-2 Gorges (*denotes next server)

A 114mph serve but Williams manages to neutralise it and take the point. 0-15. A wonderful backhand winner on the run from Gorges, who manages to flick the ball down the line. 15-all. 30-15. 30-all. 30-40, when Williams’s forehand kicks up high to Gorges’s right wing. Gorges can’t get the ball back into court. 30-40, a second break point of the set for Williams. Williams ups the intensity with every shot of the next rally, and Gorges surrenders! Williams has the first break of the match.

First set: Williams 3-2 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Gorges has more winners than Williams so far – eight compared to her opponent’s five – and there’s another for 30-15. They share the next two points for 40-30. Williams wins the game. Cue her first “COME ON” of proceedings. There’s a sense she’s urging herself into greater action.

First set: *Williams 2-2 Gorges (*denotes next server)

You wouldn’t know this is Gorges’s first grand slam semi-final, she’s looking fairly assured in the early stages. The most straightforward game of the match so far, as Gorges holds to 15.

First set: Williams 2-1 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Gorges is asking questions of her opponent at 30-all on the Williams serve but slaps her return into the net. 40-30. Deuce, after a wobbly Williams slice. A perfect one-two punch from Williams and it’s her advantage. Williams, a little off-balance, nets. But she’s back in her stride again to bring up advantage once more. And from there she holds. Williams is thrumming somewhere between second and third gear right now; she’s yet to fully get going but still leads.

First set: *Williams 1-1 Gorges (*denotes next server)

Williams’s serve looked strong in that opening game: one ace and four out of four points won when her first serve landed. But Gorges is a fine server too and charges to 40-0. The German then lets herself down a little with a timid backhand into the net for 40-30. On the third game point, Gorges’s backhand is called in but Williams stops the point and challenges. She’s right. Deuce. Advantage Williams, break point. Gorges saves it with the winner. And then holds.

Goerges returns.
Goerges returns. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Updated

First set: Williams 1-0 Gorges* (*denotes next server)

Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs Williams will serve first. Williams is in full control of the first point, which she sets up with a strong serve out wide, and a few shots later Gorges prods long. 15-0. 15-all. Which is very quickly 40-15. Gorges gets herself to 40-30 but she goes no further. Williams holds.

Williams has won all three of their previous meetings without dropping the set, including at the French Open last month. Expect short, sharp rallies between the two leading servers of women’s draw, Gorges has 44 aces to her name compared to Williams’s 39.

Gorges is a stylish but streaky player. However there’s been more style than streakiness of late, with the German playing some of the best tennis of her career at the age of 29.

The players step on to court to a huge standing ovation. There aren’t that many spare seats in the stands – most spectators have stayed in place after that quick victory for Kerber. Meanwhile in the Royal Box this afternoon: Bjorn Borg, Jim Courier, Billie Jean King, Stanley Tucci, Cliff Richard and Shirley Bassey, among others. Luckily there’s no sign of Donald Trump, despite him being a tennis fan.

Goerges and Williams arrive on court.
Goerges and Williams arrive on court. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Reuters

Updated

Gorges says: “It’s pretty unreal for me to get to that stage at a grand slam. It’s been obviously always a dream for every player, to be in a semi-final at Wimbledon. [Despite Williams being the favourite] I think every match starts from zero. I’m looking forward to it.” Looking forward to it? Perhaps she’s as much of a masochist as Alex Zverev.

Williams, whose ranking is guaranteed to rise to at least 51 next week, says: “Well, it’s better than 183 or whatever I am. Got to keep trekking on, though. Serena Williams, 51, eh. It doesn’t have that same ring to it. The ’1’ part does, but not the ’5’. Keep going.

“There’s a lot to improve on. This is only my fourth tournament back so I don’t feel pressure, I don’t feel I have to win this. I still have a long way to go to be where I was.” God help the rest of the women’s Tour when she does.

