Wimbledon 2024: Raducanu and Alcaraz ease through as Sabalenka pulls out – live

6.30pm BST

Raducanu speaks on court following her victory:

It was an incredibly difficult match. It took a lot of strength to get over the line. Thank you for everyone for helping me get through it. I only found out that I was playing Renata [Zarazua] at 10.30am, we had spent a few days preparing for Ekaterina Alexandrova [who withdrew through illness], playing against similar opponents in practice.

I was nervous. Honestly, watching the football last night. It all counts.

At Wimbledon there’s just such a great buzz. It really uplifts myself. My motivation is to keep feeling that buzz.

6.26pm BST

Emma Raducanu beats Renata Zarazua 7-6 (0), 6-3

The penultimate point of the match is arguably the point of the match. Both Raducanu and Zarazua exchange brilliant drop shots, and the former somehow shows great athleticism to pick a shot off her toes and play a cute angled winner to leave Zarazua stranded at the net. Raducanu wins the final point to secure the final game to love! David Beckham (in the Royal Box) and the rest of Centre Court rise to give Raducanu a standing ovation!

Updated at 6.31pm BST

6.14pm BST

Sloane Stephens looks in fearsome form here , despite her disappointing defeat to Raducanu at Eastbourne last week: the American is 6-3, 3-1 up against Elsa Jacquemot and looks on course to secure a first-round victory.

Remarkable that Stephens has only reached one grand slam quarter-final since 2019. She has the all-round game to really trouble the top seeds but can’t seem to put a run of results together.

Updated at 6.25pm BST

6.08pm BST

Back to Centre Court: After winning the first-set tie-break, Raducanu has been trundling along in the second but finally breaks Zarazua’s serve to go 4-2 up, with the Mexican bunting a forehand just long to gift the Brit the game. Raducanu now just two games away from a first-round win.

6.03pm BST

Brit watch: Greg Wood on Charles Broom’s grand slam tournament debut at the age of 26, plus Heather Watson’s straight-sets defeat to Greet Minnen.

Related: Wawrinka sweeps aside Wimbledon debutant Broom as Watson falls short

5.54pm BST

A first glimpse of Jannik Sinner , the male world No 1, who is out on Centre Court in his first-round match against Yannick Hanfmann. With the scores at 1-1, the German forces deuce with a couple of brilliant shots that leave Sinner skating on ice, but the Italian recovers, sending down a couple of dominant serves to see out the game. Sinner holds and we are on serve at 2-1.

Give this a read: Simon Cambers charts Sinner’s rise to the top of the rankings.

Related: Jannik Sinner’s red-hot form makes him the man to beat at Wimbledon

5.49pm BST

Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng is out!

The No 8 seed is defeated by New Zealand newcomer Lulu Sun 6-4, 2-6, 4-6. What a comeback for the 23-year-old, the first New Zealand representative to play in the main draw of singles at a Grand Slam since Marina Erakovic at Wimbledon in 2017.

5.45pm BST

Out on Court 15, No 16 seed Ugo Humbert is into a fifth set with the unseeded Ukrainian Alexander Shevchenko. The Frenchman is so talented but not in a great run of form at the moment, and is in danger of repeating his first-round exit at the French Open.

5.38pm BST

Meanwhile , Liam Broady is engaged in a mammoth service game against Botic van de Zandschulp. The Brit is on his ninth deuce and is struggling to deal with the Dutchman’s aggressive bandhand, but somehow claws his way to a service hold. Gutsy play from the Stockport-born lefty. The match is all square in the third set, and on serve at 3-3.

Updated at 5.54pm BST

5.33pm BST

Raducanu takes the first set over Zarazua 7-6 (0)

The players change ends with Raducanu 6-0 up in the first-set tiebreak. She’s not playing particularly exciting tennis, but is applying enough pressure with her groundstrokes to force Zarazua into errors. When Zarazua does try to be aggressive, she is misfiring.

5.31pm BST

Three easy points for Raducanu gets the 21-year-old off to the perfect start in the tie-break. After each point, Raducanu releases a guttural roar, and the crowd respond. Zarazua looks like she has run out of ideas.

Updated at 5.51pm BST

5.28pm BST

With the scores at 15-15 , a crucial point for Raducanu. A lengthy rally ends with Raducanu ripping a lovely backhand up the line, with her shot clipping the baseline with a puff of chalk. The Brit closes out the game. We’re going to a tie-break!

