WIMBLEDON holder Novak Djokovic will be aiming to book a semi-final spot when he takes on Jannik Sinner on Centre Court THIS AFTERNOON.
The Serbian has been labelled a favourite to win the competition despite Rafael Nadal showcasing his talent in yesterday's fourth round tie.
Ons Jabeur is also on course to secure her first Grand Slam but the Tunisian star has Marie Bouzkova to deal with later on.
And Cam Norrie will be over on Court No.1 this afternoon hoping to make the British fanbase proud once again.
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- Justin Lawrence
Nad at all
Rafa Nadal refused to answer questions about the strapping on his stomach after his fourth round win over Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nadal will now feature in the competition's quarter-final stage, but dodged any health queries ahead of the bout.
He said post-match: "In the other hand I am a little bit tired to talk about my body.
"It's not about that I don't want to answer your question, but in the same time sometimes I am tired about myself, all the issues that I am having.
"I prefer to not talk about that now. Sorry for that. But I am in the middle of the tournament and I have to keep going, no?
"All respect for the rest of the opponents. I am just trying my best every single day.
"For the moment I am healthy enough to keep going and fight for the things that I want."
- Justin Lawrence
What to expect today
An action-packed day of tennis awaits fans today at Wimbledon in the quarter-finals.
In the men's singles, British hope Cameron Norries goes up against David Goffin.
While Novak Djokovic entertains Jannik Sinner in what should be a scintillating clash.
And women's title favourite 0ns Jabeur takes on Marie Bouzkova.
Djokovic and Jabeur get things underway at 1.30 pm, followed by a multitude of games thereafter.
- Joshua Jones
That's a wrap for Day Eight
There we go, then.
Rafa Nadal, Taylor Fritz, Nick Kyrgios and Cristian Garin are through to the quarter-finals on the men's side.
On the ladies, it is Simona Halep, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova and Ajla Tomljanovic progressing.
A rough day for the Brits who lost four out of four in the various doubles events.
Tomorrow is Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner and Britain's Cameron Norrie vs David Goffin for places in the semis – as well as Marie Bouzkova vs Ons Jabeur and Tatjana Maria vs Jule Niemeier.
And rest assured, we will have all the updates and drama from SW19 for you throughout the day.
Credit: Reuters
- Joshua Jones
Nadal tight lipped on abs
We saw earlier Nadal had some strapping on his abs.
SunSport tried to get some more infortmation on the issue but the Spaniard kept his cards very close to his chest…
Q. You talk about physical issues. We saw some kind of strapping or tape on your abdomen or belly. How is it? What's the issue there?
Nadal: "Thanks for the question, but I say the other day.
"In the other hand I am a little bit tired to talk about my body. It's not about that I don't want to answer your question, but in the same time sometimes I am tired about myself, all the issues that I am having. I prefer to not talk about that now. Sorry for that.
"But I am in the middle of the tournament and I have to keep going, no?
"All respect for the rest of the opponents. I am just trying my best every single day. For the moment I am healthy enough to keep going and fight for the things that I want."
- Joshua Jones
'UNPREDICTABLE'
AELTC CEO Sally Bolton responded: “The reality of running a tennis event is that once you start the day you have no idea when the day is going to finish.
“Matches are long and short, so it is pretty unpredictable.
“When we look at the scheduling, we think about as much as we can, what the day is going to look like.
“But ultimately once the players are on court, we don’t have any control over how long matches run for.
“Yes, we have seen some matches go late this year.
“We think about that in the scheduling process but we’re certainly not moving to night sessions.
“Of course at the other grand slams they are playing far later into the evening.
“It’s not a particularly unusual occurrence for the players at grand slams.
“Other than we continually review what we do, but there are no plans to move the start time back an hour.
“We have had some long matches this Championships. We can all consider how we will predict the future.
“We have had longer matches, longer than we have anticipated in some instances.”
Credit: PA - Joshua Jones
Speaking of the show going on…
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have been told to put up with the late-night tennis at Wimbledon.
