Today’s order of play
Centre Court (1.30pm)
(1) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) v Laura Siegemund (Ger)
Cameron Norrie (GB) v (2) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa)
No 1 Court (1pm)
(5) Taylor Fritz (US) v (17) Karen Khachanov (Rus)
(13) Amanda Anisimova (US) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)
No 2 Court (already under way)
Rinky Hijikata (Aus) & David Pel (Ned) v Rafael Matos (Bra) & Marcelo Melo (Bra)
Olivia Gadecki (Aus) & Desirae Krawczyk (US) v (16) Caroline Dolehide (US) & Sofia Kenin (US)
Court 12 (12.30pm)
(1) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Mate Pavic (Cro) v (10) Hugo Nys (Mon) & Edouard Roger-Vasselin (Fra)
Sem Verbeek (Ned) & Katerina Siniakova (Cze) v (8) Mate Pavic (Cro) & Timea Babos (Hun)
Court TBA
(8) Veronika Kudermetova (Rus) & Elise Mertens (Bel) v (2) Gabriela Dabrowski (Can) & Erin Routliffe (Nzl)
Joe Salisbury (GB) & Luisa Stefani (Bra) v (2) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Shuai Zhang (Chn)
Key events
Siegemund holds to love for 2-2. Fritz’s flump continues as he’s broken at the start of the fourth set. And with that, I’ll hand you over to Bryan for the conclusion of these matches …
Cruz Hewitt, the son of the 2002 champ Lleyton, is out of the boys’ singles. Watched on by his dad, he’s been beaten in straight sets in the second round by Finland’s Oskari Paldanius.
Khachanov wins the third set 6-1
Khachanov easily serves out the third set to 15. So let’s see whether that was a blip for Fritz or a sign of a deeper malaise. The American does receive some treatment on his foot, I think for blisters, between sets.
Sabalenka and Siegemund trade breaks: Sabalenka 4-6, 2-1 Siegemund* (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka is back on court. And so is her game. After holding to open the second set, she breaks a wobbly-looking Siegemund to 15, rounding things off with a cross-court backhand. Perhaps the enormity of what a victory would mean is starting to dawn on Siegemund. But Sabalenka just can’t shake Siegemund off, because the 37-year-old breaks back immediately! Siegemund, once again, is slicing, dicing and drop shotting Sabalenka into submission.
Third set: Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 1-5 Khachanov* (*denotes next server)
Khachanov holds comfortably for 5-0. Some tactical tanking from Fritz now? Perhaps. He’s ready to forget this set and move on to the fourth. Having claimed 79% of first-serve points in the opening set, he’s slumped to 43%. Fritz does, at least, hold from deuce for 5-1 – which gives him the comfort of knowing that he’ll at least be serving first in the fourth set if Khachanov does now serve out the third. Every cloud …
Khachanov claims double break: Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 0-4 Khachanov* (*denotes next server)
Khachanov has come back from two sets to love down to win before – including against Jannik Sinner. So the Russian will have hope. And there’s a sudden, jarring shift in momentum as he breaks Fritz for 2-0 – planting a seed of doubt in the American’s mind. Suddenly Fritz, who barely missed in the first two sets, is making errors and not landing his first serves. And here’s a second break for 4-0!
Siegemund wins the first set 6-4
Sabalenka gets one of the breaks back when Siegemund lobs long. So the top seed’s record of not having dropped a set this fortnight is still intact. Just. Siegemund looked a little nervous serving for the first set, throwing in two double faults, and Sabalenka is seizing on that now, as she holds to 30 to reduce her deficit to 5-4. But Siegemund will get a second chance to serve it out …. and this time she doesn’t blink, sealing the set to 15 with an unreturned serve! Sabalenka runs off court.
Fritz wins second set 6-4
Fritz has broken too. Not that I really saw it. Alas, the perils of trying to madly switch between two quarter-finals. I need four eyes and hands. As does Sabalenka if she’s to counter Siegemund’s siege. But Fritz definitely doesn’t need any extra help. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game and second set Fritz, courtesy of a backhand winner down the line. That’s 12 points on the spin for the American, who’s a set away from a first Wimbledon semi-final. It’s been an imperious serving performance so far.
