Wimbledon 2024: Sinner overcomes Berrettini; Raducanu routs Mertens – as it happened

That, then, is us. Thanks all for your company and we’ll be with you again tomorrow at 11am BST. Peace out!

Sinner, who plays Miomir Kecmanovic next, says it was tough playing his good mate but it was a high level match and they both hit a good level. He thinks he got a bit lucky in the breakers and thanks the crowd for staying given it’s quite late.

Otherwise, he knew he had to raise his level to beat someone who’s made a Wimbledon final, he had ups and downs which is normal over four or five sets, and that’s about it.

Oh, Matteo. Oh, mate. Offered a slow second serve, he snatches at it, lashing it long, then Sinner opens shoulders to flow a vicious backhand winner down the line! Six-three, three match-points … but with the first two on Berrettini’s serve.

Berrettini seems to have a lot of fans in the seats – the place went up when he won that last game – and he helps himself to an immediate mini-break when Sinner sends a forehand long. This match is just so much fun, both players hitting it like it just cussed down their mum, and at the end of a long, sapping rally, Berrettini goes long for 1-1 to return his advantage … then Air Jordans another ace. Sinner then holds twice for 3-2, a delicate volley with just enough air settling a nervy rally. But have a look! Berrettini works an opportunity to unleash that inside-out forehand he loves so much … and overcooks it! At 4-2, Sinner is three service-points from the match!

Now then. Sinner loops a return on to the baseline and Berrettini’s riposte sails long; 0-15. And when a hooked forehand goes long – again, following another profound return – he’s two points from victory. For once, when put under pressure, Berrettini can’t find an ace, but he goes wide with the second serve and Sinner’s response is long. A booming delivery – there it is! – makes 30-all, then an ace is confiscated on challenge, and Big Berre, forced to pause, loses rhythm and focus, sending his second serve long. But down match point he of course delivers a monster, then spirits an ace out wide, number 26 of the match, then another banger facilitates an inside-out forehand clobbered to the corner. We’ve got ourselves our third breaker of the night! Sinner 7-6 7-6 2-6 6-6 Berrettini

A deft backhand, on the run and floated cross, catches the net-cord and Sinner has no time to respond; he’s down 0-15. Berrettini then misses with the inside-out forehand – I love how aggressive he’s been since going down two sets – and Sinner then misses his clean-up after a good serve out wide. A biggish one down the middle, though, is enough for 30-all, then he executes the play he botched earlier, a forehand into the corner just about good enough. From there, he secures the hold, and Berrettini must once again serve to stay in the match, this time at 5-6.

Sinner was a rotten draw for Berrettini. But he’ll be delighted to be competing at this level and it’s great to see – I can only imagine the frustration of an elite-level sportsman in his prime but unable to compete. And what a point he wins at the start of the game, both players charging about and whacking it before a stretch-volley covers a very useful drop-retrieval. Another good point follows, Sinner netting a not-dissimilar shot to the one Berrettini just made, and another love hold is soon secured by way of ace. It’s 5-5 in the fourth.

Big serves have, for now at least, taken over – perhaps it’s a consequence of weariness, physical and mental. Sinner holds to love again, and Berrettini will now serve to stay in the match at 6-7 6-7 6-2 4-5.

Now Berrettini holds to love for 4-4, and perhaps I need to give these two nicknames to avoid an inelegant variation accident.

Consecutive aces help Sinner to 40-0, then a supersonic forehand strokes cross-court secures a swift hold. He’s playing the better now, but Berrettini is still at a good level and this set’ll be decided by a point here and there, making him a live dog. I think we can play till 11, so if it’s done in four we’ll get at finish tonight – and if it needs five, we actually still might.

Sinner makes 0-15 but then swipes a hopeful backhand wide, ending a run of six points on the spin. An ace follows, then a big serve and deft volley that the Aussie Open champ doesn’t bother pursuing – apologies but it’s not easy avoiding the repetition of names when they’re compatriots – and the hold is soon secured to 30. It’s 3-3 in the fourth, Sinner by two sets to one.

Oh don’t be silly! Berrettini curves a backhand down the line and around the post, Sinner plays a decent pick-up to the other corner … and Berrettini only nashes after it to razzle a forehand down the line and around the corner … just long! From there, Sinner holds to love, and he looks back in control of himself now, responding to the challenge by raising his level like the champion that he is.

The clock hits three hours and we’re not even nearly finished. We love it! Sinner makes 15-30, then really gets in to the Berrettini backhand, dominating the next rally before a forehand error hands him two break points. Ahahahaha, can you guess what happens next? Yup, another murderous ace, but this time he can’t find a second and when a slice loops long Sinner has the break-back and now leads 7-6 7-6 2-6 2-2. Might that be the crucial, momentum-switching moment?!

At 15-all, Berrettini curls a gorgeous forehand down the line and around Sinner! He is feeling himself! Consecutive forehands to the backhand corner, the second landing on the angle, give Sinner 30-all, but when he nets he’s facing another break point, and this is an absolute jazzer of a match now. A brutal rally doth ensue, Sinner hammering away and Berrettini recovering superbly, but eventually the weight of shot tells and we’re at deuce. The world number one, though, is making errors you’d not expect him to, burning two advantages then netting a backhand after a decent slice from Berrettini. And when Sinner nets following a short return but one that comes low at his tootsies, he’s again broken early in a set! He leads 7-6 7-6 2-6 1-2!

