sports

Wimbledon day three: Murray in action, Raducanu loses, Djokovic wins – live! | Wimbledon 2022

Wimbledon day three: Murray in action, Raducanu loses, Djokovic wins – live! | Wimbledon 2022

Contents

[ad_1]

Isner’s average serve speeds: first serve is 134mph, second serve is 121mph.

Isner holds and the pressure is back on Murray again, but a rare missed smash at the net from the big American gifts parity to the Scot at 30-30. Deuce, and a crafty slice down the line from Murray earns him game point, which he converts. Isner remains a break up and will serve (with new balls) at 4-3.

Couple of matches on the men’s side to mention: Next Big Thing™ Carlos Alcaraz is underway against the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. It’s on serve in the first set. And the lanky Italian 10th seed, Jannik Sinner, is continuing his fine form against Mikael Ymer, two sets up and 4-4 in the third. Sinner made light work of Wawrinka in the first round.

Two holds of serve for Isner and Murray, the former saving a couple of break points. Isner is looking very fresh for a 37-year-old and has a hammer of a forehand to complement that serve. He’s by no means a one-trick pony, and while he doesn’t want to get into a baseline battle with Murray, can hold him own there. It’s 3-2 to the American, who serves next.

John Isner serves.
John Isner serves. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

We mentioned this story earlier, but worth a read if you’re catching up.

Time to mop up some results elsewhere. Angelique Kerber, champion here in 2018, had a easy ride against Magda Linette, winning 6-3, 6-3. Anhelina Kalinina – who said the £78,000 she is guaranteed for reaching round two will go toward helping her family rebuild their home in Ukraine, which, she revealed, has been bombed by Russian forces – lost to her Ukrainian compatriot Lesia Tsurenko in three sets. Something of an upset, that.

Isner breaks! The 6ft10in giant is rushing the net, putting Murray under serious pressure, and it works! Murray is not the mover that he was and he won’t be retrieving those Isner volleys as readily as yesteryear. The head-to-head record for these two is interesting: Murray has won eight and lost none. Still, it’s 2-1 to the American, who has the break and will serve next.

John Isner did have one ace in his opening game to take him 39 aces shy of the all-time record, held by Ivo Karlovic. He’s at 13,689 for his career.

You will not be shocked to hear that both Murray and Isner have held their serves to get us going. Expect that to be a glimpse of what’s to come. One of the greatest servers ever facing up against one of the greatest returners ever. Should be a good one, and probably a late one.

Time for some Andy Murray and, for that, I’ll hand you back to Michael Butler.

The Great British Sewing Bee: Andy Murray fan at the 2nd round match.
The Great British Sewing Bee: Andy Murray fan at the 2nd round match. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Cam Norrie beats Munar in five sets!

Roars on Court One as Cam Norrie beats Jaume Munar 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2. Munar serves a double at 30-0 up and then Norrie blasts a winner which just catches the line. A powerful backhand secures a first match point and it’s all he needs as the Spaniard finds the net. File Munar under ‘mercurial talent’. Meanwhile, Norrie marches on and hopefully this five-setter will stand him in good stead. Battling stuff from the British No 1.

Cameron Norrie celebrates after winning his second round match against Spain’s Jaume Munar
Cameron Norrie celebrates after winning his second round match against Spain’s Jaume Munar Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Norrie one game away from victory! Munar throwing himself at everything now and a brilliant winner gives him the first point and he adds the second. Is this a break back? No. Norrie pulls out a passing stroke of his own and then has Munar scampering everywhere to no avail to make it 30-30 before the Spaniard blasts a ground stroke long. Munar forces deuce before Norrie’s drop shot is too much for his opponent’s tired legs and a backhand down the line from the Brit takes him 5-2 ahead. The number nine seed is closing in.

Norrie breaks again for 4-2! More brilliance from the reborn Munar as a combination of anticipation and reflexes see him win a thrilling opening point. Further magic takes him to 30-0 before Norrie contests a call of ‘out’ and has it overturned in his favour by hawk eye. Then another lengthy rally and a Munar error give Norrie break point and he wins it after the Spaniard dumps his volley into the net. Phew!

Norrie now looks nervous after Munar’s rise from the dead and dumps an attempted drop shot into the net. But he steadies himself, wins the next two points and moves into a 3-2 lead in the fifth. He’s back on track but he’ll have to make sure that Munar’s recovery doesn’t spook him as this decider goes on.

Cameron Norrie reaches for a forehand.
Cameron Norrie reaches for a forehand. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

Munar has suddenly come alive against Norrie. After some lengthy physio – mostly thigh rubbing – it’s back to the guy who was pulling rabbits from hats earlier on. 2-2 in the decider.

A thoroughly charming interview from Caroline Garcia as she speaks following her victory over Emma Raducanu. All the right words. We’ll bring you Raducanu quotes later. Not to be this year for the US Open champion but hopefully she’ll have many, many cracks at winning this.

Andy Murray and John Isner will be on Centre Court in about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the British focus is on Court 1 where Norrie and Munar are in the fifth set.

Munar looked to be fading away after losing eight games in a row but he’s just broken Norrie to love to cut the deficit to 2-1. Where did that come from all of a sudden?

