Day 1, Part 1 Wimbledon

Shall I come Purdie to Le Sommer's de?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate... Rough wins do shake the

Darling buds of May. And Summers leaf is all too short a date.

Sometime to heart... The eye of heaven shines. And often, is its

gold complexion dimmed. And every fair from fair sometime declines. By

chance or nature's changing course on trend. You cannot be serious! The

ball was on the line. But by eternal summer shall not fade nor lose

possession of that fair... The waiting is over. Nor shall death

brag thou wondrous to in its shade went in eternal lines in time by

Gross. So long as men can breathe or eyes can see... It is Djokovic

again... And she has done it. Long live is this and this gives life to

be. Welcome to Wimbledon 2016! Those words we just heard from

William Shakespeare's still resonate 400 years after his passing. They

are more than fitting to set up this year's 130th championship at

Wimbledon. The courts are ready, the players are ready and the fans are

ready for what promises to be another great two weeks of tennis

and hopefully the weather will be kind and the Sun will shine. There

is no better sporting event in the world when it does. Everyone has

been arriving here from the players. Novak Djokovic, the man of the

moment, holding four grand slam titles, looking for grand slam title

number 13. Madison Keys from the United States has broken into the

top ten for the first time, ranked nine at these championships. Former

finalist Sabine Lisicki, still has the game to do well on the service

although hasn't had consistency so far this year. As has another former

finalist Eugenie Bouchard, she has been struggling for form. And Andy

Murray has been out on the practice court with his team. Ivan Lendl and

Jamie Delgado, they got together after the Queen's Club, he won the

title they for the fifth time. A Wimbledon ticket is one of the most

sought after in sport and those lucky enough to be here today will

have a date to remember. Those who have a ticket for Centre Court will

see defending them's champion Novak Djokovic start proceedings at 1pm

play on the outside courts will get under way in just few minutes time.

And we have made our way here. On Henman Hill with the man himself,

Tim... A great start to the fortnight! Alongside Tracy Austin

and John McEnroe. Mike... Wimbledon has a different feel to the grand

slam is, the history and tradition, it's always a different feel on day

one. Who would have thought I would have loved history and tradition but

there is a beauty to it when you are watching, the grass is so green. I

have been here for the past three weeks, I have seen at a lot earlier

than I normally do and it's a good thing. The players get pumped up but

they are not too stressed and yet... They are feeling it. They put all

this effort in, I love the extra week for the players, this is the

second year, and that Ops level, the quality play early. Tim has his

Wimbledon title on, he is a member of the committee but we talk about

the history and tradition but that's important, keeping up with moving

times, its state-of-the-art facilities. Absolutely. The history

and tradition are cornerstones of the event but there is innovation

and you think about the event has been going for 130 years. If you set

ten years ago we would have to roofs in the space of the next 20 years, a

lot of people would have said you are mad but there is a lot of work

going into the roof on Court Number One, you see the players facilities

and spectators facilities coming a long way. They like the cornerstones

but are not scared to make changes for they think it will improve the

event. Tracy, we are biased here because we love Wimbledon but for

players from overseas, what did Wimbledon mean to you? It is the

tournament everyone remembers as a child watching and that is the

tournament, even saying that as an American because it has so much

history and as Johnny said, it's so beautiful. When you get here, it's

so green and everyone is in the fight and there are so many

traditions. No advertising... No advertising and so many flowers and

in a beautiful neighbourhood. Kei Nishikori talked about that. Can I

ask the committee member a question? When I played finals I had the red

headband... I came on with my USA jacket but it wasn't all quite, it

seems they have gone too far the other way... Is that a fair... It is

beginning already. I know, day one, the first two minutes. I do not want

to start agreeing with John this early in the Championships but the

predominantly white clothing is an important tradition and that doesn't

happen anywhere else but I think we need to have an element of

flexibility otherwise the players will be... Who saw that coming? They

were different manufacturers but if everyone is in completely fight...

It's about getting the balance right. I think at times it's a

little bit too strict and stringent... But they haven't

changed it from last year, they were too strict last? They haven't

changed it but when you go back and that was predominantly white

clothing, I think that's a pretty clear message, it's not like people

will be running about in blue shirts. Get the balance right.

Looking ahead to the tournament, couple of notable absentees, no

Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal... For people who don't know the story she

failed a drugs test at the Australian Open for milled only and

she has been banned for two years. Mack, if you were in charge of the

sport, forging would you do with this? She claims it was

unintentional. I don't even know what milled only is but let's assume

it's a performance enhancing... It improves stamina and metabolism. It

seems weird... I don't know the details but I do know from what I

have read that even though she moved to the States, add seven years of

age and at some point when she was young it was decided she needed this

drug for asthma... 18... And her heart... Seemingly when she started

winning events, something that was needed for 2-6 weeks is continued to

be used for 10-11 years and that her family doctor, if you want to call

it, is based in Sochi and as far as I know, she moved to the States. So

the truth is it has been legal until January 2016 so if you told me that

given the fact that all these e-mails were sent to all the players

and the people are reminded of... I think the drug testing is more

stringent than ever, someone in her camp or she did not know... She did

not tell any person in her camp... The broadcast earlier that started

with you... It is hard to believe that people didn't know that but on

the other side, to me, it is hard to believe that she would continue to

do it knowing... I don't think she knew but the key thing... But aren't

you responsible for what you put in your body? The key for me is the

medical use forms the players have to turn them. If you take cold

medicine, and aspirin, you need to take that on form and that was not

put on a form for ten years so that shows some sort of secrecy. As far

as the forms are concerned she filled out seven of them to say what

drugs you are taking and it didn't feature on any of those. And that is

it, the bottom line, as an athlete it is 100% liability,

responsibility, that everything that is in your body, you are accountable

for. It was a legal drug for ten years she was taking a bubble in

January the 1st 2016 it became illegal and then... She tested

positive... During the Australian Open, you have to suffer the

consequences. She said she will appeal, it's unintentional, that

will take place later in July. We will talk more about this, I think

we could go on for a few more minutes but we will talk more about

it in the Championships. Plenty of tennis to be played, first up on

Centre Court, the defending men's champion. Up against James Ward.

And then Venus Williams will start out on Court Number One against

Donna Vekic. Sam Gross from Australia against Kei Nishikori.

Laura Robson back from injury. She had to pull out of Eastbourne

because of a thigh strain. We hope she is fitted to take on Angelique

Kerber. These are the other matches getting under way on the outside

courts. We will be getting under way to see Kyle Edmund against Adrian

Mannarino in just a moment. Lots to look forward to on the

opening day of the Championships. We sought Novak Djokovic arrived

earlier and he is obviously the man to beat but we will talk about the

men's championship because it looks like a mouthwatering encounter right

the way through to the final. Lee McKenzie has more. World two Andy

Murray has been the runner-up at both Grand Slam so far this season.