A lovely point from Berrettini makes 15-0 and an ace follows, but a long forehand ushers Sinner into the game and a netted backhand makes it tense. Good, we like tension. But we also like colossal aces down the T and shonuff Big Berre has one for us, then secures the holds with a service winner. Sinner 7-6 7-6 2-6 1-1 Berrettini

Sinner perhaps relaxed a little in that set – he stopped attacking the Berrettini backhand and made too many unforced errors. But he opens the fourth with an ace and holds to love, which makes sense: he’s the better player and you’d expect to see him raise it when threatened. Berrettini, though, is now hitting it well enough to go with him.

Lovely from Berrettini, punishing Sinner when he can’t finish a rally he’s all over by hoisting a terrific lob, his putaway following the tweener response a simple one. Another volley then makes 30-15, but a framed forehand ups the pressure just a little. So Berrettini digs deep into his extensive toolkit … and pulls out an ace down the T, then another, and do we got ourselves a ball-game? We got ourselves a ball-game! Sinner leads 7-6 7-6 2-6, but it’s the other lad with momentum.

A hold apiece back on Centre, so Berrettini will now serve to halve the deficit at 5-2. So far, he’s played a near-perfect set.

Monfils holds and leads Wawrinka 7-6 6-4 5-5 overnight – Hawkeye could no longer see the ball, which confirmed it was too dark. But what a joy to watch these two lads show us themselves.

Only one more game on 3, Monfils serving at 2-0 4-5.

Down 0-2, Berrettini is going for it, a big forehand and gentle putaway making 0-15 after he holds in short order. And when Sinner nets to cede 0-30, the set might just be slipping away from him – all the more so at 15-40. And though it’s soon 30-40, a big forehand facilitates a patted putaway once more and Berrettini has his double-break at 4-1, his decision to go for it reaping rich rewards. Meantime, Wawrinka skips to his seat having saved three break points to hold, and he leads 5-4 in the third though trails 2-0.

I’m not sure we’ll be playing for much longer on No 2 but Monfils, up 2-0, trails 3-4 in set three on serve.

Now playing his best tennis of the match, Berrettini crushes another inside-out forehand for 0-15. From there, though, Sinner races to his hold, on the board in set three at 1-2 with a 2-0 lead. .

Berrettini nets twice and we wind up at 30-all, then sinner marches in to put away a forehand, the court open … and wastes it wide. That’s a major oversight, but the backhand down the line he delivers thereafter is beautiful and brings us to deuce. Then, another good point raises advantage … so Berrettini unloads yet another ace before closing out with a massive inside-out forehand. He trails 0-2 but leads 2-0.

As I said, it was obvious Berrettini would break at the start third set and that’s exactly what happens, Sinner perhaps relaxing himself and playing a poor game. He leads by two sets to love but trails 0-1.

Another big serve for 6-4, then a forehand to the backhand corner and Sinner leads 7-6(3) 7-6(4). He just has that but too much – well for almost everyone, but in this case for Berrettini, and I’d be staggered were he not to see this out. Berrettini will regret ceding his break without asking that much from Sinner, but ultimately there’s not loads he can do here.

Meantime, Monfils also clinches a two-set lead, serving out to go up 7-6 6-4 on Wawrinka.

Immediately, though, Sinner strays long to keep it interesting … then, when Berrettini comes in, he blazes a forehand pass cross-court. That’ll teach him, and it’s 5-2.

Great start from Sinner, the immediate mini-break secured with a backhand winner down the line, and when, at 3-1, Berrettini nets – he’s put under pressure by the excellence of Sinner’s return-game – he’s not far off a two-set deficit.

Sinner misses a volley for 0-15 … so he too responds with an ace before sticking an overhead on to the baseline, just. Another service-winner follows, then another, and another breaker it is. Usually I’d pick the player with the bigger serve, but Sinner’s is almost as good as Berrettini’s and he’s better in pretty much every other aspect, so I’m going with him again. Elsewhere, Monfils leads Wawrinka 7-6 4-3 with a break.

Sinner holds for 5-5 and though this is a close match, he looks the better player – it’s hard to see him losing over a best of five. And when Berrettini slaps a forehand long to go down 0-30 … he unleashes another ace, of course he does. and from there, he rushes through his hold, clinching it with a deft backhand volley – I know! – to guarantee himself a second-set breaker at 6-5.

While all that was going on, Monfils broke and now leads 7-6 3-2 – but there are signs Wawrinkz is improving.

Sinner makes 4-4 then, as we expected, puts Berrettini under pressure by raising break point. So an ace follows, then another, but up advantage a forehand into the net brings us back to deuce before a backhand error – he’s being targeted on that flank, of course – hands Sinner another opportunity. A forehand cross, though, zips just wide, then another into the net at the end of a 15-stroke rally, the longest of the match so far, means it’s Berrettini with the chance to forge in front. And from there, he closes out – only just, framing his overhead, but it lands in and he trails by a set to love but leads 5-4 in the second.

I was at dance class when this happened, but have a look! Tommy channelling Boom Boom!

Paolini is so much fun and is so happy to be through. The change of court made her a little nervous but she played well today and explains that there’s no secret to her sudden improvement, just hard work and self-belief. She feels so grateful and so happy and knows it’ll be tough against Andreescu, but it’s the third round, it’s meant to be tough, so.

A forehand into the net at 5-5 hands Monfils set point, he converts, and leads mainly because his de-fence is beating Wawrinka’s off-fence.

Yeah, Sinner breaks Berrettini back immediately and I’d not be surprised to see him under significant pressure when he serves next. For now, though, the world number 1 leads 7-6 3-4.

