The Guardian

Wimbledon 2024: Raducanu routs Mertens; Alcaraz, Kartal and Gauff through – live

By Daniel Harris (now) Will Magee and Katy Murrells (earlier),

18 hours ago

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mipQz_0uCzMjRz00 — Emma Raducanu celebrates victory over Elise Mertens. Photograph: Zac Goodwin/PA

8.05pm BST

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?

7.59pm BST

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.

7.58pm BST

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

7.57pm BST

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.

7.55pm BST

Tommy Paul (12) beats Otto Virtanen 4-6 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-4

It takes him three overheads to put the match away, but he gets there in the end and faces Alexander Bublik (23) next. Well played Otto, though, who was superb, and if he keeps it up we’ll be seeing plenty more of him.

7.52pm BST

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.

7.47pm BST

7.45pm BST

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?

7.44pm BST

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

7.42pm BST

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

7.42pm BST

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.

7.39pm BST

Maria Sakkari beats Arantxa Rus 7-5, 6-3

It was relatively straightforward for Sakkari, who powered through the second set to dismiss her Dutch opponent. The world No 9 will now face Raducanu in the third round.

Updated at 7.45pm BST

7.34pm BST

Roberto Bautista Agut beats Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Bautista Agut only needed four sets to overcome Sonego in the end. The 2019 Wimbledon semi-finalist will face another Italian, Fabio Fognini, in the third round.

Updated at 7.44pm BST

7.31pm BST

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

Updated at 7.44pm BST

7.30pm BST

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

7.27pm BST

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.

7.23pm BST

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.

7.18pm BST

Thanasi Kokkinakis beats Félix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 5-7, 7-6 (9), 6-4, 6-4

One of the day’s five-set marathons is over, Kokkinakis recovering from two sets down to defeat Auger-Aliassime in a match of wild swings and seesawing momentum.

Updated at 7.19pm BST

7.13pm BST

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

7.11pm BST

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.

7.09pm BST

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.

7.04pm BST

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.

Updated at 7.14pm BST

6.59pm BST

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

Updated at 7.15pm BST

6.56pm BST

Virtanen has broken back against Paul. High drama!

6.55pm BST

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.

Updated at 7.09pm BST

6.51pm BST

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.

Updated at 7.08pm BST

6.45pm BST

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.”

6.41pm BST

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.

6.40pm BST

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.

6.38pm BST

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.

Updated at 7.09pm BST

6.37pm BST

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.

Updated at 6.53pm BST

6.36pm BST

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.

6.34pm BST

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

Updated at 7.46pm BST

6.33pm BST

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.

Updated at 6.40pm BST

6.28pm BST

Emma Navarro (19) beats Naomi Osaka 6-4 6-1

An absolute hiding in the end. Navarro played superbly and gave away almost nothing, but Osaka will regret her circumspection, especially in set one. She meets Shnaider next, who’s just walloped Sloane Stephens 6-1 6-1.

Updated at 7.08pm BST

6.26pm BST

Emma Raducanu beats Elise Mertens 6-1 6-2

Last time she was on No 1 Court she retired injured, but not today: she absolutely had her way with a fine, experienced player, who couldn’t find any way of hurting her. Raducanu meets Sakkari or Rus next – they’re 3-3 in set one – and has a pretty favourable run of things, Daria Kasatkina her projected quarter-final opponent.

Updated at 6.39pm BST

6.24pm BST

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.

6.22pm BST

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

6.21pm BST

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!

6.18pm BST

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.

6.17pm BST

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

6.15pm BST

We’re back under way on our outside courts

6.14pm BST

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.

Updated at 6.24pm BST

6.12pm BST

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.

6.09pm BST

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.

6.06pm BST

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?

Updated at 7.07pm BST

6.05pm BST

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.

5.59pm BST

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.

5.56pm BST

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

5.54pm BST

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.

Updated at 6.16pm BST

5.48pm BST

Rain stops play

Nauseation. We’re off on the outside courts, a particular issue on No 2, where Kokkinakis leads 5-3 in the fourth – though Auger-Aliassime holds advantage – and should he lose the game, he’ll still have the chance to serve for a decider. It looks grim out there, though, which is to say we may or may not get back on today.