Here’s the winning shot from Garcia.

Emma Raducanu loses to Caroline Garcia in straight sets

It’s all over. Garcia beats Raducanu 6-3, 6-3. Garcia wins the first point of the ninth and then Raducanu hits a weak forehand into the net. Groans echo around Centre Court. A cute drop shot pulls it back to 15-30 but Garcia earns a match point and seals victory with a stunning backhand winner. You have to say that was fully deserved and Garcia does a celebratory jig around the court. That’s now seven wins in a row on grass for Garcia who won a title in Germany last week.

Caroline Garcia after winning her match against Emma Raducanu.
Caroline Garcia after winning her match against Emma Raducanu. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Raducanu’s hopes fading. Back on Centre Court, Garcia goes long with a backhand and it’s deuce in game eight of the second. But Garcia just keeps going for it and thumps a forehand winner for advantage and then booms down a brutal serve to go 5-3 up. Raducanu serving to stay in the championship.

Norrie wins the fourth set and we’re into a decider! With Munar looking like he’s running out of steam, the home hero must be favourite to take it.

Norrie is racing through the fourth set against Munar and a double break helps him to a 5-0 lead. Munar takes a medical break for no obvious physical reason. Maybe just an aspirin or some wine gums. I wouldn’t like to say.

Garcia breaks again for 4-3! From 15-15, Garcia’s clubbing backhand and an equally fierce forehand win her two break points. Raducanu digs deep to force deuce but an untimely double fault gives Garcia another opportunity and a mistimed backhand from the Brit means she drops serve again. Garcia just two games away from victory.

Raducanu breaks back! The US Open champ goes 30-0 up on the Garcia serve by finding a brilliant angle and, from 30-30, the Frenchwoman serves a double fault and then sends a groundstroke wide. Back to 3-3. Hope springs eternal.

Norrie, still skipping around in sprightly fashion as he winds up those forehands, breaks Munar to go 2-0 in front in the fourth. Is this the start of his big comeback?

Norrie holds serve in the first game of the fourth set and gives himself a little ‘c’mon’.

Meanwhile, back on Centre, Garcia holds serve against Raducanu and then goes 30-0 up on the Brit’s serve after winning one of the rallies of the match. A deep groundstroke and volley gives Garcia three break points and a loose forehand from Raducanu seals what could prove a pivotal game for the Frenchwoman. Garcia a set up and 3-2 up with a break in the second.

An easy hold for Raducanu puts her 2-1 ahead in the second. There are signs, not jump out and backhand you in the face signs, but signs nonetheless that the Brit is upping her effort here. She has no choice though. Garcia’s levels are simply not dropping.

Thanks Michael. I’ll start with the news that Cam Norrie has lost the third set, 7-5, to the very lively Munar. The Spaniard deserves to be in front here; he’s been more aggressive on the key points. Norrie will have to go all the way to keep his hopes alive.

Going to grab a cuppa. David Tindall will be your guide for the next little bit. See you soon.

Raducanu is edging her way into this match. She earns break point after a brilliant passing shot at the net and is the width of a tape about repeating the trick to close out the game. But Garcia serves well from deuce and evens things up at 1-1 in the second set. But some promising signs for the Brit.

Harriet Dart is through, beating Masarova in straight sets!

A fantastic win for the British No 2, who moves into the second round.

Harriet Dart goes through!
Harriet Dart goes through! Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

A nervy/gutsy hold from Raducanu, to open the second set. How she needed that. Important mentally to get out in front on the scoreboard, and put Garcia under pressure.

Norrie and Munar remain deadlocked in their third set. 5-5 all, 30-30 on Norrie’s serve. And Munar breaks! The Spaniard will serve for the third set at 6-5 up.

And as I say that, Masarova breaks. We’re back on serve in the second set, with Dart having won the first.

Meanwhile, Harriet Dart is serving for the match against Rebeka Masarova. Two Brits, two performances.

Garcia wins the first set 6-3! Raducanu looking a little lost our there

Both players retire for a comfort break. Raducanu won just 47% of her first serves, and that is where the pressure has been. Garcia has been so aggressive in returning. I can’t really remember a Raducanu winner in that set. It’s been all Garcia, either the French player has bludgeoned her way to the point, or she’s been wayward. Raducanu needs to up her aggression and do it right now.

Caroline Garcia takes the first set.
Caroline Garcia takes the first set. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

An immense second serve saves set point for Raducanu, but the Brit is really struggling with the power of Garcia’s groundstrokes, even if they are sometimes a little wayward. Garcia obliges with two wayward returns as Raducanu holds but the French player will serve for the set at 5-3.

Shocked to see that Centre Court is not full! Crazy!

Lots of empty sets at 5-2 in the first set of Emma Raducanu’s match against Caroline Garcia. Been a pattern this Wimbledon. Anyone know why? pic.twitter.com/uqnk1TzV0l

— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) June 29, 2022

Raducanu is really struggling, down 5-2 with a double break. There’s plenty of bounce in her step between points, plenty of encouragement from the crowd, but not a lot of shotmaking. Garcia is the dominant force here, and it’s very much a case of whether the French player can keep her cool to close out this set.

