Key events
Both Madisons lost their crucial games. It’s five apiece in both encounters.
Carballes Baena and Rune are trading hammers blows from the bassline on No 3 court with the Spaniard a break up but labouring to hold serve.
That was much harder work than it needed to be for Kvitova. She eventually dials in her misfiring serve, a cracking forehand kisses the line to complete the job, and she’s a game away from the set now, 5-2.
O’Connell has taken the first set 6-3 against Vesely. Those pesky Aussies …
Madison Brengle is serving for the first set in her match against 21st seed Ekaterina Alexandrova out on court 17. In other Madison news, Madison Keys is trying to break Golubic to take the first on court 12. If they both get through, we could have Madison squared.
Sorry.
Kvitova has broken back thanks to some fearsome forehands, which propel her back into a strong position in this first set. It’s 4-2 in games to the Czech, although she’s pushed to deuce on her serve. Meanwhile, Kostyuk has indeed taken that first set on court 18.
Kostyuk is serving for the set against Badosa, 5-2 up. There’s plenty to like about the Ukrainian, as there is plenty to enjoy at Wimbledon today. We’re only just getting started.
And would you look at these queues around the All England Club this morning. Get your sun cream and your hats on if you’re coming along.
Carballes Baena held, while Sasnovich has broken back against Kvitova. The seeds not having it all their own way early doors on Courts 2 and 3.
Elsewhere, it’s a good morning for Australia (and not just in the Ashes) as their man Christopher O’Connell steams into a 4-1 first set lead against Jiri Vesely on court 14.
Who is the most famous person from Stockport? As a Stopfordian myself, it’s nice to see this debate getting a bit of air time, as we all get caught up in the romance of Liam Broady’s Wimbledon run. (Can’t believe Ricky Hatton and Claire Foy were omitted from this debate, mind you.)
“Phil Foden, the Blossoms band, we’ve got some pretty famous people!”
After beating Casper Ruud to reach round three at Wimbledon, does Liam Broady feel he’s now Stockport’s second favourite son, behind Fred Perry?
🎾😂#BBCTennis #Wimbledon 🍓
— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) July 7, 2023
Sasnovich gets on the board with a comfortable hold. 3-1. Rune is hitting back on No 3 court and we’re pinging back and forth from deuce to advantage on the Carballes Baena serve.
A great start for Kvitova. She’s broken Sasnovich to take race into early 3-0 lead in the first set. We’ve already seen a couple of those flashing forehands for which she’s so famed.
On court 18, Kostyuk is a break of serve up on Badosa.
Rune is broken in his first game. Not the ideal start for the 20-year-old, whose best grand slam performances have come on the Roland Garros clay. Carballes Baena is an experienced campaigner, but this is his first ever second round match at Wimbledon. Green meets green on the grass courts.
Natalija Stevanovic takes the first game, on serve, against Tamara Korpatsch of Germany on court eight. A reminder that these are all still second round matches, because of the wet London weather earlier in the week. We’ve had all seasons in the space of a few days in the capital. Typical, eh.
No such issues today, to the point where Wimbledon is going to be at full capacity, hence this warning from organisers:
Our Grounds are set to be at capacity today, which means those already in the Queue will be waiting several hours for admission.
We advise people intending to Queue today not to travel to Wimbledon.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2023
They’re knocking up in nine singles matches on the outside courts. Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova is the main attraction, as well as the hugely promising Dane, Rune. While they get warm, enjoy some morning reading on a good day for the Brits yesterday.
Preamble
Well, what a day five we have in store. Those with Centre Court tickets are in for a real treat. They’ll get to see the third round matches involving top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, as well as the bonus of the Murray v Tsitsipas resumpton before Novak Djokovic taking on Stan Wawrinka. Tasty.
Before that, the outside courts get under way at 11am, and our focus will be on former champ Petra Kvitova taking on Aliaksandra Sasnovich on No 2 court, as well as Holger Rune who is first up on No 3 court against Roberto Carballes Baena – both second round matches. Madison Keys is also in action on court 12 and Kostyuk v Badosa promises to be close. The weather is set fair today with temperatures pushing 30C.