5.46pm BST

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!

5.41pm BST

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

5.38pm BST

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

5.36pm BST

Bianca Andreescu beats Linda Nosková 6-3 7-6(5)

She meets Paolini (7) or Minnen next.

5.34pm BST

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.

5.31pm BST

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

5.30pm BST

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.

5.25pm BST

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.

5.19pm BST

Alejandro Tabilo (24) beats Daniel Evans 6-2 7-5 6-3

Evans still isn’t himself following injury – he refused to continue playing last evening when the dew made things slippery – and Tabilo, someone he’d hope to beat on grass, meets Cobolli next.

Updated at 6.19pm BST

5.17pm BST

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.

5.15pm BST

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.

5.13pm BST

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

5.13pm BST

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

5.12pm BST

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.

5.11pm BST

“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.

5.09pm BST

Daniil Medvedev (5) beats Alexandre Müller 6-7 (3) 7-6 (4) 6-4 7-5

Medvedeve does break, and that’s that. But a fine effort from Muller, who might just’ve conjured a shock had he managed to hold that second-set break or take that second-set breaker. Beating Medvedev, though, isn’t at all easy, and the number five seed moves on. He meets Zhang (32) or sturff next – they’ve just started.

Updated at 6.57pm BST

5.06pm BST

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

5.03pm BST

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.

5.02pm BST

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.

Updated at 5.21pm BST

4.59pm BST

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

4.57pm BST

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

4.57pm BST

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.”

4.54pm BST

“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.”

4.48pm BST

Fabio Fognini beats Casper Ruud (8) 6-4 7-5 (1)6-7 6-3

Wild celebrations from the 37-year-old, who finally gets it done. But the elongated match shouldn’t obscure how well he played and he meets Sonego or Bautista Agut next; the Spaniard leads 6-3 1-3. As for Ruud, he fought hard but 2/13 break points converted tells us the main reason he’s out.

4.45pm BST

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…

4.42pm BST

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.

4.41pm BST

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

Updated at 4.42pm BST

4.40pm BST

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

4.40pm BST

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…

4.38pm BST

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

4.32pm BST

Carlos Alcaraz (3) beats Aleksandar Vukic 7-6(5) 6-2 6-2

Vukic made a decent go of it but Alcaraz is just far too good for almost everyone. He meets Tiafoe next, and that should be fun.

Updated at 4.36pm BST

4.29pm BST

4.26pm BST

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.

4.24pm BST

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.

4.20pm BST

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.

4.16pm BST

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.

4.14pm BST

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).

4.12pm BST

Elina Svitolina (21) beats Magda Linette 7-5 (9)6-7 6-3

And she may yet be a hero of Wimbledon 2024! After all the stress of her previous service-game, she secures the match to love and will face Jabeur or Montgomery next. That could be tase-tee!

Updated at 4.15pm BST

4.10pm BST

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.

4.07pm BST

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.

4.05pm BST

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

4.03pm BST

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.

4.01pm BST

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.

3.58pm BST

Ugo Humbert (16) beats Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6(9) 6-1 6-3

The Frenchman has had a great year and meets the surging Brandon Nakashima next. That should be a decent tussle.

3.56pm BST

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).

3.53pm BST

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.

3.50pm BST

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…

3.49pm BST

Kartal beats Burel 6-3, 5-7, 6-3!

Just as Alcaraz won a tight first set on a tie-break, Medvedev has done the same in the second against Muller, sealing it with a forehand flourish. The world No 5 is looking much more settled now … as is Kartal, who has a match point at 5-3 in the third set against Burel! The British qualifier takes it, and she’s through to face Gauff on Friday! Much credit to the world No 298, who recovered her composure after losing the second set to come through strongly against the world No 45 in the decider.

Updated at 3.53pm BST

3.45pm BST

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

3.43pm BST

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.

Updated at 3.56pm BST

3.36pm BST

3.35pm BST

… 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.

3.33pm BST

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 …

3.26pm BST

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.

3.23pm BST

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!

Updated at 3.27pm BST

3.16pm BST

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.

3.13pm BST

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.

3.08pm BST

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.

3.02pm BST

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.

