Marin Cilic’s impressive tournament is not over yet, as he continues his run into the fourth round. After his shock win against the British No1 Jack Draper on Thursday the 36-year-old emerged victorious again this evening, beating Jaume Munar 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 (Joe Harston writes).
Elsewhere, Marton Fucsovics came close to levelling against Ben Shelton, but was defeated 7-4 in the second set tie-break. The American No10 seed fully capitalised from there, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.
Djokovic: It’s never easy playing a fellow Serb
“It’s never easy playing a friend and a compatriot. Miomir is a super nice guy who I have known for many years. More than rivals and competitors, we are friends and team-mates,” Djokovic said. (Joe Harston writes.)
On claiming his 100th win at Wimbledon, he said: “I try not to take anything for granted, particularly at this age, [I’m] still going strong competing with the young players and doing some slides and splits on the courts — pushing myself to the limit.”
Novak Djokovic into fourth round
And that is that on Centre Court as Djokovic wraps up the final set to win 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 against his fellow Serb, Miomir Kecmanovic (Joe Hartson writes).
Maybe it became too routine for the seven-times champion in the end as he was surprisingly broken when he first served for the match at 5-2. But he made no mistake in completing the job on the second occasion.
Novak Djokovic is almost through
If there was any doubt that this would be the final set of the match, there is even less now as Novak Djokovic continues this dominant display on Centre Court (Joe Harston writes).
As commanding as ever, he leads 5-3 in the third set. He won the sixth game of the set with a superb combination of shots, bringing Kecmanovic to the net with a drop shot and then sending the next over him with such precision that the 25-year-old did not even attempt to chase. Only a matter of time now as Djokovic serves for the match.
Djokovic takes second set 6-0
That was an utterly sublime set of tennis from Novak Djokovic (Tom Kershaw writes). His returns are as phenomenal as in days of old and a fantastic slice backhand drop shot sealed the third break of serve. Without a flicker of mercy for his protégé, Djokovic closed out the set 6-0 and is well on his way into the fourth round now.
Novak Djokovic in full control
Novak Djokovic has turned the screw now and has broken serve twice early in the second set (Tom Kershaw writes). Miomir Kecmanovic has played well and hits powerfully from the baseline, but even when Djokovic appears beaten he still has that remarkable ability to return one more ball than you are expecting. A terrific backhand winner down the line is case in point and he leads 3-0.
With no Brits in singles action today, we turn our attention to the doubles competition (Joe Harston writes). On No2 Court, the British pairing of Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, the No5 seeds, have taken a 4-1 lead in the first set against Hendrik Jebens of Germany and Albano Olivetti of France.
They are looking to join fellow British pairing of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in the third round.
In the ladies doubles, Sonay Kartal can continue focusing on her excellent singles tournament as she and Jodie Burrage were beaten in straight sets. British singles wild card Mimi Xu and her doubles partner Ella McDonald were also defeated in the second round.
First set to Novak Djokovic
Miomir Kecmanovic did not roll over easily in that first set (Tom Kershaw writes). Under pressure at 3-2 as Novak Djokovic pushed him further and further behind the baseline, a brilliant backhand down the line helped him seal the hold.
The 25-year-old was then taken to deuce six times on his serve at 4-3. He was on the wrong end of one bitterly unlucky net cord before a sublime rally that featured all manner of volleys, lobs and smashes. Djokovic got a standing ovation after winning it with a diving backhand volley and Kecmanovic playfully hit a ball at his idol in dismay. The marathon game finally ended in the break of serve and Djokovic served out the set 6-3.
It is the master versus the apprentice on Centre Court (Tom Kershaw writes). Miomir Kecmanovic is 13 years younger than his Serbian idol and the pair have a close relationship.
In competition, though, Djokovic has been the clear winner in all three of their meetings, including here at Wimbledon in 2022. The pair are both taken to deuce in their opening service games, but if Djokovic can replicate the level he showed against Dan Evans in the previous round, he should be comfortable.
Novak Djokovic on the board
A bit of a loose game for the No6 seed who throws away a 40-0 lead on serve to get back to deuce, a net cord and then an ace eventually wrapping up the opener.
The seven-times champion is on soon, dare we say imminently? In fact, as I type that, here he comes, to face his fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. Some pre-match stretches for Djokovic and the pair are on Centre Court.
Elsewhere, Iga Swiatek had made her match look easy in the end as she defeated Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3 (Joe Harston writes). She spoke in her on-court interview about how she is enjoying playing on grass much more this year.
