Wimbledon 2021: Federer, Barty, Norrie, Gauff win – as it happened

Thus endeth another dazzlingly good day of Wimbledon, at least for us (Azarenka leads Cirstea 3-2 in the decider, but is break point down). Otherwise, we’ll be back tomorrow – join us then. Ta-ra!

Federer puts his monogrammed baseball hat on for interview; he looks well cool, I can tell you. He’s glad to play without the roof and really happy with his performance, but says he doesn’t know how near he is to his best. However, you don’t need to be at that level in the early rounds, you just need to get through, and that’s what he’s done. He goes on to note that after his double knee surgery, the plan was to be back for last year’s Wimbledon, but he’d never have made that and is glad to be there. As for his next match, he says he understands if the crowd cheer for Norrie, but if they cheer for him it’s because of all the big matches he’s won over the last 20 years. Norrie is a good bloke, he adds “but it’s time for him to go ouit”.

Kyrgios, meanwhile, will do likewise, while Cirstea and Azarenka are still kriching it out – Azarenka leads 2-1 in the third, but is down 15-30 on her serve.

He has to save a match point to do it, but do it he does thanks largely to a big serve. Federer will have a sit-down, then look to finish it off.

Federer consolidates for 5-3, and Gasquet will now serve to stay in the match.

OK, Kyrgios has has broken Mager for 3-2 2-0 and given how he’s serving that’s nearly over; Federer has broken Gasquet for 4-3 2-0 and given who he is that’s nearly over; and Azarenka has saved a break point before consolidating to lead Cirstea 2-0 1-1.

Azarenka breaks Cirstea in the opening game of the decider, and for the first time Cirstea looks tired.

Kyrgios’s serve is something to behold and Mager is struggling to get close to it. It’s 2-2 in set three, sets one and two to the Aussie.

Back on Centre, we’re on serve in set three, Federer trailing 2-3 but up 2-0.

Yeah, he’ll do ridiculously well to win this one ... but I can’t wait to see him try.

Despite Azarenka’s best efforts, Cirstea holds to make her serve for 1-1 at 5-3.

Kyrgios is serving for the second set on No3; Azarenka leads Cirstea 5-3; and Auger Aliassime leads Ymer 4-3 with a break.

Gasquet hasn’t won any of his last 23 sets against Federer. That looks unlikely to change today.

Azarenka has broken and consolidated – having lost the first set she leads Cirstea 3-0 in the second – Kyrgios is 3-2 up on Mager with a break, having won the first – and Federer has just broken Gasquet for a second time to lead 4-0 having won the first.

Problem being, Gasquet has still been broken. Federer now leads 7-6(1) 2-0.

Oh my absolute days, what a shot Gasquet has just played! He dashes for a get, stays in the advantage corner, and when Federer clubs a smash, he just stands there, then swipes a 102mph backhand down the line! That’s as good as anything you’ll see, though I’ve just been sent tape of an insane effort from De Minaur playing doubles this morning.

I’d not be surprised if Federer eased away from Gasquet now – he’s playing better than against Mannarino, and the way he attacked the breaker must’ve been soul-crushing.

Federer is starting to serve nicely, and an ace gives him 3-0; Kyrgios has retrieved a mini-break for 5-5; and Azarenka has hit three straight winners for 4-3. That match is also really, really good so far.

Oh and Kyrgios and Mager are doing likewise.

Cirstea and Azarenka are about to play a first-set tiebreak; the way it’s going, I’d back Cirstea. Meantime, Federer has two points for the same against Gasquet.

“I have a counter-view on Murray,” returns Arun Narayanan. “I really like his boy-next-door honesty and niceness, and his self-flagellation and mutterings somehow make him even human and even more lovable. And it’s simply unfair to compare with Federer or anyone else; different approaches work for different people! Personally, I am not a huge fan of his style of play and don’t find his shots ‘creative’ or ‘pretty’ as such, but that is a minor caveat; I love his grit and determination.”

Also, some things are more important than tennis, and he not only grasps that but acts upon it. If you’re making me choose, I’d much prefer he challenges the government and forgets to congratulate his opponent than vice-versa.

On No3, Mager and Kyrgios are at 5-5 in set one; next on No2, it’s Auger-Aliassime v Ymer.

I’ve not a clue what it takes to play a match like that.

Ach! Sorribes Tormo is gone, barely able to reach her arm up in the process of sending down a double that gives Kerber three match points.

On Centre, Gasquet is serving nicely, and leads Federer 4-3.