So next up it’s the world No 181 against the world No 13. But this is no ordinary world No 181. Williams is the seven-times champion, going for a record-equalling 24th major title and playing in her 35th grand slam semi-final. This is Gorges’s first major semi, having suffered five consecutive first-round exits here.

Updated

In the meantime, news on the doubles:

Britain’s Dom Inglot is still on speaking terms with his Croatian partner Franko Skugor after last night, but they’re 6-3, 6-1, 5-4 down to the Americans Jack Sock and Mike Bryan.

Another Brit, Joe Salisbury, and Denmark’s Frederik Nielsen (who you may remember won the title in 2012 with Britain’s Jonny Marry) are level at one set all with New Zealand’s Michael Venus and South Africa’s Raven Klassen.

There’ll be a break of another 15 minutes or so before Williams v Gorges.

The final winners-unforced errors count: Ostapenko 30-35, Kerber 10-7. Kerber was just so cool, calm and controlled, and her serve helped her through too. Ostapenko really lost her focus after losing the opening set, though she came back hard in the last few games.

Updated

An early report for you. We’ll have a full take from Simon Cambers soon:

Kerber speaks:

I think it was a really tough match. I was just trying to move good and take my chances. It’s such a great feeling to be back in the final. I’m really excited.

She’s always fighting until the last point. I was just trying to stay focused. It’s quite tough but I’m happy that I’m through.

2017 is over and I’m really happy about that. I’m really happy and proud to be back in a grand slam final. It doesn’t matter [who I play].

Kerber beats Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final!

So Kerber is serving for the second time for a place in her second Wimbledon final. Ostapenko strikes to take the first point. The crowd erupt. They want a match, of course, but I think they also rather admire Ostapenko’s fearless game. Ostapenko has a break point at 30-40 – if she wins this they’ll be back on serve – but she misses the return. Deuce. Advantage Kerber, a second match point. Ostapenko is pushing but she implodes when she flashes a forehand into the tramlines! Kerber is through to the Wimbledon final, where she’ll face either her 2016 conqueror Serena Williams or Julia Gorges!

Angelique Kerber celebrates winning her semi final match against Jelena Ostapenko.
Angelique Kerber celebrates winning her semi final match against Jelena Ostapenko. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters

Updated

Second set: Ostapenko 3-6, 3-5 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

Given Ostapenko plays with so little subtlety, it may surprise you to hear she’s a fan of ballroom dancing. “It helps a lot because you have to be very coordinated to do it. Those small steps are very useful in tennis,” she says. Never mind small steps here though – she’s going to have to take some giant ones to get herself out of trouble. A hold to 30 will help.

Second set: *Ostapenko 3-6, 2-5 Kerber (*denotes next server)

15-0. 30-0. 30-15. 30-all after a fantastic rally. Perhaps there’s life in Ostapenko yet. 30-40, break point, after another stinging winner. This is high-stakes tennis from Ostapenko, no less than we’d expect. But from boom to bust – as Kerber recovers from break point down to bring up match point. Ostapenko hits the ball at 1,000mph for the winner! Deuce. And Ostapenko breaks! Ostapenko has her arms in the air but it’s still a long way back from here.

Second set: Ostapenko 3-6, 1-5 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko’s winner count currently stands at 22 to Kerber’s eight. The problem is she’s also hit 29 unforced errors to her opponent’s four. The Latvian chastises herself and chucks her racket on the grass when she goes 30-40, break point down. The pair engage in a cross-court duel before Ostapenko mixes things up by going down the line. Kerber is on to it and there’s the Ostapenko error. Kerber will serve for a place in the final.

Second set: *Ostapenko 3-6, 1-4 Kerber (*denotes next server)

Normally you’d expect a 14-shot rally to go the way of the master defender Kerber, but Ostapenko wins this one. 0-15 on Kerber’s serve. Then 15-30. But Kerber then has Ostapenko scampering all over the court and it’s 30-all. 40-30. Game Kerber, when her slice cuts Ostapenko into pieces.