But he will be confident of going one better on the green, green grass

of home. The 29-year-old comes into Wimbledon having just won a record

fifth Queen's Club title. Roger Federer is the most successful

player in tennis history, but it's four years since he won a Grand Slam

and his season has been blighted by injury. As time called off but the

seven time champion or can he find winning inspiration on Hezbollah

that Centre Court? Milos Raonic already has the serve, now he is

looking for the volley to go with it but that is something new coach and

three-time former champion John McEnroe can help it. Reaching the

final at Queen's Club was a promising start. Two-time major

winner Stan Wawrinka as a former Wimbledon champion in his corner,

can Richard Krajicek help us with board seat get beyond the

quarterfinals at the All-England Club for the first time? Dominik

team is a rising star of the men's game and no one has won more matches

than the 22-year-old Austrian this year. The youngest player in the top

ten has won titles on three services this year including grass. But world

number one Novak Djokovic remains the man they all have to beat. The

Serbian halls all four major titles and is looking for a third

consecutive Wimbledon crown. Calendar Grand Slam is on and

history could be beckoning. That is who to look out for. Tim,

you just have to see Novak Djokovic, he's looking almost unbeatable in

the majors at the moment. He is and we have had debates about the big

four and the big two, but it is the big one right now, so dominant and

consistent and unbeatable. For me, it's difficult to look past a

Djokovic Murray final, I think those two are dominating the slams at the

moment, it will be interesting to see if anyone can cause an upset. No

question, he is playing at a superhuman level but the important

word for me as a coach consultant at this stage... He is human, the human

part and he is trying to do something, four in a row but trying

to win the calendar Grand Slam so the pressure is going to ramp up. At

some point, these players have to tell themselves they have got to

come down a little bit from this cloud and start feeling maybe the

way that Serena did at the open last year, it's not impossible to beat

him, tried to bridge the gap a little bit. Is that what you had

been telling Milos Raonic that you are coaching? If you had talked to

me two months ago and said how many players could win Wimbledon, not how

many players can pull off an upset, how many can go the distance... I

would tell you five or six that could actually win it and he is one

of those guys. I feel confident in his ability if he plays up to his

ability, to scare anybody. We have got Novak, Andy, Roger and me lots,

who are the other two? The other is that I would put in the mix is Stan

Wawrinka, he has got to majors, and the sixth guy is Nick Kyrgios. You

probably would have put Rafael Nadal in their... Of course, then you

start... Marin Cilic won the U.S. Open, but to me, to win it right

now, that is a very small amount of people. You have got to look at the

like... What can you do to derail this freight train? That is what

Andy... That is why Ivan is in again, to try and gap that, that is

what the other players are trying to get close. I have got to say, your

man, Milos Raonic looked like a freight train for a set and a half

at Queen's Club. He missed that backhand volley. Damn the challenge

system, it was called in! Challenged by Andy. How are you going to split

yourself between commentator, pondered, coach... Actually, Milos

Raonic is a great man, not getting off topic too far but he has a great

team around him, Carlos Moya has done an excellent job with him, the

best I ever saw him play was in Australia, he got to the semis, up,

I believe, 2-1 sets to a guy named Andy Murray. He is trying to get

closer, he has got everything set up, I love what I am doing, the

chance to be with you, soon... We almost leave Joubert! A couple of

other TV never sells well. He is very busy. I have the chance to do

this, it is great, we have the chance to do the easy job, if I get

the chance to go and support him, I will. You are walking and talking

now, I here you are in demand. There is a link to this, you would love

this story. The other end of tennis, this is a player who came through

the qualifying. His name is Marcus Willis, a 25-year-old from Slough,

gave up at the start of the year, persuaded to come back, came through

six rounds of Swan of Dharma qualifying, ranked in the 700s. Lee

McKenzie has his story. -- six rounds of qualifying.

How are your emotions? It's been a roller-coaster of emotions. Madness,

I wake up and think, this is happening. It has happened so fast.

Tell us about your background. Where were you out at the beginning of

this year? Not in a very good place. Injured... Not very happy. Convinced

I was going to go and coach either in America or England or

something... I met a girl, she told me I was being an idiot, in a nice

way. When I met him, he said he was moving to America and we quickly got

to know each other and I said... Don't go. Give it another shot,

please don't go. Yes... He had gone to America, that would have been

early June and he wouldn't be here. Do you think it's sunk into heaven,

all that has happened in this last week? Every day we wake up and we

look at each other and it's... I am not dreaming! It has happened and I

think... Again, it is adrenaline that carries you through and it's

not until it ends that it's... Wow, this is happening, what do we do

now? Why did you decide to enter the tournament last week? I have been

playing really well in club league tennis for my team in France,

Catalan and my team in Germany, I pencilled it in, I didn't think I

was going to get in because my ranking was low and I almost

didn't... Again, another good decision I made! Until last week

take us through forger average day we be, couple of weeks ago. Landing

from Germany, my flight was delayed, got into Stansted at 2am, was on

court at 9am in Warwick. Did a 7-8 hour day, played a match, doubles

match in the evening, we won. That was good. But yes, it's mental,

doing a lot of hours on court, training in the morning, coaching in

the afternoon. In terms of the difference, prize money, everything,

the same effort has to go in, how do you feel about it? It's amazing, a

nice added bonus bonus to have the money, it's amazing. What will this

road towards? Trouble, playing in the future? An apartment, a couple

of credit cards to pay off, nothing to major... Do you have to think

this is going to be one day of your life, do you want this to be two

weeks? What is the realistic expectation? I don't know, the

realistic expectation wasn't to be here right now. I am going to keep

living that train, take it a match at a time, that is my job, I am here

to win. And he will be on later on Court Number 17 against Lithuania

and player but look at his statistics...

He has won six matches to reach the main draw, truly a wonderful story

and Tracy... We talk so much about the superstars of the game. But this

is the other career path that the players have to go. Absolutely, this

is a dream come true, he has talked about playing in the challengers,

the smaller level events, you are playing at smaller clubs with maybe

20-30 people watching, barely able to make ends meet or in debt. This

is incredible, apparently he has a huge serve, a few months ago was

teaching 7-8 hours a day, those kids have got to think, my coaches

playing Wimbledon. He has done at hard way, coming through qualifying

is tough. It's a great opportunity for some of the lower ranked British

guys and girls who don't get into qualifying. There is a prequalifying

event, they get the opportunity to have a wildcard, that is how he got

his sixth match wins and he's been playing club tennis in Germany, he

has confidence, I have known him for a long time, when I finish my career

I was based at push Abbey and he practised there, a good kid with a

lot of character. Missed a view meals since then, got himself in

shape and as Tracey said... A good lefty serve, he is dangerous. A

green grass court, come out on that, nothing to lose and when he sees for

the first-round prize-money is, I am sure he has had a quick dance at the

second round prize-money. Do you know much about his opponent? Lefty

on this surface... He is one of these... Very solid professionals,

he is consistent, but as I said, first day, we talk about an upset, I

am trying to build up to Djokovic... James Watt, the first day of any

tournament is not easy, the courts are lush, a bit of sap in there and

it will be slippery. Then I look at the game of Willis, it is a long

shot but if he can get off to a good start, get the crowd behind him, who

knows? The dream could live on. It is a dream story and we will follow

it this afternoon, third on court 17. We have been talking about the

contenders for the men but let's look at the leading ladies. Here is

a reshape are sad. Go being Muguruza is the big name in the Roman's game,

runner-up at Wimbledon last year, the 22-year-old Spaniard went one

better to win the French Open earlier this month. Grass loving

Petra Kvitova is a two-time former Wimbledon champion but the Czech

left-hander has struggled with health and form, can the restorative

power of Centre Court revive fortunes? Johanna Konta beat

hat-trick of edible on her way to the last for at Eastbourne and will

be the first seed in the Roman's trawl for 30 years, rising more than

100 places over 12 months to reach the top 20 and she will relish

playing in front of a home crowd. With two titles on this service,

21-year-old Madison Keys has already unlock the secret to playing on

grass. She is the newest member of the top ten and will be aiming to

improve on a quarterfinal showing last year. Former junior champion

Agnieszka Radwanska was the runner-up four years ago and what

she lacks in power she makes up for in precision and brass is where she

comes into her own. Angelique Kerber joined the grand slam Slam winners

club with victory at the Australian Open, now the left-hander is hoping

to follow in the footsteps of a fellow German for whom Wimbledon was

a second home. Steffi Graf. Defending champion Serena Williams

also has beforehand and her sides, a seven the Wimbledon title would see

the American equalled the Open era title of Steffi Graf, 22 Grand

Slams, the 34-year-old has faltered in her last two major finals but

will this be the fortnight history is made?

Tracey, it seems like we have been saying that about Zarina for a long

time, get the record, the next Grand Slam but it hasn't happened? It

hasn't but we have high expectations for Serena because she almost got a

calendar year Grand Slam, Mr Dougie US Open, got the at the Australian,

the Australian, the finals of the French, most players would be happy

with that but we expect so much from her and coming into Wimbledon, the

six time champion feel so comfortable on grass, to me looks

like the clear favourite, still has consistent results, loves the

service on so many other players aren't a big fan of the surface.

It's difficult, a short grasscourt season although it's great we have

added one week. One player, everyone is talking about, Garbine Muguruza,

she likes this. As of last year, she got to the finals, obviously at the

French Open she played lights out because at the beginning of the

year, the first 3-4 months, they were not red hot for her, kind of

streaky and had some bad losses but true form came together at the

French Open and she beat Serena in a wonderful, actually beat her, a

high-quality match, has a lot more eyes on her and more expectations

and we have seen from so many other women's champions, Angelique Kerber

won the Australian Open this year, they haven't dealt with expectation

so what will be interesting to see how she is coming in as the world

two. She lost the first round in Majorca, grasscourt, not much time

to adjust after the French Open. Serena and the rest, for me. It is

Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova... She has won twice year but none of

those other ladies have been able to be consistent enough throughout the

year. Topsy-turvy on the WTA. I am sure you meant to add Johanna Konta.

Absolutely. We have talked about her being a British start, 146 here last

year, now inside the top 20 and because of Victoria Azarenka she is

now seeded 16, unbelievable story. Fantastic, first and foremost an

amazing achievement for her and onwards and upwards, why stop at 16?

Hopefully she can build on the results, played well last week, can

get into the top ten, such a good message for the British guys and

girls, there is no magic secret, she has had her team around her, worked

hard and have the results on the courts, getting to the semifinals in

Australia. Fingers crossed she can have a big in and here, it would be

good to see her in the second week next week. She has improved so much,

hasn't and mentally she is so much stronger. That is the key to me, the

game and technique has improved but mentally she is so solid. This in to

her in the press Conference you listen because there is depth there,

she has worked with a sports psychologist that she seems so can

throughout it all and that to me is what is so impressive, she seems

mature. What about Dominique is a book over, she won at Eastbourne.

