An enthralling Wimbledon men’s singles final awaits tennis lovers as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz – two of the finest players in the game at present – gear up for the showdown for the title. A number of sporting celebrities like Rohit Sharma, Pep Guardiola, David Beckham, etc. have found seat among spectators in the last few rounds of Wimbledon but it doesn’t seem like the tickets to the Grand Slam are affordable for general public. Claims have been made on social media that the tickets for the men’s singles final between Djokovic and Alcaraz are the most expensive in sporting history.

“Djokovic-Alcaraz Wimbledon Final will be the most expensive get-in finals tickets in the history of sports,” American sports commentator Darren Rovell wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Right now, WORST SEAT for Sunday is more than $10,000.”

Djokovic-Alcaraz Wimbledon Final will be the most expensive get-in finals tickets in the history of sports.

Right now, WORST SEAT for Sunday is more than $10,000.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 12, 2024

The cheapest ticket on @TickPick to see Djokovic-Alcaraz in the #Wimbledon Final is $10,600.

That is the most expensive get-in for a sporting event on record at TickPick. pic.twitter.com/cKtns5LrkA

— Kyle Zorn (@Kyle_Zorn) July 12, 2024

The rough translation of the ‘worst ticket’ for the Wimbledon men’s singles final equates to INR 835193.50. Wimbledon’s Centre Court has a capacity of 14,979, which takes the total value of all seats at that price to a mind-boggling sum of INR 12,500,000.36.

In comparison, the organises have planned as sum of INR 265 crore as prize money for the winner of the final. The total pool of prize money stands at Rs. 500 crore for the tournament.

Novak Djokovic On The Cusp Of History

Novak Djokovic says the prospect of creating tennis history will provide the “fuel” he needs to defeat Carlos Alcaraz and clinch an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th Grand Slam on Sunday.

Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, 37-year-old Djokovic can become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era and avenge his heartbreaking five-set loss to the Spaniard in last year’s final.

“I’m aware of what’s on the line. Any Grand Slam that I play, there’s always history now on the line,” said Djokovic.

“I will try to use that as a fuel to play my best tennis.”

On what promises to be an emotional day, the final will be played out in front of Catherine, Princess of Wales, who will be making just her second public appearance following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

UK media reported that she will also present the trophy to the champion.

Djokovic will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final and 37th at the 75 majors in which he has played.

A 25th Grand Slam title would be an all-time record for men and women, snapping the mark of 24 he shares with Margaret Court.

“It serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations,” added the Serb.

“Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win 99 percent of the matches that I play.”

With AFP Inputs

Novak Djokovic says the prospect of creating tennis history will provide the “fuel” he needs to defeat Carlos Alcaraz and clinch an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th Grand Slam on Sunday. Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, 37-year-old Djokovic can become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era and avenge his heartbreaking five-set loss to the Spaniard in last year’s final. “I’m aware of what’s on the line. Any Grand Slam that I play, there’s always history now on the line,” said Djokovic.

“I will try to use that as a fuel to play my best tennis.”

On what promises to be an emotional day, the final will be played out in front of Catherine, Princess of Wales, who will be making just her second public appearance following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

UK media reported that she will also present the trophy to the champion.

Djokovic will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final and 37th at the 75 majors in which he has played.

A 25th Grand Slam title would be an all-time record for men and women, snapping the mark of 24 he shares with Margaret Court.

“It serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations,” added the Serb.

“Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win 99 percent of the matches that I play.”

Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon under a form and fitness cloud.

The 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner took his Australian Open title and then his world number one ranking and Alcaraz succeeded him as French Open champion.

Djokovic had not reached a final this season before arriving at the All England Club and he has yet to beat a top-10 player.

When he played his first-round match against qualifier Vit Kopriva it was only 27 days after he had gone under the knife to repair a torn meniscus, which had forced him to withdraw before his quarter-final at Roland Garros.

On the eve of Wimbledon, Djokovic still was not certain he would be able to compete.

‘Not reckless’

“We agreed that we would not talk about my guaranteed Wimbledon participation until three, four days before the tournament starts,” explained Djokovic.

“I understand why people were thinking it’s premature, it’s maybe reckless, but I don’t think it was, to be honest.”

Alcaraz, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, is in his fourth Grand Slam final and is looking to add a second Wimbledon to his 2022 US Open breakthrough and French Open title from last month. 

His win in the 2023 All England Club final snapped Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the tournament.

Alcaraz has endured an uneven tournament.

On Friday, he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals but only after having to come back from dropping the first set for the third time at the tournament.