“I had some practices and the ball was listening to me, which is pretty new on grass,” she said. “If it’s listening, I don’t need to do much because it’s just pretty smooth, you know. You’re bossing the ball around. I just try to be aggressive and I have also my defence. I feel like I’m moving better this year on grass.”
Barbora Krejcikova’s title defence has come to an end after the No10 seed Emma Navarro came from a set down to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 (Joe Harston writes).
The American had to break the reigning champion’s serve three times in the final set but was broken straight back on two occasions. But finally, after taking a 4-3 lead, she held out and took the match.
Elsewhere, some scores and results news. Jannik Sinner now knows his next opponent, No19 seed Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Sebastian Ofner in straight sets. Marin Cilic, the vanquisher of Jack Draper, is a set up against Jaume Munar of Spain, while in the women’s draw Ekaterina Alexandrova has won six sets out of six, having beaten Zeynep Sonmez to reach the fourth round.
A trademark cross-court forehand into the corner and Iga Swiatek has sealed it! 6-2, 6-3 are the particulars for the Polish No8 and that must go down as one of her best wins on grass.
Swiatek in control in second set
There are fans here with Poland shirts, scarves and bucket hats, and they are really being given something to cheer for by Iga Swiatek (Joe Harston writes).
It is almost all going her way right now, as she continues to dominate this contest. Even when Danielle Collins looks to control a rally or have a point sewn up, the Pole always has a reply.
The American dug deep to get on the board after a break, holding serve despite two Swiatek break points. If she hadn’t managed that, it would have been a very long way back for her. Swiatek leads 3-1 as it stands, with Collins to serve.
Emma Navarro squares it up
Quite a fightback from the American No10 seed on No1 Court, who takes the second set 6-3 against defending champion Barbora Krejcikova after dropping the first 6-2 and being broken in the early stages of the second. The pair are tied at 2-2 in the decider, going on serve. Krejcikova has had the doctor and the trainer out and has seemingly had her blood pressure checked.
HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Iga Swiatek in full control
They have removed the roof here on Centre Court, where Iga Swiatek has the better of Danielle Collins in the first set (Joe Harston writes).
The American was unlucky to go 4-1 down after having her serve broken twice in tightly fought games. However, she missed her chance to break back by failing to capitalise on two break points, putting the No8 seed firmly in control.
Swiatek saw one serve go looping into the Royal Box. Collins could do little to return it but the contact she did get on it left it bouncing behind her past Billie Jean King in the front row. Swiatek takes the set 6-2.
Billie Jean King is among the spectators at today’s Royal Box
GETTY IMAGES
Iga Swiatek takes a 4-1 lead
This is impressive stuff from the Pole, her weakest surface or not. She’s taken a double-break, capitalising fully on the errors from Danielle Collins, who is struggling to make any inroads on her own serve.
New line calling system is accurate, says Wimbledon
Wimbledon officials have insisted that the new electronic line calling (ELC) system has been thoroughly tested to “provide maximum accuracy” after Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper both questioned its reliability during their matches (Stuart Fraser writes).
The automated system operated by Hawk-Eye is in operation this year for the first time in the history of the Championships, bringing an end to the sight of well-dressed human line judges standing by the court. Its introduction is in line with the widespread usage of ELC across the ATP and WTA Tours.
Tennis officials insist that overall it is a more accurate form of officiating compared to the traditional crews of line judges, but this has come under scrutiny in recent days because of the comments by Britain’s two most high-profile players. Draper said after his second-round defeat on Thursday that he does not believe it is 100 per cent accurate, while Raducanu backed this up after her third-round loss on Friday by claiming there were “some pretty dodgy” calls.
“Live Electronic Line Calling technology is now widely used week in and week out on tour,” a statement from the All England Club read. “The technology goes through a rigorous certification process and meets the standards set by the joint certification panel so we can provide maximum accuracy in our officiating.”
The Polish No8 seed is off and running against Danielle Collins of the US. Grass is undoubtedly Swiatek’s worst surface, despite her winning the junior singles here in 2018, with her best result a quarter-final run in 2023.
Defending champion Krejcikova on form
Emma Navarro, the 10th seed from the US and considered a dark horse for this championship, is seeing why Barbora Krejcikova is the defending champion. The Czech, seeded No17, races into a 6-2 lead on No1 Court and shows a delectable bit of touch at 1-1 in the second set to drop a volley over and evade Navarro’s grasp.