She has You can feel the nerves of the day

one activity. The French Open champion is warming up for her first

match. Around the back, Andy Murray. He is not in action but he has his

huge team with him. Jamie Delgado, Matt Little, so a lot of activity

over on court and just over the back, James Ward, who has a massive

match against the world number one Novak Djokovic. You may remember

James is a huge contributor to the Davis Cup win. He beat John Isner

15-13 in the fifth set so he will want to draw upon all of that when

he takes on Novak Djokovic out on Centre Court, the first time James

will be on Centre Court in his life. I did have a chat with him this

morning that he was feeling very nervous and you could feel the

tension coming out of his body. A quick word about the conditions. As

I am looking across, all of the Busquets are normally very lush and

green early on in the tournament. You can probably see that the

baselines here are already quite worn out. They have taken quite a

hammering already. Plenty of practice going on. Anyhow, as I

said, a huge day for James Norwood, probably the biggest match of his

life but it is a big day for the Brits as well.

Alex Ward got a wildcard and is up against David Goffin and Nicola

Mahood is certainly one who knows his way around a grass court as

well. Two other ladies in action, Naomi Broady, up against the 20th

seed, Svitolina. Tim, after so many years of

underachievement, it seems like the British revival here. Good players,

and some in by right, not just wildcards. It is good. I think you

would say we are moving in the right direction. Have I gone too far? I am

not saying we are at the revival stage yet. Kyle Edmund has done

well, he is into the top 70, 608I think. Do we have Fer in the top

hundred now? Yes, Bedene, Murray, and Dan Evans. -- do we have Fer in

the top hundred. A great virginity for those wildcards. It is

difficult, we want to raise our expectations but as wildcards they

will always play as wildcards. When you look at the match one plays

Nicola Mahut. They have some difficult matches. But it is an

experience. They have nothing to lose, they have to go out and give

it everything they have got. It is good for a home Grand Slam to have

plenty of home players in it. Absolutely. I think Naomi Broady has

a chance against Svitolina. And Laura Robson, great to see him back.

Still ranked outside the top hundred. She plays Angelique Kerber.

She beat her in the first round. Before Angelique Kerber was

Angelique Kerber! Before she was a big and Nora was playing her best

tennis. That will be an interesting match. Tough in the qualifying at

Eastbourne, a thigh injury. One thing after another. Yes, and as we

have seen from del Potro, it is tough coming back from a wrist

injury. There are so much going on, so many little ligaments going on.

So plenty of Brits in action and hopefully we will have a

full-blown's play here. We have been sort of in and out of the sunshine

so far today but let's find out what the weather is going to do with

Carol Kirkwood. When I saw you on BBC Breakfast, I thought you said it

was a bit hit and miss. That is right. But today it should not be

hit and miss. We have been watching the sun beating down, and the

temperature is currently around 19 Celsius. As the cloud cover comes

over, the temperature dips a little bit but we are not expecting it to

rain. If it rains, my name will be Michael Fish. Today it should stay

dry, we could hit maybe 20, 21, maybe even 22, with sunny spells

through the course of this afternoon. Again, very similar

temperatures. As we head into the evening, perhaps a bit more cloud

building but it will still be bright, and still we are looking at

highs of about 20. Pollen levels are very high, but as you were saying,

with the unsettled outlook to this week with the weather, that

hopefully will help relieve some of the pollen in the air. That tomorrow

we are expecting some rain mid-afternoon, and also some more

rain the next day, and then showers after. But it could still change.

She has mentioned the R word twice. Come back when you have some good

news, Carol! That is not good, and the committee will have to be

thinking the covers on, getting players done. Yes, but again it is

history and should edition. LAUGHTER Glass half full, I like this. When

you look at the whole European clay-court season up to the French

Open, it was brutal, and it has been pretty hard for the players in the

last couple of weeks, a lot of rain. Fingers crossed, there can't be much

left up there. We hope not. We are going to go to Kyle Edmund's match,

we hear he is a break down. He has improved so much. He has, he has

built himself up into playing the main ATP Tour. Top 70 committee has

a great work ethic, I definitely a spectre see him top 50 by the end of

the year. Today against Mannarino, he is a dangerous French lefty. He

hits it flat, a bit unorthodox. Even if you get off to a bad start and

loses the first set, I still feel Kyle could turn it around. There

will always be a few nerves. Thank you both so much. We are going out

to the tennis now, they are watching it on Henman Hill, but there was a

huge cheer because he has one of those breaks back. Let's join our

commentators. ANDREW CASTLE: Mannarino a tough

opponent today. Edmund settled quickly. He was 0-30

in the second game. Could not capitalise on that then he lost his

own serve and he has lost it again but now back in it, so more breaks

that you get on some grass court matches.

APPLAUSE Jeremy Baker alongside me has had

the great pleasure of playing alongside this awkward French

opponent a couple of times. He is, and that is actually a perfect

crosscourt shot. More break points in this match,

which has been characterised by the inability of the server to get

through any service game with any great ease.

Well, before you joined us here, Jeremy Baker made the point that the

points played from the back of the point will favour Mannarino. It has

three breaks of serve now, the Frenchman. When Kyle Edmund has

missed his first serve, he has only won one point out of seven. So,

Jamie, a community we were talking about and what can Edmund do about

it? It is tricky because Mannarino has demonstrated so perfectly why he

is tough on this surface. Because Mannarino is hitting the ball so

flat. It is almost like every single point on Kyles served is almost

outing in a 50 - 50 position. But basically because he is having to

hit the ball from below the height of the Nettey is not able to do it.

Just playing perfectly into the Frenchman's hand. It is a tough

puzzle to solve. Kyle Edmund, JEREMY BAKER: 21 years of age. This is his

fourth Wimbledon, he has not won a singles match yet. At a very tough

on last year against Alex Dolgopolov. He has never won a set

of singles and it begins to weigh on your mind. Why aren't things going

my way here? They are everywhere else.

On grass this year, Mannarino beat Andreas Seppi, he lost a Karlovic,

qualified and won a round at Queen's. APPLAUSE

Mannarino then went to Nottingham and beat Taylor Fritz, the very tall

and very talented young American. He also beat Paolo Lorenzi before

losing to Andreas Seppi, so he has had a lot of grass court matches

recently as well. The Frenchman's finest Grand Slam

performance was at this tournament two years ago when he beat big John

Isner and Dustin Brown, before losing to Lucas Kubot.

Two set points. It hasn't lasted long. Both players prayed pretty

quickly -- played pretty quickly. 26 minutes only. Clear

a lovely set for Adrian Mannarino, he lost the first six points but has

stormed it, really. So this British player struggling. A little bit

later on James Ward in action, oh how he must be feeling ahead of a

Centre Court match with Novak Djokovic. A wonderful opportunity

for him to go and enjoy and embraced that particular occasion. At the

bottom of the draw, Liam Broady playing against Andy Murray. All of

them really tough draws against people everyone knows. This draw and

this opponent, when I saw the draw come out I thought that is horrible

for Kyle Edmund. Very, very demanding. That is what I was

talking about, the one out of seven, I think that is 14%, something like

that. The second serve points one. As we let people absorb those, a

tough draw. Yes, really difficult. You can see the matchup is very

difficult. As a lefty it is very hard to play against but there are a

few things, talked a bit about the ball flight at the last change of

ends. Also, the second serve, Edmund would normally like to be running

around and getting a big forehand on the second serve, but against a

lefty, rather than coming with top-spin, it is slice. With these

things are conspiring against him. I do think that the serving point,

starting the point on his terms, on his service games. Whether it is a

first serve a second serve. Maybe he needs to look at slicing his second

serve a bit, something that allows him to get the first hit, because he

needs to change the pattern of the match somehow.

APPLAUSE He has got a very confident opponent

now, has Kyle Edmund, and a great challenge on his hand. That was

very, very tidy. This is a man who understands the ball and the court

dimensions. This is just a gentle lift. Beautifully done. Horrible to

play against. 0-30, beginning of the second set.

Could have been in there. If it floats back, you are allowing your

opponent to reset the rally in a way. Especially as Mannarino is

absorbing the peso well. Almost like he puts the racket there and it

flies to the baseline -- absorbing the pace so well. And that is a way

as well, a fourth break of serve against Kyle Edmund. We saw him at

Queen's Club beating Gilles Simon, who had trouble with that ball toss,

he won the match though, and was on the main court and everything, so it

was a match he should take great pride in coming through. Then

Mathieu had to pull out, he played well against Andy Murray, so we are

talking about Kyle Edmund and where he can get to in the game. I am

happy to say it again that I don't know if I see him as a top 30 or a

top 40 player yet, Kyle Edmund, because of the defence, the ability

to change, the versatility that is required. Matches like this are a

real litmus test. It is not playing Andy Murray on one of the big

courts, it is matches like this. You have got to get through this, his

opponent is ranked 55 in the world, he is a tough one.

It is all a continuing education, isn't it, for Kyle Edmund, who

hasn't won a set yet in Wimbledon singles. He has played this

tournament three times. He has never been a better player than he is now,

though. 28 years of age this Wednesday. He

lives in the letter, -- Valetta, the capital of mortar. Nantes -- of

Malta. You look at the tax regime of that place, and you might think it

is a very nice place to live. Kyle Edmund living in Wimbledon, in

fact moved the week of Queen's Club. Had a washing machine delivery at

6:30am. They were supposed to be there by seven or so, knock on the

door at 6:30am! It has to be this good from Edmund.