Updated at 3.11pm BST

2.59pm BST

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.

Updated at 3.39pm BST

2.55pm BST

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.

2.52pm BST

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.

Updated at 3.05pm BST

2.46pm BST

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.

2.39pm BST

And news from our very own Simon Cambers:

2.38pm BST

2.37pm BST

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.

Updated at 2.47pm BST

2.31pm BST

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.

2.28pm BST

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

Updated at 3.04pm BST

2.27pm BST

2.26pm BST

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!

2.19pm BST

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.

2.16pm BST

Gauff beats Todoni 6-2, 6-1

… but quickly to No 1 – as Gauff has match point at 6-2, 5-1, and 15-40 on Todoni’s serve. The US Open champion becomes the first name into round three – just as Kartal seals the first set 6-3 with a hold to love!

2.13pm BST

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 ..

Updated at 2.19pm BST

2.06pm BST

2.05pm BST

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.

2.00pm BST

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.

1.57pm BST

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.

1.54pm BST

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.

1.51pm BST

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.

1.45pm BST

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.

1.42pm BST

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

Updated at 1.59pm BST

1.41pm BST

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.

Updated at 1.55pm BST

1.32pm BST

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.

1.26pm BST

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.

Updated at 1.41pm BST

1.23pm BST

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.

1.19pm BST

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.

1.12pm BST

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.

1.08pm BST

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.

1.02pm BST

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.

Updated at 1.21pm BST

1.00pm BST

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.

12.47pm BST

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

Updated at 12.49pm BST

12.31pm BST

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.

12.27pm BST

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.

12.21pm BST

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.

12.16pm BST

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

12.11pm BST

Andy Murray to team up with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles

So as well as playing with his brother, Jamie, in the men’s doubles, Murray will end his Wimbledon career by hooking up with Raducanu, in news that will stir as much excitement around the All England Club as his partnership with Serena Williams did in 2019. “MurRena” went out in the third round – let’s hope “MurAnu” can go further and that his back injury holds up.

Updated at 12.37pm BST

12.04pm BST

Some breaking news!

Updated at 12.16pm BST

11.57am BST

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.”

Updated at 11.59am BST

11.53am BST

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.

11.42am BST

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.

11.37am BST

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.

Updated at 12.03pm BST

11.30am BST

Some Murray memories to keep you going:

11.24am BST

The current scene.

11.20am BST

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.

11.08am BST

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

11.06am BST

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.

11.04am BST

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

10.57am BST

Hopefully Ruud can do a bit more of this today.

Updated at 11.00am BST

10.54am BST

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.

10.36am BST

A big stack of reading for you.

10.24am BST

Today's order of play

(All times BST)

Centre Court, 1.30pm
Alexandre Muller (Fra) v (5) Daniil Medvedev (Rus)
Naomi Osaka (Jpn) v (19) Emma Navarro (USA)
(1) Jannik Sinner (Ita) v Matteo Berrettini (Ita)

No 1 Court, 1pm
Anca Todoni (Rom) v (2) Coco Gauff (USA)
(3) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) v Aleksandar Vukic (Aus)
Emma Raducanu (Gbr) v Elise Mertens (Bel)

No 2 Court, 11am
Fabio Fognini (Ita) v (8) Casper Ruud (Nor)
(7) Jasmine Paolini (Ita) v Greet Minnen (Bel)
Stan Wawrinka (Swi) v Gael Monfils (Fra)
Yafan Wang (Chn) v (12) Madison Keys (USA)

No 3 Court, 11am
Sonay Kartal (Gbr) v Clara Burel (Fra)
(12) Tommy Paul (USA) v Otto Virtanen (Fin)
(10) Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) v Juncheng Shang (Chn)
(14) Daria Kasatkina (Rus) v Yuriko Miyazaki (Gbr)

Court four, 11am
Viktorija Golubic (Swi) v Jule Niemeier (Ger)
Lorenzo Sonego (Ita) v Roberto Bautista Agut (Spa)
(11) Maximo Gonzalez (Arg) & Andres Molteni (Arg) v Petros Tsitsipas (Gre) & Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre)
Federico Coria (Arg) & Mariano Navone (Arg) v (7) Wesley Koolhof (Ned) & Nikola Mektic (Cro)

