Wimbledon 2026: Swiatek stunned by Eala, Mertens beats Rybakina, Zverev in action on day six - live

Key events

Anisimova* 3-3 Keys (*denotes next server)

The commentators believe the error-strewn match we have witnessed so far is because the players are nervous as the women’s draw has opened up. That would explain a lot but Keys seems to have settled first here, she is 30-0 up on her serve and compounds the lead with Anisimova hitting the net. The sixth seed then hits a wild ball for Keys to hold.

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Anisimova 3-2 Keys* (*denotes next server)

Back on centre court, these two are struggling to get some rhythm in both of their games as they go toe-to-toe with Anisimova holding her serve once again.

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The match between Khachanov and Cobolli is turning into a classic. Khachanov won the first set 6-0 and being bagelled awoke something in Cobolli who battled to win the second 7-6 (7-4) with the third also going to a tie break with Khachanov taking it 7-6 (7-5). Now, in the fourth set, Cobolli is the one with the momentum and is leading 5-2.

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Updated at 11.41 EDT

Anisimova* 2-2 Keys (*denotes next server)

Anisimova is looking frustrated as she gifts a point away at 15-15 but Keys then hits the net, both players not hitting their straps quite yet. A wild forehand from Anisimova makes it 30-30 but the sixth seed has break point with the ball hitting the net from Keys. Yet another error sends the game to deuce and with it going back and forth Keys eventually is able to hold.

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Updated at 11.38 EDT

Lehecka is aiming to close out his match in straight sets against Munar after winning the first two sets 6-4. He is currently 1-0 down in the third as Munar held his serve.

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Anisimova 2-1 Keys* (*denotes next server)

At 15-15, Anisimova is having to rely on her second serve with the first attempts just not coming off at the moment. She then hits the next to give Keys the upperhand but the sixth seed battles back to 30-30. Again Anisimova blinks first with Keys on break point but she can’t get it over the line, as the ball goes out Anisimova says “let’s go, come on”. That pep talk is enough to urge her to hold.

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Elsewhere, French Open champion Zverev is 4-3 down in the second set after winning the first 6-2. A real battle on court 1.

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Anisimova* 1-0 Keys (*denotes next server)

Anisimova has struggled slightly at the tournament so far as she spent some time out in the spring with injury but in this match it hasn’t been an issue. Keys’ serve is strong and it pushes the sixth seed to make some mistakes to level the match 1-1.

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Anisimova 1-0 Keys* (*denotes next server)

Both players finding their feet in this one. The 26th seed Keys edges ahead at every turn but Anisimova goes toe-to-toe with her and manages to see out the game.

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It’s an all-American affair, which is quite poetic on the country’s 250th birthday, on centre court as Madison Keys takes on last year’s Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova. That game will get underway shortly where I will bring you game-by-game updates while peppering updates from other matches throughout. If you have any questions or comments, give me an email.

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Sorana Cîrstea has sealed the first set 6-2 against Linda Nosková on court 3, while in the tie break on court 2 Khachanov has taken the third set 7-6 (7-5) against Cobolli. He is currently 1-0 up in the fourth and if he wins this one he will take the match.

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The Williams sisters were due to play on Sunday in the women’s doubles of Wimbledon, which they have won six times before, against Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio who now automatically go through to the next round.

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Here is the statement from Serena Williams on her injury that has ruled her out of playing doubles with her sister Venus: “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.

”I’m especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here. Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful…All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you…

”The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match…yikes! The good news is my knee shouldn’t swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to get it ready for doubles.”

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Williams sisters withdraw from doubles

Serena and Venus Williams will not play in the women’s doubles because of an injury to Serena’s knee.

More to follow.

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Updated at 11.12 EDT

Zverev has won the first set 6-2 against American Giron and Lehecka clinches the first against Munar 6-4. Brit Fery has fought back well against Bergs to take the second 7-5 after losing the first set 6-2. While on Court 2 the third set has gone to a tie break between Khachanov and Cobolli.