You see Mannarino is outside the outside tramline there, it gives him

a chance to set up beforehand. UMPIRE: Mannarino is challenging the

ball on the right baseline, the ball was called out. Worth a look. Mr

Mannarino has two challenges remaining.

Correction, the ball was good. Replay the point.

Kyle Edmund really struggling here against Mannarino. Flat ball. His

mum there, gesturing. She gets very nervous, can't sleep at all before

watching her boy lay. We have Ryan Jones, the coach, all looking a bit

pensive. His dad as well. Not over yet, this one, how was that?

Oh no, he is going to have to move now, it can't believe it. His eyes

were saying that there was definitely out, but it wasn't.

Edmund is off the mark in sets number two.

Mr Mannarino has one challenge remaining. Clear macro SUE

SUE BARKER: if you can't watch coming you can listen to live

commentary on radio five live and five live sports extra. Wimbledon on

the BBC is covered from every angle. Before we rejoin Court Number Two,

we can show you what is happening just over on court number three. Sam

Stosur in your picture, the 32-year-old from Australia, former

US Open champion. Against Magna Lynette. She has the game to do well

on the surface, but at were more than she has never done too well.

6-5 up against the Pole on court three. Back we go to Court Two.

ANDREW CASTLE: based in sunshine here. The playing surface somewhere

beneath the surrounding walkways and church road. You certainly don't

hear it down on the court. You get a sense you are playing in a bowl. A

very intense court when the crowd get into it. More of them coming in

now. He has got such a good understanding

of how to play in grass, where his opponent is. It just creates a

little bit of extra doubt in the opponent's mind, the next time he

gets a short forehand. APPLAUSE

That is cat and mouse now. He has got Kyle Edmund on a string here.

Instead of reacting quickly and instinctively, Edmund come he's like

a lot of opponent of this player, sort of reacting after he sees the

shot played. I don't know whether Mannarino knows what he's going to

do next sometimes. This is actually a great talent.

Easily done. He maintains his break of serve. And you compare that to

Mannarino's side of the net. Almost looks like no matter where Edmund

hits the ball, he is there waiting, he is half a step ahead of the game.

You called it a conundrum early on, it certainly is. The first thing you

have to do is take care of your site, and that is holding. APPLAUSE

You know, Jamie, I was mentioning the morning of his match at Queen's

Club. Kyle Edmund. Against Andy Murray,

the washing machine or fridge being delivered or whatever it was... But

it's important, you don't live in a vacuum as a tennis player. You need

to carry on with your ordinary life and balance that with your

professional life and training and balance but it takes time and he's

only 21. His mother had to stay in a day later to take delivery of a

piece of furniture, you have to live a parallel life and travel and

everything. You have to be organised and getting used to that takes time.

He is still only 21. Still sort of settling into the life he has chosen

but where do you see him going? You play doubles with him. How high do

you think he can go? I share your view, I think his progress is really

good. Like you say, he is still young, made really good progress, 68

in the world right now, I think Tim said earlier top 50 by the end of

the year, agreed. But I wouldn't say definitely top 20.

That is definitely the best point of the match so far and I wonder, from

Edmund's point of view, the point that is going to give him momentum

and give him time to get back into the second set.

Pulled out to the wings again, this is the defence we are talking about.

I know we said high standards for Kyle Edmund, he sets them for

himself, pulled out wide, not beyond the trams, you have got to make

that. Keep yourself in the rally. That was a 15-30 point. With an

opponent under some pressure. What would Andy Murray have done, for

instance? Look it back in? Mannarino had a fourth-round finish

at Wimbledon back in 2014. Kyle Edmund serving. 2-4.

These are the points you don't expect Edmund to win! But he did

really well. That is a good example of the power that he does have in

that wing. So that is undoubtedly better. He

had 15-30 on the previous Mannarino service game, Edmund still a set and

a break down but something for the whole team to get involved with. He

is not afraid to invest in himself, he has a coach, Ryan Jones, blue

T-shirt, lots of muscles and white hat, the man on the left, that is

Ryan, son of Alan Jones, good player himself. Used to work with Borna

Coric. He won a lot of matches under his tutelage, got up to 80 in the

world. Frazer Wright on the right-hand side, an agent. Ian

Cranley is there as well, the physiotherapist and trainer and are

reaping else... It is all not paid for. He invests a lot in himself.

That is Kyle Edmund. Sunshine on day one of the

Championships. Monday the 27th of June, 13 days of play to even now

and the Men's Singles final. -- between now.

It is a great pick-up from Edmund. Don't think Mannarino was expecting

that but great understanding, knew if he put the ball in the service

box, the point was over. CHEERING

Just guilty of becoming a little predictable on that drop shot. In

the right place but Edmund made good ground. Did not overplay. For the

second game in a row, the British player has 15-30 on the French man's

serve. Just so hard to read. That was the

same bolt hole is right out to the left. He swung sext seven into the

front row of the crowd. -- sector seven.

That was a little tight! 76 miles an hour, second double.

APPLAUSE CHEERING

Edmund electing to play crosscourt rallies but that angle just proving

enough for Mannarino to gain the error, breakpoints saved.

Floating ball in that rally, Jamie, could have come after belting the

backhand down the line. Nicely defended from Mannarino but Edmund,

again, not wanting to volley. Yes, talking about the flexibility in his

game, the ability to do something a bit different, but had to be a

volley at that point. UMPIRE: new balls, please. A fine

hold from 15-30. Tougher fight this second set, as you can see from the

timing. 15-30 twice in a row, Edmund will feel very disappointed not to

have capitalised and picked up a break to get back on even terms.

First day of the Championships for everybody. Looking a little nervy,

Edmund, in this match, the ball boys and girls too.

Kyle Edmund willing to have a go at something different. Expecting to

play the drop shot but when he is going to touch shots like that,

hopefully, it's not a sign of desperation that he wants to finish

the point too quickly. Did you see the reverse spin as

Mannarino just came across that forehand, it has the effect of

taking the ball away, deep return, gets Edmund back. You see how it

fades away? Ford customer, the technique, nothing to go wrong,

simple. -- awkward customer. So interesting, looking at Mannarino

even after that point, he felt like he should have made that pass, even

from that position! So much of the big, physical work,

the exhausting physical work, if this was to go the distance, would

begin to be a factor. So much of that is being done by Kyle Edmund,

the simplicity, the economy of the French man's game is impressive.

Good hold, it asks the question. Can Mannarino hold to take a two set

lead? Edmund certainly came in with some

confidence. We mentioned earlier he beat Gilles Simon, 20th in the

world, at Queen's Club, went up to Nottingham, beat Lukas Rosol, you

remember that name. The man who beat Rafa Nadal 6-4 in the fifth, 2012,

third round, set that tournament alight. He comes in with a lot of

WinSport it is all going into the tank, isn't it? We talk about

learning experience, he wants to win these matters, the Toffees. They are

really tough, a win against the likes of Simon, a top ten player,

seriously good wind and you cannot have results like that if you

haven't got really something about you. What is interesting, the Skype,

against Mannarino, when you get to a level and Kyle is in this band, a

lot of it comes down to match ups and this is just a very, very

difficult matchup. Wimbledon Park. The lake... Designed

by capability Brown. Just over Church Road, coming back down to

Court Number Two. Day the sunshine at the Championships, 2016. A lovely

scene. Adrian Mannarino doesn't give or care about any of that, he thinks

a nice scene would be 2-0 sets up on Court Number Two. That is a horribly

good shot! Similar sort of ball flight to what

we saw in the previous game. Reversing away from the opponent.

I tell you what, he almost went flying there, Kyle Edmund! Going

over his own chair! If his trailing leg had caught the chair, he could

have been in all sorts of trouble. We would never have got anywhere

near over the top! Sadly, for him, he has lost the point.

He is not injured for anything, is he? He has won two straight points

but after... Hurdling his own chairs and almost falling onto the

concrete... Why the entrance and exit to this court... I am just

keeping an eye on his movement. Three straight boys!

CHEERING -- straight points. Mannarino, now,

showing some nerves. Started the game so well. The forehand, didn't

see this coming. Rick point. -- break point.

Four straight points, a break of serve for Kyle Edmund. Something for

him to get his teeth into! SUE BARKER: five games all in the second

set, we are going to lead this match, we are heading to Centre

Court to see Novak Djokovic but if you want to continue watching, you

can, it is on the red button. Not only can you watch on BBC One and

BBC Two, you can watch the drama on fault on the BBC's website and app,

every angle is covered with live cobra job of 215 courts and if you

can't watch, am an available on BBC Radio 5 Live on BBC Radio 5 Live

sports extra. That is how you can follow Wimbledon. Some results

already. We saw her arriving, the former finalist, Sabine Lisicki only

losing four games. 6-1, 6-3. She is through to the next round.

But we have lost our first seed, the 25th seed, arena Camellia Begu.

Going out to her opponent from Germany.