He is bidding to become only the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.

However, Djokovic has won their past two meetings — in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final and then in the semi-finals of the season-ending ATP Tour Finals.

Alcaraz hopes to make it a super Sunday for Spain by winning the Wimbledon final before the country’s national football team face England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

“Being a Spaniard, yeah, it would be a perfect Sunday,” said Alcaraz.

“It’s going to be a really fun day for Spanish people watching my final, watching the Euros final.”

Alcaraz has been warned to expect a super-charged Djokovic, who has swept into the final with two straight-sets wins punctuated by an injury walkover handed to him by Alex de Minaur in the last eight.

Alcaraz said that he does not see himself as favourite despite the age gap and potential issues with the Serb’s knee.

“If he’s in the final it’s because he’s at a high level,” said the Spaniard.

“I don’t see myself as a favourite. The winner will be the one who plays the best in the match and who deals better in the situations that arise.”

Novak Djokovic believes the prospect of creating tennis history will provide the “fuel” he needs to defeat Carlos Alcaraz and clinch an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th Grand Slam on Sunday. Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, 37-year-old Djokovic can become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era and avenge his heartbreaking five-set loss to the Spaniard in last year’s final. “I’m aware of what’s on the line. Any Grand Slam that I play, there’s always history now on the line,” said Djokovic. “I will try to use that as a fuel to play my best tennis.”

Djokovic will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final and 37th at the 75 majors in which he has played.

A 25th Grand Slam title would be an all-time record for men and women, snapping the mark of 24 he shares with Margaret Court.

“It serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations,” added the Serb.

“Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win 99% of the matches that I play.”

Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon under a form and fitness cloud.

The 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner took his Australian Open title and then his world number one ranking.

Alcaraz succeeded him as French Open champion.

Djokovic hadn’t reached a final coming into the All England Club.

When he played his first round match it was only 25 days after he had gone under the knife to repair a torn meniscus which had caused him to withdraw from Roland Garros.

“We agreed that we would not talk about my guaranteed Wimbledon participation until three, four days before the tournament starts,” explained Djokovic.

“I understand why people were thinking it’s premature, it’s maybe reckless, but I don’t think it was, to be honest.”

Alcaraz, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, is in his fourth Grand Slam final and is looking to add a second Wimbledon to his 2022 US Open breakthrough and French Open title from last month. 

His win in the 2023 All England Club final snapped Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the tournament.

Alcaraz has endured an uneven tournament.

On Friday, he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals but only after having to come back from dropping the first set for the third time at the tournament.

He is bidding to become only the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.

However, Djokovic has won their last two meetings — in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final and then in the semi-finals of the season-ending ATP Tour Finals.

Alcaraz hopes to make it a super Sunday for Spain by winning the Wimbledon final before the country’s national football team face England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

“Being a Spaniard, yeah, it would be a perfect Sunday,” said Alcaraz.

“It’s going to be a really fun day for Spanish people watching my final, watching the Euros final.”

Alcaraz has been warned to expect a super-charged Djokovic who has swept into the final with two straight-sets wins punctuated by an injury walkover handed to him by Alex de Minaur in the last eight.

“This was the seventh time that we were playing against each other, and I never faced a Novak like this,” said Lorenzo Musetti who fell to Djokovic in the semi-finals.

“I didn’t see him struggling physically. I have to say he played a really incredible match. He showed that he’s really in great shape – I think not only in tennis, but physically.”

The most successful men’s tennis player in the modern era, Novak Djokovic secured a straightforward 3-setter victory against Lorenzo Musetti in the men’s singles semifinal of Wimbledon 2023 on Friday. Djokovic had an awkward start to the first set that saw him being broken early but the Serbian ace produced his best show, beating the Italian in the first three sets to secure a convincing victory. Djokovic would now face Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday. Alcaraz had beaten Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a 4-set clash. 

Just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery, seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic reached his 10th final at the All England Club with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 win over the Italian 25th seed.

Djokovic, 37, can equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the tournament’s oldest champion of the modern era if he avenges last year’s dramatic five-set final loss to Alcaraz.

The last time Djokovic and Musetti met was at the French Open in June when the Serb claimed victory in a third round tie which ended at 3:07 in the morning.

On Friday, however, Djokovic was untroubled on his way to a 37th Grand Slam final.

He broke for 4-2 lead in the opener and, despite surrendering the advantage and letting two set points slip in the ninth game, he broke again in the 10th to claim the set.