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Swiatek gives a small wave to the crowd and she marches off court, a very disappointing performance from the defending champion. Eala, the 29th seed, steps up the mic and says: “I don’t know how to describe it. I am into the second week of a slam and it is amazing for me. Iga is a phenomenal player and a great person. I am really emotional and maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many slams or for Serena or Venus [Williams] this achievement may seem small but for someone who grew up in the Phillipines, I went to train with my brother and grandfather every day after school. This is everything.”

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Updated at 11.31 EDT

I don’t think Eala can quite believe it. She is on her knees, hands on her face with the biggest smile centre court has ever seen. That result is huge.

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Eala knocks out defending champion Swiatek

Eala 7-6 (11-9), 6-2 Swiatek

Eala is serving for the match but Swiatek has stepped up and is aggressive to secure the first point. This time the Phillipines star has a wayward forehand that goes out but then Swiatek sends a ball long. It must be difficult to ignore the fact this game could send her through to the fourth round but the pressure is not showing for Eala whose drop shot puts her level at 30-30. But the defending champion shows her skill to get herself at break point, yet she doesn’t take it on the first time of asking and we go to deuce.

Oh my word, Swiatek sets up the volley again but she launches it long. Eala now has match point, centre court is in raptuous applause before falling silent as Swiatek wins the next point to be back at deuce. Back and forth we go to advantage and deuce before Eala drops to the floor after seeing out her third match point. WOW.

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Updated at 11.31 EDT

Don’t worry an update is coming, this game is just going on and on with Eala and Swiatek battling for each and every point.

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Eala* 7-6 (11-9), 5-2 Swiatek (*denotes next server)

This game has been a real battle but Swiatek has registered two double faults and she really is her own worst enemy at the moment. She has struggled with her forehand throughout the match and now she hits the net to give Eala break point. Swaitek orchestrates the point but her resulting volley is not clean and is out. Eala has one game to go before knocking out the defending champion now.

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Let’s get some updates from around the tournament. Zverev is currently 3-1 up in the first set against Giron, Lehecka leads Munar 5-4 in their first set, Bergs and Fery are locked at 3-3 in the second set after the German won the first 6-2 and Cobolli leads Khachanov 5-4 in the third set in that game after losing the first 6-0 but winning the second 7-6 (7-4). Back to centre court and Swiatek has broken Eala to make is 4-2 in the second set, we will concentrate on that match now but I will bring you big news from the rest of the tournament as we go.

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Paolini through in straight sets

Jasmine Paolini has knocked out Maria Sakkari in straight sets in a dominant display on court No 3. The Italian was able to win the game 6-1, 6-2 to sail through to the fourth round.

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Updated at 11.02 EDT

Thank you Tanya and hello everyone. I greet you just as Swiatek claws back a game for the match currently standing at 7-6 (11-9), 4-1 to Elea. Elsewhere another game has wrapped up…

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Wow – that didn’t take long. Eala has cruised to a 3-0 lead in the second set on centre, now serving to make it 4-0.

An ace gives her three game points. Swiatek saves two of them and then the third as Eala slips and still manages to get racket to ball lying flat on her belly, but Swiatec pounces. Two deuces, three, Eala loses her first serve, but takes the game and a 4-0 lead when Switaek nets! She blows her nose and rants at her box.

This has been such a thrilling game to watch, but I will leave the denouement in the hands of Sarah as I take a break. Enjoy!

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Updated at 10.36 EDT

Alexander Zverev, fresh from his first grand slam win at the French Open, is next on No. 1 court. It seems unlikely that he will be turned over by the USA’s Marcos Giron in the way Mertens surprised Rybakina, but we will find out. Giron wins the first game, on his serve, to love.

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Out on court 18, Arthur Fery is a set down (2-6) t0 Zizou Bergs, and has had to deal with another nosebleed. But the good news is that he holds his first service game of the second set to love. The crowd seems reserved, holding its powder dry until the going gets even tougher.