Paolini breaks for 7-6 5-2, and will now serve for the match while on 2, Wawrinka leads Monfils 4-3 on serve in their breaker. What a treat a ruckus like this is at the end of a long day, nostalgic palate-cleanser.

Sinner nets a drop and Berrettini, having looked likely to be broken, now has the break! He leads 4-2 in the second having lost the first 6-7!

Now it’s Sinner forced through deuce to hold – he’s not there yet - while Wawrinka and Monfils are playing a first-set breaker. Meantime on No 1, Minnen yanks one break back to trail Paolini 6-7 2-4.

Paolini breaks again and Minnen is not long for this tournament. She leads 7-6 3-0, while Berrettini pings down an ace for 15-0 at 6-7 2-2. From there, he closes out to 15 – he needed a comfy hold – but can he find a break?

Paolini breaks Minnen to lead 7-6 1-0, while Berrettini is again forced to deuce for his hold; a booming serve to the body gives him 2-1 in set two, Sinner having taken the first on a breaker.

Next on No 3 Court: Grigor Dimitrov (10) v Jerry Shang. That could be a lot of fun.

Paul really enjoyed the match, had to dig deep, and really appreciates the crowd who made it special. He also really appreciates his opponent, who hit a good level from the start, but he played well himself, especially after deciding it was all a bit too serious and deciding to have some fun.

Berrettini has to fight through deuces for his hold in the first game of set two, but he gets there in the end and he really needed to. Meanwhile on No 2 Court, there’s a proper battle of the absolute boyz, Wawrinka and Monfils level at 3-3 in the first, and on No 3, Tommy Paul has match point.

And have a look! A glorious inside-out forehand into the corner secures a 7-6(5) set for the Roland Garros runner-up, and she loves it. At 28, is she simply on a streak, or has she worked out some late-career improvement?

Hi again and thanks Will. Paolini leads Minnen 6-5 in their first-set breaker, and will now serve to seal it.

And, with that, I’ll hand back to Daniel Harris. Happy rallying, you lot.

Berrettini takes Sinner to a tie-break. Sinner pulls ahead to make it 5-2, but Berrettini pulls one back. Sinner thrashes a huge ace to make it 6-3 and earn another set point. He wins a short, sharp rally to take the first set.

Berrettini holds his serve, as does Sinner. The former will have to hold once again to keep the first set alive.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is in trouble against Zhu Lin, who won the first set 6-4 and is up a break in the second.

Sinner earns a set point against Berrettini, who wobbles for the first time. Berrettini saves his skin, again coming to the net and playing an unstoppable forehand volley which whizzes beyond his opponent’s reach.

Berrettini pushes and probes on Sinner’s serve, but his compatriot keeps his nerve to hold and make it 5-4. Berrettini will serve to stay in the first set.

Paul takes the fourth set against Virtanen. Glorious fifth-set chaos awaits.

Berrettini holds serve to make it 3-3 in the first set after a fierce rally ends with him coming to the net to triumph at close quarters. He and Sinner are still sizing each other up on Centre Court.

Paul has broken Virtanen. Both players’ serves have gone haywire. Can the American hold serve and see out the fourth set? It’s no dead cert.

Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini have begun their all-Italian duel on Centre Court. Both have held serve so far, cautiously feeling out the match.

Kokkinakis has broken! He leads 4-3 and has an excellent chance to wrap up the match.

Virtanen has broken back against Paul. High drama!

Félix Auger-Aliassime and Thanasi Kokkinakis are well into their fifth set, with the pair tied at 3-3 and duking it out with thunderous service games. Auger-Aliassime has just played an absolutely lovely drop shot, leaving his opponent cold.

Over in Paul’s match against Virtanen, the American now leads 4-3 in the fourth set after breaking his opponent. He’s down 0-40 on serve, however.

Will Magee here, hello! Navarro’s post-match interview is under way. “Naomi is obviously a great player, it’s great to have her back on tour and she’s been playing some great tennis since she’s been back. So it’s great to have her back but, obviously, I wanted to get the win today and was able to play some great tennis at times.

“My first time on Centre Court here at Wimbledon, it doesn’t really feel real … I’ve been having a lot of fun on grass, it’s been a theme of my time on tour so far, just trying to enjoy myself, and today was no exception.”

Navarro was also superb, refusing to allow Osaka anything. If she maintains that level, she too is a problem. But that’s me for a bit – i’m off to perform a dance-class run – here’s Will Magee to chill with you through the next bit.

Two absolutely massive wins there. Raducanu is having such a laugh out there, and it’s so great to see after all her injury issues. I’m not sure she’s got the power to win the thing, but her quarter of the draw is kind and if she plays as she did today, she’s a problem for almost everyone with her accuracy, eye, composure, movement and clean-hitting.

Virtanen isn’t going away, now leading Paul 6-4 3-6 7-5 2-2; the Queen’s champ, in the grass-court form of his life, is in shtuck. Otherwise, Bautista Agut leads Sonego 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-0, while Rus and Sakkari are at 4-4.

On No 2 Court, a break as Kokkinakis calls the officials to inspect slippy areas. But they’re back playing now, Auger-Aliassime 1-0 up in the fifth, on serve.

Navarro says it’s great to have Osaka back on tour but she’s delighted to get the win playing on Centre for the first time – it doesn’t feel real. She’s been having a lot of fun on grass – the theme of her time on tour is trying to enjoy herself – and thanks the crowd for making a great atmosphere.