Siegemund breaks: Sabalenka 2-5 Siegemund* (*denotes next server)
Siegemund holds with, yes, you’ve guessed it, another drop shot – which already feels as if it’s her 973rd of the day. And she then carves Sabalenka up with a slice … which Sabalenka gets back … but Siegemund rattles away the winner for 30-all. Sabalenka’s 11th consecutive grand slam quarter-final is proving to be anything but comfortable for the Belarusian. And now it’s break point after another superbly crafted point from the German! Sabalenka strikes long and Siegemund, with the cushion of a double break restored, will serve for the first set!
Second set: Fritz* 6-3, 3-4 Khachanov (*denotes next server)
After that attritional game at the start of the second set, there’s not much giving on serve. A couple more holds from both players and it’s 3-3. Fritz then works his way to 15-30 on Khachanov’s serve … and then 30-40 after a wild forehand from the Russian. But now it’s Fritz’s forehand that malfunctions as it flumps into the net. Deuce. A loose error that he’ll be kicking himself about if Khachanov holds. And Khachanov does. Fritz will know he should have done better.
First set: Sabalenka 2-3 Siegemund* (*denotes next server)
Sabalenka, her scream getting louder with every strike of the ball, is taken to three deuces in her next service game, but does avoid any more break points. She mixes some big hitting with a delicate touch at the net to get to her third advantage. And she eventually secures her first hold with another winning volley.
Sabalenka breaks: Sabalenka* 1-3 Siegemund (*denotes next server)
“You never know what is coming next from Siegemund, I would hate to play her. She has you on a string when she is playing her best,” says Tracy Austin on the BBC commentary. Sabalenka does, at least, get one of the breaks back, beating Siegemund at her own drop-shotting game, before whacking a forehand into the open court to break to love. Beware a wounded Sabalenka.
Siegemund claims double break: Sabalenka 0-3 Siegemund* (*denotes next server)
Wow. Siegemund holds … and then breaks Sabalenka again, with a brutal backhand return winner! So she’s not all about craft and guile. She can crack the ball too. Sabalenka, the world No 1, looks absolutely stunned.
Second set: Fritz 6-3, 1-1 Khachanov* (*denotes next server)
After a rapid opener, which took only 32 minutes, the first game of the second set has already taken ten minutes. Khachanov dropped his opening service game at the start of the match and can’t afford to do the same here – and he eventually survives despite three break points. But it’s very boom and bust from the Russian. The odd flashy winner followed by too many unforced errors. He needs to find some consistency. Fritz follows with a quick hold.
First set: Sabalenka 0-1 Siegemund* (*denotes next server)
Over on Centre Court, Sabalenka and Siegemund are now under way, with Sabalenka serving first. The world No 1 hasn’t dropped a set yet, despite being pushed close by Emma Raducanu in the third round, but could face her trickiest challenge against the 37-year-old German and psychology graduate, who may well get into Sabalenka’s head with the way she mixes slice, pace and angles to neutralise the big hitters.
“I have this game and maybe this boldness — if that’s the right word in English — to take out big names,” Siegemund said before the match. “I’ve always had that, maybe because I don’t care who is on the other side. In a positive, respectful way, I don’t care.”
And Siegemund shows she won’t be intimidated from the off – breaking Sabalenka from deuce, with some chipped returns, nasty drop shots and a couple of winners too.
Fritz wins the first set 6-2
From 30-15, Fritz brings up two sets points with a backhand down the line, and seals the set with a serve-volley combination. The American has dominated the first set, claiming 79% of points on his first serve, hitting 13 winners and only four unforced errors. “9/10,” says John Lloyd on the BBC commentary.
First set: Fritz* 5-3 Khachanov (*denotes next server)
Fritz flies through his serve to love. It’s a long way back for Khachanov from here, but the Russian does at least extend the set with a hold to 30, rounded off with a winning backhand volley.
First set: Fritz* 4-2 Khachanov (*denotes next server)
The No 1 Court crowd are treated to a rarity at 40-15: a long rally. Fritz emerges victorious. And then takes Khachanov to deuce. But an errant forehand from Fritz and a Khachanov ace – his second of the day – see the Russian through.