5.24pm BST

Raducanu , who was a break up against Zarazua, now trails the Mexican 6-5 in the first set and will have to hold serve to force a tie-break …

5.17pm BST

Madison Keys beats Martina Trevisan 6-4, 7-6.

The American will face Yafan Wang in the second round.

Updated at 5.23pm BST

5.08pm BST

A break for Zarazua and we’re back on serve at 4-4 against Raducanu on Centre.

5.05pm BST

Naomi Osaka beats Diane Parry 6-1, 1-6, 6-4

It’s a first win at SW19 since 2018 for Naomi Osaka, battling back from 3-1 down in the deciding set to advance.

Updated at 5.24pm BST

5.01pm BST

Some images for you from around SW19 …

4.56pm BST

Zarazia has made a decent start to life on Centre and is 2-2 with Raducanu in the first … no she isn’t, she’s down a break at 3-2 …. while elsewhere, Osaka is now at deuce serving to Parry with the score 4-4 in the third.

And with that, my watch is over; Michael Butler will be along shortly to coax you through next bit of the day. Peace.

Updated at 5.16pm BST

4.50pm BST

Now Parry holds to love, spanking an ace down the T to seal the deal for 4-4 in the third, and this is getting tense. Oh yes.

Updated at 4.52pm BST

4.48pm BST

Liam Broady, back playing majors after time off injured, is a set down but a break up against Botic van de Zandschulp … no he isn’t, we’re back on serve in set two and he trails 2-6 3-3. Meantime Trevisan and Keys are 4-4 in the second, Keys having won the first, and Osaka holds to lead Parry 4-3 in the third.

4.44pm BST

Osaka holds, then a blazing forehand return down the line makes 15-30; Parry retorts with a double and a netted forehand, so that’s four breaks on the spin and 2-2 in the third!

Updated at 4.56pm BST

4.39pm BST

Parry consolidates to love, and Osaka is now in big trouble. Meantime, Raducanu – playing Wimbledon for the first time since 2022 – is 1-1 with Zarazua, and Keys leads Trevisan 1-0 3-2 with a break,

4.37pm BST

Again, Osaka finds herself down break points; she saves the first of three with an ace down the T, the second with a beauty out wide and clean-up wrongfooting forehand, then the third with a high-kicker to the body. For all the good it does her! A forehand larruped long, then another from closer to the net with so much court to hit, and Parry is again up a break in set three at 2-1!

4.31pm BST

Parry saves one break-back point with a wrongfooting backhand down the line, Osaka vacating the area only to see the ball whammed into the corner … but a fine return, cross on the forehand, means it’s 1-1 in the third.

4.29pm BST

On Centre, Raducana and Zarazua are away, while Parry continues her hot streak and Osaka her cold; Parry breaks for 1-0 in the decider.

Updated at 5.52pm BST

4.24pm BST

Now then! Danielle Parry sends a serve out wide, Osaka fetches it but can’t keep her line return in, and that’s now a 6-1 set apiece! I’ve not a clue what’s coming next, but a decider sounds pretty good to me.

4.22pm BST

Long-time readers of this blog will know I’ve a soft spot for Our Maddy, who’s seen players without a hint of her quality win majors in recent times. The way she collapsed against Sloane Stephens, one of her best mates, when she made the US Open final, was horrible to watch, and I’d love for her to earn herself another go. Most likely, if that happens it happens on hard, except the rest of the field prefer that surface to grass, so perhaps her best chance is here. She’s seeded to meet Gauff in the last eight – and will fancy her chances of beating Paolini in round four, should she have to.

4.16pm BST

Keys has made a circumspect start against Trevisan, hitting just four winners in the opening set … but she takes it 6-4 with a late break, and I’d expect shoulders to open from here.

Updated at 4.29pm BST

4.13pm BST

Excellent from Parry, who follows a key hold with a break and consolidation; she now leads 3-1 in the second, having lost the first 6-1.

4.09pm BST

Next on Centre Court: Renata Zarazua v Emma Raducanu.

4.06pm BST

Alcaraz credits his opponent for playing a good match and notes that his opponent will improve … and is his age. Which of course reminds us how absurdly brilliant he is, not just for anyone but for an almost-child. He thinks Centre Court is the most beautiful in the world – I wonder if he’ll have changed his mind by New York, Melbourne next year and so on – but admits he wasn’t just nervous stepping out today, but yesterday in practice, which has never happened to him before.

