Watch the highlights as Britain’s Andy Murray fights back to beat German qualifier Oscar Otte 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-2 in a five-set thriller on Centre Court to advance into the Wimbledon third round.
Watch some of the best moments from day three at Wimbledon including Katie Boulter’s brilliant performance against Aryna Sabalenka and a ball boy’s woes.
Richard Gasquet has lost against Roger Federer 18 times, and in their past 10 matches he has not won a set against the all-time great. But the Frenchman is still excited to get another chance to play the eight-time champion in the second round at Wimbledon.
“I’m playing for this. When I was in the first round, I saw the draw. I knew I could play Roger in the second round,” Gasquet told ATPTour.com. “Of course it’s wonderful for me, because I will play on Centre Court. It’s Roger Federer. I’ve played him many times. I’m practising for this.”
The 35-year-old has won 15 ATP Tour titles and earned nearly $19 million in prize money. He has achieved a lot of that because of his artistic style, so it speaks volumes that the Frenchman raves about the beauty of Federer’s game.
“He’s the best player of course. His technique is amazing. Sometimes we are talking a lot about the best player in history or something like that [and wonder] who will win the most Grand Slams,” Gasquet said. “But of course there are other things. There is technique, the beauty of the game, the motion. He’s a classic player, he’s an incredible player, the best player to watch. There is only one Roger Federer.”
Gasquet has not been at his best in recent years as he has struggled to stay healthy, most glaringly undergoing groin surgery two years ago. Once the No. 7 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings, he is still battling to earn chances like this against a legend.
“[I had] some injuries the past two years, so of course I’m just trying to be healthy, to do my best. I’m still focusing on the game, I really love it. That’s why I’m still playing,” Gasquet said. “I’m trying my best and it’s crazy for me to play against… Roger Federer. It’s a big chance for me to go there and try my best to play the best match and win.”
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Although Federer has dominated their ATP Head2Head rivalry in recent years, claiming their past 22 sets, Gasquet owns two victories against the 39-year-old Swiss. Both of those wins came in final-set tie-breaks on clay, in Monte-Carlo in 2005 and in Rome 10 years ago.
Gasquet has enjoyed success on grass before, winning three of his tour-level titles on the surface. He has reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon twice, with Federer taking him out at that stage in 2007.
One thing the World No. 56 will take into the match is a recent experience against Rafael Nadal, who like Federer is a 20-time Grand Slam champion. The Frenchman played the Spanish lefty in the second round at Roland Garros and fell in straight sets. This time, he will try to flip the script on the London lawns.
“I’m still playing on big stages, I did at Roland Garros. I can do it again here on Centre Court,” Gasquet said. “Many years I didn’t play on it, so I’m very happy I can face him again. I’ll try my best to win.”
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After two days of persistent rain, Day 3 at The Championships promises to be a hectic affair as first-round action continues and second rounds get underway at Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will hope to bring some rays of sunshine to fans as they headline the Centre Court schedule.
Djokovic, the top seed and two-time defending champion, will face a familiar foe in the second round as he meets Kevin Anderson in the first match of the day. It will be the pair’s 12th tour-level match, with Djokovic going into the encounter with a 9-2 lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head.
Two of their most memorable meetings took place at the All England Club. In 2015, Anderson pushed eventual champion Djokovic to 6-7(6), 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 in their Round of 16 battle, the only time in the tournament that Djokovic dropped sets before the final (d. Federer).
And of course three years later, they met on the biggest stage as they contested the 2018 championship match at Wimbledon. That time, Djokovic swept past the South African 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) to claim the title.
“In the big moments and on the centre courts, he’s been there so many times. He has a lot of confidence and comfort in those situations as well,” Anderson said of facing Djokovic again on Centre Court. “And of course he’s a fighter. I’ve played some matches with him where it’s been really close and he is always not giving anything [away].
“It’s not going to be easy, but I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.”
[TENNIS POINT]Later in the day, two-time former champion Murray will close out Centre Court action as he faces German qualifier Oscar Otte, who is making his main draw debut at Wimbledon.
Murray was tested in his opening match, but managed to win in four sets as he upset 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in his first Wimbledon singles match since 2017. The resilient Brit sent a clear message after the victory:
“I keep getting asked, ‘Is this going to be my last Wimbledon, last match?’ I don’t know why I keep getting asked about it,” Murray said on court. “No, I’m going to keep playing. I want to play… I can still play at the highest level. He’s ranked 28th in the world and I haven’t hardly played any matches and I beat him.”
Also in action, fifth seed Andrey Rublev will take on Lloyd Harris on Court 18 as he seeks to reach the third round at Wimbledon for the first time. Frances Tiafoe, fresh off an upset over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, will be in action on Court 5 as he hopes to keep the momentum going against Vasek Pospisil.
Elsewhere at the All England Club, there are five first-round singles matches to finish and 21 that have yet to start as second round action gets underway.
Gael Monfils, the 13th seed, will hope to get the job done as he leads Christopher O’Connell 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5), 4-6, 3-2 in a rain-affected first-round encounter that is now entering its third day. Monfils got back on even terms at 4-6, 6-2 before darkness halted play on Monday, and managed two and a half more sets on Tuesday before matches were suspended due to rain.
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Tournament organisers have also announced that men’s doubles, which was set to start on Wednesday, will not be scheduled for Day 3. The matches will be shortened from best-of-five sets to best-of-three sets for first and second rounds.
American great Serena Williams breaks down in tears as her latest attempt for an elusive record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title is cruelly ended by injury.