Tomljanovic and Cornet have swapped sets, the first to the former, 6-4, and the second to the latter, 6-0.

Sorribes Tormo goes long with a forehand return, then a backhand onto the baseline sets up the dainty little backhand putaway at the net! We’re back on serve, and both these players seem to be enjoying the match as much as the rest of us, which is great to see. Kerber now leads 5-4 in the decider, but the match is no longer on her racket.

Sorribes Tormo battles to her hold and at 3-5, with Kerber serving for the match, makes 15-40!

“Re your comment on Medvedev,” writes Arun Narayanan, “he will first have to get past Federer though. The assumption that it will be relatively easier than Zverev speaks volumes about Federer’s current level of play...! Realistically speaking, what would be a good tournament for Federer? He is not going to win, but reaching the final perhaps? Or, semis? Or, quarters? Regardless, it will be fascinating watching the genius on a downswing...”

Agree. If he gets that far, I’d back Medvedev to wipe him off the court, but I won’t feel stupid if I turn out to be wrong because epochal genius can do that to any of us. He plays Medvedev in the last eight, so anything past that would be a major win, except he doesn’t measure by wins by anything other than winning.

Goodness me, this is the best match I’ve seen in tiiiiime. Both players are bushed but they’re still taking on and making shots, just a bit more slowly than before. Sorribes Tormo, having faced match point earns game point with a terrific low volley, but after another endurance test, Kerber hammers a backhand winner. They’ve been going three hours 10 minutes, and they’re back playing another round of deuces.

Cirstea has broken Azarenka back and now leads 3-2.

Kerber holds, just, and now leads 5-2 in the third. Sorribes Tormo is, for the first time, showing signs of weariness.

“Yesterday I wrote later in the day to Bryan about Murray’s lack of grace in not even giving a small acknowledgement to his opponent,” emails S Fuller, “who, as we know, had recently come off a three-day marathon and is a qualifier. Good to see others have made note of Murray’s bad behavior. And you published it today.

As a Brit living in Vancouver, Canada, I, of course, wanted him to win, given all he has been though but as the match progressed I was leaning to OO. A problem of a hip is no excuse for loutish behaviour.
As I said to Bryan, I have always had mixed feelings about Murray — I like his feminist stance but the scratchiness and often lack of grace…

Well , we now have Federer, the consummate gentleman on.”

I’m not sure about this. I don’t think we should balance Murray’s feminism against him being annoyed when things don’t go his way – we shouldn’t conflate sport with stuff that really, really matters – and after all he’s been through, forgetting to mention his opponent at the end of an exhausting, emotional match seems understandable to me. Has anyone who knows him ever spoken badly of him?

Kerber breaks Sorribes Tormo for 4-2 – surely she won’t be broken back again? – while Gasquet spurns two break points allowing Federer to hold for 1-1.

Medvedev’s performance against Alcaraz was probably the best I’ve seen on the men’s side. I’ve still not a clue how he gets by Djokovic and Zverev, his seeded semi-final opponent, is playing beautifully. But I’m looking forward to seeing him try.

Federer and Gasquet are away too, Gasquet holding in the first game. Federer will have to play a lot better than he did against Mannarino, though will do badly to have an opponent serve as well as Mannarino did that day.

But Sorribes Tormo breaks back for 2-3! This is such a match – I urge you to gerriton if you can.

And Azarenka breaks at the first time of asking, while Kerber is up a break in her decider against Sorribes Tormo.

We’re away on Centre, Cirstea serving.

Here come Federer and Gasquet...

Next on No3: Mager v Kyrgios. Don’t mind if we do.

On No1, Azarenka and Cirstea are getting warm.

Meanwhile, that terrific match on No2 is still compelling us, Kerber and Sorribes Tormo locked at 1-1 and deuce in the final set. Ostapenkz, meanwhile, has 0-30...

Around the courts: Bublik and Dimitrov [18] are at one set all, on serve in the third; Tomljanovic leads Cornet 5-2; and Fritz [31] leads Johnson two sets to one.

Wow! I’m not going to lie, Ostapenkz, as I hope they call her in the locker room, is my favourite, and she plays two brilliant points to break back. First, she dominates a baseline rally, then when Kasatkina changes the flow with a big forehand, she sticks in there before finding a winner, after which she finds another. And then she holds to love! Kasatkina is under pressure!

On No3 Court, Kasatkina is serving for the match against Ostapenko – it’s 6-5 in the third, but 30-all.

