Murray disappointed as Swiatek on form

SEBASTIEN BOZONAFP

Novak Djokovic showed again why he remains invincible at Wimbledon, young rival Carlos Alcaraz graced Centre Court for the first time and Andy Murray's hopes ended in Greek tragedy on another marathon day at the grasscourt slam on Friday.

Serbia's Djokovic, chasing records on multiple fronts, left it late to book his place in round four, beating Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-1 7-6(5) just before Wimbledon's 11pm curfew.
Spain's world number Alcaraz is a round behind because of this week's rain but picked up speed with a 6-4 7-6(2) 6-3 victory against Frenchman Alexandre Muller.

Women's top seed Iga Swiatek continued her serene progress with a third successive straight sets win -- this time against Croatia's Petra Martic 6-2 7-5.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka suffered a scare though before hitting back to beat Varvara Gracheva of France 2-6 7-5 6-2.

For British fans, at least, day five fell flat with Murray unable to finish off fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 36-year-old had led two-sets-to-one after Thursday's late night action with hopes he could finish the job on Saturday.
Tsitsipas had other ideas though and silenced the partisan Centre Court crowd to prevail 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4 on the 10th anniversary of Murray's first Wimbledon crown.

Shortly before Murray's demise, Britain's 12th seed Cameron Norrie was bundled out in the second round by in-form American Christopher Eubanks -- a player who dabbles with commentating and who is making his Wimbledon debut.
And to really rub salt into the wounds, home wildcard Liam Broady, who on Thursday stunned fourth seed Casper Ruud, lost to mercurial Canadian Denis Shapovalov 4-6 6-2 7-5 7-5.

A hectic day in the women's draw ended with a shock under the Court One roof as fifth seed Caroline Garcia was outlasted by 32nd seed Marie Bouzkova 7-6(0) 4-6 7-5.
Earlier Lesia Tsurenko won a dramatic match against Ana Bogdan after saving five match points and winning a 38-point tiebreak, the longest in women's singles Grand Slam history.
The Ukrainian and her fellow unseeded opponent from Romania split the opening two sets but an incredible battle unfolded at 6-6 as Tsurenko dug deep to win the breaker 20-8.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur made quick work of Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan with a 6-1 6-1 win in 45 minutes while twice former champion Petra Kvitova cruised into the third round after the ninth seed beat Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-2.
She was joined by Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk whose Spanish opponent Paula Badosa retired with a back injury. Badosa, the 25-year-old girlfriend of Tsitsipas, also pulled out of the mixed doubles in which she was scheduled to play alongside him.

Last year's quarter-finalist Jannik Sinner of Italy, seeded eighth, recovered from a poor start to beat Frenchman Quentin Halys 3-6 6-2 6-3 6-4, while Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev downed Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-3 7-6(5).


More from Sports

  • Wimbledon to introduce video review technology

    Wimbledon will introduce video review technology this year that will allow players to challenge judgement calls made by the chair umpire, the Grand Slam's organisers said on Saturday.

  • Sabalenka defeats Ann Li at rain-hit Miami Open

    World number one and newly crowned Indian Wells champion Aryna Sabalenka has survived a stern battle against her American opponent, grinding out a 7-6(5) 6-4 victory to reach the third round.

  • Draper, Ruud knocked out at rain-hit Miami Open

    Britain's Jack Draper has suffered a surprise defeat to American Reilly Opelka in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday, while Ethan Quinn claimed the biggest win of his career by upsetting 11th seed Casper Ruud.

  • Alisson ruled out of Brazil squad due to injury

    Alisson will miss Brazil’s international friendlies against France and Croatia next week after the goalkeeper was ruled out with an injury, the Brazilian Football Federation said on Friday.

  • Maguire sees red as Man Utd held to draw at Bournemouth

    Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was shown a red card for conceding the penalty that led to Bournemouth grabbing a 2-2 Premier League draw at the Vitality Stadium on Friday, the home side twice coming from behind to secure a point.