Next on no 1 Court, another, surprise match: Jasmine Paolini (7) v Greet Minnen.

Raducanu looks delighted, saying the support “makes me feel unbelievable”. No 1 is her favourite court, she reckons, and she played some really good tennis today. She’s over the moon to be playing at Wimbledon and to have extended her stay by just a day. With the roof closed, the noise was especially good, and she’s really grateful for it.

The most important thing, she advises, is to create and stay in your own little world, then creases when asked if she’s playing her best tennis in a few years. The reaction of the crowd, though, convinces her to admit that it’s the case and she’s really happy with the improvements she’s made. Sadly she’s not asked what they are, instead pushed to talk about playing doubles with Andy Murray, “a hero to all of us”, saying she could never say no as it’s an honour, and she’s hoping to “learn a thing or two about coming to the net or something.”

Goodness me, you can taste her happiness through the screen, and it’s so affirming to behold.

For the first time in the match, Osaka gets to deuce on the Navarro serve, but a net-cord on advantage puts her off her forehand and at 4-6 1-5, she’s now got to hold to stay in the match.

We are, apparently, done with rain for the day. Let’s hope so.

Mertens is solid, she just doesn’t have the weapons to beat better players when they play well, and she holds to love, forcing Raducanu to serve it out. Kokkinakis, meanwhile, does just that, and he is now level with Auger-Aliassime, the number 17 seed, at 4-6 5-7 7-6(9) 6-4! He looked a beaten man even during that third-set breaker, but somehow he found a way to steal it and now look!

Raducanu holds for 5-1so Mertens will now serve to stay in the match, while Osaka is on the board in set two against Navarro, but at 1-4, probably too late to avert defeat.

Auger-Aliassime quickly secures what, pre-rain, had been a tricky service-game. Kokkinakis must now hold to earn himself a decider.

We’re back under way on our outside courts

This is a serious display from Raducanu, whose ability to reverse momentum during piints is excellent. She too secures a double-break, and at 6-1 4-1 is two games from victory. Mertens just can’t find a way to hurt her.

Oh Naomi! Down 30-40, standing just behind the line, she thinks a Navarro slice is going out, challenges the call having tapped it back … and the ball was good, clipping the edge of the line! Navarro leads 6-4 3-0 with a double-break, and this match feels o-ver.

Raducanu consolidates for 6-1 3-1 and Navarro for 6-4 2-0; it’s hard to see either losing from here, though of course Osaka can change the course of any match, against any opponent, if things start going for her.

Osaka is in colossal trouble, tamely netting a forehand when down advantage, and she just doesn’t look comfortable out there. The way this is going, she won’t have to suffer with it much longer; surely she’ll change tack and start attacking now?

Martina thinks Osaka doesn’t recover well when directed into the corners and she’s fighting through deuces to hold in the first game of set two; currently, she has advantage. On the other hand, Raducanu is all over Mertens, again earning break points and burning the first, but a delicious backhand winner, flicked flat cross-court, converts, and at 6-1 2-1, she can smell round three.

Navarro serves out well for a 6-4 set, Osaka hitting too few winners – 5 v 9 – says Martina. If she turns up the volume, she should still have enough to win form here, but playing safe hasn’t really worked for her.

Great news! The rain has stopped, the covers are off, and we’ll soon go again.

Back on Centre, Navarro breaks Osaka for 4-3 and is on a bit of a roll, 11 points on the spin taking her to 30-0. She holds and Osaka holds, so she’ll soon serve for set one at 5-4, and in that time, Raducanu and Mertens are still playing the first game of their second set, the Belgian rebounding from 0-40 and saving a further break point when down advantage thanks to a glorious forehand winner, sent hurtling cross-court. From there, she closes out, to trail 1-6 1-0.

Raducanu botches a backhand and hands Mertens break point, but then dashes in to retrieve a drop which sits up, dismissing it down the line to make deuce. And from there, she closes out a tremendously impressive 6-1 first set!

Mertens averts the bagel – good for her, challah is way better – so at 5-1, Raducanu will now serve for set one.

On my fourth screen I’ve now got Rus v Sakkari (9)– they’ve just started.

We’ve not been going long, but already I’m loving Ash Barty’s co-commentary. It makes such a difference having someone who’s played against those we’re watching – Rio Ferdinand had that advantage when he first retired and now he doesn’t he’s a lot less good, while snooker coverage is even better now current players are in the box. Meantime, Tomas Mahac, who didn’t play Andrew Murray, has come from 2-0 down to beat David Goffin 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 7-6(5) and meets Roman Safiullin next.

Raducanu whips a forehand winner cross-court and she’s telling Mertens about herself here, now 4-0 in front and playing beautifully.

A great start from Raducanu, who leads Mertens 3-0 and has two points for 4-0; Kokkinakis has broken Auger-Aliassime for 4-2, and is now two games from forcing a decider; and Osaka leads Navarro 1-0.

Cobolli, by the way, is going to be a very fine player – he’s already pretty handy, and I’d not be surprised to see him do well here.

Sonego has made it a set each against Bautista Agut; Griekspoor (27) leads Kecmanovic 64 1-2; Stephens trails Shnaider 0-3; and Andreescu leads Noskova (26) 6-3 4-5.

Tommy Paul has levelled his match with Otto Virtanen at a set apiece, while Arthur Rinderknech has beaten Kei Nishikori 5-7 6-4 (206-7 6-2 6-2 and now meets Taylor Fritz (13). That should be decent.

