Day 4 traditionally produces 16 of the happiest men in tennis. This year only 14 qualifiers can be determined today owing to rain delays from yesterday.
Cold but dry weather greets me as I start in new stands on Court 11. Taylor Fritz plays well to beat Millot in three. He’s this year’s first happy qualifier. Go Fritzi. I stay in my seat for Willis vs Marchenko. A year ago Willis played a charming match against Federer on Centre Count. He is outplayed in 3 sets but it’s good fun as he hits many drop shots and looping balls.
Lastly, I see the final game of Stakhovsky winning 8-6 over Ito before joining Rublev and Mathieu at a set each and 3-3 in the third. Good drama in this set as Mathieu serves at 11-10 in the tiebreaker, Rublev makes a miracle net cord dribbler and takes the 3rd in a 13-11 tiebreaker.
The 4th doesn’t lack for drama as they reach 4-4 having traded breaks twice. Rublev takes the next two for the match.
I got lucky today as it was close to raining the entire day but was dry throughout.
Looking forward to the main event on Monday.
Cheers
Richard