Second set: Ostapenko 3-6, 1-3 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

A strange second point on Ostapenko’s serve as her shot batters the baseline. Kerber gets the ball back into play but Ostapenko makes no effort to do the same. Perhaps she thought her shot was out. Not that it matters. Ostapenko goes on to hold and she at least has given Kerber something to think about in this second set.

Second set: *Ostapenko 3-6, 0-3 Kerber (*denotes next server)

Kerber, looking so solid now, holds to 15. Ostapenko is shaking her head. She was so furious with herself at one point during her quarter-final that she slapped her leg in anger and had to ice it. No repeat of that yet but she’s pretty angry with herself. But remember - Ostapenko did come from a set and 3-0 down against Simona Halep in the French Open final last year. This isn’t over yet ...

Updated

Second set: Ostapenko 3-6, 0-2 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

Kerber holds in the opening game of the second set. Ostapenko then wins the first point on her serve but concedes the next two after some solid play from Kerber. 15-30. 15-40, when Kerber again shows off her defensive skills before pulling off a lovely drop shot. Thwack. Ostapenko saves the first break point with a forehand down the line. Crack. Ostapenko goes for broke and the backhand side but her effort slams into the net. Kerber breaks and is well in control.

Kerber wins the first set 6-3

At 30-all, Ostapenko plants a meek forehand into the net. It’s not like her to go down without a fight. 30-40, set point to Kerber. But Ostapenko surrenders with a double fault. She appeals to Hawk-Eye but the technology doesn’t come to her rescue. So Ostapenko starts and ends the first set with a double fault. Kerber, having withstood that flurry of Ostapenko winners at the beginning of the match, has got used to her opponent’s pace and has calmly emerged to take the set.

Kerber wins the first set 6-3.
Kerber wins the first set 6-3. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Updated

First set: *Ostapenko 3-5 Kerber (*denotes next server)

From 40-0 to deuce on Kerber’s serve. A good serve from Kerber halts Ostapenko’s momentum and a swinging ace out wide from the left-hander backs up the break. Ostapenko must hold serve to keep this set going.

First set: Ostapenko 3-4 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

A collective Wimbledon groan – or the Wimblegroan – as an Ostapenko error brings up break point. Kerber is patient on the break point, waiting for the error from Ostapenko, which duly comes when the Latvian biffs a backhand well long. Kerber has the breakthrough.

First set: *Ostapenko 3-3 Kerber (*denotes next server)

Ostapenko is the one who’s had to save two break points so far but it’s Kerber who looks the more rattled. It must be so frustrating when almost every point is coming down to a winner or unforced error from your opponent; Kerber would like to have more of a say in the points herself. Having said that, Kerber does at deuce, when she nets a makeable shot. Advantage Ostapenko, her first break point of the match. Kerber clambers back to deuce. And then takes the next two points to hold.

Updated

First set: Ostapenko 3-2 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

A hint of danger for Ostapenko at 15-30. A one-two punch straight out of the tennis textbook gets her back on level terms at 30-all but then there’s a very real danger when she loses the next point for 30-40, break point. Deuce. Advantage Ostapenko. Game Ostapenko. Once again the Latvian gets herself out of a bit of a hole on her serve.

Updated

First set: *Ostapenko 2-2 Kerber (*denotes next server)

A controlled service game from Kerber, and the most straightforward of the match so far. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game, as Ostapenko blazes her return well wide.

First set: Ostapenko 2-1 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

Another drop shot from Ostapenko, this time off Kerber’s return – a smart play, Kerber was so far back – gets Ostapenko to 30-15. Then 40-15. The crowd gasp. They’re already blown away by Ostapenko’s power. Kerber recovers to deuce. At Ostapenko’s advantage, the court opens up for the Latvian to put away the winner, but she’s playing with such fine margins, goes for it a little too much and makes the error. Deuce. Ostapenko takes a couple of quick points to secure the game. So three holds to get things started.