First set: Fritz 4-1 Khachanov* (*denotes next server)
Fritz has held again in the blink of an eye. Or more accurately the 70 seconds it took me to check on Alcaraz’s practice. I can tell you that he held with another ace though, already his fourth of the day.
First set: Fritz* 3-1 Khachanov (*denotes next server)
Fritz backs up the break with his third ace of the match. Khachanov looks to be cruising to his first hold in the next game at 40-0 … but Fritz rips a forehand winner down the line and Khachanov then mishits. 40-30. But Khachanov catches his breath from there and is, at least, on the board.
Meanwhile pandemonium around Court 16, where word very quickly spread that Carlos Alcaraz is practising before his quarter-final against Cameron Norrie. Alcaraz is hitting with the Ben Shelton, who’ll face Jannik Sinner tomorrow. Shelton is a left-hander, like Norrie.
Fritz breaks: Fritz* 2-0 Khachanov (*denotes next server)
Fritz – having been extended to five sets in the opening two rounds before having an easier time of it in his past two matches – has surged out of the blocks here. He opens with a hold to 15, before breaking the Khachanov serve to 30 when the Russian biffs a backhand long. Given how well Fritz has been serving during this tournament, it could already prove to be a decisive break in this first set. And they’ve only been going about six minutes.
Fritz and Khachanov haven’t played each other for five years, even though they’re regular practice partners. “I’ve improved a ton since then. I’m a much better player now,” says Fritz of his two distant defeats. He’s reached a US Open final since – and is also the form man on grass, having secured back-to-back titles at Stuttgart and Eastbourne in the run-up to Wimbledon.
These two are seeking to break new ground this afternoon: both have reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals before but neither have been in the last four. It’s the 6’5” American fifth seed v the 6’6” Russian 17th seed. And it’s all about the huge serve and forehand for both of them – so the points will be punchy, but this match could well go the distance.
The clock has already struck one. Cue the entrance of Fritz and Khachanov on No 1.
Alfie Hewett has started his title defence in the men’s wheelchair singles with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Spain’s Daniel Caverzaschi. Another British player, Gordon Reid, is just getting under way in his first-round match, against Belgium’s Joachim Gerard.
And here are yesterday’s match reports if you need to play catch-up:
Tumaini Carayol
Tumaini’s also been looking at the AI furore:
When the Wimbledon organisers announced last year that electronic line-calling would replace line judges for the first time at the Championships this year, plenty of criticism could have been anticipated. Some people would take issue with the more sterile landscape on court and the lack of human touch, while the cull of around 300 linesmen and women would also surely be a sore point. It is difficult, however, to imagine they were prepared for the firestorm that has followed its long-awaited implementation at this tournament.
Electronic line-calling, or ELC, which uses automated ball-tracking technology has, after all, long been used in professional tennis tournaments, starting with the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2018. It has been four years since the Australian Open became the first grand slam to utilise the technology and this year, for the first time, the men’s tour, the ATP, is using ELC at all of its events. Although all other men’s clay-court events use ELC, the French Open is now the only grand slam that still employs human line judges.
Instead of this year offering Wimbledon to step into the future, however, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has spent the first eight days of the tournament defending its implementation of the technology, which is enhanced by artificial intelligence.
For the first five days of the tournament the most significant blows were the parting shots from Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu, the men’s and women’s British No 1 players, who each criticised the ELC system following their defeats. Both players believed they had been subjected to incorrect calls. “It’s kind of disappointing, the tournament here, that the calls can be so wrong, but for the most part they’ve been OK. It’s just, like, I’ve had a few in my other matches, too, that have been very wrong,” Raducanu said.
Click here for the rest.
Tumaini Carayol
Here’s Tumaini’s preview of Norrie v Alcaraz – or Alcaraz v Norrie, depending on where your loyalties lie:
Cameron Norrie has said he will relish playing Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and will continue to compete with the competitive energy that has driven his success, regardless of what other people think.
“I’m excited to play against him and I’m going to have to play my best level, and even better, to have a chance because he’s got such a diverse game,” Norrie said. “I’m going to have to be tough and bring more energy to have a chance.”
Norrie reached the quarter-finals by holding his nerve in a bruising five-set battle with the Chilean qualifier Nicolás Jarry on Sunday. Jarry complained afterwards to Norrie about his tendency to cheer loudly after most points. “He said I was a little bit vocal and I think: ‘That’s my energy,’” Norrie said.