Krejcikova then brings up break point with a rifling forehand into the corner. Navarro saves that, but the Czech places an intricate forehand slice out wide on the next point before angling a drop volley just over after Navarro’s desperate return. She takes the break for a 2-1 lead in the second set.
Krejcikova has won two grand-slam singles titles and ten in doubles formats
JOHN WALTON/PA WIRE
Elena Rybakina is out after a straight-sets defeat against Clara Tauson (Joe Harston writes).
The 2022 champion had not dropped a set in the first two rounds, but this one proved to be a much tougher test.
The first set was firmly in the balance at 4-4 when the rain came but Tauson, of Denmark, eventually edged the tie-breaker 8-6 and controlled the second set. A further stoppage while the umpire checked the state of the playing surface did little to hinder her momentum as she took the set 6-3.
Elsewhere, Flavio Cobolli picked up where he left off, finishing his dominant display against Jakub Mensik with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 triumph.
Sinner through: 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
Pedro Martinez received a rousing ovation from the crowd on Centre Court after holding serve at 5-0 down to prevent the ignominy of a final set bagel, but Jannik Sinner was rarely troubled (Tom Kershaw writes). The world No1 wins the final game to love and seals a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 victory to move into the fourth round, where he will face either Grigor Dimitrov or Sebastian Ofner.
Odd shot election here as Sinner chooses to drive volley a hanging ball that looked to be going wide, with Martinez doing enough with the subsequent backhand to force a missed volley. At 15-30 to Sinner on the Spaniard’s serve, a weak slice into the net brings parity at 30-30; Sinner though, brings up a match point by firing a vicious forehand into the corner.
Martinez scraps to save a couple of match points and brings up game point of his own. And Sinner goes long to put Martinez on the board! A wry smile from the Spaniard.
That aforementioned fightback from Pedro Martinez has been quickly and emphatically extinguished. He has the whole court to aim at with a forehand on one point here, with Jannik Sinner effectively giving up after being dragged outside of the tramlines, but manages to push it long to give Sinner two break points. Sinner gives him a brief reprieve by sinking an elementary volley in the net but then takes the second break with an overhead.
Sinner two sets to the good
The Italian is in cruise control here despite Pedro Martinez’s more recent upturn in form. He takes the second set 6-3 and promptly breaks in the second game of the third. A forehand from the Spaniard goes long and it’s 6-1, 6-3 3-0 to the No1 seed.
Martinez showing some fight
Pedro Martinez is now mustering much more of a fight in this second set and a wild forehand by Jannik Sinner brought up a break point at 4-3 (Tom Kershaw writes).
The world No1 produced a fantastic forehand winner down the line to get to deuce, but Martinez then edged a breathtaking rally, lunging for a drop shot at full stretch before recovering in time to meet the backhand volley. The Spaniard, whose grunt somewhat amusingly rises an octave at key moments, urges on the crowd on Centre Court, but he cannot take any of his four chances and Sinner finally holds.
It’s a little humid on Centre Court with the roof closed, but Jannik Sinner has hardly broken a sweat (Tom Kershaw writes). The Italian has just broken to take a 3-2 lead in the second set and it seems unlikely that he will suffer a mid-match lapse like Carlos Alcaraz yesterday.
Andreeva makes it through
Andreeva has prevailed against a tricky opponent and reached the fourth round here for the second time in her short career (Alyson Rudd writes).
The seventh game of the second set was, in particular, magnificent with both players reaching the peak of their ingenuity. It was a fabulous advert for women’s sport. It is hard to imagine Baptiste performing any better but she lost the game after pushing and intermittently punishing her teenage opponent whose composure is really quite astonishing.
“For some reason I was so focussed,” Andreeva said. “I watched her first round match, she has a rocket on her forehand.
“Now I expect something from myself,” she said of the difference between now and her debut as a qualifier as a 16-year-old.
And I think we all expect something too.
Martinez struggles against supreme Sinner
The crowd have done their best to get behind Pedro Martinez — with shouts of “Vamos Pedro” between points (Joe Harston writes). He has had very little joy against Jannik Sinner in the opening stages though, going 5-0 down in the first set.
Centre Court erupted when he finally managed to hold serve, and he did it in style. He had won six consecutive points and was 30-0 up against serve when his desperate “hot dog” attempt had fans out of their seats after a battle at the net. Unfortunately, it strayed out and his best spell of the set came to an end with the world No1 finishing the job 6-1.
The Spaniard looks much more comfortable now in the second set — he’s held his serve twice so far.
Who’s in the royal box today?