We have lost the first seed but of course, the biggest shock of all

would the James Ward could beat Novak Djokovic on Centre Court. The

defending champion horse all four grand slam titles, unbeaten in the

majors over the past months, looking unbeatable but if we can offer James

some encouragement going into this match, beating the defending

champion on the opening day fumbled and has been done before! -- the

opening day of Wimbledon. COMMENTATOR: sensational! What an

amazing start to Wimbledon. SUE BARKER: it was the man mountain

defeating Leyton Hewitt. I am on courtside and I and joint by Jim

Courier. Welcome to the team. Thank you, nice to sneak onto Centre

Court. Talk about upsets. It wasn't too much of an upset, Ivo Karlovic

is so tough to beat. Not that they serve like that, James Ward doesn't

quite have the weaponry to make it uncomfortable for Novak but we come

here to see what happens, it is not installed what happens. Jim, we are

clutching at straws, we are looking for anything that can give us hope.

As a Davis Cup captain I have in on the receiving end of James Ward's

theatrics. Here they come. CHEERING

APPLAUSE Great ovation, Novak such a great

champion, the crowd appreciating them and encouraging James Weir. We

will talk more about James's defeat of John Isner in the Davis Cup. But

in some ways it gives him that sense of occasion. Absolutely, he has the

knowledge he can perform on the big stage will stop this is a step up,

the first round of the Championships, his first experience

on Centre Court, playing a guy who has won for Grand Slams in a row. It

is a massive task, but if we are going to try to paint a picture of

how these upsets can happen, the first round of any tournament is

never easy. When you look at the court, it will always be a little

bit lush and slippery. I am not saying an upset will happen but I

think Ward has to go out and be aggressive, he has to try to play

the match on his terms when he can. If he gets the chance on second

serves, gets the opportunity to move forward, go for it. He has nothing

to lose. That is the way, because you are not going to beat Novak any

other way. No, you have to stay in the centre of the court if you are

James Ward. Novak we know has great balance. He will struggle on the

court, all of the players do in the first couple of days and he will

have a better shot of staying on balance when he is outside. It is a

tough matchup, no doubt, but let it fly, why not. We do have the extra

week now between the French and Wimbledon but it is not an easy

transfer. It is not, Novak does it different than most. He takes a

mental break as well as a physical one and comes in with the knowledge

that he doesn't typically lose these matches. It has been a long time

since he has lost the first round in a major. So the has to work his way

into the tournament. As far as Novak is concerned, the doesn't have any

errors in his game. What can you attack? There are so few weaknesses,

but when you actually think about if you are going to implement a game

plan, I, for one, I probably would say this because I like to get to

the net, but I think when you get an opportunity you have to move

forward. To take his time away and finish the point at the net, because

as you say with his athletic ability, to try to hit through him

to the back of the court, there may be only one or two. Wawrinka has

done it on a clay court where he has the firepower, but especially on a

grass court, you get a bit of help. It is the toughest surface to defend

on. For someone to be Djokovic, they have to look to be positive.

Ironically his weakest shot is his overhead. So do you bring him in and

lobbed him? CHUCKLING He has just moved the game on in

leaps and bounds. I remember being here in 2008, that wonderful

Federer- Nadal final, thinking we will never seem players better than

this and then he has raised the bar again. It is pretty crazy to think

somebody who has lifted it. You saw his backhand, the way that Nadal was

able to exploit it in the way he is not able to do with Novak. He has no

weaknesses at the back of the court, his serve has got much better over

time, and the returns have always been great. Movement is amazing. He

looks like he will continue to dominate here for at least the next

couple of years. We know that time waits for nobody but it seems like

he is well positioned. Such a big day for James Ward. John Isner in

the Davis Cup, that was probably his biggest win up to now on the biggest

stage. Absolutely, and Davis Cup playing in your home country will be

a big occasion and he has to try to draw those experiences. He is 29

years of age, has played for many years. As I said, this is a step up,

playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon. But I certainly think he

has got to try and go out there and really soak up the atmosphere and

take on board some of the things. He will be a bit nervous, his footwork

might not be as good as it can be, so really concentrate on moving his

feet, and take his time. It is very easy to get a little bit ahead of

yourself and Russia any circumstances. What he did in that

Davis Cup tie, head of the energy of the crowd and I think he will try to

get them on his side. Let's here from the man himself. James has been

talking to Russell Fuller. It is an amazing chance to play on Centre

Court against the probable one, one of the most amazing players of all

time and see how you do, you know? Put your game up against him and see

what happens but on the other hand it is difficult. I made the third

round last year, and you think that the ranking will change a little bit

afterwards, if Monday doesn't go well. But you have just got to enjoy

the moment and go from there, and see what I do for the rest of the

year and worry about my banking afterwards. Is it important for you

to have the opportunity to open Championships? It is a great

Wimbledon tradition. Of course, it is something I'll have to remember

the rest of my life. Playing the world number one, on Centre Court,

in London, where I'm from. Family and friends, everyone around, home

support, you can't ask for much more. He'd probably doesn't have any

weaknesses, so there was probably not much point to have that, session

but can you exploit the fact it is his first competitive match on grass

of the year? That is what everyone has been saying to me but I am not

reading too much into it. Nobody has found a way past him for the last

couple of years now. So it will be difficult. I just have to give it my

best, be aggressive and hope that there are a few nerves from him,

defending the title, and we will see how it goes. Tim, he's just got to

try to start well and not let Novak get too far ahead. That's right.

There is an element of controlling the controllable. So he really has

to think about his own game. Yes, we know Djokovic has such a great game

but focus on his own serve. If you can hit his spots, mix things up,

use the body serve. If he gets an opportunity to move forward, be

aggressive. Then focus on his own things. It would be easy for him to

look around, start playing the offending champion on Centre Court

and be totally distracted from his game plan. So try to hold serve

early on, get himself into the match, then perhaps could build a

little bit of pressure on Djokovic. What were the parts of James's game

that interest you? First of all that he did not give up against both Sam

Querrey and Isner. The fact he has a beautiful forehand. The backhand can

go ahead, it is a streaky shot. But it can surprise you. Tim talked

about playing aggressive tennis. His movement is not his strength. If you

can play first strike tennis here, especially off a Novak second serve,

which is a big shot but is also a little predictable, tends to come to

the backhand side. Is basically he has to take chances. What has he got

to lose? He knows if he plays cautiously and has no chance. If he

can look to step up and really get that first strike in, it is a little

bit slippery out there. He doesn't want to be defending. Be aggressive.

He has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Novak will at

some point have to realise he has won all four Grand Slams, will the

pressure hit him? I don't think it would hit him here in the first

round. Maybe as he goes on further in the tournament. Tim, are you

going to start blocking these for me? I was told you were going to

block these shots. Novak is aiming at you. We know he is accurate,

that's for sure. I think it is more about Novak getting comfortable, and

James getting comfortable, then we will see where we are in about six

games into the match. Just to let you know, Mannarino did take the

second set against Kyle Edmund, 7-5, so Edmund is two sets to love down.

COMMENTATOR: The world's greatest tennis player certainly, the word's

greatest athlete, probably, the world's greatest ever tennis player

quite possibly, against the world 177 without a title to his name.

Career earnings of $102 million against career earnings of that. The

first player since Rob Lever in 1969 to all Fer -- since Rod Laver. So

can James Norwood land the most unlikely punch in sport since Buster

Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson 26 years ago?

And a very authoritative start from the top seed.

We are going to talk a lot about Djokovic's return of serve in a

moment. But the actual server is not too bad either.

And a very straightforward start for the defending champion. And James

Ward knew it wasn't going to be easy. Jim Courier, hello. JIM

COURIER: Hello, John. If you are listening and you have not heard Jim

and taking too much, you will be aware that he is a big fan of

statistics, and I know you have a great statistic about Novak Djokovic

in grand slam tournaments. Guess, it came from a friend of mine. CHEERING

It has been 67 consecutive sets during the first three rounds of

these tournaments. APPLAUSE

And in a typically British way, a huge ovation for James Ward-Prowse

Mac first point. TIM HENMAN: I thought you were going to say it was

a huge vision for me! Hello, Tim. James Ward-Prowse Mac Twitter

account this morning just said #BELIEVE. Can he really believe? He

has got to find a way to believe. Do you really think he believes?

Leigh it is a difficult one, when you hear statistics like that. He is

a student of the game, the knows how Djokovic is dominating but you have

got to try to bring it back into the present and break it down point by

point, game by game. Yes, intuitively I agree with you just

think it is awfully hard to walk onto this court and think if you are

James Ward that you have a chance. Maybe give it more simple. I suppose

you take every un-forced error that comes. Just try to win a set. Even

more immediate than that, you want to win a game first of all. You have

to get one on the game. If you lose your first service, you think this

was tough to start with, it has certainly got a lot tougher.

But the order of Djokovic, not just as the world number one, but of

certain aspects of his play -- his aura. His return is extraordinary,

all of the statistics about that, there is often the risk that you go

to too much on your serve to try to mitigate that.

There are two double faults in a row. It is a fine line, you want

James Maw to be aggressive, he goes for the big first serve at 30-15, he

misses it, double fought, and now the pressure is on. -- double fault.

