Key events
Regular readers may recall we’ve been wondering what on earth is going on as regards the colour beige – both Roger Federer and David Beckham turned up wearing it earlier this week, but this? This is something else.
Preamble
Morning all and welcome to Wimbledon 2023 – day four!
I can’t say I like it when it rains, but when it gives us a schedule like the one we’re about to enjoy, it’s hard to complain too much. The highlight is, of course, Andy Murray v Stefanos Tsitsipas, a battle between yesterday and today that could get extremely intense. We’ll preview it properly in due course, but Murray grew into his first-round match and is clearly more confident in his body than for some time. He’ll know that Tsitsipas is no grass-court specialist and will target an aesthetic but vulnerable backhand while keeping the points as long as possible. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, will feel grooved having won a five-set thriller last evening, and will look to keep Murray moving by attacking corners and lines.
But they’re not on till much later. Before that, Liam Broady meets Casper Ruud and Alize Cornet challenges the champ, Elena Rybakina – and that’s just on Centre. On Court 1, we’ve got Alexander Zverev, Jessica Pegula, and a nasty assignment for Donna Vekic, the number 20 seed, against the in-form Sloane Stephens.
And then there are the outside courts! No2 kicks off with a jazzer, Elise Mertens v Elina Svitolina, doesn’t let-up with Andrey Rublev v Aslan Karatsev, and also features a tricky engagement for Daniil Medvedev against Adrian Mannarino. Goodness me, I can’t list every match, but Tomás Martín Etcheverry v Stan Wawrinka could be great, I’ve been buzzing for Karolína Muchová v Jule Niemeier for what seems like a week now, and Mario Berrettini v Lorenzo Sonego has been great so far.
Add to that Caroline Garcia, Katie Boulter, Frances Tiafoe, Sofia Kenin, Barbora Krejcikova, Denis Shapovalov, Lorenzo Musetti, Choinski v Hurkacz, Bouzkova v Kontaveit and Raonic v Paul, and I’ve not a clue how we’re going to keep track of everything … but we will!
Play: 11am BST outside courts, 1pm BST Court 1, 1.30pm BST Centre Court