Emma Raducanu is finding it tough against Caroline Garcia.
Emma Raducanu is finding it tough against Caroline Garcia. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Norrie breaks! Surely one of the best returns of serve we’ve seen in the tournament this year, as he rips a backhand from down the T right inside the tramline. Woof. That was special on break point. Norrie has quelled Munar’s momentum and we’re back on serve in the third set. All square.

A nasty slip for Raducanu on the baseline, but the teenager is up and OK. She’s again under pressure though, 3-2 down and down a break point on her serve … and Garcia converts the break point to go 4-2 up in this first set. Garcia was standing a good two feet inside the baseline for Raducanu’s first serve, so she’s being extremely aggressive and it’s paying off for the 28-year-old!

Harriet Dart is absolutely motoring on Court 12. She’s obviously got something on later because she is taking Rebeka Masarova apart, leading 6-1, 4-1!

Harriet Dart is aiming to be the 10th Brit to qualify for the second round.
Harriet Dart is aiming to be the 10th Brit to qualify for the second round. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

There are a lot of camera shots of very posh looking people sipping very expensive drinks. I’m waiting for them to do something, but no. Just sip, sip, sip.

Meanwhile, Munar is edging the third set against Norrie, with the break of serve. The Brit has lacked his fluency of the opening set. After crafting a break point, Norrie can’t convert, and Munar holds to make it 3-1.

Jaume Munar reaches for a forehand.
Jaume Munar reaches for a forehand. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Raducanu has the break back! But this is more to do with Garcia’s profligacy than anything else. Garcia is a shotmaker but does also have the tendency to miss some balls.

Emma Raducanu wins a point.
Emma Raducanu wins a point. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Garcia has come out all guns blazing and has an early break over Raducanu. A brilliant volley and the net and a dodgy line call (sorted out by hawk eye) means the French player has a 2-0 lead! The start for Raducanu is so important, to get the crowd roaring and put some pressure on her opponent.

Raducanu and Garcia are on court on Centre. Here we go!

Norrie won just 54% of his first serves in that second set. How the tables have turned on Court One.

Despite being the smaller man (at 6ft), Munar is a big server and has been sending down 136mph bombs in the second set against Norrie. The Spaniard is serving for the set at 5-3 and despite going 0-30 down, Munar roars back to take the game and the set with a sumptuous lob! We’re all square going into the third set. What a game we have on our hands.

Despite being No 3 seed, it’s not a shock to see Casper Ruud tumble out in the second round, losing in four sets to the very talented Ugo Humbert. Ruud is not the biggest fan of grass, and while he has since said the below comment was a “silly joke”, it’s probably not too far from the truth.

Oh yeees😍 p.s. don’t take this quote too seriously, it was a silly joke during one of my press conferences in Miami, grass is a fun challenge and right now I’m honestly quite tired of running and grinding 5 meters behind the baseline on clay😅🌱

— Casper Ruud (@CasperRuud98) June 8, 2022

Next up on Centre Court … it’s Emma Raducanu. Here’s what she had to say in the build-up to her match today at Caroline Garcia, the former world No 4. A very tricky match for the Brit.

Djokovic speaks

Thanks for your support today, for both players. I’m very happy with my performance. I made him work for every point, bring a lot of variety to my game. It was tough to toss the ball in the wind, but I’m very pleased. I’m pleased with how I’ve raised my level in two days.

There’s also some quite earnest chat about tapping into your inner child to access the passion for the game, which seems a bit over the top for a second round win, but that’s just me.

Djokovic is safely through, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 against Kokkinakis

Kokkinakis carves out his first break point of the match, but a wondrous second serve down the T gets Djokovic on deuce before the Serbian closes it out with two unreturned serve. Looks every inch the champion elect with a supreme performance, and the crowd give last year’s winner a fine reception. That’s about as routine as it gets.

Novak Djokovic
Safely through: Novak Djokovic salutes the crowd after his win. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Jelena Ostapenko is making light work of Yanina Wickmayer. The 12th seed is a break up in the second set, having won the first 6-2.

The double break for Djokovic, who is just two games away from victory after one hour and 44 minutes. What is so impressive about Djokovic is his all-court game. Never before has a great of this game been so well rounded. There are no weaknesses, and to some extent, no USP. Just brilliant decision making, consistency and he can bring out the fireworks when he needs to.

A damning email from Gregory Phillips, who rightly puts me in my place.

“Just checked in on scores after some time working and saw you had posted in bold that Norrie was “out” against Jaume Munar. I thought for a moment he had lost. Which was especially jarring as he has a very decent draw and could go far. Except I have probably just jinxed him, so he probably will go out against Munar. Remember, you did this.”

Order of play, for Thursday.

THURSDAY’S ORDER OF PLAY (NO.1 COURT, FROM 13.00 BST)

Thompson vs Tsitsipas
Swiatek vs Pattinama Kerkhove
De Minaur vs Draper#Wimbledon

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2022

Norrie gets the break! The ninth seed follows it up with a strong hold and all of a sudden, he’s 5-3 up over Munar in the first set.

Share this post

Similar Posts