BRITS are back in action today at Wimbledon as Heather Watson and Cam Norrie face last-16 clashes.
Watson is up first on Centre Court as she takes on Jule Niemeier while Norries is up against American Tommy Paul.
And later on, defending champion Novak Djokovic takes on Tim van Rijthoven.
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- Joshua Jones
Today's Centre Court schedule
For a first official Middle Sunday at Wimbledon, it's not bad at all.
First up on Centre is it Brit Heather Watson in a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time.
She faces German Jule Niemeir.
Then it is arguably the standout match of the day as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz do battle.
Last up it is defending champ and top seed Novak Djokovic against Dutch wildcard Tim van Rijthoven.
Carlos Alcaraz takes on Jannik Sinner second on CentreCredit: Getty - Joshua Jones
Middle Sunday action
That's right, tennis fans.
There is no stop to the action this fortnight – with the Middle Sunday now scrapped.
That means no more Manic Monday with all the last-16 matches – and no rest for the grass.
Instead, we are in store for another cracking day on the lawns of SW19.
- Kostas Lianos
Good morning tennis fans
Nick Kyrgios beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in an absolute thriller, which saw both players being given warnings by the umpire, and reached the Wimbledon fourth round in a dramatic and fiery four-set encounter.
Kyrgios called for Tsitsipas to be defaulted after the Greek star hit a ball into the crowd and narrowly missed a spectator when he lost the second set.
The Australian had already received a warning for an obscenity while his opponent was punished with a point penalty as he responded to an underarm serve by hitting the ball away in frustration.
In a game that had it all, Kyrgios eventually stood tall and sealed a thrilling win with a score of 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 7-6 (9-7) under the Court One roof.
He is now set to meet Brandon Nakashima next, after the 20-year-old beat Daniel Galan 6-4 6-4 6-1.
Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal defeated Lorenzo Sonego to also reach the fourth round with a score of 6-1 6-2 6-4 following a stunning performance.
But their match ended with boos as Nadal continued a heated discussion with Sonego, with whom he had words in the third set.
The Spaniard said: “I didn't make it in a negative way. I feel sorry if I bothered him but I did it in a right way.
"I feel really bad now if I bothered him so I feel sorry for that. That's it – I will talk to him after but this is not a problem"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios praised opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas after their Wimbledon thriller.
Kyrgios added: "Honestly, it was a hell of an atmosphere, an amazing match. I felt like the favourite coming in, I beat him a couple of weeks ago.
"He's a hell of a player, he knows how to beat me, he's beaten me once. I'm so happy to be through. He [Tsitsipas] was getting frustrated at times and it is a frustrating sport.
"I have ultimate respect for him, whatever happens on the court I love him and I'm close with his brother.
"It's amazing, everywhere I go I seem to have full stadiums. The media loves to say I'm bad for the sport but clearly I'm not"
- Kostas Lianos
Nick Kyrgios reacts
Nick Kyrgios defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in an absolute thriller at Wimbledon.
During his post-match interview, Kyrgios said he always considered himself the favourite.
He said: "I felt like I was the favourite. I beat him a few weeks ago and he's only beaten me once.
"He got frustrated, it's a frustrating sport. Whatever happens, I love him"
- James Orr
Kyrgios win latest
Kyrgios was livid at the end of the second set when Tsitsipas fired a ball into the spectators, narrowly missing one, and called for the Greek to be kicked out of the tournament.
The request fell on deaf ears but Tsitsipas later received a point penalty when he walloped a shot into the crowd in frustration to an underarm serve from his Aussie opponent.
In all the mayhem, it was easy to lose sight of the fact one of the hot favourites was sent packing, as Kyrgios came through 6-7 6-4 6-3 7-6.
- James Orr
Kyrgios X-RATED rant in win
Foul-mouth Nick Kyrgios demanded opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas be disqualified for hitting a ball into the crowd – then dumped the No4 seed out anyway.
In one of the feistiest clashes at SW19 this year – or any year – unseeded Kyrgios dropped several F-bombs and called for the umpire to be replaced.
Both players were warned for their behaviour and each ranted at man-in-the-chair Damien Dumusois on a number of occasions.
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Rafa Nadal wins
Rafa Nadal beat Lorenzo Sonego in the third round at Wimbledon.
Nadal and Sonego exchanged words in the final game and then at the net when the match was over.
It is believed the Spaniard took exception to noises made by the Italian during points.
Nadal said post-match: “Not spicy at all. From the bottom of my heart, I didn’t make it in a negative way.
“I am sorry if I bothered him, I wanted to tell him something. I did it in a nice way.
"Now I feel bad if I am bothered him. I was talking to him, and I will talk to him later. This is not a problem at all”
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 4-4 Tsitsipas
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas were offered a warm-up before the match resumed but they wanted to go straight back into the game.
Tsitsipas is at 30-all as is forehand looks a little rusty and that leads to two wild ones
- James Orr
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 4-4 Tsitsipas*
Just a few minutes for the roof to come on at Centre Court and the players are back out.
Here we go!
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 2-3 Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas is not too far behind Nick Kyrgios on the angry department.
Tsitsipas is hitting the ball hard after firing it to the crowd twice!
