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The Guardian
Wimbledon 2024: Alcaraz, Sinner, Radacanu and Gauff in action on day seven – live
By John Brewin (earlier) and Daniel Harris (now),
3 hours ago
Carlos Alcaraz in action against Ugo Humbert. Photograph: John Walton/PA
1.58pm BST
Yes Maddy! A booming forehand cross gives her a break, and she trails 6-3 3-1. Has momentum switched? Is there any way both these highly likeable characters can both win? And now Alcaraz has break points, Humbert hooking a forehand long to hand over the game without really making it difficult. The champ leads 3-2.
1.55pm BST
Email! “I’m on the Tube at Wimbledon Station about to go past the AELTC,” writes Gary Naylor. “By the looks of that sky, if it does rain, it’ll rain very hard.
Innit. It’s wild out there, I’m afraid.
1.54pm BST
It’s absolutely tipping down in SW19, goodness me. You can hear the rain attacking the roof of No 1, where Keys now leads 2-1 in the second set – I think she might be trying to chip returns now – while Alcaraz has just held against Humbert for 2-2 in the first.
1.48pm BST
On Centre, Alcaraz and Humbert are feeling each other out, 1-1 in the first; Keys breaks back immediately to trail 3-6 1-1, but must now try and assert herself.
1.46pm BST
Goodness me, Paolini scurries about like Speedy Gonzalez, chasing to the net to win a great point and she’s delighted because it raises break point but also because that’s her general demeanour. Keys then swipes a backhand into the net, and the Italian now leads 6-3 1-0 with a break.
1.41pm BST
Keys makes 0-30 but is soon at 30-all, a return swatted long prompting a cry of anguish . And from there, Paolini serves out a 6-3 set which went as well as she could possibly have hoped. She’s chasing it and whacking it like it cussed down her mum and as well as doing what she does best, she’s taking away what Keys does best: plant her feet and dic tate.
1.39pm BST
Er yeah, looks alright … looked alright. It’s raining so they’re going off on two, Vekic up 5-2 and 4-0. Meantime, Paolini is serving for the first set against Keys and 5-3, while Humbert has opened up against Alcaraz.
1.35pm BST
There’s absolutely maniacal rain in north London at the moment, but hopefully it won’t make its way to Wimbledon. The weather looks alright on No 2 at the moment, Vekic up 4-2 on Badosa and holding three points for a second break … and she only needs one.
1.32pm BST
Alacaraz and Humbert arrive on Centre, and this should be a fun match. Humbert has had a decent year and his five-set in against fellow lefty, Denis Shapovalov, will have worked very well for him because Shapovalov was in decent form.
1.28pm BST
Of course, we’ve also seen Keys come back in matches, and she raises 15-40; Paolini saves the first break point with a service winner, but a booming return on to the line means the American is on the board. She hollers her pleasure and though she’s down 1-4, she’ll be feeling much better now.
1.25pm BST
I can’t say this is the first time I’ve seen Keys collapse – the 2017 US Open final is the worst of the genre – but I’m not loving this, much as I am loving Paolini’s energy. The Italian breaks again for 4-0 and this first set is disappearing.
1.21pm BST
Paolini consolidates for 3-0, outhitting Keys from the back and racing along the line like a dervish. She’s totally at one with herself, and it’s moving to behold. On No 2, meanwhile, Vekic breaks Badosa for 2-1 in the first.
1.16pm BST
Paolini is hitting it hard – something to say given who she’s playing – and records an immediate break to lead 2-0. She’s keeping Keys on the move and looks the more confident player.
1.12pm BST
And we really do have loads else too – Emma Raducanu v Lulu Sun snd Emma Navarro (19) v Coco Gauff (2) round out our day on Centre, while on No 1 we’ve got Jannik Sinner (1) v Ben Shelton and Griggzy Dimitrov (10) v Daniil Medvedev (5) – that last match, in particular, should be a jazzer.
1.10pm BST
On No 2 Court, Paula Badosa and Donna Vekic are just starting; to come on Centre at half-past the hour, it’s Carlos Alcaraz (3) v Ugo Humbert (16).
1.07pm BST
Righto, off we go – Paolini to serve.
1.06pm BST
Thanks John and hi everyone. Jasmine Paolini and Madison Keys are knocking up before what should be a terrific match.
Paolini has found herself this season, a bouncing bundle of joy with skill and will a plenty. Keys, though, is one of the best players not to win a Slam this last decade or so – many less good than her have managed – and when she’s on, her power-game is almost irresistible. I can’t lie, she’s a long-time favourite of this blog, so I’m duty-bound to say, once again, maybe this is her time.
1.01pm BST
With actual tennis to play, I shall hand over to Daniel to hold court.
12.51pm BST
The word from Wimbledon is that the sun’s out , and blues skies overhead. There will surely be play soon.
12.45pm BST
Ok, here he is, in that mid-late 70s sweet spot of his career.
Updated at 12.49pm BST
12.29pm BST
No action until 1pm UK time, regrettably. Where’s Cliff Richard when you need him?
12.10pm BST
The covers are off and action is imminent, we are told…
11.48am BST
An email: “Hello John, Is it just me or is it irritating that the Wimbledon website, app and Twitter stream does not seem to say when play might to start on the outer courts. No play before etc. I’ll be following Guardian updates today. Best wishes, Mike in Winchester.”
11.44am BST
No play before midday is the word.
11.30am BST
A major shock? Or the realisation that Iga Swiatek just can’t do grasscourt tennis – like an Ivan Lendl of her day?
In London, it’s cloudy and windy but with the sun daring to peek out.
11.00am BST
Order of play
Centre Court from 1.30pm:
Carlos Alcaraz (3) v Ugo Humbert (16)
Emma Raducanu v Lulu Sun
Coco Gauff (2) v Emma Navarro (19)
Court One from 1pm:
Jasmine Paolini (7) v Madison Keys (12)
Jannik Sinner (1) v Ben Shelton (14)
Daniil Medvedev (5) v Grigor Dimitrov (10)
11.00am BST
Preamble
Welcome to Middle Sunday coverage of the goings-on at SW19, where after that sad, sudden farewell to Andy Murray it’s back to the action, where the round of 16 is upon us. Later on, Emma Radacanu, with that dodgy wrist, will take on Lulu Sun, the New Zealander, and the women’s draw is dominated by the Americans, with Coco Gauff on the stage, against Emma Navarro. We begin with Spain’s Paula Badosa against Croatia’s Donna Vekic. In the men’s draw it’s the big guns in action with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and then later a big clash between Grigor Dimitrov and Danniil Medvedev.
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