Throughout these Championships action on Centre Court and No1 Court has frequently been played beyond sunset.
That is because the first of three singles matches don’t start until 1.30pm and 1pm respectively on the two biggest show courts.
Extra time is spent on closing the roof for rain and light and there also on-court post-match interviews, which were introduced for the first time in 2021.
Muzza, 35, is not a fan of playing late into the night and has questioned the scheduling this year.
And defending champion Djokovic – who beat Tim van Rijthoven in the fourth round on Sunday night with 22 minutes to spare before the 11pm council curfew – has called for earlier start-times to the daily sessions.
- Joshua Jones
The show goes on for Andy
Andy Murray plans to play a tournament on grass – just days after the men’s Wimbledon final on Sunday.
The three-time Slam champion is ranked No52 in the world and lost to 20th seed John Isner in the Wimbledon second round last week.
Muzza is desperate to earn seeding for the US Open, which would mean he can avoid facing the best players in the opening two rounds.
SunSport understands he will play the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, which starts next Monday.
The Scot, 35, then intends to stay in the United States and train with head coach Ivan Lendl and probably play either the events in Atlanta or Washington.
There are then Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati before the US Open starts in New York on August 29.
The Scot played the Newport event in 2005 – immediately after his first ever Wimbledon appearance – and 2006.
- Joshua Jones
Words from the winner
Here's what Nadal had to say on court after finally wrapping up that victory…
"I think I continued in a positive way. Until the end where I played a bad game. I played a good match against a difficult opponent and I wish him all the best.
"In a personal way, for me to be able to be in quarter-finals after three years it's amazing for me so very, very happy."
On facing Fritz next, he added: "Every match is different. He is playing well and having a very good year including a first Masters 1000 title, against me by the way, but we will be in the quarter-final of Wimbledon, so what will I expect."
On the centenary celebrations, Nadal concluded: "Yesterday was a beautiful thing sharing court with legends of our sport. Centre Court for 100 years is something very special."
- Joshua Jones
Mixed doubles done
Wins for both Gauff & Sock and also for Ebden & Stosur.
Ebden's match lasted two hours and ten minutes.
That takes his tally to just the five hours and 59 minutes on court today.
- Joshua Jones
Fritz up next
Nadal is through to the quarter-finals and this may well be his best performance of the fortnight so far.
He faces American No11 seed Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals – with the winner of that facing Nick Kyrgios or Cristian Garin in the semis.
Fritz beat an injured Nadal in the final of Indian Wells earlier in the year and he is yet to drop a set this fortnight.
He will undoubtedly be the sternest challenge Rafa has faced so far and an upset could be on the cards.
- Joshua Jones
A leap of joy
Nadal cannot hide his utter relief as that overhead bounced just outside the tramline.
The Calendar Grand Slam is ten matches away…
A slight wobble at the end there but overall a dominant performance from Rafael Nadal.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 7-6 Van De Zandschulp
Great serve bang on the line from Rafa and Botic cannot get it back in.
The challenge from Botic may have been more to buy a few more seconds than because he thought it was out…
A fourth match point…
Seconds serve, baseline rally, Botic comes in, Rafa puts up the lob and BOTIC SMASHES WIDE! Just wide.
It's all over!
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 6-6 (6-6) Van De Zandschulp
First serve into the net…
Second serve on to the forehand.
Botic finds the baseline.
Nadal fires a backhand OUT!
Three match points gone.
We carry on going…
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 6-6 (6-5) Van De Zandschulp
Nadal somehow makes the return at 6-4 as it loops up and drops in…
But Botic nails a backhand up the line to save a second match point.
Over to Rafa…
- Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 6-6 (6-4) Van De Zandschulp*
Van de Zandschulp sends one long – he gives a hopeful look to his box, as if to ask whether he should challenge or not, but they also know it just missed the line.