Kyrgios is off on another rant as he complains to his box about their lack of advice since the first set
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-3 0-0 Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas finding things hard against Nick Kyrgios in the last few minutes.
A couple of sloppy backhands and a mid-court forehand wide see him go 0-40 down after three break-points
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 3-1 Tsitsipas
A crazy match taking place at Wimbledon between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios earns a break point after Tsitsipas incorrectly challenges for a call
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 Tsitsipas
Nick Kyrgios is fuming at the umpire during his match with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios is complaining that Tsitsipas fired a ball to the crowd and wants him to be defaulted.
The Australian yells: "You're a disgrace."
"I'm not playing until we get to the bottom of this."
Tsitsipas, who takes the opportunity to go to the loo, gets a warning while a supervisor comes out to talk to Kyrgios
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 4-4 Tsitsipas
The big third-round match between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas is picking up some steam with the crowd roaring at the entertaining encounter.
Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal is dominating against Lorenzo Sonego
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7) 2-1 Tsitsipas
Pressure is piling up between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios is moaning at the chair umpire during the change of ends, shaking his head
Meanwhile, it only took 16 minutes for Rafa Nadal to get the break against Lorenzo Sonego
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 5-5 Tsitsipas
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas are facing off in quite a nail-biter.
But who will blink first?
- Kostas Lianos
Kyrgios 2-3 Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon's third round.
Tsitsipas is ahead in this tough encounter.
Meanwhile, fourth seed Paula Badosa is into the fourth round after eliminating Petra Kvitova
- Kostas Lianos
More from Watson
Heather Watson continued praising her Wimbledon surrogate family.
Watson added: “The most important thing is that I feel at home there and it’s just so convenient. It’s right next to Aorangi and I can just walk to the club every day.
“They have seen me grow up and they were in the box supporting me in the last match. They’re like family, they have been with me through it all.
“Even the 2012 London Olympics, I stayed there. I’ve always had the faith about the fourth round, I knew my time would come and it’s here. And it is here.
“I play because I love it, I want to do well. Tennis means everything to me, it’s what I have been doing pretty much my whole life, so I don’t think about that”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Watson's special thanks
Heather Watson has thanked her 12-year Wimbledon surrogate family for the home comforts during the fortnight ahead of her fourth-round clash with German Jule Niemeier.
Watson said: “I’ve stayed with the same family for the last 12 years. The Skinners, Jane and her two sons, George and James. It’s great when it rains, I can always pop back.
“Secondly, they are like family, I see them throughout the year now and we’re really close.
“Thirdly, Jane, the mum, she’s a chef. Fourthly, they have a dog and I love animals"
- Kostas Lianos
More from Southgate
England manager Gareth Southgate was able to watch Rafa Nadal in the flesh this year.
Southgate was too busy with Euro 2020 this time last year to pay much attention to Wimbledon.
He said: “In the middle of last year’s excitement, we didn’t get to see much at all.
“It’s always great to see top-level players, and it’s an English institution, coming to Wimbledon”
- Kostas Lianos
Southgate's Nadal example
England manager Gareth Southgate has told his players to match tennis legend Rafa Nadal’s consistency and professionalism.
Southgate said: “His consistency over a long period of time and the way he’s looked after himself – the benchmark now for professional athletes is to be as he is.
“All those fine margins that make the difference. For me, the way that the tennis players recover between matches – they play for four or five hours , then they’ve maybe got to go out there and play another big game the next day.
“There are so many elements that you can learn from”
- Alex Cole
'True honour' to win at Wimbledon, says De Minaur
Sydney star Alex de Minaur will now play Chilean Cristian Garín in the Last 16 – neither have been beyond this stage – as the pair benefit from the withdrawal of 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini pre-tournament with Covid.
De Minaur said: “It’s relief. It was harder than I wanted it to be. You get nerves playing in front of an amazing crowd against a Brit.
“There is relief to be in the second week of Wimbledon.
“Wimbledon is such a special tournament, to come here and play here is a true honour.
"I am enjoying every second and trying to ride this wave.”
Credit: Reuters - Alex Cole
De Minaur in straight sets
De Minaur, 23, increased the pressure early in the second set and despite missing out on three break-point opportunities in game three, he gained the advantage in game five instead.
There were occasions when loudmouth Broady would scream ‘Come On’ when his opponent smashed a ball against the net.
But despite his admirable fighting qualities – he twice forced De Minaur to serve for the match in an hour-long set and came four times within earning a third-set tie-break – Broady eventually followed Boulter through the Wimbledon exit door on a rather flat Sporting Saturday.
- Alex Cole
Brit Broady out
Had Broady made it to the next stage, it would have been Britain's most number of individuals at that juncture since 1979.
For Broady, who cannot earn any ranking points for this run, the £120,000 prize money will afford him a decent night out and go some way towards the reinvestment of his tennis.
Unfortunately there were swathes of empty seats in the 12,345-capacity arena by the time Broady began the match of his life.
Throughout the opening week, it has been noticeable that so many Pimm’s-guzzling punters have not been in place by the time action has started on the two big courts.
That said, those who were enjoying a long lunch would have missed the first set given it was all over in 28 minutes.
It was not pretty at times and De Minaur turned the screw with exemplary serving after a key break of serve in game six.
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