4.02pm BST

Osaka burns more break points but she’s cracking her forehand like Del Potro, flat and nasty, so I’d expect more to be available soon enough. And Parry must be fearing the worst when she sends down a double when up advantage, but she holds for 1-0 in the second.

Updated at 4.12pm BST

4.02pm BST

Carlos Alcaraz (3) beats Mark Lajal 7-6(3) 7-5 6-2

A fine effort from the young Estonian, of whom we’ll be seeing plenty more in the future I’m sure. The champ, though, moves on, and will face Vukic of Ofner next – currently, the latter leads 9-8 in a first-set breaker.

Updated at 4.07pm BST

3.55pm BST

Alcaraz holds for 5-1 in the third, while Osaka quickly holds and breaks for a 6-1 set. She’s looking very, very strong, and the pain she probably still feels from her loss to Swiatek in Paris will be keeping her very honest.

3.49pm BST

Osaka burns three break points, then makes one on advantage count. If she can get going, I really fancy her to win this – her combination of power and touch looks more potent than anything anyone else has to offer. She leads 4-1 in the first, while Alcaraz breaks Lajal again for 4-1 in the third; it’s been a great effort from the young Estonian, but he’s not long for this match.

3.39pm BST

Matteo Berrettini beats Marton Fucsovics 7-6(3) 6-2 3-6 6-1

A good start from the 2021 finalist, but next for him it’s Hanfmann … or Sinner. If he’s at it, you never know, but most likely, the drive backhand he doesn’t have will once again kill him.

Updated at 4.34pm BST

3.37pm BST

Lajal’s made a great go of it, but Alcaraz breaks him in the opening game of set three – flipping the script, would you believe – and he now leads 2-0 1-0. Parry and Osaka are away, meanwhile, level at 1-1, likewise Trevisan and Keys.

3.27pm BST

In the royal box, there’s a right old chinwag going on … between Cliff Richard and Graeme Le Saux. Of course there is!

3.25pm BST

Jasmine Paolini (7) beats Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5 6-3

The French Open runner-up is absolutely loving life, and she meets Greet Minnen next.

Updated at 3.44pm BST

3.22pm BST

Sorries Tormo sorribes tormoes, taking back breaks only to be broken again, Paolini, who’s played well today, will now serve for the match at 5-3 in the second.

3.21pm BST

I guess we all saw this coming: Alcaraz breaks Lajal to lead 7-6 6-5, and will shortly serve for 2-1 lead. Oh, and as I type, Mertens finishes Hibino 2-6 6-2 6-4 and will face Zarazua or Raducanu next.

3.18pm BST

Next on No 2 Court : Naomi Osaka v Danielle Parry. Noice!

3.13pm BST

Stan Wawrinka beats Charlie Broom 6-3 7-5 6-4

A decent effort from Broom, but Wawrinka is still too good, and at 39 he moves into round two, where he’ll face Monfils or Mannarino; Monfils has just gone 2-1 up, taking the third set 7-5.

Updated at 3.25pm BST

3.10pm BST

I like the look of Lajal, and not just because those are fun words to repeat. He’s hanging with the champ at 4-4 in the second while Broom has forced Wawrinka to serve for the match at 5-4 in the third. And Sorribes Tormo has, I’m afraid collapsed, trailing Paolini 5-7 1-4. If she could get her head right she’d be very good, but here we are.

3.05pm BST

Next on No 1 Court: Marta Trevisan v Madison Keys (12).

3.00pm BST

Daniil Medvedev (5) beats Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3 6-4 6-2

Kovacevic played pretty well but ultimately he isn’t quite good enough to trouble Medvedev. The number five seed faces Muller or Gaston next.

Updated at 3.10pm BST

2.58pm BST

Brandon Nakashima beats Sebastián Báez (18) 6-2 6-3 6-4

A huge win for the young American, who meets Kotov or Thompson next; currently, the latter leads 4-2 in the fifth.

2.57pm BST

Broom finally stops the rot, winning his first game in nine by breaking Wawrinka in set three. His arrears are now a perfectly manageable 3-6 5-7 2-3.

