Key events

27m agoNoskova defeats Mertens 6-3, 7-5!
42m agoKostyuk defeats Paolini 6-3, 6-2!
3h agoToday's singles order of play
3h agoPreamble

Just as Fritz prepares to serve, Daniel begins his commentary stint. Over to you, Daniel...

Another hold for Fery, this time to 15, and he now leads 0-15 on Cobolli's serve... then 0-30 after reading the drop shot and volleying a winner. Approaching the net may help against Cobolli by disrupting his rhythm and limiting his powerful forehand. Yet Cobolli fights back to 30-all and claims the next two points to make it 2-2.

Fery, on Centre Court for his second straight match after that five-set victory over Dimitrov, opens with a hold to 30, and Cobolli follows suit. So it is 1-1... just as Fritz and Zverev reach No 1 Court, with Fritz handling his jacket removal more smoothly than before. He will hope for similar fluidity on court.

These two have met before despite Fery's limited top-level experience, at the Australian Open in January, where Fery as a qualifier beat an unwell Cobolli in straight sets. Cobolli presents a different challenge today... he is enjoying a career summer after reaching the French Open semifinals and ranks much higher at world No 10, 104 places above Fery.

Kostyuk's strong win brings Arthur Fery onto Centre Court earlier than planned, joining Flavio Cobolli. The British wildcard has handled everything this fortnight with ease and will do so again. The temperature sits at 33C as they warm up, with stands about a quarter full. Fans will return soon to support the local hero, who might have offered Cobolli lodging after the Italian mentioned needing new accommodation following his last-16 win. That could have made for an intriguing breakfast.

Noskova defeats Mertens 6-3, 7-5!

One break per set sufficed for the 21-year-old. Navratilova, Novotna, Kvitova, Krejcikova, Vondrousova... might Noskova become the next Czech star at Wimbledon? Fresh from winning in Berlin, her confidence rivals Kostyuk's. Picking a winner in their semifinal will be tough, as will the balls facing two powerful hitters. "The feelings are incredible," Noskova says. "I was a little bit nervous before the match, I am not going to lie." She hid it well, serving out the match to love without issue.

Paolini won over the Wimbledon crowd by reaching the final two years ago, but Centre Court now has a fresh favorite as Kostyuk signs autographs and a fan praises her dress. She has the style, the shots and on this form will be hard to stop in the semifinals... where she will meet Noskova, who has just closed out a straight-sets win over Mertens.

Kostyuk becomes the second Ukrainian woman to reach the Wimbledon semifinals after Elina Svitolina in 2019 and 2023, and it is her second straight slam semifinal after the French Open. "First time playing on this unbelievable court," the 23-year-old says. "I watched on this court as a spectator once, nine years ago, watching Roger. To be back here as a player it is a dream come true."

Kostyuk defeats Paolini 6-3, 6-2!

Paolini, buoyed by her resurgence at this event after a tough 2026, serves to stay in the quarterfinal. 30-all leads to 30-40 and a first match point... saved by a wide serve as Kostyuk sends the ball long! Paolini nets a backhand at deuce for a second match point. Kostyuk returns in play and threads a backhand down the line that Paolini cannot reach! Kostyuk drops to her knees then spins in celebration. A near-perfect Centre Court debut from the 12th seed, who applauds a stunned Paolini off court after dominating her. It is Kostyuk's 21st win in 22 matches.

Paolini holds to cut the deficit to 2-4. She now pressures Kostyuk's serve at 0-30. But Paolini puts hands on hips as Kostyuk slices at 30-all. Kostyuk's forehand, near flawless for a set and a half, dips slightly as the Ukrainian eyes the finish. She has faltered before but stays composed at 40-30, with Stefan Edberg watching, as Kostyuk leads 6-3, 5-2.

Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool's men's doubles title defense ends. They fall in straight sets to Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the quarterfinals. Henry Patten remains the sole Brit in the draw and will contest the semifinals tomorrow with Harri Heliovaara, aiming to reclaim the crown they won two years ago.

