Great Britain’s Katie Boulter came close to springing a major Centre Court surprise after taking the first set against second seed Aryna Sabalenka.
But the world number four from Belarus came back to knock out 24-year-old Boulter 4-6 6-3 6-3.
04:57 PM
Katie Boulter was fantastic today
She gave the No. 2 seed a real run for her money today. Boulter ran out of steam a little towards the end but there is clearly a talented player there. Hopefully this is just the beginning for Boulter.
04:53 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 3-6 Sabalenka
Sabalenka is one game away from winning this match. But Boulter is fighting hard. 30-30.
Boulter makes a tired unforced error to hand Sabalenka a match point. And she takes it!
Sabalenka wins! But that was some effort from Boulter.
04:50 PM
Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 3-5 Sabalenka*
Boulter needs a break to stay alive in this match. And she takes a 15-30 lead following a beautiful down the line forehand. She then lobs Sabalenka to make it 15-40. Make that 30-40 after a strong response from the No.2 seed.
Sabalenka then fires in an ace to take it to deuce. Boulter needs this game having done a lot of the hard work. And she has the advantage! A superb rally is ended by a deft volley. Sabalenka responds with an ace. Deuce.
Sabalenka attempts a drop shot but only finds the net! Advantage to Boulter once again. And Sabalenka comes back with another unplayable serve. Deuce.
Boulter then makes an unforced error. Advantage Sabalenka. Boulter gets to a drop shot, somehow, to save the game. Back to deuce again. The crowd are on their feet!
Advantage Boulter! Sabalenka sends a backhand way long. But there is another ace. Deuce, again.
And advantage Boulter! Can she make it count this time? Nope, some strong ground play takes us to deuce.
Sabalenka now has advantage after Boulter send a forehand long. Ace. Game, eventually, to Sabalenka.
That game was a battle and a half.
04:37 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 3-4 Sabalenka
Boulter has not given up yet and wins the first three points in her serve. A loose shot lets Sabalenka back into the game but Boulter does eventually hold.
04:34 PM
Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 2-4 Sabalenka*
Boulter fought back last time she was broken – can she do it again?
Sabalenka holds with ease. She wins all four points, including two superb aces. That is more like it.
04:31 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 2-3 Sabalenka
The momentum is back with Brit. That injury break gave her a chance to get her breath back. Her confidence is back and now the sun is finally shining at Wimbledon. A good omen, perhaps.
Maybe not. The game goes to deuce. And it is advantage Sabalenka. The crowd gets behind Boulter before this vital serve. The first is out. The second is in, but the point goes to Sabalenka. Another break,
04:26 PM
Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 2-2 Sabalenka*
This is not over! Boulter comes out after the injury break firing! She breaks back against Sabalenka. That is a huge moment in this back and forth match.
04:21 PM
Injury timeout
Boulter is having the tape around her elbow redone.
Elsewhere, Dan Evans is one set up.
04:19 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 1-2 Sabalenka
Boulter is not making it look easy but she gets to 30-30. Sabalenka then pushes her back and Boulter cannot get her shot in. Chance to break for the No.2 seed.
And she does. That could be key.
04:16 PM
Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 1-1 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka starts her serve well before a powerful forehand from Boulter takes the score to 30-15. And then to 40-30.
Big point. Can Boulter take it to deuce? Nope. Sabalenka holds.
04:12 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 Sabalenka
Boulter serves first in the deciding set. Sabalenka is playing with more aggression to Boulter’s serve now with mixed results. The game goes to 30-30 before Boulter resoundingly wins the last two points.
Good start from the Brit.
04:08 PM
Boulter 6-4, 3-6 Sabalenka*
Boulter wins the first point of Sabalenka’s serve. And the second. The crowd is really playing a part now, celebrating Sabalenka’s unforced error with vigour.
The No. 2 seed responds by winning two points of her own. Sabalenka’s power is forcing Boulter back and back.
The game goes to deuce. Boulter launches her return long, handing Sabalenka set point. And she takes advantage.
One set apiece.
04:03 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 3-5 Sabalenka
The crowd is getting right behind Boulter who takes the first point in this game. And the second.
Sabalenka responds well, forcing the game to deuce. Her power game is coming to the fore now.
Advantage Boulter after an ace. Sabalenka fights back to deuce. Advantage Boulter once again. And she holds!