2.52pm BST

And again, after being broken Alcaraz breaks back immediately for 7-6 2-2, whole Wawrinka gets a double-break in set three. On court 12, Fucsovics has won the third to trail Berrettini 2-1; Monfils and Mannarino are 1-1 4-4; and Nakashima is serving to finish Baez at 6-2 6-3 5-4.

2.49pm BST

Poor Broomz. Wawrinkz breaks him for 2-0 2-0, and from nearly 1-1, this is nearly did

2.47pm BST

Lajal does it again, breaking Alcaraz at the first time of asking in set two. We actually saw him do this kind of thing in the first round of Roland Garros against Jesper de Jong, who he beat in four. I guess he should be more settled now – he was returning from injury then – but we know he’ll have enough to do whatever is asked of him.

2.42pm BST

Paolini takes the first set off Sorribes Tormo, taking a smash-cum swing volley out of the air for her third break – one which gives her a 7-5 lead.

2.41pm BST

Medvedev is now up set and a double-break against Kovacevic, leading 3-0 in the third. He’s played well today, keeping his opponent on his bike, but I’d still be unsurprised were he to lose to the first high-level player he meets.

2.39pm BST

On which point, the below reaches us over the wires:

Andy Murray was continuing to mull over whether to play singles at Wimbledon after a practice session on Monday afternoon. The 37-year-old showed definite signs of improvement hitting against fellow British player Kyle Edmund but remains unsure whether he is in good enough physical shape to play his first-round match against Czech Tomas Machac on Tuesday.

Murray was leading Edmund 6-3 2-0 when they reached the end of their session, and he said afterwards: “It was good. I’m going to go and have a chat with my team now, speak to my family this evening and then make a decision. It’s getting better and the testing and stuff I’ve done has been good, I just need to decide whether it’s enough to compete.”

Murray, who underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst nine days ago, was serving well and hitting some strong groundstokes but his movement undoubtedly remains compromised and he was struggling when pulled out wide.

Machac, ranked 39, is certainly no mug and is likely to make the match physical, although he is inexperienced on grass.

2.39pm BST

Related: Fans camp out for tickets to see Andy Murray ‘one last time’ at Wimbledon

2.37pm BST

Er yeah, Wawrinka serves out to lead 6-3 7-5, and Broom may never get a better chance to take a set off a grand slam champ.

Updated at 2.38pm BST

2.37pm BST

Daria Kasatkina (14) beats Zhang Shuai 6-3 6-0

She’s got a non-unfriendly draw and might just be able to do something here. Next for her: Korpatsch or Miyazaki.

Updated at 2.39pm BST

2.34pm BST

Paolini and Sorribes Tormo are now at 5-5 in set one – I’m watching them instead of Tiafoe v Arnaldi – Medvedev is now up a set and a break against Kovacevic – and Berrettini leads Fucsovics 7-6 6-2 1-4.

2.32pm BST

Ach, Wawrinka breaks to lead 6-3 6-5, and that’s the thing: the best players are consistent, whereas your Brooms of this world can play well for a bit. Meantime, Alcaraz is inches away from diving on to a Lajal pass but can’t, also hurling his racket at it; he sees the funny side, showing how close he was with his fingers, then wins three points on the spin for a 6-3 lead … and takes the set at the first opportunity.

2.27pm BST

Charlie Broom will be feeling very poorly – though far less so than poor Arnaldi, who looked peaky in the extreme on his way off court. Nevertheless, he misses a pass and a volley to secure the set and eventually sits up a drop that Wawrinka punishes. From 2-5 it’s now 5-5 while, on Centre, Alcaraz and Lajal are playing a first-set breaker.

Updated at 2.30pm BST

2.24pm BST

Francis Tiafoe (29) beats Matteo Arnaldi (6)6-7 2-6 6-1 6-3 6-3

A huge win for, as the chain around his neck says, Big Foe. He meets Borna Coric next, the Croatian having seen off Felipe Meligeni Alves in three.

Updated at 2.26pm BST

2.21pm BST

Tiafoe breaks Arnaldi for 5-3 in the fifth! He’ll now serve for the match! On Centre, meanwhile, Lajal and Alcaraz are 5-5; on No 1 Court, Medevedev is serving for a 2-0 lead against Kovacevic; and on No 3, Broom, playing his first Wimbledon at the age of 26, is serving to level his match against Wawrinka at 1-1.