Nadal leads 5-2 and has two points on serve…
But Botic earns one mini-break back by failing to execute a forehand volley as the ball nestles into the net rather than the luscious lawn the other side.
Van de Zanschulp goes too big on a forehand and Nadal has three match points…
The first is saved as Nadal nets a forehand on the run going for the dramatic pass.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 6-6 (4-2) Van De Zandschulp*
He gifts he mini-break back though as he needlessly goes long. That was totally avoidable from the reigning Australian and French Open champion.
Van de Zandschulp himself fires long on the next Rafa service point, though.
We are on serve as Nadal leads 3-2.
THAT IS RALLY OF THE MATCH!
What an effort from both men, ripping it, angling it, crushing it from the back of the court… until Van de Zandschulp tries to mix it up with the drop shot and it hits the net.
That rally had 30 (THIRTY) shots. Wow. Advantage Nadal as they grab a sip of water.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 6-6 (2-1) Van De Zandschulp
Perfect start for Nadal as he takes the opening point…
And then he gets the immediate mini-break with a dreamy backhand up the line right in the corner – think the equivalent of the postage stamp in a football goal.
Botic gets on the scoreboard for 2-1 but it's advantage Nadal…
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 6-6 Van De Zandschulp
Bish.
Bash.
Bosh.
Botic.
A hold to love.
And just a few minutes after Nadal served for the match, he must win this tie-break to avoid going into a fourth set.
Should Botic win it, the roof will be closed.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 6-5 Van De Zandschulp*
How many times have we seen that play from Nadal over the years on this court?
The ferociousness of the forehand up the line followed by the beauty and delicacy of the backhand drop volley into the open space.
Tennis or art? I'm not sure anymore.
Rafa follows it up by grinding his opponent down as the Dutchman eventually goes long, breaking under the relentless pressure from the No2 seed.
A similar thing happens at 30-0 and Nadal sees out the hold when Botic nets a forehand return.
Can VDZ force a tie-break or will Rafa find the break?
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 5-5 Van De Zandschulp
Another unforced error sees a forehand sail long from the iconic Babolat racket of Nadal.
And NADAL IS DOWN…. Is he okay?!
He brilliantly chases down an angled drop shot and gets it back into play, but takes a heavy slip and is down on the turf.
Botic comes over to check his opponent is okay – and gets a thumbs up in response.
No signs of any damage down, especially at 40-0 as he sprints to get a short ball and flicks it away nonchalantly.
But a big backhand winner levels this set up. That's 5-5.
A collective groan from the media who were daydreaming of a slightly earlier finish tonight…
Credit: AFP - Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 5-4 Van De Zandschulp*
Blimey, who saw that coming?
Not me!
Rafa saved the first break point but went long on the second with a backhand slice and hands the break back.
Is there another twist in the tale?
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 5-3 Van De Zandschulp
A double fault is not the ideal start to the game, neither is a backhand long.
Could Botic break back?! 0-30…
And then Nadal nets a forehandafter doing so well to get his way back into the rally.
Nadal beats his racket strings again in frustration – he's done that a few times today!
Three break points…
- Joshua Jones
Nadal* 6-4 6-2 5-3 Van De Zandschulp
Down 30-15, Nadal produces another perfect drop backhand volley.
Excellent again from one of the greatest volleyers of all time.
Botic puts away a tidy smash at deuce and then a forehand return in the net keep this match going.
Van de Zandschulp must break here…
- Joshua Jones
Three other matches
There are three mixed doubles matches still going on.
The pick of the bunch is American duo Jack Sock and Coco Gauff on Court No2.
They have taken the first set 6-3 against French pair Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Alize Cornet.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal 6-4 6-2 5-2 Van De Zandschulp*
No nastiness from Nadal who resists the urge to smash an overhead near his opponent and delicately plays it safely past Botic.
But there is no mercy on the next point as he pings the ball from corner to corner.
VDZ nets at 30-0 and a service winner means Nadal is suddenly a game away from victory.
Just 110 minutes on the clock.
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