That was a vital game for Boulter. No collapse from her.
03:56 PM
Boulter 6-4, 2-5 Sabalenka*
The momentum is all with Sabalenka at the moment. She holds with ease, winning all four points. The No. 2 seed has gone up a gear.
03:54 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 2-4 Sabalenka
Boulter is serving with real accuracy at the moment. Not too much power but she her first serve is rarely going out. She misses an easy shot by overcooking a forehand. 30-30.
Boulter responds to the mistake well, winning the next point much to the annoyance of Sabalenka. She responds well. Deuce.
And Boulter’s serving lets her down. It had been good but she double faults. Sabalenka breaks.
03:48 PM
Boulter 6-4, 2-3 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka is starting to find her feet. She holds with ease after a game that included resounding winners and an unstoppable ace. Ominous for Boulter.
03:45 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 2-2 Sabalenka
Boulter responds well, holding her serve. The occasion is now intimidating the massive underdog at the moment!
03:40 PM
Dan Evans is in action on court one
He leads 2-1 having already broken Dusan Lajovic.
03:40 PM
Boulter 6-4, 1-2 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka is getting very frustrated and is now playing with real determination. Boulter hangs in the game but a couple of aces allow Sabalenka to hold.
03:36 PM
*Boulter 6-4, 1-1 Sabalenka
Sabalenka has come out with real venom. She dominates a long rally and Boulter cannot cut off a powerful forehand. Sabalenka wins the second point before Boulter responds with a stunning lob and then an ace. 30-30.
Sabalenka misses a ‘gimme’ from a poor drop shot. 40-30 to Boulter. She then wraps up the game with a deft volley.
03:32 PM
Boulter 6-4, 0-1 Sabalenka*
Sabalenka will serve as the second set gets underway. She starts strong, holding with ease.
03:27 PM
Boulter takes the first set!
The Brit is causing a lot of problems for Sabalenka! Boulter started the game with back-to-back aces. Sabalenka responded but Boulter still managed to hold. What a start to this match against the No. 2 seed!
03:21 PM
Boulter leads Sabalenka 5-4 in the opening set
Boulter to serve.
03:20 PM
Elsewhere, Samantha Murray was defeated in straight sets
Sorana Cirstea made light work of the Brit in their first round clash earlier today.
03:17 PM
Boulter is performing extremely well against Sabalenka
She has just broken the No. 2 seed to go 4-3 up in the first set.
03:07 PM
Boulter-Sabalenka is two games apiece on centre court
Dan Evans is due on court one next, following Nick Kyrgios’ win.
03:00 PM
*Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 9-7 Humbert
Humbert has come out with real aggression, winning the first two points of the game with some stunning tennis. Kyrgios holds his nerve to bring the score to 15-30. Humbert then moves the Australian around the court to win a crucial rally.
Kyrgios produces a ferocious backhand to take the game to deuce. This has been such a close contest.
Advantage Kyrgios. Match point. And he delivers an ace! What a match. Kyrgios is through!
02:53 PM
Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 8-7 Humbert*
Here we go! Kyrgios takes it up a gear to give himself three break points. Humbert responds well, winning successive points. But Kyrgios then breaks! He forces Humbert back and he can only find the net.
02:50 PM
Katie Boulter is underway on centre court against Aryna Sabalenka
We will keep you updated on that match as it progresses.
02:49 PM
*Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-7 Humbert
Humbert is looking more likely to break. He fights his way to 30-30 once again. And now to deuce. The Australian then fires in two wicked serves to hold.
02:44 PM
Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 Humbert*
Novak may be fine but Kyrgios has just gone down in a heap. He looks in a lot of pain after taking a nasty slip. The Australian is back on his feet but Humbert holds comfortably.
02:39 PM
No complaints about the surface from Novak…
“I seem to be having a really nice connection with the grass. I haven’t fallen this much in the first rounds of Wimbledon.”, he said after his win.
02:38 PM
*Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-6 Humbert
Kyrgios and Humbert are very well matched. The Australian wins the first two points but Humbert answers back with two of his own. Kyrgios rallies the crowd and then takes the game.
6-6. This could go on for a while…
02:33 PM
Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 5-6 Humbert*
Kyrgios takes the first point but Humbert responds well. 15-15. Humbert then executes a number of strong first serves to hold.