And what a treat awaits us thereafter: Jannik Sinner (1) v Matteo Berrettini!

Next on Centre Court: Naomi Osaka v Emma Navarro (19).

Medvedev was really good once he was really in trouble, and though I can’t see him beating any of the top three, you never know.

“A very tough, physical match,” says Medvedev. There were times he was in trouble, like when he was a break down in set two, but he managed to regain a “calmer mind” so he’s really happy he turned the match around. And though he loves No 1 Court, he won on Centre but says the bounce was really slow so it’s good he had a match to get used to it.

On my fourth screen I’m going for – for now at least – Evans 2-6 5-7 3-4 Tabilo (24).

Back with Medvedev, he leads Muller 2-1 6-5; a break here and he’s home, a hold and we’ve a third breaker of the match.

Raducanu and Mertes come out – of course I’m watching them – and I’ve also got Auger-Aliassime and Kokkinakis on. They’re knocking up, with the Canadian two sets up from last evening.

Khachanov is through, Karatsev forced to retire when down 2-1 2-0; he meets Halys next.

Next on No 1 Court: Emma Raducanu v Elise Mertens.

Now let’s hear from the champ – I’ve had his interview paused for what seems like an hour. Asked about his next match – apparently Tiafoe says he’s coming after him – he says “I’m going for him!” They played a good match at the US Open, he thinks Tiafoe is a good player, and though it’ll be a difficult match he’s ready to take the challenge and play a really high level of tennis “and hopefully take him.”

“Guys … thank you,” says Fognini before convulsing in laughter. Then asked about his inability to close, he says “that’s why I love and hate this sport” before chuckling again. Ruud played three or four shots which if they’d gone out the match was over and he was tired and tense, thoughts coming into his mind about why the match wasn’t over, but he was in control because he was still ahead, concluding “I did a great job today.”

Fognini just can’t close this out, a netted backhand ruining a fourth match point when he makes advantage – Ruud has done almost nothing here, partly because he hasn’t had to. But when he gets advantage of his own, the Italian finds a big serve and definitive volley, then creates yet another opportunity to finish the match…

And now Fognini nets tamely. Off we go to deuce, and if Ruud can steal this game, he may feel like the match is his to lose – despite his arrears.

Oh Fabio! A huge first serve opens the court, but somehow he sends his backhand putaway long! 40-30!

…then frames one … but Ruud shanks it back and Fognini has two more match points to eliminate the number eight seed!

Otto Virtanen has taken the first set off Tommy Paul, the number 12 seed and Queen’s champion, while Fognini tightens, hitting long to hand Ruud 30-15. Can he keep the head? He serves into the net…

Now then! Fognini breaks Ruud and will now serve for the match a second time at 5-3 in the fourth!

Fognini-Ruud is a proper war now. They’re 2-2 in the third, and I’ve not a scooby how it’s going to shake out; less so Alcaraz-Vukic, the champ now up 7-6 6-2 5-1.

Medvedev breaks Muller – perhaps in more ways than one – to take the third set 6-4. He now leads 2-1, likewise Khachanov, who takes his breaker against Karatsev 13-11. Otherwise, Krejcikova leads Kudermetova 4-3 in their decider, with a break; Tabilo and Evans have resumed their match, abandoned last evening, with the Chileans up 6-4 5-4; Bublik leads Cazaux 6-4; Nishikori leads Rinderknech 2-1 3-4; and Goffin leads Mahac 6-3 6-3 4-6 1-2.

It takes a very special charisma to turn this unfortunate outfit into a look. Before we even start with the trouser, the size of that branding is everything Wimbledon thinks it isn’t.

Though it’s not unreminiscent of this, which is far cooler on account of actually meaning something.

Alcaraz is nearly hame – he’s broken Vukic for 2-1 in the third – while Fognini has righted himself a little, leading Ruud 2-1 2-1, and Medvedev has Muller serving to stay in the third set at 4-5.

That means I need to find another match to watch, and I’m plumping for Aslan Karatsev 3-6 7-6(4) 6-6 (8-9) Karen Khachanov (21).

Svitolina, one of the heroes of Wimbledon 2023, regains her break, and at 5-3 in the third will now serve for round two. Medevedev, meanwhile, lost his break while my eyes were elsewhere, so now leads Muller 4-3 in the third.

It takes – I think – six deuces, but Linette eventually beaks Svitolina back in their deciding set, so now trails 3-4. Meantime, Khachanov and Karatsev are playing a third-set tiebreak having split the first two.

Emil Ruusuvuori has beaten Mackenzie McDonald 7-6(6) 4-6 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3. He faces Stefanos Tsitsipas next.

Alcaraz closes out a 20-minute set, while Ruud takes the breaker 7-1 to trail Fognini 2-1. I may or may not have backed him in an accumulator I may or may not have, and closed down the page in annoyance 10 minutes ago.

Back with Ruud, he now leads 2-0 in the third set breaker and Fognini looks tired – despite his bleached barnet. Wasn’t that cool in about 1995? Oh, and on No 1, Alcaraz is serving for the second set at 5-2.

That’s one match I’m watching. I’ve also got on Muller 7-6 6-7 1-3 Medvedev (5), Alcaraz (3) 7-6 4-1 Vukic and Linette 5-7 7-6 2-4 Svitolina (21).

Thanks Katy and afternoon mateys. I thought I was going to begin with a game, set and match, but Casper Ruud has just broken back Fabio Fognini, who was serving for the match at 6-4 7-5 5-4. It’s still a long way back for the number eight seed, but he’s on the way.