The second seed was playing in his 49th Grand Slam semi-final while the 22-year-old Musetti was in his first.

That experience was key as Djokovic hit back from losing serve in the opening game of the second set to level in the sixth before dominating the tie-break.

A break in the opening game of the third set launched him on his way to victory against a demoralised Musetti, who at least had the consolation of saving three match points before Djokovic completed his progress to yet another Wimbledon final.

Earlier, world number three Alcaraz beat his fifth-ranked opponent 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and will face either seven-time champion Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti for the title on Sunday.

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the 2023 final in a five-set thriller.

“Obviously it will be a really difficult match. Let’s see who I am going to play on Sunday,” said Alcaraz who crunched 55 winners to the 31 from Medvedev.

“I feel like I am not new anymore. I know how I am going to feel before the final. I have been in this position before.”

He added: “I started really nervous today. Daniil was dominating the match, playing great tennis. It was difficult for me.”

Twice Medvedev, beaten by the Spaniard at the same stage last year, led with breaks in the first set only to be pinned back.

Such was his frustration that he was handed a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Eva Asderaki for an apparent foul-mouthed reaction to a ball called for bouncing twice as he was broken in the ninth game.

The tournament referee and supervisor were even summoned to Centre Court by Asderaki, but Medvedev shrugged off the incident to sweep through the tie-break and take the opening set in which he committed only eight unforced errors to the Spaniard’s 15.

It was the third time at this year’s Wimbledon that Alcaraz had dropped the first set.

Alcaraz recovered impressively, breaking Medvedev for a 3-1 lead in the second, having come out on top in the previous game on the back of a 27-shot rally.

The 21-year-old then hit 14 winners in the third set, pocketing the only break in the third game.

Medvedev, who had knocked out world number one Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, retrieved a break early in the fourth set.

But Alcaraz kept up his assault, edging ahead again for 4-3 on his way to victory.

With AFP Inputs

Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic Live Streaming Wimbledon 2024 Semi-Final: Novak Djokovic is vying to reach a 10th Wimbledon final, as he takes on Italian Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic entered Wimbledon 2024 hoping to equal Roger Federer’s record tally of eight titles. His opponent, 25th seed Musetti, will be playing the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. Musetti beat 13th seed Taylor Fritz to reach the semis. A win for Djokovic, along with a win for Carlos Alcaraz in the second semi-final, would see a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final.

When will the Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final be played?

The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final will be played on Friday, July 12.

Where will the Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final be played?

The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final will be played at the Centre Court, Wimbledon. 

What time will the Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final start?

The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final is expected to start after 9:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will broadcast the Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final?

The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final will be aired on the Star Sports Network in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final?

The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men’s Singles Semi-Final will be streamed live on Disney Plus Hotstar app and website. 

(All telecast and streaming timings are as per the information received from the host broadcasters)

Rohit Sharma at Wimbledon© X (Twitter)

Novak Djokovic accused Wimbledon fans of “disrespect” in a withering on-court tirade after reaching a 60th Grand Slam quarter-final and 15th at the All England Club on Monday. World number two Djokovic, the seven-time champion at Wimbledon and chasing a record-setting 25th major, defeated 15th-ranked Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic then launched an angry outburst at a section of Centre Court fans who constantly chanted “Rune” throughout the match and which the Serb took to be booing.

“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” said an angry Djokovic.

“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player — in this case me — have a goooooooood night,” he added, mocking his tormentors’ exaggerated “Ruuuuune”.

I would earlier root for the understated disposition of Tendulkar and Federer who would only let their game do the talking.

But increasingly, with so much vitriol, I’m beginning to appreciate the aggression of players like Virat and Djokovic!

Takes a real toughie to fight this pic.twitter.com/KkLDQN5Uzk

— Mangalam Maloo (@blitzkreigm) July 9, 2024

When told by the TV interviewer that some fans were shouting “Rune” rather than “boo” Djokovic hit back.

“They were (booing). They were. I am not accepting it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said.

“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks, I know how it works. I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players. 

“I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me — you guys can’t touch me.”

Djokovic later told reporters that crowds have the “right to cheer who they want to cheer”.

“I’m not sure what Wimbledon can do about it. You can’t remove a whole section of the crowd if they are misbehaving,” he said.

“I respect true fans but if someone steps over the line I will react.”

The 37-year-old Serb, still sporting a knee support on his right leg after undergoing surgery last month, set the tone for Monday’s fourth-round tie when Rune failed to win a single point in the opening three games.