02:30 PM
*Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 5-5 Humbert
Humbert wins the first point before Kyrgios comes back with back-to-back aces. Make that three in a row. Nope, make it four.
Great stuff from the Australian.
02:28 PM
Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-5 Humbert*
Humbert makes light weight of his hold. Wow, he made that look easy.
02:25 PM
*Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 4-4 Humbert
Kyrgios ended the match last night in red hot form. Can he rediscover that today? He loses the first point and is seemingly upset at some distraction in the crowd. Kyrgios takes the second point after a strong second serve.
Kyrgios then finds his range with his first serve to hold.
02:20 PM
Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-4 Humbert*
Humbert will serve as the match gets back underway. He starts well, serving with accuracy and pushing Kyrgios onto the back foot. After winning the first three points, Kyrgios fights back well, winning two points in a row.
An ace hands the first game of the day to Humbert.
02:12 PM
Kyrgios and Humbert are out on court one
The entertaining match gets back underway shortly. The score was Kyrgios 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 3-3 Humbert
02:07 PM
Dan Evans was meant to be on court one next, but…
the remainder of Nick Kyrgios’ match, which could not quite finish last night, will take place first. We will have live coverage of that before Evans gets underway.
01:47 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 5-7 Norrie
Norrie starts the game well, winning the first two points. Pouille misses his first serve and Norrie capitalises on the second serve. The Brit has three match points.
And there it is! Pouille fires a shot wide after a long rally and that is that. Norrie is through to the second round.
01:43 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 5-6 Norrie*
There have been four breaks in this fourth set so far. Norrie starts his serve poorly, losing the opening point. He comes back well, taking it to 15-15. Norrie then nails a forehand slam to move into the lead.
This is much better from the Brit who holds. Can he take the match with a break?
01:40 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 5-5 Norrie
Norrie now does the same as Pouille, playing with aggression after being broken. He surges to break point and there it is! Another break in this topsy-turvy match!
01:36 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 5-4 Norrie*
Pouille comes out swinging, winning the first three points after a stunning shot that was ruled in after review.
And Pouille breaks back! What a set this is turning into. Norrie was not in that game at all.
01:33 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 4-4 Norrie
Norrie starts the game well, winning successive points. Pouille fights back with some intelligent play, taking the game to 30-30. The Frenchman tries to seal the next point at the net and Norrie caresses the ball past him. Top shot.
Norrie cannot break, however. Deuce. Norries then forces a break after an excruciating rally! He is back in the set!
01:26 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 4-3 Norrie*
Norrie is frustrated with the last two games and takes it out on his serve, winning all four points. Real venom in those serves.
01:24 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 4-2 Norrie
That break has woken up Norrie who claims the first two points of the game. A deft serve and volley from Pouille gives him a foothold, however.
Norrie takes the next point after a powerful shot straight back at the server. The Brit has a chance to take the game but can only find the net. 30-40. Pouille wins a long rally to take the game to deuce.
Pouille dominates the next two points to hold.
01:18 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 3-2 Norrie*
Hang on a minute… Pouille is back in this! He finds a break out of nowhere. All the momentum was with Norrie but a few unforced errors have cost him the game.
01:16 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 2-2 Norrie
Norrie is varying up his game, coming to the net to volley as well as rocking back and hitting power strokes. Pouille loses his first serve radar once again and Norrie takes advantage, forcing the game to deuce.
Pouille then finds successive aces to hold.
01:11 PM
Bianca Andreescu addresses slippery court situation
Bianca Andreescu, who was seen slipping several times during her straight-sets defeat by Alize Cornet, is the latest player to talk about the condition of the courts.
“The courts are pretty wet. I didn’t just slip once but like five or six times,” the No5 seed said. “I don’t think it affected my game but the courts are super slippery.”
01:10 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 1-2 Norrie*
Norrie cruises to another game win on his serve. He is looking in top form.
01:07 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 1-1 Norrie
Pouille is not giving up yet and delivers a resounding serving performance of his own. No points dropped on that serve.
01:05 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6, 0-1 Norrie*
Norrie will serve first as the fourth set gets underway. He is now pushing Pouille around the court, confidence exuding from the Brit. He holds.
