Wimbledon so he just did his best. Simple really, and the crowd love him; I can’t wait to see him again.
Seyboth Wild, who rose to fame after beating Daniil Medvedev in Paris last year, just about gets it done, coming back from two sets down for the first time in his career. He bussed five match points before finally seeing out a fantastic match, a late break allowing him to serve out. He faces Rune (15) or Kwon next.
What a performance that is from the 23-year-old, a coming-out party of coming-out parties! He played superbly today, with energy and fire but also composure and patience. Spare a thought for poor Rublev, who took out his fury on himself once again – I hope someone offers him an ear and some advice – but otherwise, the day is Comesana’s. Prior to today he’d only played once on grass in his life, but he’s be playing at least once more this week – against Coria or Walton. He’ll fancy himself against either, I shouldn’t wonder.
Ach, and he swipes a backhand down the line and wide to cede his advantage. A big serve, though, means Rublev is still down match point when he gets the balls, the crowd going wild. AND RUBLEV NETS A BACKHAND!
Rublev finds a terrific kick-serve that Comesana can’t return, then an inside-out forehand into the corner makes 4-5. Comesana, though, has two serves with which to finish this.
Comesana gets the mini-break for 4-2 – he’s three points from victory, and a booming serve out wide is too good! Rublev is almost gawn!
Comesana holds for a fourth-set breaker against Rublev, while Boulter and Maria are just starting theirs … and what on earth?! Paul Jubb, having saved five match points, breaks Seyboth Wild back, and they’re now 5-5 in the fifth! What an incredible match this is!
Biggup Paul Jubb! He saves all three match points, then another … and holds for 4-5! Seyboth wild will have to serve for it!
Routine for Djokovic, who faces Fearnley or Moro Canas next.
Now then! At 5-5 30-all, Comesana hangs in a rally – with help from Rublev, who should finish it but doesn’t – and a forehand pass down the line raises break point! Rublev, though, finds first serves when he needs them to go up 6-5, while Seyboth Wild raises three match points against Jubb…
Comesana, tatted and earringed up, secures a monstrous hold for 5-5 in the fourth, and Rublev is ticking. Of course he is.
Djokovic now leads Kopriva 6-1 6-2 4-2 – we’re nearly done there, I’d imagine – while Boulter is serving to stay in set one, down 4-5 to Maria. Oh, and on 12, GBG favourite, Jelena Ostapenko (13) leads Ajla Tomljanovic 4-1, but never underestimate her ability to ruin things for herself.
I neglected to note that De Minaur is through, but he is – in good time to watch Boulter, his significant other. He saw off Duckworth 6,6 and 6, to set up a meeting with Jaume Munar – who beat Billy Harris in four.
In my French Open preview I drew your attention to this lad – he ended up losing a thriller to David Goffin in round one – but keep focused, because he’s going to be something. Next for him it’s Nishioka.
Maria started like a train but Boulter breaks back and is now serving at 3-4. She lacks the weapons to get all that much higher than the 32 she’s seeded her, and she’s not someone I’d expect to see in the later stages of a major, but she’s solid and tough, so you ndever know.
Next on No 1 Court: Iga Swiatek (1) v Sofia Kenin. This should be a belter, and if Kenin is at it, I actually fancy her.
Source: theguardian.com