2.18pm BST

Related: Artists target Wimbledon’s ‘strawberries and cream image’ over link to Barclays

2.04pm BST

Er yeah, Alcaraz breaks back immediately and to love – though hold tight the 21-year-old, who’s forcing him to play better. Otherwise, Paolini has broken Sorribes Tormo back for 2-2, Kostyuk, seeded 18, leads Sramkova 6-3 4-2, Monfils leads Mannarino, seeded 22, 6-4 1-2 with a break, and Nakashima leads Baez, seeded 18, 6-2 4-2

2.00pm BST

Related: Aryna Sabalenka blows hole in Wimbledon draw after pulling out

1.59pm BST

Lajal, though, is playing nicely – as you might assume of a kid with that on his heed, he’s not nervous, while Alcaraz hasn’t got his feet going. As such, only the second Estonian ever to play in the men’s championships breaks for 3-2 and the champ is under a spot of pressure.

1.58pm BST

So while we’re here, here’s Joy of Six: ponytails, including some chat on steps and Roger Federer.

Related: The Joy of Six: Roger Federer to Phil Tufnell - ponytailed sportsmen

1.57pm BST

I promised Lajal’s barnet and here it is. Who’s going to tell him?

1.53pm BST

I’ve binned Wawrinkz v Broom at 6-3 0-2 to check out Paolini v Sorribes Tormo; the Spaniard currently leads the no7 seed 2-0.

1.50pm BST

Tiafoe doesn’t need the aforementioned two holds, breaking again to level his match with Arnaldi at two sets apiece. This is our first classic of the championships and you have to back the American to see it out from here, but he’s another upon whom one can never quite rely.

1.47pm BST

Medvedev serves out for a 6-3 first set against Kovacevic and looks to be enjoying himself; Lajal, whose surname is a palindrome, holds for 1-1 in set one against Alcaraz.

1.45pm BST

That colour suit, though. I can’t get on board, I’m afraid. Where do you wipe your hands if you’re going to leave prints?

1.44pm BST

Tiafoe bellows to the crowd after breaking Arnaldi for 4-3 in the fourth, and he’s two holds away from a decider. Alcaraz, meanwhile holds in game one, a match being watched by David Beckham and Sandra, his mum.

1.43pm BST

This is sad now, but still great.

1.40pm BST

Wawrinka leads Broom, the Brit, 5-2 in the first. He’s the oldest man in this year’s competition and we’ve obligated to enjoy him while we still can; not many have hands like his.

1.39pm BST

We’ve not visited with Arnaldi and Tiafoe for a while, so let’s check it out and … it’s a war now. The Italian leads 2-1 but at 3-3 in set three, we’re a long way from the end.

Updated at 1.39pm BST

1.37pm BST

The umpire in the Alcaraz match is wearing a flat cap like he’s channelling Percy Sugden. It’s not sunny.

1.35pm BST

Back to McCartney Kessler, that is one of the all-time great American surname-as-firstname jobs. I do hope she’s named after George, the former Sunderland defender.

1.33pm BST

On Centre, Carlos Alcaraz will shortly begin the defence of his crown – he faces Mark Lajal, who’s come all nicely shorn for the occasion. As soon as we’ve photos, I’ll share the joy.

1.31pm BST

Medvedev has started nicely on his favourite No1 Court, leading Kovacevic 4-1, while on 12, Berrettini has done his breaker trick to lead Fucsovics 7-6(3).

1.30pm BST

Ah, I said Andreeva would be enjoying her Court 1 jaunt but actually it’s not happening: instead of Bektas v Sabalenka it’ll be Marta Trevisan v Madison Keys (12) moved from No 3.

1.26pm BST

I meant to say earlier, Maria Sakkari – seeded nine but capable of losing any match – disposed of McCartney Kessler 6-3 6-1. She meets Arantxa Rus or Yuan Yue next.

1.24pm BST

Casper Ruud (8) beats Alex Bolt 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4

That’s a good workout on his least favourite surface for the Dane, who was made to work hard for his win. He meets Fabio Fognini next, who sorted Luca van Assche 6-1 6-3 7-5.

1.16pm BST

He has yet to decide if he is fit enough to play at Wimbledon, but Andy Murray fans have been queuing since Saturday for the chance to see the British star play in what could be his last singles game at SW19.