01:00 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-6 Norrie
Norrie now all over Pouille and he breaks again, taking the third set! What a turnaround after losing the first set last night!
12:57 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-5 Norrie*
Norrie holds with ease – it is starting to feel like this match is here for the taking for the Brit…
12:55 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-4 Norrie
Norrie breaks! Pouille loses his first serve accuracy and Norrie capitalises, dominating the game. Norrie moves into a commanding position in the set.
12:52 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-3 Norrie*
Norrie is put under more pressure from Pouille in this game but the Brit holds his nerve after a rocky start. He is serving crisply and finding winners when required. Impressive stuff.
12:49 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 2-2 Norrie
Pouille returns the favour. The pattern of easy holds that appeared in the first set returns.
12:46 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 1-2 Norrie*
Norrie holds with ease. He really is looking in fine form today.
12:44 PM
Cameron Norrie has been moving around the court extremely well today
12:43 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 1-1 Norrie
Pouille, after losing the last game he served, returns to his commanding self, holding.
12:41 PM
Elsewhere, the slippery surface controversy is not going away
John Isner with a very painful-looking slip on Court No18 against Yoshihito Nishioka. Bianca Andreescu also fell multiple times in her defeat to Alize Cornet.
12:40 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-7, 0-1 Norrie*
Norrie is first to serve in the third set. His execution is a little sloppy and the game goes to deuce. Pouille then dominates the rally to move to advantage. Norrie responds well with a strong serve that cannot be returned. Deuce.
Norrie moves to advantage but Pouille denies him the set, then winning a point to move to advantage himself. Norrie is on the back foot but finds a stunning forehand to save himself just as Pouille was dominating the rally.
Two aces allow Norrie to hold. That was close.
12:32 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-7 Norrie
Can Norrie break to take the set? He starts well, winning the first point with a delicate forehand past the onrushing Frenchman. And Norrie takes the second point too.
Norrie then takes the next two points to break and take the set! What a start for Norrie.
12:28 PM
Pouille 7-6, 5-6 Norrie*
Pouille has not looked like breaking Norrie… until now. He fights his way to 30-30 with some powerful ground strokes. Norrie then steps up his game to hold.
This is a very even game – and no slipping in sight as of yet.
12:25 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 5-5 Norrie
Norrie wins the first point of Pouille’s serve after taking the sting out of the rally. He takes the second point too after a long rally. This is his chance to break. Or maybe not, Pouille comes back with an unplayable ace.
Norrie gets himself to break point but Pouille finds another ace just at the right time. Deuce.
The Brit moves to advantage after a superb drop shot but cannot capitalise. Deuce.
Pouille then moves to advantage and yet another ace saves him. He just about holds.
12:16 PM
Pouille 7-6, 4-5 Norrie*
The left-handed Norrie wins points off both his forehand and backhand. An attempted drop shot hits the net and then Norrie double faults, handing Pouille a footing in the game. Norrie fights back well with a stunning cross-shot forehand that beats an advancing Pouille who was heading for the net. An ace concludes the game.
Norrie holds.
12:14 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 4-4 Norrie
Pouille wins the opening point of the game before Norrie wins a point after a long rally. The Frenchman retakes the lead with a powerful back foot forehand before an ace down the middle. Norrie fails to keep his next return in.
Game Pouille.
12:10 PM
Pouille 7-6, 3-4 Norrie*
Norrie drops one point but is in no danger of conceding the game. No breaks thus far in this second set of the match.
12:07 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 3-3 Norrie
Norrie is struggling to get on top of the bounce from Pouille’s serve. The Frenchman is serving impressively and concludes the game with an ace down the middle.
12:04 PM
Pouille 7-6, 2-3 Norrie*
It is all about the serve in this match. Norrie waltzes through another game while serving.
12:02 PM
*Pouille 7-6, 2-2 Norrie
Pouille is serving with plenty of power and Norrie is struggling to return. Game to Pouille.
11:59 AM
Pouille 7-6, 1-2 Norrie*
Norrie is giving Pouille the run around on his own serve, moving the Frenchmen around the court with ease. Four serves, four points. Easily done.
11:57 AM
*Pouille 7-6, 1-1 Norrie
Norrie has come out with more intent then yesterday, striking the ball with real venom. He fights his way to 30-30 after some wayward serving by Pouille before earning himself a break point. Pouille misses with his first serve but recovers well to take it to deuce.