Djokovic saved a break point in the 10th game of the second set before carving out another key break in the first game of the third.

Sliding into quarters. Goooooooooooood night pic.twitter.com/3kAuFG2Luo

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 8, 2024

Rune said his fans started chanting his name in their distinctive, bellowing manner when the two men met for the first time at the US Open in 2021.

“It sounded a little bit like ‘boo’. We played each other many more times, but more in Italy and France, where they don’t pronounce my name the same way,” he said.

“Now we’re in England. If you don’t know what was happening, probably it sounded like ‘boo’. If he didn’t remember, it could probably sound different for him.”

Djokovic goes on to face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon fourth round for the 16th time on Saturday after taking a break to help the Centre Court crowd celebrate England’s Euro 2024 win over Switzerland in Germany. Djokovic claimed a battling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Australia’s Alexei Popyrin as he stayed on course for a record-equalling eighth title at the All England Club and 25th Grand Slam. At 4-1 ahead in the second set, fans inside Centre Court let out a huge roar and applause to mark the national team’s penalty shootout win in Dusseldorf. 

Djokovic also marked England’s quarter-final win over Switzerland by imitating taking a penalty kick during the match. While Djokovic shadow-kicked the ball, his Australian opponent took on the role of goalkeeper, shaping to make a save.

Watch: Novak Djokovic’s mid-match penalty kick!

Novak Djokovic simulates taking a penalty kick after Wimbledon erupted at England winning. pic.twitter.com/SEgt9XmHAs

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) July 6, 2024

“I assumed it was a penalty shootout between England and Switzerland – it felt like for a set and a half the crowd really wanted to understand what the score is in the football match,” explained Djokovic.

“Did England win in the end? That’s why you guys stayed. Congrats to England.”

He added: “I tried to shoot a penalty, I’m left footed, but Alexei defended it well.”

Djokovic has now made the last 16 at the majors for a 65th time while Saturday’s win was also the 95th at Wimbledon for Djokovic who underwent knee surgery last month.

World number two Djokovic will face Holger Rune, the 15th seed from Denmark, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rune, a quarter-finalist last year, defeated Quinton Halys 1-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 to register his first win from two sets down.

Andy Murray was given an emotional tribute after his final Wimbledon tournament started with a men’s doubles defeat as long-time rival Novak Djokovic came through a testing workout on Thursday. British two-time Wimbledon champion Murray, playing alongside brother Jamie, went down 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 to John Peers and Rinky Hijikata to the bitter disappointment of a partisan Centre Court crowd. Murray, the Wimbledon champion in 2013 and 2016, was entered in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the All England Club after running out of time to be fit for the singles following recent back surgery.

Murray’s parents Judy and Willie were on Centre Court alongside wife Kim and two of their daughters.

But the former world number one could not give his loyal fans the win they craved as the light faded on a cool summer evening, with the pairing failing to convert a set point in the opening set and being broken twice in the second.

After the defeat, the packed crowd watched a video of Murray’s career highlights, with warm tributes paid by a galaxy of stars including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and former mixed doubles partner Serena Williams.

Djokovic was courtside to witness his career-long rival’s emotional evening in the spotlight alongside past greats including John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova.

“Look, it is hard because I would love to keep playing but I can’t, a tearful Murray said during an on-court interview. “Physically it is too tough now, all of the injuries, they have added up and they haven’t been insignificant.

“I want to play forever, I love the sport and it’s given me so much. It’s taught me loads of lessons over the years I can use for the rest of my life. I don’t want to stop so it is hard.”

Defeat does not yet spell the end for Murray’s Wimbledon journey as he is also scheduled to play mixed doubles with British compatriot and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

The 37-year-old Scot, who has been ravaged by injuries in recent years is targeting the Olympics in Paris, starting later this month, as the final tournament of a glittering career.

Djokovic tested

Earlier, seven-time champion Djokovic came through a testing battle against British wild card Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

It appeared to be business as usual for the Serbian as he coasted into a two-set lead on Centre Court but the 277th-ranked Fearnley broke his illustrious opponent twice in the third set to reduce the deficit.

Fearnley, playing in his first Grand Slam, carved out two break points in the sixth game of the fourth set but missed his chance and Djokovic broke in the 11th game before serving out for the win.

Djokovic, who is playing with protection after a recent knee operation, is seeking to equal Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

“I hope as the tournament progresses I’ll feel better,” he said.

“I don’t know if I was comfortable in my own skin in the third and fourth. You have rough days when you’re not feeling your best.”