The competitive drive and relentless positivity that the left‑hander displays have been key factors in his success over the years. Some players, however, are less enthused by opponents who cheer their unforced errors or after less important points. Asked last week about the impact of the crowd on their second-round match, Frances Tiafoe focused immediately on Norrie’s cheering: “He was super‑amped,” Tiafoe said. “He was saying ‘c’mon’ from the first game, which is definitely annoying, but that part bothered me more than the crowd.”
Norrie also tends to encourage himself in French and Spanish, which led to a tense moment with the Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena in Metz last November after the British player recovered to seal a three-set win: “You say ‘vamos!’ all the time, looking right in my face,” Carballes Baena said. Norrie then offered a self-deprecating response: “A couple of ‘vamoses’ and you get pissed off?” he said. “I’m playing so bad, so I had to fire myself up.”
As he looked to his upcoming match against Alcaraz, Norrie, 29, took these criticisms in his stride: “[When] a couple of people have not been too happy with it, I think it’s been in a big match. I think they want to win the match as well, so it’s understandable to maybe take it personally. But for me, I’m just aiming it at my team and aiming it at some people and some friends in the crowd.
“I think [against Jarry] it was a match where there’s some moments with not a lot happening. I think some of the points are maybe not worthy of saying ‘vamos’ or saying ‘c’mon’ but it was a match that I really had to do that, because those points that don’t mean a lot, if you lose those ones, you can get broken, and the match can go away from you very quickly.”
You can read the rest here.
Today’s order of play
Centre Court (1.30pm)
(1) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr) v Laura Siegemund (Ger)
Cameron Norrie (GB) v (2) Carlos Alcaraz (Spa)
No 1 Court (1pm)
(5) Taylor Fritz (US) v (17) Karen Khachanov (Rus)
(13) Amanda Anisimova (US) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)
No 2 Court (already under way)
Rinky Hijikata (Aus) & David Pel (Ned) v Rafael Matos (Bra) & Marcelo Melo (Bra)
Olivia Gadecki (Aus) & Desirae Krawczyk (US) v (16) Caroline Dolehide (US) & Sofia Kenin (US)
Court 12 (12.30pm)
(1) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Mate Pavic (Cro) v (10) Hugo Nys (Mon) & Edouard Roger-Vasselin (Fra)
Sem Verbeek (Ned) & Katerina Siniakova (Cze) v (8) Mate Pavic (Cro) & Timea Babos (Hun)
Court TBA
(8) Veronika Kudermetova (Rus) & Elise Mertens (Bel) v (2) Gabriela Dabrowski (Can) & Erin Routliffe (Nzl)
Joe Salisbury (GB) & Luisa Stefani (Bra) v (2) Marcelo Arevalo (Esa) & Shuai Zhang (Chn)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our coverage of day nine. Carlos Alcaraz has had a mixed time of it during this Wimbledon when it comes to facing British players. He emphatically ended the run of the qualifier and world No 733 Ollie Tarvet in the second round – but was thwarted by Andy Murray in their best-of-three golf showdown at the weekend. And today he faces Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals.
Perhaps Norrie, who’s well known for trying to get under the skin of his opponents (just ask his fourth-round opponent Nicolas Jarry), should invite Murray into his box to get inside Alcaraz’s head or sneak Murray into the locker room to stare down the Spaniard. Even though Norrie has beaten Alcaraz in two of their past three meetings, he’ll need all the help he can get against the two-times defending champion who’s on a 22-match winning streak. Tim Henman’s assessment of Norrie’s chances? “If they played 100 times, can Norrie win one? Maybe.”
Norrie and Alcaraz are second on Centre Court after the quarter-final between the world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who’s playing in her first Wimbledon quarter-final at the age of 37.
On No 1 Court the spectators should really be supplied with safety helmets for the match of cannon fire between the big hitters Taylor Fritz and Karen Khachanov, and then it’s the American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who defeated Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the last 16 despite Kartal erroneously winning a game when the electronic line-calling system was accidentally switched off. Let’s hope we’re talking about the wonderful tennis and not the technology by the close of play tonight.
Play gets under way at: 1pm on No 1 Court and 1.30pm on Centre. Don’t be late!