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Updated at 10.21 EDT

It’s Swiatek now who can’t grab her break point opportunity, and when she goes long Eala gets the set point chance. More astonishing tennis and Swiatek draws level on 9-9. Martina Navratilova, looks on admiringly. Eala has set point number four and takes it! 7-6 (11-9).

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There’s a tie break on centre. Swiatek hurls her tennis raquet in frustration as they change ends, 2-4 down. But she tucks into the Eala second serve and wins the next two points as well. Swiatek isn’t giving up this set lightly and powers through her serves to leave Eala serving to stay in the match… but then Swiatek nets. At 6-6, who is going to break first?

An amazing backhand winner by Eala gives her a second set point, but Swiatek pulls back in a punishing rally…7-7

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Updated at 09.58 EDT

A very happy Mertens. “After so many 40- alls I tried to give a little smile and relax myself a little bit. It is one of the biggest wins of my career, I had some doubles success here before, really pleased with my performance today.” She hangs around to signs tennis balls and an actual fan for fans.

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Elise Mertens beats Elena Rybakina 7-6, 6-1

Also in trouble, the world No 2 Rybakina, who lost the first set 6-7 and is now 1-5 down in the second on No 1 court. Mertens, Sabalenka’s former doubles partner, serves for the match.

But it’s a nervy game, repeatedly going to deuce. Mertens starts to lose her ball toss, repeatedly double faults. But she steels herself, and grabs her third match point with an ace, grins and applauds the crowd. The 2022 Wimbledon champion and 2026 Australian champion is out – and that’s the upset of the tournament!

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Updated at 10.06 EDT

Swiatek holds serve – though it wasn’t easy – and suddenly looks like she’s gone up a gear. Did Eala miss her big chance? It’s 5-5.

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A possible upset is brewing on centre court where Eala is serving for the set. Swiatek hasn’t been at her best this afternoon, dropping unforced errors, and Eala has pounced.

Swiatek fights back from 0-30 with a classy overhead, and then goes wide with a forehand. She nets to give Eala set point. Eala looks calm, but Swiatek ups her game with a cross-court winner to take it to deuce, then gets a break point back with a forehand down the line and grabs it. There’s gas in this yet. 5-4.

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Let’s drop in to court 18, where the last-Brit-in-the-singles standing, Arthur Fery, has a chance to make it into the second week. He plays Belgian Zizou Bergs, named after Zinedine Zidane – as was my next door neighbour’s mums’ dog.

Huge applause for Fery as he hands his towel to the ballboy and prepares to serve. He’s in a white forward facing baseball cap and polo shirt. The first point is his as Bergs hits into the net but the game flicks to and fro to settle on deuce. Fery gets advantage with an ace; Bergs, in backwards baseball cap, pegs him back to deuce. A scuffle ensues and he holds serve in a morale boosting first game.

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Over on court one, Elise Mertens had a chance to serve for the first set but No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina breaks back and we go to a tie break.

The sun is bright now, shadows lurking only at the far end of the court. It’s 3-3 as the players change ends. Mertens, with a cross and a Saint Christopher (I think) on her necklace keeps her nerve. Rybakina double faults to give Mertens three set points – but then Mertens double faults. But the Rybakina return goes wide on the next point and the set is hers – 7-6. Well, well.

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Alex de Minaur beats Zachary Svajda 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2

Swiatek recovers from a couple of mistakes on her service game to make it 1-1, as over on court three the No. 5 seed Alex de Minaur has made smooth progress to round four after losing the second set.

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The players warm up, they’ve met twice before, and it’s one win apiece. The camera pans back to show centre court rising like a manor house from the fields.

An entertaining first game full of fabulous strokes goes to deuce. Swiatek goes into the net and earns a break point with a volley. Eala restores deuce with a firey forehand into the corner and serves out the opening game. This feels like it will be fun.

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Updated at 09.29 EDT

Quickly over to centre court, where Claire Balding has been introducing the stars in the royal box. I didn’t catch all of them but Ben Ainslie, Steve Redgrave, Chris Hoy and Gareth Southgate make for a big hitting posse.