The two-time former champion had surgery nine days ago to remove a cyst on his spine and revealed at a press conference on Sunday that he did not yet have “100%” feeling in his right leg.

He said he expected to decide on Monday evening whether or not he would compete in the mens’ singles on Tuesday, but the uncertainty did not stop Murray mania from hitting SW19 a day early.

Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Club, said that fan would be “absolutely desperate” to see him play.

“All of the fans coming here will be absolutely keen to see Andy, there’s no doubt about that and so we would love to see him on court. Of course, if he isn’t we’ve got plenty of other tennis going on, but I know that the fans will be absolutely desperate to see him play so we wish him well in in getting on court,” she said.

1.15pm BST

On No1, Kovacevic and Medvedev are away, Medvedev holding for 1-0, while on 2, Stan Wawrinka and Charlie Broom are out.

1.14pm BST

Tiafoe has taken the third set off Arnaldi 6-1, to trail 2-1; as we said, there’s scope for this little tussle to go longting. Other hand, Bolt has just struggled to a hold against Ruud, who must now serve for the match at 7-6 6-4 5-4 – though the Aussie has given him greater grief than the scoreline suggests.

1.11pm BST

Jerry Shang beats Cristian Garin 7-5 6-4 6-4

A terrific performance from the 19-year-old, who meets Dimitrov (10) next. You can absolutely guarantee I’ll be watching that.

1.10pm BST

Down break point, a swinging lefty serve down the T restores deuce for Shang, but a missed backhand down the line allows Garin another go; again he redeems it, then goes long on the forehand before winning a net exchange.

1.07pm BST

Denis Shapovalov beats Nicolás Jarry (19) 6-1 7-5 6-4

A convincing win for the Canadian and he meets Altmaier or Fery next.

1.04pm BST

Meantime, Shang is serving for the match against Garín leaving 5-4 in the third.

1.03pm BST

I guess a lucky loser is getting a little boost … a nd it’s Erika Andreeva, older sister of Mirra yet only 20 herself, who’ll face Emina Bektas second on No1.

12.59pm BST

Aryna Sabalenka, seeded three, has pulled out of Wimbledon

Ach, that’s minging news. She looked good for a run at the title, but her shoulder injury has beaten her this time.

Updated at 1.20pm BST

12.59pm BST

Grigor Dimitrov (10) beats Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-4 7-5

Decent win for wa Griggzy, but he’s done something to his shoulder in the process – the pace on his serve went right down. Next up: Shang or Garin, Shang now leading by two sets and a break.

12.54pm BST

On No2 Court, Dimitrov is serving for the match against Lajovic, while in seven or so minutes, Aleksandar Kovacevic and Daniil Medvedev will appear on No1.

12.52pm BST

Greet Minnen beats Heather Watson 7-5 6-4

The wildcard-toting Brit loses to her doubles partner, who played really well today. Minnen meets Jasmine Paolini (7) or Sara Sorribes Tormo next.

12.51pm BST

Oh but Heather Watson, serving at 5-7 4-5, is match-point down at advantage…

12.49pm BST

Dayana Yastremska (28) beats Nadia Podoroska 6-1 7-6(1)

Next for her is Varvara Gracheva, who saw off Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 6-1.

12.47pm BST

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (25) beats Taylor Townsend 7-6(4) 6-1

She meets Zhu Lin next, the Cahinese having seen off Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0 6-4.

12.46pm BST

Ruud is almost into round two, leading Bolt 7-6 6-4; Watson and Minnen at level at 4-4 in set two, the Belgian having taken the first; and Fognini leads Van Assche, the talented young Frenchman, 6-1 6-3 2-0.

12.46pm BST

Jarry will soon be heading back to Santiago. Shapovalov has broken and consolidated in set three, and at 4-2 needs only two more holds to progress.

12.33pm BST

Shang’s leftiness is also causing aggravation – he serves out to 15, ending the set with a fantastic outswinging ace on to the T, and down 5-7 4-6, Garín looks on his way home. And so too Tiafoe, trailing Arnaldi 6-7 2-6 – a second break and hold sealed that set while our attention was elsewhere – while on 12, Berrettini and Fucsovics are ready to go.

12.28pm BST

Arnaldi consolidates for 7-6 4-2, while Shang will shortly serve for a 2-0 lead over Garín.