APPLAUSE Well, that was brave. I think you

are right, John, it is very easy for Howard two over serve. He knows what

a good return Djokovic is but he doesn't want to try to serve at 130.

He has got to hit the spots where he is comfortable.

When that ball actually left Djokovic's racket, for a moment I

thought it might dip in suddenly because it was almost a semi-mishit,

wasn't it? APPLAUSE

Tim, as far as James's serve goes, are you taking some pace off right

now and serving out wide in the court, given how challenging the

movement is? If he can push Novak out wide early in the points, just

increases his chance so much in those rallies.

APPLAUSE Ward has actually set the point up

well, a good short ball to come in but hitting a six week from the

sideline, six feet from the baseline against the best player in the world

is not going to get the job done. He is being pulled from pillar to

post there. And the Herculean task. Ever more

Herculean there. If you are clutching at straws here,

frantically, from the James Ward camp, is Djokovic more vulnerable

early in a grand slam rather than later on? Apparently not, based on

the numbers. We saw Andy Murray run into all kinds of difficulties in

his early rounds, five-setters. And he will take that too come Tim,

one of the things actually, I don't think television actually quite

conveys what an imposing figure Djokovic is. He's much taller than

you ever imagined him to be, and so when we talk about the psychological

battle, he actually is playing very, very considerable physique as well,

never mind just the extraordinary talent as a tennis player.

That is the shot of Wimbledon so far. He certainly is an imposing

physique, with incredible court movement, but not even Djokovic

could cover that passing shot from Ward. Good opportunity to get back

on serve. Three break points. Now, when did Novak Djokovic, come on,

Jim, you must know this, when did he last lose a game to love in a grand

slam? CHUCKLING It wasn't here. I will say that.

Both of these players seem like they are playing somewhere in third gear

at the moment, just testing each other out, getting comfortable in

these conditions, getting their feet underneath them, more than anything.

They are really moving gently on the court. There is none of the violent

movement that we see on hard courts or clay, where they are screeching

to a halt. They are prancing around like they are in a ballet out there

at the moment. Tim, the suspicion is that James Ward is not going to have

too many chances to break Djokovic's serve. When you are in a situation

where you were 0-40, thinking you are going to break him, and then

suddenly it is 3040, how do you play this point in isolation? You do have

to isolate it. But you need to win it. Obviously, these early stages of

the match, we appreciate how important they are, just for Howard

to establish any sort of presence or footing in the match.

But a fourth break point goes begging.

APPLAUSE For James Ward, the door was open on

four occasions. But Djokovic slammed it firmly in his face there. So it

is 3-0. Tim, the first time to sit down for James Ward, and to think,

what? He will be disappointed with the start he has made but he has got

to just take his time. Only been out here 13 minutes, the best of a five

set match, there is no need to panic. But he wants to get some sort

of foothold in the match, so the first point in the next service game

is important to have a really clear plan. As Jim said, with the footwork

it is not easy to begin with. It is green, the courts are a little bit

slippery, still a bit of SAP in the grass, so he has got to look to try

to be aggressive and get Djokovic on the defensive. If he tries to get on

the baseline it will be a short afternoon for James Ward. Take the

positives as well, you have just had a bunch of chances to break Novak.

You are down a break but you have also had a chance, so you have to

find some optimism in spite of the scoreboard. As far as the second

service game is concerned, he won't want to punctuate it with double

faults, like he did the first one. And bit by bit the All-England's

showpiece court is filling up. We are about 95% for now. Roux and the

sun is shining. And the sun is shining, and all is right with the

world. In spite of everything else that's going on at the moment.

He is struggling to make first serves, Ward, and now rehearsing

that toss, struggling with the sun on the side as well.

APPLAUSE That was a lovely deft touch from

James Ward, but Djokovic almost got there. Novak had two challenges

here, get to this shot, three actually, make it and then not

hitting the net before the ball bounced twice. I'm not sure he would

have been able to stop himself there. Net, first service. The

difference in clay he would have been able to slide into that drop

shot and stop at impact. Not happening here on Centre Court.

UMPIRE: Mr Djokovic is challenging the call, the ball was called in.

James seems reasonably confident about this. And the first Hawk-Eye

challenge on Centre Court of 2016 is incorrect.

Mr Djokovic has two challenges remaining. It is one of those games

where it is easy to be critical, but is that the kind of loose shot, lost

point that is hard enough as it is without making an error like that.

More of a forced error. You can see a Howard struggling with his

movement a bit, Djokovic on the fence. Once they get neutral in the

point, that is when Djokovic will take charge -- Djokovic on the

offence. We are stuck in neutral at the

moment. APPLAUSE And then it is a positive finish for

James Ward. I mentioned at the start that James

has only played two matches on the main tour this year and has lost

them both, so for the non-tennis people, he is playing almost all the

time at the moment in effectively the second tier, the second division

of tennis. So what is the big challenge he is facing against

Djokovic, apart from obviously the best player in the world? Is it the

weight of shots, what is it he is experiencing today that he would not

normally experience, week in, week out?

It's probably the relentless nature of Djokovic's game. When you look at

the shots he has hit, he hasn't done anything amazing but his level is

going to be like this for hours and hours, and it's only going to get

better. And so could Ward lived with him in moments? Yes, he can, but it

is weathered Djokovic is going through the gears. At present, sort

of between second and third gear. APPLAUSE

The thing that you get in the second tier that you won't get from Novak

are a lot of free points. You won't have players who mentally dropped

off and hand you a lot. We have seen Novak give a few away, but people

tighten the screws on that as the match goes on. Novak is most likely

only going to play better as this match precedes.

That is what is different about tennis compared to a golf

tournament. You can't play defence in golf. You have to shoot your best

and hope that nobody else gets hotter than you. In tennis, you have

to be better than the guy on the other side of the net. Not your

best, just a hair better. People can't do that in the first week

against Novak very often. That ball was viciously sliding and

slicing away from James Ward. You sometimes think that slicing is a

dying art, but on a green grass court when you hit a shot like that,

fading away from a player, incredibly effective.

That is why it is interesting if you watch a lot of junior tennis, the

shot barely exists. A disappointing finish to a

competitive game. But the same result.

Talk about areas where Novak has got marginally better since Boris Becker

has come on board. I think the slice backhand has got better. Seems like

he drives that shot more now than he used to. It has more penetration,

moving through the court better. He doesn't hit it high- low as much as

he used to. Not quite Tim Henman slicing but pretty good. High

praise! The best! This afternoon is getting

progressively harder for James Ward. And the key thing for him is not to

get too down on himself. And maybe not look at the scoreboard

too much! That will not improve his mood. And don't listen to the

umpire! He will have a third service game in a moment, James Ward, and he

is facing a man with an extraordinary, the nominal record of

return of serve. Simply the best. He is tall, six

feet three, and very long, long reach also. And he is explosive.

Combine all of that, and it is very difficult to get the ball past him.

He has a lot of power as well. Only can neutralise a great service. You

can get the ball primarily back down the middle of the court. He is the

best return I have ever seen. Not the most offensive return I have

ever seen. Andre Agassi used to be more aggressive but he was easier to

ace because you could spot the corners and get three points. Novak

news that he is better than everyone in these mutual rallies, and he is

happy to hit the ball down the middle, accept the point. With his

athletic ability, when you move as well as he does, it forces the

opponent to take more risks. They start going close to the line, to

the net, and unforced errors,. Six unforced errors from James Ward

so far and that might be number seven. I think it probably was an

unforced error. Ward hit a good serve, 123 mph, and Djokovic blocked

it into the middle of the court, which is where Ward has got to look

to be offensive. It didn't miss by much. When he has the opportunity to

set his feet and go for the shot, when the rally gets to eight shots,

he will lose the majority, but if he gets the chance to be offensive, he

has got to go for it. Second ace from James Ward.

But for every ace, a double fault, and the initiative handed straight

back to the top seed and defending champion.

Repeat. Still the right shot selection from Ward, just didn't

execute it. After 27 minutes, two set points to the top seed.

UMPIRE: Game and first set, Djokovic.

This is a time when James Ward really does have to regroup. We have

said that it will be a long afternoon for him but actually it

might be very short. That is the scene on this... I think we can say

glorious day, I think that is not overstating its too much. Anyway,

very nice Monday afternoon on the opening day of The Championships.