Updated

First set: *Ostapenko 1-1 Kerber (*denotes next server)

That first game pretty much summed Ostapenko up. Several breathtaking winners and some simple errors too, it’s all so unpredictable. In this game Ostapenko shows she’s not all about out-and-out power. A lovely drop shot gets her to 30-all. But on the next point her shot flies beyond the baseline and Kerber holds from there.

Updated

First set: Ostapenko 1-0 Kerber* (*denotes next server)

A start Ostapenko will want to forget quickly as the 21-year-old double faults. She thwacks away those early nerves with a thumping winner down the line. Expect several more of those today. 15-all. Which turns into 15-30. A winner from Ostapenko follows, but there’s an unforced error. 30-40, break point. Ostapenko steps into the middle of the court and bludgeons a backhand cross-court winner. Deuce. Another brutal backhand winner, this time down the line for symmetry’s sake, and it’s Ostapenko’s advantage. An ace seals the game.

Ostapenko serves the first ball of the match.
Ostapenko serves the first ball of the match. Photograph: Nigel French/PA

Updated

The one-minute warning. So just time to say this is the first meeting between the two. Both have good records on grass, this could come down to what mood Ostapenko is in. The match is on the Latvian’s racket; if she makes her shots, there may not be too much Kerber can do about it. Kerber can’t afford to be too defensive, she needs to attack Ostapenko, but also mix that up with plenty of slice to disrupt Ostapenko’s rhythm.

Kerber says: “There are no favourites any more. I’m not looking left or right. I’m not looking about the others. I’m really taking care about my game, about my matches, about how I play on court.”

Ostapenko says: “At the French Open a couple weeks ago I had so much pressure. It’s now all gone. I’m just enjoying the moment. You play on a big court, in a great place, on grass, which is one of my favourite surfaces. It’s just so much fun.”

Tik, tok, tikity, tok, they’re warming up.

This match is an intriguing contrast in styles between the great defender Kerber and the relentless attacker Ostapenko. Kerber became the world No 1 in 2016 after winning the Australian and US Opens, along with reaching the Wimbledon final, but seemed to regard her status as a millstone round her neck rather than a milestone. The German crumbled under the pressure and expectation, and had a torrid time in 2017.

But this year she’s working with Wim Fissette, the former coach of Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta, and the 30-year-old’s been one of the most consistent players on tour. Kerber’s playing close to her 2016 level, yet in Ostapenko she may have met her match. The 21-year-old Latvian, a former junior champion at Wimbledon, has not dropped a set this fortnight and, after finding the pressure too much when she defended her French Open title in May, she’s playing with real freedom.

Updated

As the clock strikes one, the players make their entrance on to a sunny Centre Court, Ostapenko a few steps ahead of Kerber.

Of course British interest in the singles ended with Kyle Edmund’s third-round defeat by Novak Djokovic but Jamie Murray, Joe Salisbury, Dominic Inglot, Jay Clarke and Harriet Dart are playing in the doubles today, along with a number of Brits in the junior and wheelchair events. Anton Matusevich, a 17-year-old who describes his tennis idol as himself – “I didn’t really bother looking at anyone else. The game is my idol” – has been in boys’ quarter-final action already. He’s been put in his place with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat by China’s Tao Mu.

Tomorrow’s order of play is already out

And some pre-match viewing

You may not have seen this last night if you were watching the match that cannot be named. But Rafael Nadal’s fantastic fifth-set finale against Juan Martín del Porto was described by Andy Murray as one of the best sets of tennis he had ever seen. Here are the highlights:

Updated

Today's full order of play

CENTRE COURT – SHOW COURT – 13:00 BST START

1 Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [12] 17 vs Angelique Kerber (GER) [11] 49

2 Julia Goerges (GER) [13] 81 vs Serena Williams (USA) [25] 104

3 Jay Clarke (GBR) / Harriet Dart (GBR) 6 vs Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL) / Abigail Spears (USA) [10] 9

No 1 COURT – SHOW COURT – 13:00 START

1 Raven Klaasen (RSA) / Michael Venus (NZL) [13] 8 vs Frederik Nielsen (DEN) / Joe Salisbury (GBR) 28

2 Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) / Demi Schuurs (NED) [4] 17 vs Jamie Murray (GBR) / Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 30