Elsewhere:

Next on Centre: Roger Federer [6] v Richard Gasquet

Next on No1: Victoria Azarenka [12] v Sorana Cirstea

Medvedev, eh – what a player. He says in Russia they say that the third time is lucky, so he hopes he can get to his third major final and win. He meets Cilic [32] or Bonzi next and says that’s a great but difficult match for the third round – they start shortly.

A quick whizz around the outside courts: Sara Sorribes Tormo has won the second set against Angelique Kerber 7-5 to take it into a decider. Dmitrov is now two sets down to Bublik, and it’s 4-4 in the third set between Ostapenko and Kasatkina.

Coco Gauff’s had a mini-wobble. Suddenly mistakes are creeping into her serve, and Vesnina’s reclaimed one of the two breaks by which she was trailing. She finds herself at risk of another break at 15-30 on her next service game with a couple of double-faults, but digs in well to hold and go 4-2 up.

And Alcaraz has won a game on his serve, to huge cheers on No 1 Court.

“Am I the only person who found Andy Murray’s behaviour in the latter stages of last night’s game totally unacceptable,” asks Julie Ousset. “He behaved like a tempestuous two year old as did the English contingent in the crowd. Shame on you all.”

I’m not sure I’d describe those fans waving the Saltire last night as an “English contingent”, and the person to whom Murray was being most abusive was himself, roaring his self-fury at every lapse. Which is very much who he’s always been, what he’s always done.

Alcaraz’s service game has now completely collapsed. He’s now not held serve since the middle of the first set and is a break down in the third set against Medvedev already. These two will be getting showered and changed within the half-hour.

And Ilya Ivashka has beaten Jeremy Chardy in four sets on Court 15.

Gauff is looking imperious now – what an asset to the game she is – and she points Vesnina all over the place from the back of the court to secure a second break of the second set and go 3-0 up.

Seeds in trouble has been something of a theme of the week so far, and indeed of all recent grand slams, and another in a bit of mither is Grigor Dimitrov, the No 18 seed, who’s a set down to Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan. Bublik is now serving at 5-6 in the second.

Medvedev breaks Alcaraz’s serve for the third time in a row, to go 3-1 up in the second set. Alcaraz is still playing his shots – some exquisite ones at that – but Medvedev’s got the answers at the moment, and superior ruthlessness.

Gauff has found her range now, she’s just gone 5-3 up on Vesnina, serving with authority and having got the break in the seventh game. While Sorrines Tormo has broken back against Kerber – it’s now 2-3 in the second set, with the German a set up.

Erratic service games from the young’uns on my screens, Carapaz being broken again to give Medvedev a 2-0 lead in the second set, and Gauff making a couple of unforced errors to concede two break points. She claws them back though with some powerful, nerveless serving and keeps it on serve at 3-3. She’ll feel good about that.

Elsewhere, Ostapenko has roared through the first set, 6-1 against Kasatkina, and Kerber is a break up already in her second set.

And Alcaraz gets the break back he deserves against Medvedev! He’s now serving at 4-5 in the first set on No1 court. It’s gone with serve on centre so far, with Vesnina 2-1 up on Gauff

Right, I’m away for the school run – Tom Davies will coax you through the next hour or so. On Centre, Vesnina and Gauff are just away.

On No3 Court, Ostapenko is 4-1 up on Kasatkina [31]. After a dry period she looked closer to her brilliant best in Paris, and if she gets there she can blow anyone away. Meanwhile, Sorribes Tormao is serving at 5-6 for a first-set breaker against Kerber.

Alcaraz is on the board, sealing a love hold with a lovely serve-volley point, leaping into an awkward volley about his feet like prime Stefan Edberg. Alcaraz 1-3 Medvedev

I meant to say, Duckworth beat Querrey 7-5 (4)6-7 6-3 6-2. Meanwhile, Thompson, who played a five-setter yesterday, leads Nishikori 7-5 6-4 3-0. I did not expect that.

After a succession of deuces, Medvedev breaks Alcaraz at the first time of asking. Medvedev is a bad, bad man.

On No2, Sorribes Tormo has broken Kerber, who was serving for the set at 5-3. It’s a proper, proper match – I’m not sure who’s commentating, but he just said it’s the best set he’s seen in ages.

Just when you thought you couldn’t love him any more.

Next on Centre: Vesnina v Gauff [20].