Your hill is half full. Is that Murray Mound? What is that? Don't

even go there. I am accurate could be a short stay for you, Jim! Nice

doing a single set with you, Jim, goodbye! All of the courts are busy

on this first Monday and if you are lucky enough to get a ground pass,

you can go out and see some of the most riveting matches. It is almost

more fun. By the very nature of the scheduling, the top seeds find

themselves on Centre Court, Court Number One and court that the to,

and by the nature of scheduling, you have the world number one against

the world 127, which might not be the best match, but the real nip and

tuck games are on the outside court on the first few days. If you ever

get a ground pass for the first few days, it is fantastic. As we watch

Novak Djokovic in slow motion, I expect most of his opponents which

he plays like that! This match is not moving in slow motion for James

Ward. It must feel like it is going at high speed. We spoke about this

before the match, and one of the things that I was hoping for for

James Ward was for him to establish himself in the match. That obviously

hasn't happened now. At the beginning of this set, he needs to

regroup, and say that he could have lost it 7-6 and he lost it 6-0, but

time to dig his heels in. It is like being a batsman. You have got to get

off the mark. And it is different from golf. It is just you and your

ball. But you have someone on the other side of the net trying to make

life very difficult for you. It looks like Novak is going to hold

quite comfortably to open this set out. If James Ward is thinking

clearly right now, he needs to think about doing something a bit

different in his own service games. It is not simply execution right

now. He knows he has a challenging opponent. But one, he's not making a

lot of first serves, so take a bit off the first serve and try to spot

the corners if you can. Novak is blocking a lot of return is back in

play. When he is blocking them, they are not necessarily clipping the

net. They are floating a bit. That should be a green light to at least

try a serve and volley which he is yet to do in the whole match. How

easy is it to think that rationally when you look

at the scoreboard and it is saying 6-0, 1-0? It is much easier when Mr

Smith is sitting next to you, which is probably why he has had his best

results with somebody trying to help him navigate these moments. At the

age of 29 you would hope he would be taking that on board to make those

decisions for himself. The previous comment from a not remotely bitter

American Davis Cup captain! That is more like it. Grass is no doubt the

toughest surface to defend on. When James Ward gets the opportunity to

be defensive, he has got to attack. When he steps inside the baseline,

good shot. Jim just touched on it. First

service percentage, 38 for the match. He has got to raise those

numbers. What about Novak? 87% first serves in. They are not monster

serves, just eight out of ten, but doing the job.

Even when he is making first serves, they are coming back into play. That

is why the suggestion of rattling Novak by serve and volley, it just

to give him a different view, make him think, maybe he misses a return?

Then he is not under pressure to do anything other than just get it back

and go to work from there. That last forehand into the net was a very

tight shot. You expect the nerves to get the best of you at the start of

the game, but they can actually consume you during the game. You are

thinking more and more, you get tighter and tighter as the game gets

further and further away from you. He is facing two opponents now.

Djokovic and the two bagels on the scoreboard.

CROWD CHEERS The crowd knows it and they are

trying to encourage him. And the gulf in class is only too

apparent. Do you think when the draw was made and James saw that he was

playing Djokovic, part of you, because that is why you are a

professional sportsman, goes what an opportunity. And the other part

wishes for anybody else. That is the whole psychology. We have heard

about the chimp sitting on your shoulder telling you you can't win

it. You have got to keep it quiet. Say, right, here is a plan and this

is the way I am going to go out and execute my game to have an impact

and potentially win. Right now you would question if you are sitting on

the side of the court what the plan is.

Can you ever allow the kind of mentality... We always assume that

professional sports men operate in a different mental planet to normal

sportspeople. But at this point, if this was a club match and you were

losing 2-0, 15-0, the person on the receiving end is wishing just to win

one game. And James Ward is thinking nothing different. At this moment in

time he wants to get a game on the board and you can't deny that. The

Djokovic this is normal service resumed.

If the handbrake was on for the first few games, it has been lifted

off. Certainly from Djokovic's point of view. He would have had early

match nerves. But eight games in, about to win the first nine games...

It is a long walk back to the umpire's chair for James Ward. Nine

games to love. It is definitely cruise control for Novak. He is

starting to feel his way into the net. In the preview we talked about

this guy being so complete and the only area of his game that they see

any fragility, is the overhead, believe it or not. Take a look at

the rally hit point comparison. Novak dominating as far as getting

inside the baseline. 25% of the time he has been able to attack and he is

so comfortable in that 48% zone. That is where he lives. On occasions

like this, you wonder if Novak Djokovic had ever been on the

receiving end of this kind of situation. Does he know what it

feels like to be like James Ward at the moment? The very first Grand

Slam tournament he played in was the Australian Open in 2005, playing

Baroness Ashton in the first round who went on to win the title that

year, and Djokovic lost 0- one and 0- to. Obviously he was young and up

and coming in those days. I wonder if James would take that now.

Jackie Stewart in the royal box today. He has obviously been a

frequent visitor here watching Andy Murray.

That ball was asking to be hit and he hit it. Maybe that will perking

up a bit. It is really a good punch that we are looking for. An

offensive reply and then looking to dominate with the next shot.

Two not very good shots in succession. Anything flying that tie

should have two stewardesses on board because that will not get it

done. I thought he was trying to bring in the smash.

From our position, that did look out. Pretty tight. Did it catch the

back edge? Was it wise? ! Wide? Good eyes, Tim! Big cheer for Hawk-Eye.

That computer was feeling British at that stage. Two chances to get on

the board. That was out. UMPIRE: Of game, James Ward. A wry

smile from Novak Djokovic. A British player wins a game on Centre Court

for the first time this Wimbledon. Credit for James Ward not only

getting a game on the board but that reaction.

Djokovic shaking, you can see. Quaking in his boots!

I have to say from our position here, the work on that drop shot

looked magical but Ward got there. I thought it was a lob that landed

very short. These boys are giving the drop shot elevation. I thought

he was trying to bounce it off the net on to the court.

Centre Court blast. A second serve. James Ward perhaps on break point.

Lets not undermine James Ward, but Djokovic has certainly

underperformed in this game and it has given the British player three

break points. He had four in a game in the first set. And he couldn't

take them in the first set and that is the first one that has gone here.

Is it too early to start talking about the greatest comebacks in

Wimbledon history? Connor. UMPIRE: Game, James Ward. The comeback is on

for James Ward! Settle down, guys. Let's celebrate for James. He is on

the board, back on serve. Good news if you like competitive tennis. You

can put the double bagel back in your bag. I didn't know I was going

to be the voice of reason in this box! Not usually my role. They will

be feeling much better at this change of ends compared to the

previous one. It will not be a dissimilar celebration when he wins

Wimbledon, but there he is. His first game when he got on the board

against Djokovic. Djokovic played one or two pretty poor shots in the

last couple of games. You never associate Djokovic with complacency

and with his level dropping. Novak Djokovic was 6-0, 3-0 up. And

the worst-case scenario of 6-0, 6-0 was staring James Ward in the face

but we had eight to a reception. -- to mulch tremendous reception.

Hello to viewers on BBC TV who have just joined us. If you are here

seven or eight minutes ago, you might not have been feeling too

encouraged by James Ward's prospects because he was 6-0, 3-0 down. But

suddenly... Suddenly! He is 3-2 down, but 40-0

to make it 3-3. Stand by for a huge cheer if James

Ward levels things up. What a shots down the line from

Djokovic. Heavy hitting. Of course we say it all the time in

tennis, but a break of serve is never a break of serve until you

have held your serve afterwards. James Ward wouldn't have been human

if he hadn't thought he would be 3-3 in a minute.

Great drop shot, great from Djokovic, great winner from James

Ward. Game on? Is that overstating it somewhat? This set is back on.

Ward has done well to get back on level terms.

What is Djokovic thinking at the moment? Just a question of

regrouping. He has probably taken his foot off the gas, got a bit

complacent, up 6-0, 3-0, it was too easy for him and this will have

refocused his mind. There is a job to be done.

One area where Ward has made a slight adjustment in the last couple

of minutes, he has got much more aggressive on his first serve

returns. When Novak is hitting first served at him, his average speed has

climbed 12 mph on those returns, which is a big jump, from 58 up to

70. It is the kind of aggression he should have used at the outset of

the match. It seems like he has finally settled in and freed himself

up. That scoreboard pressure was immense

for a while. One thing that Novak will know, and Boris will have told

him about James Ward is if he gets hot, he can't give it up for long.

-- keep it up. That was a fantastically clean

strike from James Ward there, but he just overcook it.

Normal service resumed. Djokovic leads.

I notice there is a very famous American tennis player out there

from yesteryear, actually before yesteryear, Charlie Passarella, who

a lot of our older viewers will remember playing one of the most

famous games ever played on this court on the very early days of open

tennis against Pancho Gonzalez. Five hours and 12 minutes, not that

I remember much about it. I was not even born then. You think that Tim

said that looking up in a book, he said that from memory.

Yes, Charlie Pasarell. Michael Stich. Celebrating a nice

anniversary. Since he won this championship. Are you finding a TV

tonight, Tim? I hope so, I hope I am not stuck here. Iceland is not a

great sporting nation, is it? Maybe the weather. You suspect that

actually most of the budget of the Icelandic tennis Federation must go

on indoor courts, don't you think? I think Djokovic called off in those

last three games but now the intensity resuming. -- he cooled

off. He doesn't want to be messing around, he wants to finish this set

of, this match of at the earliest possibility.

An interesting change up from Djokovic, you really took the pace

off, played the slice backhand shot. Came into uncomfortable territory.