The first match is between 21 year old Alexandra Eala and defending champ Iga Swiatek. Eala is the first player from the Phillipines to make the third round of a grand slam and has a devoted set of fans. They walk into the cauldron, Swiatek in headphones and a cap, Eala with a long black plait and a sun visor.

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Updated at 08.39 EDT

Bouzkova clenches her fist after taking a hot second set tie break to make it one set all against Samsonova on court no. 12.

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Away from the singles courts, there’s plenty to keep an eye on in the mixed doubles too. It’s not been a good morning for the British-Dutch fifth seeds Julian Cash and Demi Schuurs, already knocked out in straight sets by Brit-Canadian duo Joe Salisbury and Leyla Fernandez.

There’s a tough match coming up for Brits David Stevenson and Jodie Burrage who must face Italian top seeds Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani on court 14.

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Updated at 08.23 EDT

Pat Cash is not impressed by this time out. Tennis is tiring he says, get on with it. They’re back on court now and De Minaur is serving for the third set . He starts with an ace, then a booming forehand. Another good serve and a loose forehand from Svajda gets the job done. De Minaur leads 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, and in the crowd sun cream is being liberally applied.

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Updated at 08.17 EDT

Back to the battle of the baseball caps: De Minaur (forwards) and Svajda (backwards). Svajda has called for a physio 2-5 down in the third set, one set all. He’s now lying down on the ground getting a massage to his left leg and has taken a couple of tablets and a time out.

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Marta Kostyuk beats Emma Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

Things have moved on rapidly at No. 2 court where Kostuk is serving for the match at 5-1. Nerves get the better of her as three match points slip through her fingers. But she takes a deep breath at deuce and pulls out an ace and an overhead smash to reach the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time. Semi-finals at Paris too, she’s on a roll.

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Updated at 08.22 EDT

From the camera eye on court 12, you can see the crowds miling past on two sides. The 21st seed Bouzkova lost the first set to Samsonova 4-6, but is fighting back in the second which is going with serve, 4-4. She reached the quarter-finals here in 2022 and is in fiery grass-court form. Samsonova, who reached the quarter-finals last year, has already upset the 15th seed Diana Shnaider this week.

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Dominance has also changed hands on No. 3 court too where fifth seed de Minaur easily took charge of the first set, 6-2, against Svajda, but is now serving to stay in the second. At 30-40 down he pauses, fiddles with his necklace, and after a fantastic rally where recovers after slipping, earns a deuce. But Svadar, after being down a break in this set, prevails to make it one set all: 6-2, 5-7.

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Navarro, gold earrings crawling up her ears, struggles to take advantage and the big hitting Kostuk has two break points. But then the frustration is Kostuk’s as she fluffs her lines and rants at herself. Navarro takes the set and they move into a decider.. 2-6-6-4.

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On No. 2 court, Emma Navarro, who went down 2-6 in the first set to Marta Kostyuk, is a break up in the second, and at a crucial time which leaves her serving for the set.

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Day five rewind

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Preamble

Hello! Welcome to day six of this Wimbledon ,which is already slipping through our fingers. So let’s enjoy all this first Saturday has to offer.

The crowds are drifting through the gates and play is already underway on the outside courts. Alex de Minaur has safely won the first set against Zachary Svajda, and No. 12 seed Marta Kostyuk is in domineering form against Emma Navarro on No. 2 court.

Play starts at 1.30pm on Centre where No.3 Iga Swiatek takes on Alexandra Eala, followed by an all-American July 4 clash between Amanda Anisimove and Madison Keys and then a big-beast battle as Grigor Dimitrov fires aces at Matteo Berrettini.

Elena Rybakina, Alexander Zverev and Alexander Bublik light up No. 1 court from 1pm.

Serena’s knee injury looks to have recovered enough for the Williams sisters to be added the order of play in the mixed doubles – where they are six times champions. And last, but very not least, the last plucky Brit standing, 23 year old Arthur Fery takes on Zizou Bergs on court 18.

Do join us, there’s plenty of room on the sofa.

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Updated at 07.06 EDT

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