“Grass-court tennis is where it’s at,” Barty says, and wishes she could play on the surface all year. She’s happy that fans are in, and that’s that on that. She seems so extremely sound.

On the subject of Alcaraz, Calvin Betton, our resident coach, gets in touch: “Huge forehand, moves great, proper mentality, great athlete. And yeah, he’ll compete for everything in the game. He’s that good. Players who do what he’s done at his age are almost exclusively brilliant.”

That age being 18. Alcaraz made round two in Australia, round three in Paris, and won seven Futures titles.

On Centre, Alcaraz and Medvedev are out.

Barty knows how to compete and she goes a game away at 6-4 5-3 by saving four break points.

Barty’s hit 22 forehand winners to Blinkova’s two.

Barty has broken Blinkova again and is now serving at 4-3, while Van de Zandschulp has retrieved Berrettini’s min-break for 4-4.

Berrettini has absolutely ludicrous power in his overheads, a terrifying combination of long levers and fast-twitch muscle fibres. He takes his first breaker point after that fashion and is up 4-2 at change of ends.

We’ve not visited on No3 for a bit, but Berrettini has just hammered down a smash when facing set point ... which he backs up with a gigantic ace ... and then another. A breaker it is.

Blinkova has broken Barty back, so they’re 3-3 in set two.

Norrie says he couldn’t be more pleased with himself – imagine feeling like that! – and rightly so. He had a tricky start but found the court easier to move on than No2 yesterday, so he could trust its stability. When his next opponents are put to him, he replies with “Come on Gasquet!” and notes that this is a good time to play Federer “though he’s still decent”. What a pleasant chap.

Next on No1: Alcaraz v Medvedev [2]. If Alcaraz is on, this could be the match of the day.

Cam Noz has a double break and will now serve for round three.

Katerina Siniakova has beaten Coco Vandeweghe 6-4 2-6 6-2; Vandeweghe has really lost her way over the last couple of years. Elsewhere, Duckworth leads Querrey 2-1 with a break while Monfils has pulled a set back against Martinez.

Barty breaks Blinkova at the first time of asking in set two and now leads 2-1. She’s nearly home, and will be pleased to be easing by a tough opponent when off her best.

What we saying about Zverev? I’d always thought that at every major there’d be someone playing better, but increasingly I think he’s near-ready. He’s got Djokovic in his road for now, but I’d not be altogether surprised if, over the next year or so, he started beating yer Thiems, yer Tsitsipases and yer Medvedevs – though those lads are also improving.

Annabel Croft wonders if Barty’s decided to attack with her second serve on the basis that anything soft will get monstered, so the occasional doubles are worth the points dictated.

Norries is eating Bolt for lunch, now 3-1 ahead in set three.

The number 13 seed is in trouble: Martinez leads Monfils 6-3 6-4 2-2.

Kerber [25] and Sorribes Tormo are out on No2. If Kerber plays well here, she’s got a proper chance of taking it home.

Barty, of course, isn’t just good at tennis.

Barty, who’s way below her best, has just swapped breaks with Blinkova, and as such will now serve for the first set at 5-4. BBC have just showed us a stat telling us that Barty is slicing 90% of her backhands and topspinning 10% whole Blinkova is topspinning 91% and slicing 9%.

We started with 15 major winners in the women’s draw; that is wild.

Well! Linette breaks Svitolina and will now serve for the match 5-4. She’s hit 27 winners to Svitolina’s eight, which tells you how and why things have gone as they’ve gone.

Barty scurries to the net to flick back a drop that gives her a break; Bolt wins his first game in 12 and now only trails 5-1 in set two.

In comms, they’re wondering if Svitolina has the game to win a major, and whether she has the weapons you need. Now that you ask, I think the answer is no – there’ll always be someone with bigger shots who hits form at the right time. I guess Wozniacki got there in the end, but I’m not sure Svitolina is as good as she was, and when you look around there are just so many players you’d back to beat her on the big stage.

Norrie now leads Bolt 5-0 in set two, which hastens what might be the match of the day: Alcaraz v Medvedev [2]. As I mentioned below, Alcaraz is only 17, so a win is unlikely, but he’s got the talent to make is a proper altercation.

Querrey has taken the second set off Duckworth 7-6(4). I daresay they’ll be at it a while longer.

I’m not watching Berrettini anymore as I switched to Barty – who’s broken back – and Svitolina and Norrie are on my other screens. But the number seven seed is now a break up in set two, and looks for all the world like he’s en route to round three.