Court five, 11am
Pedro Martinez (Spa) & Jaume Munar (Spa) v Dusan Lajovic (Ser) & Sumit Nagal (Ind)
Camilla Rosatello (Ita) & Laura Samsonova (Cze) v (16) Ulrikke Eikeri (Nor) & Ingrid Neel (Est)
Mirra Andreeva (Rus) & Anastasia Potapova (Rus) v (2) Gabriela Dabrowski (Can) & Erin Routliffe (Nzl)
Hailey Baptiste (USA) & Alycia Parks (USA) v Makoto Ninomiya (Jpn) & Fang-Hsien Wu (Tpe)

Court six, 11am
(5) Simone Bolelli (Ita) & Andrea Vavassori (Ita) v Harri Heliovaara (Fin) & Henry Patten (Gbr)
Nicolas Barrientos (Col) & Francisco Cabral (Por) v (10) Ivan Dodig (Cro) & Austin Krajicek (USA)
Anna Blinkova (Rus) & Mayar Sherif (Egy) v Eri Hozumi (Jpn) & Moyuka Uchijima (Jpn)
(15) Asia Muhammad (USA) & Aldila Sutjiadi (Ina) v Irina-Camelia Begu (Rom) & Martina Trevisan (Ita)

Court seven, 11am
Maria Lourdes Carle (Arg) v Katie Volynets (USA)
Constantin Frantzen (Ger) & Hendrik Jebens (Ger) v Pavel Kotov (Rus) & Christian Rodriguez (Col)
Hanyu Guo (Chn) & Xinyu Jiang (Chn) v Leylah Fernandez (Can) & Ena Shibahara (Jpn)
Victor Vlad Cornea (Rom) & Fabian Marozsan (Hun) v Andreas Mies (Ger) & John-Patrick Smith (Aus)

Court eight, 11am
Brandon Nakashima (USA) v Jordan Thompson (Aus)
(12) Nathaniel Lammons (USA) & Jack Withrow (USA) v Marcos Giron (USA) & Alex Michelsen (USA)
Sarah Grey (Gbr) & Tara Moore (Gbr) v (3) Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) & Ellen Perez (Aus)
Cristina Bucsa (Spa) & Nao Hibino (Jpn) v Tatjana Maria (Ger) & Arantxa Rus (Ned)

Court nine, 11am
Maria Camila Osorio Serrano (Col) v Lauren Davis (USA)
Luciano Darderi (Ita) & Fernando Romboli (Bra) v (8) Kevin Krawietz (Ger) & Tim Puetz (Ger)
Adrian Mannarino (Fra) & Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Fra) v (2) Rohan Bopanna (Ind) & Matthew Ebden (Aus)
(14) Sander Gille (Bel) & Joran Vliegen (Bel) v Francisco Cerundolo (Arg) & Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Arg)

Court 10, 11am
Miyu Kato (Jpn) & Shuai Zhang (Chn) v Angelica Moratelli (Ita) & Nadia Podoroska (Arg)
Elina Avanesyan (Rus) & Oksana Kalashnikova (Geo) v (10) Marie Bouzkova (Cze) & Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spa)
Xin Yu Wang (Chn) & Saisai Zheng (Chn) v Caroline Garcia (Fra) & Kristina Mladenovic (Fra)
(7) Caroline Dolehide (USA) & Desirae Krawczyk (USA) v Shuko Aoyama (Jpn) & Aleksandra Krunic (Ser)

Court 11, 11am
Quentin Halys (Fra) v Christopher Eubanks (USA)
Jacob Fearnley (Gbr) & Jack Pinnington Jones (Gbr) v Rafael Matos (Bra) & Marcelo Melo (Bra)
Guido Andreozzi (Arg) & Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela (Mex) v Lloyd Glasspool (Gbr) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Ned)
(4) Katerina Siniakova (Cze) & Taylor Townsend (USA) v Rebeka Masarova (Spa) & Linda Noskova (Cze)

Court 12, 11am
Botic Van de Zandschulp (Ned) v (16) Ugo Humbert (Fra)
Arantxa Rus (Ned) v (9) Maria Sakkari (Gre)
Lloyd Harris (Rsa) v (14) Ben Shelton (USA)
(18) Marta Kostyuk (Ukr) v Daria Saville (Aus)