3 Michael Venus (NZL) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) [9] 40 vs Ivan Dodig (CRO) / Latisha Chan (TPE) [3] 48

No 2 COURT – SHOW COURT – 11:30 START

1 Jamie Delgado (GBR) / Jonathan Marray (GBR) vs Thomas Enqvist (SWE) / Thomas Johansson (SWE) (RR)

NOT BEFORE 12.30

2 Dominic Inglot (GBR) / Franko Skugor (CRO) [15] 41 vs Mike Bryan (USA) / Jack Sock (USA) [7] 49

3 Iga Swiatek (POL) 2 vs Emma Raducanu (GBR) 11 (GS)

No 3 COURT – SHOW COURT – 11:30 START

1 Tracy Austin (USA) / Anne Keothavong (GBR) vs Iva Majoli (CRO) / Selima Sfar (TUN) (SL)

2 Wayne Ferreira (RSA) / Mark Woodforde (AUS) vs Patrick McEnroe (USA) / Jeff Tarango (USA) (OD)

3 Jeremy Bates (GBR) / Andrew Castle (GBR) vs Jacco Eltingh (NED) / Paul Haarhuis (NED) (OD)

4 Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) / Todd Woodbridge (AUS) vs Mansour Bahrami (IRI) / Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) (OD)

COURT 12 – SHOW COURT – 11:00 START

1 Anton Matusevich (GBR) 21 vs Tao Mu (CHN) 28 (BS)

2 Jack Draper (GBR) 36 vs Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 43 (BS)

3 Nicolas Mejia (COL) [5] 49 vs Gilbert Soares Klier Junior (BRA) 63 (BS)

4 Victoria Allen (GBR) / Destinee Martins (GBR) 13 vs Yuki Naito (JPN) / Naho Sato (JPN) [6] 16 (GD)

5 Tao Mu (CHN) / Leopold Zima (GER) 13 vs Nicolas Mejia (COL) / Ondrej Styler (CZE) [6] 16 (BD)

COURT 18 – SHOW COURT – 11:00 START

1 Xiyu Wang (CHN) [10] 40 vs Cori Gauff (USA) [3] 48 (GS)

2 Xinyu Wang (CHN) [4] 17 vs Viktoriia Dema (UKR) 29 (GS)

3 Maria Lourdes Carle (ARG) / Cori Gauff (USA) [4] 9 vs Sofya Lansere (RUS) / Kamilla Rakhimova (RUS) 12 (GD)

4 Xinyu Wang (CHN) / Xiyu Wang (CHN) [1] 1 vs Leonie Kung (SUI) / Joanne Zuger (SUI) 3 (GD)

COURT 5 – 11:00 START

1 Leonie Kung (SUI) 50 vs Caty McNally (USA) [13] 57 (GS)

2 Chun Hsin Tseng (TPE) [1] 1 vs Trey Hilderbrand (USA) 15 (BS)

3 Clara Burel (FRA) / Diane Parry (FRA) [8] 17 vs Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) / Gabriella Price (USA) 20 (GD)

4 Ray Ho (TPE) / Chun Hsin Tseng (TPE) [1] 1 vs Rinky Hijikata (AUS) / Naoki Tajima (JPN) 4 (BD)

5 Yanki Erel (TUR) / Otto Virtanen (FIN) 18 vs Titouan Droguet (FRA) / Simon Anthony Ivanov (BUL) 20 (BD)

COURT 8 – 11:00 START

1 Jonas Forejtek (CZE) / Dalibor Svrcina (CZE) 10 vs Brandon Nakashima (USA) / Tyler Zink (USA) 11 (BD)

2 Dalayna Hewitt (USA) / Peyton Stearns (USA) 22 vs Thasaporn Naklo (THA) / Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) 23 (GD)