And with that, it’s time for me to take my leave today. Daniel is here to take you through the rest of the action…

It’s the first time Tiafoe has won back-to-back matches in three months.

A few more results to bring you: Frances Tiafoe is through to round three with a 7-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Croatia’s Borna Coric; another American, the qualifier Katie Volynets, has won her delayed first-round match against Maria Lourdes Carle 6-2, 7-5; the Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia is also into round two, but out has gone the Argentinian 26th seed Francisco Cerundolo, in five sets against Roman Safiullin.

… but the momentum shifts as Vukic takes the next two points – and then the third when he chases down a drop shot and pulls off a wonderful angled winner! Alcaraz, undeterred, goes for another drop shot, and brings up two set points at 6-4 … before making a total mess of his volley! Even the line judge is smiling. But a strong serve down the middle settles the first set after 52 minutes of see-sawing play. Alcaraz takes the tie-break 7-5.

Alcaraz, now with his game face on, claims the early advantage for 3-1. He gets to 4-1 thanks to his supreme movement. And then 5-1 thanks to his ferocious forehand. The defending champion is nodding to himself as he changes ends …

At 15-30 on Vukic’s serve, there’s a big “VAMOS!!!” and fist pump from Alcaraz as he puts away a backhand volley. 15-40, two break-back points. And there’s more vamosing and fist-pumping as Alcaraz takes the game on the first! It’s tie-break time.

It feels as if Alcaraz should really be on Centre instead of No 1 Court – and I’m sure Medvedev wouldn’t complain if the matches had been switched around, given he’s never lost on No 1 Court.

Medvedev is now at the business end of the second set, trailing 6-5 on serve against Muller having lost the first, while Alcaraz is 5-5 against Vukic in the opener. And look here, Vukic has the chance to break, which he does after Alcaraz double faults! The 28-year-old Australian will serve for the first set!

The American Brandon Nakashima has secured a speedy 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australia’s Jordan Thompson. Meanwhile Alcaraz is being delayed on No 1 Court, as he’s broken back when serving for the first set. The big-serving Vukic then holds to drag himself to 5-5.

Kartal is going to have to go the distance if she’s to set up a third-round meeting with Gauff. Serving to stay in the second set at 6-5 down, the British player slumps to 15-40, so here are another two set points for Burel, to add to the four that the Frenchwoman has already had. Burel comes to the net, Kartal attempts the lob, Burel is wise to it … and wins the point. It’s Kartal 6-3, 5-7 Burel.

Medvedev is chuntering to himself a little less as he breaks back and then holds – it’s 4-4 in the second set – but he still trails Muller by a set to love. Meanwhile Alcaraz is doing what Alcaraz does, hitting a breathtaking backhand return en route to breaking Vukic for 4-2 in the opening set – make that 5-2 as the Spaniard holds.

Burel has a fourth set point on No 3 Court, on Kartal’s serve. The pair trade cross-court backhands, before Kartal rips a forehand, which Burel isn’t getting back. Deuce. Advantage Kartal. And Burel’s drop shot slumps into the net! Kartal saves four set points and stops a run of four straight games against her to draw level in the second set at 5-5, leading by a set to love.

The French qualifier Quentin Halys has taken out last year’s quarter-finalist Chris Eubanks, comfortably winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Another American, Lauren Davis, has also departed, losing 6-3, 6-1 to the Colombian Camila Osorio. Those were both first-round matches.

A wild shift in momentum on No 3 Court, where Burel claims her fourth consecutive game. Kartal, having been a point away from serving for the match not so long ago, must now serve to stay in the second set at 5-4 down.

Medvedev is in danger of being, erm, mullered by Muller on Centre Court. Muller, the 27-year-old Frenchman who’s never been beyond the second round at a grand slam, claims an early break in the second set with a forehand passing winner and is 7-6, 3-1 ahead. Medvedev must be wishing he was on his lucky No 1 Court – where Alcaraz, the defending champion, is going on serve, leading the Australian world No 69 Aleksandar Vukic 2-1.

Kartal is piling the pressure on Burel’s serve again. At 6-3, 4-2, she races to 0-40 on her opponent’s serve. But here’s some French resistance from the world No 45, who gets back to deuce and then fends off a fourth break point, first by getting away with a 64mph serve and then by sending Burel right and left and into a corner. Burel escapes with the hold. It’s 6-3, 4-3 Kartal.

And news from our very own Simon Cambers:

Carlos Alcaraz is just stepping on to No 1 Court, but fancy a quick stroll around the grounds while he warms up? Sure you do. Kartal has been broken for the first time but still leads Burel 6-3, 4-2; Fognini has taken the first set 6-4 against Ruud; Nakashima leads Thompson 6-3, 5-2; Eubanks is on the ropes at 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 down to Halys; Tiafoe is 7-6 up on Coric and Svitolina has secured the first set 7-5 against Linette.

There’s a potential shock brewing on Centre Court, where Medvedev, the world No 5, has surrendered the first set on a tie-break, seven points to three, against the world No 102, Alexandre Muller.

Twenty years to the day since her victory over Serena Williams in the final:

Business-like from Gauff who, following the withdrawal of Aryna Sabalenka, has a superb chance to reach her first Wimbledon final this year. She may need to solve the Iga Swiatek riddle to win the title – the world No 1, who has beaten Gauff in 11 of their 12 matches, is in the other half of the draw – but we’ve still got a long way to go before that plays out. Up next for Gauff will most likely be Kartal, because the Brit has bagged a double break in the second set and leads Burel 6-3, 3-0!