It’s now 2-0 to Norrie in set two, giving him eight games on the trot. It’s so affirming to see someone so at ease with their game and themselves, and though he’s setting his level, I hope he’s enjoying it because it won’t always be this way.

Blinkova’s made a great start against Barty, breaking her at the first time of asking for 2-0.

Five games in a row for C-Nozz, who now leads Bolt 5-3 in the battle of the lefties.

Svitolina is hating life. She holds to force Linette to serve for the first set at 5-3, but when she loses the first point of the next game, she power-groans her frustration.

On centre, Barty and Blinkova are out. Blinkova got the semis of the last US Open, so is a tricky second-round opponent and very good at chess as well as tennis.

Yeah, time’s up. Back on No1 in the battle of the left-handers, Nozzer has broken back for 2-3.

Berrettini won 89% of points when he got his first serve in – what a weapon to rely on when the rest of your game isn’t working so well.

On 3, Linette has broken Svitolina and leads 4-1. Once Berrettini has served out, I’ll have a closer look at that one.

After five deuces, Berrettini – who’s not bang at it today – forces a break, Van de Zandschulp racing to the net only to stick a pick-up wide with most of the court at which to aim. Berrettini will now serve for set one at 5-3.

A glorious backhand flick, chased down to the corner and sent cross-court, dipping over the net, gives Bolt a break at the first time of asking. He consolidates too, so leads Norrie 3-0. Thing with Norrie now is that he doesn’t need to panic when behind because he knows he can trust his level to rescue him.

I missed the very end of Bedene’s match with Nishioka but, as expected – by Nishioka – Bedene won, 6-1 6-0 6-2. He meets Berrettini or Van de Zandschulp next.

Sevastova is fighting back against Kostyuk, 4-1 up in set two, while the number 15 seed is in trouble; Sakkari trails Rogers by a set and a break.

We’re away on No1 and No3; in just over 20 minutes, we’ll have Barty and Blinkova at it on Centre.

Duckworth has taken the first set off Querrey 7-5. That match feels like it could take a while.

“To paraphrase one of his fellow countrymen, Andy Murray, bloody hell!” says Richard Hirst. “Not wishing to put the mockers on Cameron Norrie, but when did GB last have three men in the last 32 of Wimbledon, or any grand slam for that matter?”

And Kyle Edmund is injured. Tangentially, I love the phrase “fellow countryman” because Michael van Gerwen used to use it every time he spoke about Raymond van Barneveld, presumably because it was one people used to him every time both were discussed. But I’m probably just diverting attention away from my inability to answer your question.

On No1, Bolt and Norrie [29] are out; on No2, Svitolina [3] and Linette are too.

So far, Van de Zandschulp is doing well, 2-2 with Berrettini, while on 15, Kecmanovic has taken the fourth set off Bautista Agut [8] to set up a decider.

There will now be a break in our coverage while I compose myself.

“Since you invited life enhancer shares,” says Dan Rubins, “I wanted to send you this song 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. Violet wrote her song with Hear Your Song, a US-based charity that empowers children and teens with serious illnesses and complex health needs to make their voices heard through collaborative songwriting.

Goodness me, thanks for that. I am gone.

Kostyuk has taken the first set against Sevastova 6-1, while Giorgi has levelled the match against Muchova [19] at one set all – though Muchova now leads 2-0 in the third.

Next on No2 Court: Svitolina [3] v Linette. And in just under 10 minutes, we’ll have Bolt and Norrie arriving on No1.

Sandgren gets to 30-all but it makes no difference. Zverev clinches the game with a 135mph ace, his 13th of the match, and he needs just one more game to see it out.

Zverev is cruising to the finish line, 4-3 up in set three and with a break. On No3, Berrettini and Van de Zandschulp are knocking up; on 4, Kostyuk leads Sevastova 4-1; and on 5, Sakkari [15] and Rogers have just resumed, Rogers having taken the first set 7-5.

Next on Court 3 No3 Court: Berrettini [7] v Van de Zandschulp.

On Court 15, Kecmanovic and Bautista Agut [8] are about to resume, Bautista Agut leading by two sets to one.

Yeah, Zverev has broken Sandgren early in set three and is now serving for 3-1

Just when it looks like Petkovic is bang in the match, Krejcikova breaks her and will now serve for the match at 5-4 in set two.

Cristian Garin the men’s number 17 seed, leads Marc Polmans 7-6(3) 1-0.