3 Jesper De Jong (NED) / Damien Wenger (SUI) 30 vs Aidan McHugh (GBR) / Timofei Skatov (KAZ) [2] 32 (BD)

4 Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) / Deney Wassermann (NED) 26 vs James Story (GBR) / Harry Wendelken (GBR) 27 (BD)

5 Francesca Curmi (MLT) / Viktoriia Dema (UKR) 30 vs Caty McNally (USA) / Whitney Osuigwe (USA) [2] 32 (GD)

COURT 11 – 11:00 START

1 Tristan Boyer (USA) / William Woodall (USA) 6 vs Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida (BRA) / Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva (BRA) 7 (BD)

2 Georgia Drummy (IRL) / Alexa Noel (USA) [7] 25 vs Amelia Bissett (GBR) / Morgan Cross (GBR) 28 (GD)

3 Sonay Kartal (GBR) / Erin Richardson (GBR) 5 vs Joanna Garland (TPE) / En Shuo Liang (TPE) [5] 8 (GD)

4 Savriyan Danilov (RUS) / Henry Von Der Schulenburg (SUI) 22 vs Hugo Gaston (FRA) / Clement Tabur (FRA) [3] 24 (BD)

COURT 14 – 11:00 START

1 Shingo Kunieda (JPN) [1] 1 vs Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) 2

2 Nicolas Peifer (FRA) 5 vs Stefan Olsson (SWE) 6

3 Katharina Kruger (GER) 3 vs Kgothatso Montjane (RSA) 4

4 Marjolein Buis (NED) 7 vs Yui Kamiji (JPN) [2] 8

COURT 17 – 11:00 START

1 Gordon Reid (GBR) 3 vs Joachim Gerard (BEL) 4

2 Stephane Houdet (FRA) 7 vs Alfie Hewett (GBR) [2] 8

3 Diede De Groot (NED) [1] 1 vs Sabine Ellerbrock (GER) 2

4 Lucy Shuker (GBR) 5 vs Aniek Van Koot (NED) 6

MATCHES TO BE ARRANGED

NOT BEFORE 17.00

1 Tommy Haas (GER) / Mark Philippoussis (AUS) vs Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) / Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) (RR)

2 Justin Gimelstob (USA) / Ross Hutchins (GBR) vs Arnaud Clement (FRA) / Miles MacLagan (GBR) (RR)

Preamble

Hello and welcome to our coverage of women’s semi-finals day. If you’re reading this in England, just hearing the word “semi-finals” may be enough to make you wince, weep and hit the back button on your browser … but wait! Given the fact the All England Club has been doing a fine job over the past fortnight of preventing the World Cup from infiltrating Wimbledon, this may be the best place for you. Just stick your head in the sand – or more accurately the grass – and pretend last night didn’t happen. Consider this your refuge, with added Pimm’s and strawberries and cream.

Not that Wimbledon has been a safe place for the women’s top seeds over the past fortnight. The pre-tournament favourite, Petra Kvitova, the defending champion, Garbiñe Muguruza, and the world No 1, Simona Halep were among the names to depart in the first week and, by Monday, the last of the top-10 seeds was out. Wimbledon had never seen anything like it. Yet for all the upsets, this is hardly a scratch semi-final line-up. Three former grand slam champions have calmly emerged from the chaos: Angelique Kerber, who is playing close to the level she was when she won the Australian and US Opens in 2016; Jelena Ostapenko, last year’s French Open champion who is yet to drop a set here; and a certain Serena Williams, who 10 months after giving birth to her daughter, stands two wins away from equalling Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 grand slam titles. History may have eluded Roger Federer this fortnight but there’s a sense it’s not about to bypass Williams.

Kerber and Ostapenko meet in the first match, while Williams plays Kerber’s fellow German, the grand slam semi-final debutant Julia Görges, in the second. It’s the first time in the Open era there have been two German women in the last four at Wimbledon. At least Germany made the semi-finals of something this week, eh? But I’m not sure even a gag such as that is going to make England fans feel better today.

Play begins at: just after 1pm BST. And no more mentions of the football, I promise.

Updated

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