The 5ft 4in Paolini shows her big heart despite the situation, battling to deuce. But the net favors Kostyuk when a 20-shot rally ends with Kostyuk's half-volley clipping the tape for a winner. Nothing goes Paolini's way. Kostyuk holds the break for 6-3, 4-1.

Kostyuk's outfit, inspired by her 2023 wedding gown and sold out quickly, nearly matches her tennis. Nearly. Because Kostyuk chases a drop shot for 15-all on Paolini's serve, gains from a double fault and earns break point as Paolini nets. Another forehand error and Kostyuk leads 6-3, 3-1.

Paolini at least holds to 15 in the second set. But she struggles on Kostyuk's serve, and as the Ukrainian reaches 30-0 she has won 15 of the last 16 points on serve, the sole error a double fault. She drops one at 40-0 as Paolini fires a backhand winner, but Kostyuk holds for 6-3, 2-1.

Kostyuk opens the second set with a love hold. This ranks among the strongest women's performances so far; she stays locked in with total focus. Remarkable given it is her Centre Court debut. On No 1, Mertens receives treatment for a left leg issue but leads 2-1 on serve in the second set after dropping the first 6-3.

Paolini cruises toward an easy hold at 40-15... then nets a forehand. Kostyuk capitalizes, reaching deuce then a set point. Paolini tries a down-the-line forehand but misses long. In the Centre Court heat, Kostyuk stays coolest, wrapping an ice towel around her neck after taking the first set 6-3.

Kostyuk keeps pressure, earning double break points at 4-2, 15-40 on Paolini's serve. Two backhand errors allow Paolini to reach deuce and hold. So it is 4-3 - and soon 5-3 as Kostyuk holds again.

Kostyuk moves with confidence after her best summer amid Ukraine's war and a missile strike near her Kyiv home at the French Open start. Once prone to losing composure, she now draws strength from representing something larger while keeping perspective. Kostyuk holds to love for 4-2.

Kostyuk shows variety by approaching the net twice for a hold to 15. She reaches deuce on Paolini's serve, converts the second break point with a 96mph forehand return! Kostyuk breaks for a 3-2 lead!

Noskova converts her fourth break point for 5-3 and will serve for the set. She wins it to love. Flawless. Some predicted a final run for the 21-year-old, and though I doubted it, the Czech ninth seed leads Mertens 6-3 and is a set from the semifinals.

Paolini holds to 15 with an ace to start. Kostyuk pushes on Paolini's serve, reaching deuce from 40-0 but cannot break. Paolini holds for 2-1, then seeks shade on the hottest day yet. Both players begin confidently.

Paolini starts strongly, taking the game to 15 at 40-0. This pits two elite athletes against each other. Kostyuk brings more power while Paolini counters effectively and holds greater grand slam experience, including the Wimbledon and French Open finals two years ago. That may prove key in tight moments.

Three more holds, though Mertens saves three break points to reach 2-2 just as Paolini and Kostyuk enter Centre Court. This matchup excites: Paolini has transformed after an opening 6-0 set loss, rediscovering 2024 form, while Kostyuk has carried French Open semifinal momentum onto grass with 20 wins in 21 matches.

On the doubles front, defending champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool begin their quarterfinal. Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid advance in wheelchair doubles, Andy Lapthorne wins in quad singles and Gregory Slade exits.

The Yonex racket, blond wavy hair, fist pumps and Aussie calls... but it is not 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt, rather his son Cruz, leading 6-3, 3-3 on court 12 against second seed Jamie Mackenzie. His father watches after winning the invitational doubles.

Mertens claimed her win over Rybakina here and begins similarly, moving to 15-30 on Noskova's serve via double fault then 30-40 after electing to receive. Noskova outpaces Mertens on break point, smashes at deuce but cannot close. Another deuce follows and from there