Pouille’s serving then goes up a gear and an ace secures him the game.
11:53 AM
Pouille 7-6, 0-1 Norrie*
Norrie makes an excellent start, or restart, to this match, holding his serve with ease. Confident beginning.
11:38 AM
Cameron Norrie is now on court two
He lost the first set to Lucas Pouille last night – can he stage a comeback today?
11:36 AM
Cornet upsets Andreescu in straight sets (6-2, 6-1)
What a performance from Cornet! She dominated from start to finish and barely put a foot wrong. The fifth seed Andreescu is out!
An amazing start to day three of Wimbledon.
11:33 AM
Cornet leads Andreescu 5-1 in second set
Andreescu has found some improved tennis in the last two games but Cornet is just too clinical at the moment.
The Canadian has slipped on a number of occasions this match and the scrutiny on the slippery Wimbledon surface is sure to grow.
11:22 AM
Cornet leads Andreescu 4-0 in the second set
She holds her serve in rapid time…
11:20 AM
Pella has taken the second set against Berrettini
It is one set apiece on court three.
11:19 AM
A reminder that Cameron Norrie resumes his match…
Following the conclusion of Cornet-Andreescu. At this rate, Norrie could be on the court rather soon.
11:18 AM
Cornet leads 3-0 in second set!
Having taken the first set against Andreescu, Cornet is continuing to steamroll the much-fancied Canadian. She has broken Andreescu twice already this set.
11:15 AM
Pella is fighting back against Berrettini
After losing the first set 6-4, Pella leads the second set 5-2 against the No. 7 seed Berrettini. A strong fight back from the Argentine.
11:11 AM
Cornet breaks Andreescu in the opening game of the second set
Cornet is playing some superb tennis at the moment while Andreescu’s execution is letting her down.
11:05 AM
Elsewhere, Yoshihito Nishioka has won the first set against John Isner
Nishioka won the first set via a tie break (7-5) on court 18.
11:02 AM
Cornet takes the first set!
Andreescu did not give up that set easily, forcing a long game that finished after a number of set points on deuce.
The upset is on for Cornet!
10:53 AM
Cornet breaks Andreescu once again!
Cornet now leads 5-2 and will serve for the opening set against the fifth seed. What a start on court two.
10:41 AM
Berrettini takes the first set 6-4!
Pella put in a decent performance in the opening set but could not quite deal with the power of Berrettini.
10:39 AM
Cornet breaks Andreescu!
The fifth seed has just been broken in the opening set. Cornet leads 3-2 and is about to serve.
10:32 AM
Elsewhere, Pella hangs in against Berrettini
The No. 7 seed leads 4-3 in the opening set but the Argentine has just held his serve to hang in the set.
10:28 AM
Andreescu leads 2-1 against Cornet
Serve has been held in all three games on court two thus far.
10:17 AM
Cameron Norrie will resume action on court two…
after Alize Cornet vs Bianca Andreescu which is underway. The Canadian has held her serve in the opening game of the match.
10:05 AM
Is the slippery surface going to cause havoc again today?
Andy Murray joined a mounting chorus of players raising concerns over Wimbledon’s “extremely” slippery surface on Tuesday night after Serena Williams became the latest tournament injury casualty following a fall.
Williams, the 23-time grand-slam champion, was among a host of players to suffer difficulties with the grass this week as she made a tearful exit following what appeared to be an ankle injury.
Her ill-fated match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich took place immediately after Roger Federer’s opponent Adrian Mannarino was also forced to retire after slipping and hurting his knee.
09:52 AM
Weather update
Although there could be a little bit of rain around today, we should be set for a full day of action. It will be cloudy with a gentle breeze across south-west London.
Play is not far away.
09:39 AM
Brit Watch update – who has made it to day three?
Men’s singles
Andy Murray – IN
Beat 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili to reach the second round for the 13th consecutive attempt. Will face Oscar Otte in today’s final match on Centre Court.
Liam Broady – IN
Beat Marco Cecchinato to reach the second round for only the second time after progressing in 2015. Due to play Diego Schwartzman today.
Dan Evans – IN
Beat Feliciano Lopez to reach the second round for the third time. Looking to emulate his previous best of reaching the third round, having done so in 2016 and 2019, when he faces Dusan Lajovic on Court No1 today..