Court 14, 11am
Magdalena Frech (Pol) v (20) Beatriz Haddad Maia (Bra)
Arthur Cazaux (Fra) v (23) Alexander Bublik (Kaz)
(28) Dayana Yastremska (Ukr) v Varvara Gracheva (Fra)
Tereza Mihalikova (Svk) & Olivia Nicholls (Gbr) v (6) Demi Schuurs (Ned) & Luisa Stefani (Bra)

Court 15, 11am
(31) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze) v Veronika Kudermetova (Rus)
(32) Zhizhen Zhang (Chn) v Jan-Lennard Struff (Ger)
Denis Shapovalov (Can) v Daniel Altmaier (Ger)
Alexander Erler (Aut) & Lucas Miedler (Aut) v (9) Kenneth Skupski (Gbr) & Michael Venus (Nzl)

Court 16, 11am
Aslan Karatsev (Rus) v (21) Karen Khachanov (Rus)
Sloane Stephens (USA) v Diana Shnaider (Rus)
Lulu Sun (Nzl) v Yuliia Starodubtseva (Ukr)
Naiktha Bains (Gbr) & Viktorija Rajicic (Aus) v Timea Babos (Hun) & Nadiia Kichenok (Ukr)
(16) Sadio Doumbia (Fra) & Fabien Reboul (Fra) v Oliver Crawford (Gbr) & Kyle Edmund (Gbr)

Court 17, 11am
Magda Linette (Pol) v (21) Elina Svitolina (Ukr)
Miomir Kecmanovic (Ser) v (27) Tallon Griekspoor (Ned)
Paula Badosa Gibert (Spa) v Brenda Fruhvirtova (Cze)
Donna Vekic (Cro) v (3) Erika Andreeva (Rus)
N.Sriram Balaji (Ind) & Luke Johnson (Gbr) v (4) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Mate Pavic (Cro)

Court 18, 11am
Borna Coric (Cro) v (29) Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Bianca Andreescu (Can) v (26) Linda Noskova (Cze)
Lin Zhu (Chn) v (25) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)
Harriet Dart (Gbr) & Maia Lumsden (Gbr) v (5) Sara Errani (Ita) & Matilde Paoletti (Ita)

10.08am BST

Preamble

Hello! It’s Wimbledon. It’s day three. Fancy joining us to follow the action? Of course you do!

After Novak Djokovic showed yesterday that he means business even with just one good leg, today Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz get the chance to flex their younger muscles and put the 37-year-old back in his place by reminding him that he’s not the title favourite around these parts any more.

Sinner would really send a statement with a strong performance in his all-Italian job with the 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini – a match that wouldn’t be taking place as early as the second round were it not for Berrettini’s injury-affected ranking – while Alcaraz has what should be a more straightforward assignment against the Australian Aleksandar Vukic.

Sinner is joined on Centre Court by Daniil Medvedev and Naomi Osaka – it’s so good to have her back at Wimbledon after five years away – while Alcaraz has Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff for company on No 1 Court.

Raducanu, who plays the Belgian Elise Mertens, is one of four Brits in singles action today: Sonay Kartal has an early start on No 3 Court against France’s Clara Burel; Dan Evans is second on Court 12 and hopefully in a better mood than last night as he resumes a set down in his first-round match against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo; and Lily Miyazaki is last on No 3 against the Eastbourne champion Daria Kasatkina.

Throw in Casper Ruud v Fabio Fognini and Gael Monfils v Stan Wawrinka (no, it’s not in the seniors), along with Grigor Dimitrov, the Queen’s champion Tommy Paul and the French Open runner-up Jasmine Paolini, plus the not-so-small matter of 16 first-round matches to either be started or completed, and we’ve got a breathless Wednesday in store. Sit tight.

Play is due to begin at: 11am BST on the outside courts, 1pm BST on No 1 Court and 1.30pm on Centre Court.

The weather: may or may not co-operate. It’s been a bit drizzly this morning but play is expected to start on time, though there could be an interruption around lunchtime.