Now 0-30. There will be many occasions over

the next couple of weeks when people talk about what a fantastic scoring

system tennis is, because of the ebb and flow. But it can also ebb very

quickly. You can feel yourself in a game, and then you can be out of it

almost in a couple of minutes. From the optimism of 3-3, James Ward

could be staring at Djokovic about to serve for the second set.

But he's hanging in there. A bit of frustration on Djokovic's side.

Take that! 123 mph, down the middle. The fourth ace for James Ward. But

it is still break point. To the defending champion.

-- a well dug out of hole. Not quite out of it yet. Living in the right

direction. APPLAUSE

And still moving in it! For really the first time, Novak showing some

signs of frustration after that point. Waiting for his towel, there

was a little tension. Getting upset the towel didn't come in proper

time. APPLAUSE

Well holed. While Well held, James Weir. Special

time for the families and friends in the players box on Centre Court.

That is a big don't discount it for them as well. -- Well held, James

Ward. Some good history in that player 's box as well.

Jim, you were number one for an awful long time, you must have

played a lot of matches played at the position Djokovic is at the

moment, where you are thinking, for heaven's sakes, I am so much better

than guy, why am I still here? But if you allow that to consume even 1%

of your mind you are then not focusing on the ball, are you? But

then you play like that. There are a couple of things Novak is probably

thinking right now, he is wondering why he let Ward off the hook in the

last game, but he is also recognising that Ward is lifted. And

when you are a target like Novak is, players typically don't play like

they normally do. They normally play a lot worse or a lot better, and we

are seeing both of those from Ward at times in this match. So Novak is

used to seeing players have spikes. He has tonnes of experience

obviously. It doesn't mean it is not frustrating.

That was a disappointing end to that, from Ward's perspective.

CHEERING That was a great 1-2 from James

Ward. Backhand forehand, thank you very much. Getting his feet up the

court, taking the ball a little bit earlier, set up by the aggressive

return of serve. He'd quite like to do that again on this point.

Second serve. Still a long way behind the baseline.

And it was a long way behind the baseline when that second ball from

Djokovic fell short. I do know if we can actually see that second serve,

if we can find it, our BT team working away studiously in the

tracks there. -- our VT team. How far back is he standing can to where

he should be? Too far back, he has probably gone five feet behind the

baseline. If Ward is going to have any impact in these baseline rallies

he needs to get ahead in the rally early. So a second serve, that is

the shortest shot he will get in the rally. There are no other shots from

Djokovic that will land inside the service line. So when he gets the

chance, he has got to look to take the risk. By being passive, it is

almost taking the pressure away from Djokovic's second serve. They start

the rally, Djokovic is the clear favourite. What do you read into

those statistics, if anything, Jim? The second server turns are

excellent for Ward, right up there with Novak. But to temp was match

point, I wouldn't mind seeing him miss more and try to be a bit more

offensive with the second serve. You only need four points, break serve

once right now. As long as you keep holding, that is all you have to

get. And it would also be sending the right message. Djokovic would be

thinking my opponent is not doing much, there is no need to go for the

corners or go too aggressively. But certainly down a set 4-5, a big game

for Ward. Think about the contrast to wear Andy Murray returns serve

from, three, four, five feet inside the baseline at times on second

serves. Well played. APPLAUSE

A good, deep ground stroke and a well executed drop shot. But you

have got to have the most amazing hand eye coordination to stand that

far into returned serve, haven't you, and that is not a gift that

many players are blessed with. He is extreme. Novak is right on top of

the baseline, which is a little more appropriate, I would think, for

James. The problem if you stand that far inside the baseline and you

don't hit a good return, you are really in trouble, especially on

this surface, because you are backing up and you don't have good

footing in the first place to change direction from.

That was a good, dog-eared response from Ward. -- dog-eared.

A good, dogged approach. Even better. Ace number five.

New ball, please. 6-0, 3-0, 5-5 seemed a long way away.

I'm sure you won't be aware listening at home that this is the

first time we have had this Men's Doubles pairing in the commentary

box on BBC television, Jim Courier and Tim Henman. How far back do you

guys go? Pretty long ways, actually. I have known him since he was just a

spray young lad. A sprog. 1992, Jim was well number one. Friends with a

good friend of mine, Chris Bailey. Bails bailed on us. He did, I

eventually got the opportunity, but almost didn't. Jim's coach at the

time was a good man by the name of Brad Steyn. He took one look at me

and basically said in no uncertain terms if I can't find anyone else,

you'll have to do. LAUGHTER How old were you at the time? That

made me a little bit nervous going on to the practice courts. That's

right, because once we got out there you realised I couldn't play on

grass a lake, you had no problem. I was 17 at the time, I ended up

sitting with Jim for the whole fortnight, up until the final when I

had to go and play Bristol Challenger. And those that your

undoing, Jim? Clearly. We have never really discussed it, I'm not sure

the right time is now, but what can I say? It was basically a

combination of no Tim... We should probably focus on what is happening

in front of our eyes here. Just quickly, do you think it was 50-50?

70-30 do. You're the man, I appreciate that! Anyway, 15-30. And

James Ward actually encroaching on the baseline. And another foot

further in, as well. A soft, soft error. Soft unforced

error. 1530. You don't want to be giving away donations at that stage.

That was barely over 100 mph, that, but it was placed to perfection.

APPLAUSE How James Ward will wish he could

have played some consistent ground shots like that a couple of points

ago. But he is still in this game. APPLAUSE

And sometimes you just need that bit of luck. And now you've got to

capitalise on it. Not only did he get the net cord, it almost landed

on the net as it rolled down the other side.

It was a pretty positive response from Novak there. Boris has

perfected the art of showing no emotion whatsoever.

CHEERING Some huge hitting there! You can

hear the effort from James Ward. APPLAUSE

And another chance now for him to break Novak Djokovic's serve, and

perhaps have a chance to serve for the second set.

A big serve down the middle from Djokovic.

APPLAUSE Djokovic has clearly decided that

from the right-hand court the thing to do is to take the pace off the

serve and serve towards forehand. That was a stinging response. So,

for the third time,... Ward was way, way behind the

baseline, and he will be kicking himself. On first serve, way behind

the baseline is not necessarily a bad thing because you're trying to

get the ball back in play, but I think he had a little more time than

he thought. Went for the chip, the block, and not so easy to control.

At least he went to that, Jim. He has been going wide, James is

reading viz service pattern on the juice called pretty well. But Novak

went different. He has been going wide. -- on the deuce court.

Overhit. A competitive game but the net result is that. A couple of

things have changed. Obviously the scoreboard has changed a time, but

Wardy, can I call them that? I am going to call him Wardy. I have been

on the court with him enough. Up to the return of serve nicely. He has

also forced Novak to change a bit what is going on with his backhand.

The first set, Novak was slicing his backhand a time, more than usual. I

think because of the additional pace coming at him, Novak is trying to

match the power. He is going away from what was a winning strategy.

And we shouldn't also forget the atmosphere. For a British player to

be out on said the court, the crowd had nothing to get their teeth stuck

into. Obviously changing the flow of the scoreboard to get into this

second set, the crowd have got behind him. We are not necessarily

going to say it will make a difference to the outcome, but it

has at least made Djokovic think. New is obviously perilously close to

serve for the set. Novak we told you at the top of the show how long it

has been since Novak has dropped a shot in the first week of a major.

It has been since 2014, here. With stats like that, you will at least

tell us who? Radek Stepanek, second round here, 2014. You probably

called that match. Not that day. You are losing your mind. Ask him

anything about Charlie Pasarell. Now that was over square leg for

six. We talked a little book about golf. I think if you hit that shot,

you have to shout. Six, never mind fore! From one extreme to the other.

APPLAUSE Take one, take two on the backhand

side. Two aces from James Ward, that's seven so far.

And he will take that, too. So we've got a point here for a second set

tie-break, which 55 minutes or so ago could not have been further from

our minds. Whipping dip on that from Djokovic.

We ought to perhaps just clarify one thing from earlier on, because I

know everybody at home thinks that Tim is absolutely infallible and

everything he says is correct, but... 93. When he met Jim for the

first time. It obviously just wasn't that

special, because I forgot the year! This could be quite special for

James Ward. Well played. Well played. APPLAUSE

From the depths of an abyss 45 minutes ago at 6-0 and 3-0, it is

now 6-0, but it is 6-6. And of course the wonders of tennis is if

James Ward won this, the first set is irrelevant. It is one apiece. So

here we go, the first tie-break of this Wimbledon, here on Centre

Court. And Novak Djokovic is thinking, how

did we get here? APPLAUSE

Lovely touch. Djokovic was saying passed me. And

he did just that. And that's the first mini-break

against the serve. Slice fest. Djokovic hit more than

50% of his backgrounds with a slice in the first set. Doing pretty well

in the school board department. Keeping the ball nice and low. How

can James Ward hurts you when he doesn't really hit top-spin on the

ball? Pretty tough, right? Good tactic. The guys that can hurt you

are the ones with more extreme grips, that can whip the ball up and

down the court and generate lots of power. James has got to be careful

when the ball is download. -- down low. You know how deep that ball was

from Djokovic but he ended up with a volley. Henman Hill was sparsely