Back with Badosa, she now leads Putintseva by a set and a break, 6-4 3-1, and when she goes 40-0 in her next service game, Putintseva boots the ground in frustration.

Petkovic has broken Krejcikova back, and when Krejcikova than claws her way back from 40-15 to deuce in the next game, she closes out well to make it three in a row. Petkovic 5-7 4-3 Krejcikova

Sandgren is not long for this match – Zverev has broken him a second time and now leads 4-1 in set two, the chances of him being broken even once minimal.

Badosa has served six double faults so far, way too many for not even a set and a half. She leads 6-4 2-1 so she’s getting away with it, but the better players won’t allow that.

Zverev’s serve is an absolute joke, and I can’t wait to see what the better players make of its current state on grass. Him v Berrettini in the last eight is an extremely alluring prospect.

On 12, Pavlyuchenkova, the number 16 seed and Roland Garros runner-up, leads Kristina Pliskova 6-3 3-2 (on serve).

Ach, Sandgren saves two break points then gifts Zverev the advantage with a double fault. Sandgren 5-7 1-2 Zverev

Every day, we’ve been sharing life-enhancers – as ever, please do send in yours. In the meantime, here’s my favourite album of all-time – please could someone commission me to write 5000 words explaining why.

And here’s a film I loved: Les Miserables (no, not the Victor Hugo adaptation). You’ll find it on Netflix.

It’s disappearing quickly for Petkovic; Krejcikova has broken her at the first time of asking in set two. When it’s going for you it’s going for you.

On 14, Bedene leads Nishioka 6-1 and 5-0; the winner here meets Berrettini next, if he gets by Van de Zandschulp.

On 17, Badosa – who’s broken and been broken back a second time – has the trainer on. We’ve got no commentary and it’s not clear what the problem is, but she’s back quickly enough, to receive leading 5-4.

Meanwhile, Krejcikova is serving for the set at 6-5 having broken Petkovic a second time.

Zverev is serving really well – if he was playing Wimbledon in 90s I daresay he’d have done better here than than one fourth round appearance. But he’s improved a lot over the last year, and at 5-5 earns himself 0-30 then Sandgren goes long at 15-30, giving Zverev two break points. He only needs one, a nails forehand to the backhand corner too good, and he’ll now serve for the set at 6-5.

I’m kind of fascinated by Krejcikova, and by what happened to convert her potential into kinetic. I’m also fascinated to see if she can build on what happened in Paris, or it if was just a crazy thing that happened.

“The blog says Krejcikova has ‘never qualified for Wimbledon before’,” tweets Gemma Bristow. “It should have the rider, ‘in singles’. She’s a former Wimbledon doubles champion.”

Yup, obviously I was talking about singles, but fair enough. She won the women’s doubles with Katerina Siniakova in 2018 and now trails Petkovic 4-5.

On No2 Court – not Court 2 – Sandgren and Zverev are 4-4, while Petkovic and Putintseva have broken back Krejcikova and Badosa respectively. Righteous indignation is a powerful thing.

Krejcikova has broken Petkovic, but there’s minor ruckus because during the clinching point, Petkovic says a ball was called out before she hit it, which affected her netted backhand, making unfair for the umpire to then overrule. Anyhow, the decision stands and Krejcikova is serving at 4-3.

Sandgren is an interesting style matchup for Zverev – he’ll look to prolong points and move Zverev about, while Zverev looks to blow him off it. He got to round four in 2019, so knows his way around a grass court.

I’m also interested to see how Krejcikova gets on. She’ll he breathing confidence after winning the French, and though she’s never qualified for Wimbledon before, she’s very different now to the player she’s been previously. Like Badosa, this year will probably be too early for her, but women’s tennis is currently the most unpredictable sport in the world – just ask the French Open champ. Currently, she trails Petkovic 2-3 on serve.

On Court 17, Paula Badosa has broken Yulia Puntintseva at the first time of asking. I mentioned yesterday that I really like the look of her – she’s a really interesting combination of power, touch and bronca – and Puntintseva, a wily veteran who was once ranked 27 in the world and is now at 35, will be a good test for her.

Zverev makes the big-boy move of opting to receive, but Sandgren holds easily enough.

We’re knocking up in all venues.

On the main BBC coverage, they’re showing Sandgren v Zverev [4]. I’ll watch that one, Putintseva v Badosa [30] and Petkovic v Krejcikova [14].

It’s come on a bit since the days of Bates, Castle and Croft.

Just when you think you couldn’t love him any more.

Andy Murray, though.