Wimbledon 2024 LIVE: Tennis scores as Emma Raducanu faces Elise Mertens after shock Andy Murray announcement
After Jack Draper’s dramatic win overnight under the Centre Court roof following Andy Murray’s withdrawal, Raducanu returns today to face Elise Mertens
Emma Raducanu is back at Wimbledon today and faces Elise Mertens for a place in the third round at SW19, after it was confirmed that she will play alongside Andy Murray in the mixed doubles.
Murray was forced to pull out of his final singles match at the Championships after ruling that he had not recovered from a back operation in time. The two-time champion will play in the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie on Thursday but his on-court swansong will continue in the mixed doubles alongside Raducanu, the former US Open champion.
Elsewhere today, Carlos Alcaraz, who raced into the second round to begin his title defence on Monday, now skips over to No.1 Court to play Australian Aleksandar Vukic. World No.1 Jannik Sinner is back today, too, in an all-Italian affair with former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, while Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are also scheduled to take to court.
Follow all the latest updates and live scores from Wimbledon below:
Wimbledon 2024: Emma Raducanu vs Elise Mertens
Here we go! The players are out on Court, with the roof still closed on No 1.
Wimbledon: Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu to play mixed doubles
In case you missed it earlier, Andy Murray’s Wimbledon farewell will include an appearance in the mixed doubles alongside Emma Raducanu, with Britain’s two grand slam champions entering the draw as wildcards.
The 37-year-old has revealed how a dream partnership came about and said: “We’d spoken about it a few years ago during the Covid year, but obviously both of us ended up doing quite well in singles so it didn’t happen,” he said.
“And then yesterday I was chatting to my team, they were discussing mixed and then last night I messaged her coach and just said, ‘Look, do you think this is something that maybe she’d be up for doing?’ He said it was worth asking. I asked her and she said yeah she’d be up for it.
“It should be fun. I have played mixed doubles a few times when I was young and then the last time was with Serena. I really enjoyed it, it’s something we rarely get to do.
“And to get a chance to do it with Emma, well it’s my last chance to do it, so it should be good.”
Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu to play Wimbledon mixed doubles
Murray and Raducanu will play together in what is the 37-year-old’s final appearance at SW19
Wimbledon 2024: Shock alert!
With bleach blonde hair, the 37-year-old Fabio Fognini has dumped out No 8 seed and three-time grand slam finalist Casper Ruud in four sets!
Forza, Fabio 🇮🇹
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 3, 2024
The ever-entertaining @fabiofogna is into the third round after defeating Ruud, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 🍿#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1h9v5VlNm6
Wimbledon 2024: Emma Raducanu vs Elise Mertens
All set on Court No 1 as Emma Raducanu takes on Elise Merters for a place in the Wimbledon third round. Raducanu was happy to be “winning ugly” as she marked her Wimbledon return with a scrappy win over the lucky loser Renata Zarazua on Monday, but Mertens, the world No 33 in singles, is a step up in class for the former US Open champion.
The 21-year-old is aiming to enjoy Wimbledon as much as possible and said after her opening win: “I think that each match I win should be celebrated a lot.
“I think for me, because I know how hard matches are to win. I think that now having had a few wins under my belt, I really cherishing every single one because I know how difficult it is to be on the flip side of it.
“Results-wise I have no expectations. I just have expectations of myself to really put myself on the line on the court and fight and not let any frustrations get to me.”
Players will be on court at 5pm.
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz reacts to victory over Aleksandar Vukic
"I’m really happy about my performance, the first set was the key to me, he served for the set, but after that I played a great tie-break and a really high level, so I’m really happy about that.
“It was difficult to close the set, I knew he was going to be the same, I had to be there, a few returns in and some winners, it was a really good game for me, in those situations you have to increase your level, try to be aggressive, your style, that’s all I thought it that situation, it was really helpful for me.
“I’m going for himi [Tiafoe]! We played a really good match at the US Open, a really talented player. Even tougher on grass, his style, good touch, good volley, it’ll be a really difficult match for me, and I’m ready to take that challenge.
“Play a really high level of tennis and hopefully I’ll take him.”
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz v Aleksandar Vukic
Alcaraz *7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-2 Vukic
This has been ruthless, three easy points and the No.1 Court crowd rises in anticipation.
ACE! GAME, SET, MATCH!
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz v Aleksandar Vukic
Alcaraz *7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 5-2 Vukic
A change of ends and Alcaraz readies himself to serve out the match.
A gutsy move from Vukic to hold there at least and even though the second and third sets have got away from him, he’s given a decent account of himself here.
So far, 40 winners for Alcaraz to Vukic’s 17 and that’s really been the difference. In big moments, Alcaraz has snatched back-breaking points to sway momentum.
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz v Aleksandar Vukic
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 3-1* Vukic
Alcaraz pulling Vukic around the court now and brings the Aussie to the net, but he can’t control the pass.
A second serve kicks up and Vukic can’t control that one back, even at 108mph, two game points to solidify the break.
And Vukic saves one, pumping a forehand across court and sending Alcaraz tumbling. Impressive change of pace!
GAME! And there it is, chopping down on a backh and volley that appears to stick at his feet, the ball creeping over the net and clinching a 3-1 lead in the third.
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz v Aleksandar Vukic
Alcaraz 7-6 (7-5), 6-2* Vukic
That one is bludgeoned! A perfectly-hit backhand that just races past a helpless Vukic and cements a two-set lead.
A brisk, 27-minute set and valuable energy saved. Vukic never really responded after that brutal tie-break denied him a famous lead.
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