Those lucky enough to take shelter under the roof of Centre Court were treated to the middle Saturday tradition of celebrating stars from across a range of sports (Joe Harston writes).
Huge applause came for the selection of Olympic and Paralympic champions and sporting legends spanning multiple generations that filled the royal box. The best receptions were saved for the athletics greats Dame Denise Lewis and Dame Kelly Holmes and the 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst.
Some of Team GB’s other legendary Olympic champions such as Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Ben Ainsley and Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny were also in the company of a plethora of names who collected gold in Paris last year.
The former Lionesses and 2022 Euros winners, Fran Kirby and Beth England were in attendance as Sarina Wiegman’s side begins their defence of the title against France tonight.
Brian O’Driscoll, the former British & Irish Lions captain was in attendance too.
MIKE HEWITT/GETTY IMAGES)
Representing England cricket was Lord Botham and Sir Andrew Strauss and for tennis Andy Roddick and Billie Jean King took the last of the applause.
I am starting to wonder, after watching just one set of Andreeva in action, if she could actually win the Championships aged 18 (Alyson Rudd writes). She took the first set against Hailey Baptiste 6-1 and it has been rather absorbing watching the teenager adapt to her opponent’s strengths.
The American is a powerful hitter but Andreeva has decided to enjoy the challenge and is punishing the not so mobile Baptiste whenever she approaches the net.
Reverse psychology at the toss
Under the roof on No1 Court to watch Andreeva v Baptiste where the teenager won the toss but elected to receive (Alyson Rudd writes).
At my tennis club, it became almost trendy for a few months to defer the right to serve. We would joke about it messing with the heads of our opponents. Which in turn led to it looking like a show of strength to elect to serve.
But with a double fault from the American, it seems Andreeva was spot on and she took the opening game. Clever doublethink? Or did she simply fancy warming up a bit before serving?
No play on outside courts until 1.30pm
We’re off to a slow start to day six unfortunately. The British summer has decided to rear its ugly head, and we’re without play for another 45 minutes or so on the outside courts. Happily enough though, we’re due to get under way under the roof on No1 Court shortly.
Mirra Andreeva faces Hailey Baptiste, before Jannik Sinner plays Pedro Martinez on Centre Court 30 minutes later.
Middle Saturday off to damp start
The umbrellas have made an early appearance and spectators are running for cover as rain halts play in the first hour in SW19 (Joe Harston writes).
The break has come at a handy time for Jakub Mensik, who had just lost the first set on Court 12 6-2 against Flávio Cobolli. The Italian was well on top before the rain, having just broken serve in the first game of the second set.
The battle on No 2 Court between Elena Rybakina and Clara Tauson remains on serve. It stands at 4-4 in the first set, after the Dane squandered two break points at 3-3.
The No19 seed Liudmila Samsonova is in a great position to advance past Daria Kasatkina, the Australian No1. She breezed through the first set in under half an hour, winning 6-2 and is already 2-0 up in the second.
Order of play at Wimbledon today
(all courts 11am BST start unless stated)
Centre Court (starting 1.30pm)
Jannik Sinner (1) v Pedro Martinez
Iga Swiatek (8) v Danielle Collins
Miomir Kecmanovic v Novak Djokovic
No 1 Court (starting 1pm)
Mirra Andreeva (7) v Hailey Baptiste
Barbora Krejcikova (17) v Emma Navarro (10)
Ben Shelton (10) v Marton Fucsovics
No 2 Court
Clara Tauson v Elena Rybakina (11)
Alex de Minaur (11) v August Holmgren
Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool (5) v Hendrik Jebens & Albano Olivetti
No 3 Court
Daria Kasatkina (16) v Liudmila Samsonova (19)
Grigor Dimitrov (19) v Sebastian Ofner
Caroline Dolehide & Sofia Kenin (16) v Ella McDonald & Mimi Xu
Court 12
Flavio Cobolli (22) v Jakub Mensik (15)
Zeynep Sonmez v Ekaterina Alexandrova (18)
Court 18
Belinda Bencic v Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Marin Cilic v Jaume Munar
Magda Linette & Bernarda Pera v Lyudmyla Kichenok & Ellen Perez (7)
Morning! Welcome to day six
More bad news for the Brits overnight. Emma Raducanu was knocked out in straight sets by the top seen Aryna Sabalenka last night, but she didn’t go down without a fight, and earned high praise from the Belarusian.
On the bright side, Cameron Norrie and Sonay Kartal are flying the flag high even though our top prospects have fallen in week one. We should have another great day’s play at SW19.