Jay Clarke – OUT
Defeated by Egor Gerasimov after failing to overturn a two-sets-to-one overnight deficit, suffering a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 loss.
Cameron Norrie – IN
Double-faulted at set-point in a first-set tie-breaker against Lucas Pouille yesterday evening and subsequently lost the opener 7-6 (8-6) before bad light suspended play. Will return to finish the match this morning.
Women’s singles
Katie Boulter – IN
Beat Danielle Lao to reach the second round for the second time, having matched her previous best run from 2018. Due to face second seed Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court this afternoon.
Johanna Konta – OUT
Withdrew before opening day after close contact tested positive for Covid-19.
Heather Watson – OUT
Defeated by Kristie Ahn 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 8-6 on Monday to suffer a sixth first-round exit out of 11 career appearances.
Katie Swan – OUT
Defeated by Madison Keys 6-3, 6-4 on Monday to suffer a third first-round exit in four attempts.
Harriet Dart – OUT
Defeated by Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-3 yesterday in a match that was delayed overnight, her second first-round exit in three appearances.
Fran Jones – OUT
Defeat by Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 yesterday evening on her Wimbledon debut in a valiant effort against the American 20th seed.
Jodie Anna Burrage – OUT
Defeated by Lauren Davis 6-2, 6-1 on Monday in under an hour in her maiden Grand Slam.
Samantha Murray Sharan – IN
Forced to wait for her first round match against Sorana Cirstea due to rain. Looking to make the second round for the first time in three attempts when she takes to the court today.
Emma Raducanu – IN
The final British player waiting to make her Wimbledon debut. Delayed first round match with Vitalia Diatchenko due to begin today.
09:20 AM
Good morning, it was a good day for Dan Evans yesterday
Dan Evans was the sole British winner on another rain-hit day at Wimbledon yesterday.
Evans snapped a four-match grand slam losing streak with an impressive 7-6 (4) 6-2 7-5 victory over Feliciano Lopez, leaping and punching the air in delight after the Spaniard’s final volley drifted long.
The British number one has had an excellent 18 months on the ATP Tour but the slams have been a different matter, with Evans losing twice in the first round of the French Open and once at the Australian Open since his previous victory in New York last summer.
He said: “It was a good way to come through. It was pretty efficient. I feel I played solid tennis and was more controlled than previous matches over the grass. I had to be ready from the get-go and really focused and be sharp. I felt I was.
“It’s always going to be a difficult match against Feli. I thought there’d probably be a tie-break or two in there. I was ready to be good in those moments. I did a good job and I’m happy to come through.
“It’s tougher to come through these events. Whichever way you look at it, they’re bigger events, they’re better events. This is where you want to win matches.”
Cameron Norrie, who is seeded at a grand slam for the first time, had to wait until late into the evening to start his match against former top-10 player and Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lucas Pouille.
The Frenchman is on the comeback trail after elbow surgery last year and Norrie has work to do after dropping the opening set 8-6 on a tie-break, following which play was suspended for the night.
Francesca Jones made a creditable Wimbledon debut against Coco Gauff, matching the fast-rising young American for much of two close sets before going down 7-5 6-4.
The 20-year-old, who was born with a condition that means she is missing several fingers and toes, said: “I went to the match thinking I could win it 100 per cent. I didn’t doubt that. I knew my game could do her damage and do many other players damage in the draw.
“But I’m where I am. I’m going to keep building. I just competed with someone that made quarters of Roland Garros, is 23 in the world, has multiple WTA titles, and felt comfortable on the court.
“I know sooner or later I’ll find myself in a position where I won’t need a wild card. At the moment I’m at the beginning of the construction of my house.”
Harriet Dart had a tough draw against Belgian 13th seed Elise Mertens and struggled with her serve in a 6-1 6-3 defeat.
Jay Clarke resumed his match against Egor Gerasimov down two sets to one and was unable to mount a comeback, losing 6-3 3-6 7-6 (5) 6-2.
“I did my best,” said the 22-year-old from Derby. “I approached it the same I did yesterday, but he was just better.”
Samantha Murray Sharan and 18-year-old debutant Emma Raducanu will both play their first-round matches on Wednesday.
PA