12.23pm BST

Easy for Shapovalov, who now leads Jarry 6-1 7-5; Shang leads Garin 7-5 4-3 with a break; and Arnaldi is trying to consolidate having broken Tiafoe for 7-6 3-2.

12.19pm BST

Shapovalov fist-pumps, converting the second of two break points to lead Jarry 6-1 6-5. his leftiness is a real problem, especially on grass, and I’d be pretty surtprised were he unable to serve out the set from here.

12.17pm BST

Dimitrov has taken set two off Lajovic, so now leads 6-3 6-4. He’s now a reliable negotiator of first weeks and made the last eight in Paris, so will be feeling pretty good about himself. Should he win, he meets Garin or Shang next – that’s a pretty severe upgrade of opponent – and if he sticks around here, he’s seeded to meet Medvedev in round four, a match I’d not be surprised to see him win.

Updated at 12.37pm BST

12.13pm BST

And of course as I’m trying to watch a little more of that match, I miss Tiafoe breaking Arnaldi then being broken back; the Italian leads 7-6 1-2.

12.12pm BST

Jarry is making a better fist of his second set against Shapovalov. I’ve not been concentrating on this match as it’s my fourth screen, i.e my phone – apparently watching that many, all with volume up, is (yet further) evidence of ADHD – but he now trails 1-6 4-4. Shapovalov, though, has a serve you’d back in a tiebreak.

12.07pm BST

Watson, meanwhile, serving at 5-6, has just sent down a double that makes 0-40, Minnen – her doubles partner – only needs the first of her three set points, and that’s a 7-5 set over, seven breaks later.

12.05pm BST

Garín is in all sorts now, broken in the opening game of set two to trail Shang 5-7 0-1. And lets’s round up from elsewhere too: Dimitrov, seeded 10, leads Lajovic 6-4 4-3 with a break; Casper Ruud, seeded eight, leads Alex Bolt 7-6(2) 1-1; Fognin leads Van Assche 6-1 4-3; and Pavlyuchenkova, seeded 25, leads Townsend 7-6(4).

12.01pm BST

Imagine that! One day you’re not involved, then the next you’re marching out on to Centre Court to take on the home favourite. You’d take it.

Updated at 12.02pm BST

12.00pm BST

A new opponent for Emma Raducanu

Russian 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova has pulled out of Wimbledon before her opening-round match with Emma Raducanu on Monday due to illness. The 29-year-old, whose best performance at the All England Club came last year when she reached the fourth round, has been replaced by lucky loser Renata Zarazua of Mexico.

Updated at 12.02pm BST

11.58am BST

Tiafoe saves the first two, but here comes a third on the Arnaldi serve; it’s a biggun, the return bounces up at the net, and the putaway is definitive, concluding a 7-6(5) set. Nor is he the only one putting it on a seed: Shang holds easily and leads Garin 7-5!

11.56am BST

Fine hitting from Shang from the back then, when Garin gets a net-cord, he sprints in and flicks back as terrific response that earns him a break at 6-5 in the first. Meantime, Arnaldi makes 6-3 and Tiafoe now faces three set points.

11.47am BST

Watson has broken Minnen back to trail 3-4, while Garin, holding more easily than Shang, has put him under pressure at 3-5. On Court 15, meanwhile, Arnaldi and Tiafoe are about to play a breaker.

11.42am BST

A forehand error from Arnaldi hands Tiafoe a break; the American will now serve for the set. And the way he fist-pumps tells you he knows how difficult a match this is – so too the next game, in which he now trails 15-30. Then another good point from the youngster sees him unable to return a fierce backhand, and a double means we’re back level at 5-5. This has the look of a match that might still be going this time tomorrow.

11.34am BST

Shapovalov’s power-game is currently too much for Jarry – he takes the first set 6-1, just as, in the women’s competition, Dayana Yastremska, seeded 28, has done against Nadia Podoroska.

11.30am BST

Bit of Olympics news

Heather Watson will compete in her fourth Olympic Games for Team GB this summer, after being named by the British Olympic Association (BOA) as the men’s and women’s doubles pairings are confirmed for Paris 2024.

Watson who has been a stalwart for British tennis over the past decade will compete in the women’s doubles alongside Olympic debutant Katie Boulter who was announced last month for the women’s singles tournament.