Jessica Pegula, seeded five, became the highest-ranked player to exit the tournament so far, going down 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1 to China’s Wang Xinyu, who celebrated her first win against a top-10 player.

Wang will face Harriet Dart, who defeated Nottingham champion Katie Boulter in an all-British clash for a spot in the last 16.

World number one Iga Swiatek progressed smoothly at the expense of Croatia’s Petra Martic — her 21st straight win.

A single break in each set was enough to give the 23-year-old, who has never been past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“It’s not the first time I’ve come into this tournament with a ‘streak’,” she said. “It’s not that easy to have this baggage on your shoulders. 

“This year feels different. I don’t feel like everyone is focusing on it. Two years ago was a lot harder when it was 30-something matches (37).”

Elsewhere on day four of Wimbledon, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur beat US qualifier Robin Montgomery while Elena Rybakina, the 2022 women’s champion, finished strongly to beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On the men’s side, French Open finalist Alexander Zverev saw off Marcos Giron in straight sets but Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out in four sets to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, seen as an outside tip for the title, was forced to quit his second-round match against Arthur Fils with a knee injury.

Novak Djokovic came through a testing Wimbledon workout to stay on course for a record-equalling eighth men’s title on Thursday as Andy Murray prepared to launch his emotional farewell. Jessica Pegula became the highest-ranked player to exit the tournament so far, dumped out by China’s Wang Xinyu in the second round but women’s top seed Iga Swiatek cruised through. Seven-time champion Djokovic did not have it all his own way against British wild card Jacob Fearnley but came through 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in a match lasting three hours. It appeared to be business as usual for the Serbian as he coasted into a two-set lead on Centre Court but the 277th-ranked Fearnley broke his illustrious opponent twice in the third set to reduce the deficit.

Fearnley, playing in his first Grand Slam, carved out two break points in the sixth game of the fourth set but missed his chance and Djokovic broke in the 11th game before serving out for the win.

“I didn’t have a chance to see him play,” said Djokovic, 37. “Actually two days ago, I saw him for the first time

“Obviously there’s always an element of surprise and with him having nothing to lose.”

“Most of the British players grow up being exposed to grass courts, quick surfaces, so they know exactly how to play. It’s a very windy day, very challenging conditions and I thought he served very well.”

Djokovic, who is playing with protection after a recent knee operation, is seeking to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Fifth-ranked Pegula went down 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1 to China’s Wang Xinyu, who celebrated her first win against a top-10 player.

The American battled back after losing the first set, saving a match point in the second-set tie-break, before levelling the match.

But China’s 42nd-ranked Wang raced into a 5-0 lead in the decider and sealed the deal.

Wang, 22, said: “Couple of days ago I was asking my coach, ‘When will this happen?’

“Jessica was really tough to play on grass. Her ball was super low and I’m just really happy I won in the end.”

Wang will face Harriet Dart, who defeated Nottingham champion Katie Boulter in an all-British clash for a spot in the last 16.

World number one Swiatek progressed smoothly into the third round at the expense of Croatia’s Petra Martic, racking up a 21st straight win.

A single break in each set was enough to give the 23-year-old, who has never been past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, a 6-4, 6-3 victory.

All eyes will be on Centre Court in the evening when Murray launches his Wimbledon farewell alongside his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.

Murray, the champion in 2013 and 2016, was desperate for one last crack at the singles but ran out of time after recent surgery to remove a spinal cyst.

The British former world number one still has a chance to wave goodbye to his adoring fans in both the men’s doubles and mixed doubles as he treads the turf for a final time, 19 years after his Wimbledon debut.

“I’m hoping maybe for a bit of closure. I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there, hopefully on Centre Court, and feel that buzz,” the 37-year-old said before the tournament started.

Murray is a three-time Grand Slam singles champion but has form in the doubles — teaming up with Jamie to help Britain win the 2015 Davis Cup.

The Murrays will face Australian pair Rinky Hijikata and John Peers on Thursday, with the decibel count expected to soar.

Andy Murray is also scheduled to play mixed doubles with British compatriot and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

Elsewhere on day four of Wimbledon, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur beat US qualifier Robin Montgomery in straight sets while Elena Rybakina, the 2022 women’s champion, finished strongly to beat Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

On the men’s side, 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov came back from two sets down to beat China’s Shang Juncheng while Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka exited at the hands of Gael Monfils.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, seen as an outside tip for the title, was forced to quit his second-round match against Arthur Fils with a knee injury.

French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev, the Wimbledon fourth seed, is last on the list on Court One.