A grinning Gauff speaks:

I’m happy with how I played. I do think I could have played cleaner at some moments, but overall I’m happy to get through to the third round.

I’ve learnt about life a lot [since her first-round exit last year]. The world can make you feel like there’s so much pressure, but it’s just a game. This is the court where I first started here at Wimbledon [where she beat Venus Williams in the first round in 2019], so it’s such a special place for me to play on.

Gauff is in command as 6-2, 4-1; Medvedev and Muller are still sounding each other out at 4-4 in the first set; but let’s cross over to No 3 Court, where Britain’s Kartal is a game away from taking the opener, leading 5-2.

The next game is on Burel’s serve – but the Frenchwoman isn’t serving well, so this is a real chance for Kartal. Sure enough, here’s a seventh double fault from Burel. Kartal gets to deuce – just as Gauff glides to 6-2, 5-1. Where to look? First No 3 – because Burel gives Kartal the runaround with a drop shot and lob combination – to win the game from deuce ..

Speaking of Americans, Gauff is by no means the only one in action right now. Brandon Nakashima leads Jordan Thompson 5-2, as does Katie Volynets against Maria Lourdes Carle, but Lauren Davis trails by that score to Camila Osorio, Chris Eubanks has lost the first set 6-4 to Quentin Halys, and Frances Tiafoe – after his escape act in round one – is 3-2 up on serve against Borna Coric.

The mixed doubles draw is due to come out this afternoon. There’s a chance we could see Murray v Murray as Jamie will be playing with the American Taylor Townsend.

And no messing around at the start of the second set, because Gauff has already broken Todoni and she leads 6-2, 2-0. Medvedev v Muller is going with serve, and Medvedev leads 3-2.

Gauff is serving for the first set at 5-2, 40-15. And an unreturned serve does the job after just under 40 minutes. The US Open champion has been admonishing herself on serve, having landed just 38% of her first serves, but she shouldn’t be too hard on herself as she has won 83% of those points. The way things are going she could be the first player through to round three.

The 37-year-old Fognini, showing off his recent bleach-blond dye job, is one of several veterans in action today. Later Stan Wawrinka, still playing on at 39, faces Gael Monfils. The pair’s combined age of 76 is the oldest in a Wimbledon men’s singles match since Rod Laver beat Bob Howe in the first round way back in 1971.

The players are back in business on the outside courts. Kartal is 2-1 up on serve against Burel, while the flamboyant and sometimes combustible Italian Fabio Fognini has broken against the recent French Open semi-finalist Casper Ruud and leads 3-1.

Theresa May is in the Royal Box today. Not sure what kind of omen that is on the eve of the general election.

Daniil Medvedev is just getting started on Centre, against the Frenchman Alexandre Muller. Almost every player considers it an honour to be on the main court – except Medvedev, who said after his first-round match he’d rather play every round on No 1, given he’s never lost there. Last year’s semi-finalist blows hot and cold on grass, as he does on clay – it’s only on hard courts that he finds consistency – but the world No 5 is more than capable of another run here, and could meet Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.

This rain is so frustrating. It’s not heavy at all, just on-again, off-again drizzle. But forget the weather watch for a minute, because Todoni has a break-back point on No 1 Court. She goes for it with a backhand down the line, but it crashes into the net. Deuce. Another break point, as Gauff slips on the grass. Gauff shows superb defence and then attacks with a shot that lands bang on the baseline. Deuce. Advantage Gauff. Deuce. Advantage Gauff. Game Gauff for 3-1. But this is getting a bit more interesting.

Kartal v Burel has been halted – as have the other matches on the outside courts. The rain is back. But then it stops. Will they be back on shortly? Your guess is as good as mine.

The prize for the winner of Kartal v Burel is a third-round encounter with Coco Gauff – sorry Gauff or Anca Todoni. Gauff is already threatening to run away with it, leading 2-0, and here’s a second break point in game three. Todoni produces a strong serve and is able to avert the danger. And from there the Romanian gamely holds. Gauff is 2-1 ahead.

Meanwhile there isn’t a spare seat in the house on No 3 Court, where Britain’s Sonay Kartal is taking on France’s Clara Burel. The 22-year-old Londoner, who is ranked No 298 in the world and came through qualifying, claimed the biggest win of her career in the first round, coming from a set down to oust the 29th seed Sorana Cirstea. Kartal won the last 10 games in that match – and makes it 11 games in a row by taking the opener against Burel – who then holds herself. It’s 1-1.

The 19-year-old Todoni, who apparently models her game on the big-hitting 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, underlines that on the first point with an ace. But Gauff doesn’t take long to assert control, getting to 30-40, break point … and Todoni evens out her opening ace with a double fault. Gauff breaks in the first game.

Gauff is back where she announced herself as a 15-year-old in 2019 by reaching the fourth round – beating Venus Williams on the way – and she has a terrific chance of making the final this year, especially as she’s in the weaker half of the draw.

Losing in the first round at Wimbledon in 2023 was a turning point for Gauff. She went on to hire Andy Murray’s former coach Brad Gilbert, won the US Open, reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and then the French Open last month, so she very much has momentum on her side here.

Here comes Coco, headphones on, as always. The American is playing the qualifier Anca Todoni, who’s flying the flag for Romania after her country’s exit from Euro 2024 last night.