Andy Murray and Dan Evans who are both competing in the men’s singles will also team up to compete in the men’s doubles alongside Neal Skupski & Joe Salisbury with the mixed doubles sign-in confirmed on-site in Paris.

Men’s singles: Jack Draper, Cam Norrie, Dan Evans, Andy Murray.
Women’s singles: Katie Boulter.
Men’s doubles: Neal Skupski & Joe Salisbury/Andy Murray & Dan Evans
Women’s doubles: Katie Boulter and Heather Watson

The Olympic tennis tournament will run from 27 July to 4 August at Roland Garros players will compete across five medal events: singles and doubles for both men and women and mixed doubles.

Updated at 11.40am BST

11.29am BST

The same is so of Shapovalov, another dangerous floater. He’s much better suited to grass than Jarry and leads him 4-1 30-0.

11.27am BST

Griggzy Dimitrov is into stride quickly, up 3-0 on Dusan Lajovic, while Arnaldi has broken and been broken back by Tiafoe, to lead 2-1. He’s a really good player, the 23-year-old Italian, and on a bit of a major tear. He reached round two in Melbourne and round four in Paris, having done likewise in New York – but on his Wimbledon debut last term, he lost in four to Roberto Carballes Baena. Still, he’s a nasty first-round draw for Tiafoe and I’d not be surprised to see an upset.

11.18am BST

BBC don’t appear to agree with my judgment. None of the matches I’m into have commentary, and on the main show they’re showing Heather Watson – down 0-2 to Greet Minnen now that you ask.

11.16am BST

Shang saves break point with a flick down the line and eventually hangs on but, more importantly, Tim Henman thinks Naomi Osaka will win the women’s competition. I may or may not have deposited money with my local turf accountant pending the same inevitability.

11.10am BST

Garín holds to love against Shang, who I think will love facing a seed in round one. He’s flashy, charismatic and has plenty of shots; I’m not sure he’s quite got the game to get right to the top, but he’s got something.

11.07am BST

Ready, play. Here we go!

11.03am BST

The players in our various matches are knocking up.

10.45am BST

A match I’m buzzing for later on: Brenda Fruhvirtova v Mirra Andreeva (24). Both are 17 and excellent; I’ve not a clue why it’s tucked away last on Court 12, but here we are.

10.43am BST

What to watch? To begin with, I reckon a bit of Cristian Garín v Jerry Shang, Nicolas Jarry (19) v Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Arnaldi v Francis Tiafoe (29).

10.38am BST

Yeah, and cloudy for the rest of the week. This country.

10.36am BST

Enid Blyton memorably advised that if there’s enough blue sky to make a sailor a pair of trousers, it’s going to be a fine day, and that’s where we are currently. The Met Office, however, think it’ll be cloudy – which is enough for us.

10.00am BST

Preamble

Hello there and welcome to Wimbledon 2024 – day one!

If we arrived at Roland-Garros with the general pattern of things reversed – we knew who was likely to win the women’s event but had not a clue who might take the men’s – we move to Wimbledon with both trophies up for grabs.

In the women’s competition, it seems unlikely Marketa Vondrousova, now seeded six, can repeat last year’s unlikely triumph, while of those above her, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are still learning the surface; Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champ, is erratic; and Aryna Sabalenka, who looks best-placed, still has plenty to prove – especially given her shoulder injury. Ultimately, the finalists – never mind the winner – winner could be any of them or none of them.

On the men’s side, things look a little less complex, the questions more about who wins the big matches when they inevitably arrive. We don’t know exactly where Novak Djokovic is in his preparations, but do know what it takes to beat him when it counts, and if that happens before the semi-finals, in which he’s seeded to meet Alexander Zverev, it’d be a surprise.

Meantime, in the other half of the draw, it’s hard to shake the excitement of another impending Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner epic. The former is the defending champion and French Open champion, the latter the Aussie Open champion and world number one, which is to say we’re at the start of a rivalry which could easily define the next decade.

Before that, though, we’ve got all the joy and love of the early rounds: surprise classics, huge shocks and just the enormous sense of affirming wellbeing we get from unstoppable, incessant tennis all day every day. So, in the immortal words of the all-time worst sporting chant and exhortation, “Let’s go!”.

Play: outside courts 11am BST, No 1 Court 1pm BST, Centre Court 1.30pm BST

Updated at 11.05am BST