You wait two hours for some tennis action – and then it could all be getting under way at once. The roof is closed on No 1 Court, where the fans are filing in to see Coco Gauff take on Anca Todoni. The players should be on court very shortly. Meanwhile on the outside courts the rain has abated, the covers are off and the nets are up, and play should also begin soon.

A quick run through the matches that will be taking place on the outside courts when we do eventually have some play:

No 2 Court: Fabio Fognini v Casper Ruud
No 3 Court: Sonay Kartal v Clara Burel
Court 12: Botic van de Zandschulp v Ugo Humbert
Court 18: Borna Coric v Frances Tiafoe
Court four: Viktorija Golubic v Jule Niemeier
Court seven: Maria Lourdes Carle v Katie Volynets
Court eight: Brandon Nakashima v Jordan Thompson
Court nine: Camila Osorio v Lauren Davis
Court 11: Quentin Halys v Chris Eubanks
Court 14: Magdalena Frech v Beatriz Haddad Maia
Court 15: Barbora Krejcikova v Veronika Kudermetova
Court 16: Aslan Karatsev v Karen Khachanov
Court 17: Magda Linette v Elina Svitolina

Murray and Raducanu is going to be great … but I miss Serena. Wimbledon just isn’t the same without her. What with Venus not playing here this year either, it’s the first time since 1996 that there’s been no Williams sister in the women’s draw.

The drizzle is back and the courts are being re-covered. Gah. At this rate we’ll have play on the show courts before anywhere else around the grounds. Coco Gauff is up first on No 1 Court at 1pm, against Romania’s Anca Todoni, while Daniil Medvedev kicks off the Centre Court action at 1.30pm against France’s Alexandre Muller.

Murray has nearly gone all the way in mixed doubles at the All England Club before, by the way, having won a silver medal with Laura Robson at the 2012 Olympics. The last all-British pair to win the Wimbledon mixed doubles title, meanwhile, was Jeremy Bates and Jo Durie in 1987.

The good news keeps on coming, because the umbrellas are down, the covers and coming off and we could have some play shortly.

Some breaking news!

Draper sets sights on being ‘great like Murray’ after blowing hot and cold

The king is dead. Long live the ki … well, not entirely. Not yet. But on the day that Andy Murray waved a pained goodbye to his singles career at Wimbledon, Jack Draper stepped in to give the Centre Court crowd – and a primetime BBC audience – a ­familiar sensation: being put through an ­emotional wringer by a British No 1 tennis player.

There were loud cries of “Come on Jack” before every big point in his five-set mini epic against Elias Ymer, as well as a fist pump eerily reminiscent of Murray. To further add to the sense of the torch being passed, the 22-year-old Draper even wore a cap when the shadows began to creep across the court.

Fortunately, the sun did not set on Draper’s Wimbledon fortnight – although his 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory against Ymer was far closer than anyone had predicted.

Naturally, there were questions after the match about Murray, who pulled out of the singles earlier in the day with a back injury – which meant that Draper moved from No 2 Court to Centre Court.

“I wouldn’t be here without Andy,” Draper said. “He is an incredible guy off the court, so funny, so genuine, one of a kind. And what a ­competitor – and what a champion. I think it’s going to be tough to emulate what Andy’s achieved.

“It’s ­obviously unbelievable. He’s won here a couple times. He’s been part of that Big Four era who were just winning constantly, constantly. But if I just keep on improving, keep on doing my best, I don’t see why I can’t be a great player like Andy has been.”

It was good to see Jack Draper fill the Murray void last night – and throw in some Murray-style drama for good measure too – with a slightly tortured five-set win over the Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer. No doubt the 22-year-old was feeling the pressure having stepped in late to replace Murray in the evening slot, but he showed character to come through while not playing at his best, and there’s guaranteed to be a British man in round three because Draper faces the man he recently deposed as the British No 1, Cameron Norrie, in the second round tomorrow.

Feel free to watch it all and then get stuck into this, because we’re now hearing that there’ll be no play until at least 12.15pm.

Though given the delay we’re facing, two minutes and 20 seconds of video isn’t enough. How about this too – not one of the most celebrated matches of Murray’s Wimbledon career given it was only in the fourth round, but it was certainly one of the most seminal, as he came from two sets to love down to beat Reeeechard Gasquet in the gathering gloom and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Do get in touch with any of your favourite moments.

Some Murray memories to keep you going:

The current scene.

Do you want the good news or the bad? Let’s start with the bad. The forecast is now worse than first expected, and there could be on-off light rain for the next few hours. Not ideal when the tournament is already playing catch-up. But the weather is looking much better for tomorrow, and there should be an uninterrupted day’s play.

No play until 11.45am at the earliest. At least the defending champion is smiling though.

Remember only Centre Court and No 1 Court have a roof, so the matches on the outside courts won’t be getting under way until the weather sorts itself out.

Uh oh. The drizzle is back. We’re facing a delay.

Hopefully Ruud can do a bit more of this today.

Let’s run through the 11am starters. Sonay Kartal, who is one of five British women to reach the second round – the first time that’s happened in 37 years, plays France’s Clara Burel on No 3 Court, while I’m also looking forward to Fabio Fognini v Casper Ruud on No 2 Court and Borna Coric v Frances Tiafoe on Court 18. Last year’s breakthrough star Chris Eubanks is also in action, along with his fellow American Brandon Nakashima, who faces Australia’s Jordan Thompson. Last year’s semi-finalist Elina Svitolina and the 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova also play their first-round matches. Phew.

A big stack of reading for you.