Wimbledon Essentials

The highlight of the British sporting summer - The Championships at Wimbledon - starts to focus on the business end of singles competition as the women's quarter-finals take the spotlight at SW19.

The action gets underway at 1pm, with two matches on Centre Court and two on Number One Court. On Centre, we start with the highest remaining seed, number four-ranked Agnieszka
Radwanska, against the former French Open champion and sixth seed Li Na.
That's followed by the 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova against the Belgian 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens.
First up on Court One is Sabine Lisicki, who so memorably defeated favourite Serena Williams yesterday, against the conqueror of Laura Robson, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.
And after that, the next great hope of American tennis, Sloane Stephens takes on the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.
So stick with us for all the live scores, game-by-game coverage of the British players, updates from our team of reporters at courtside and the best photographic coverage from 11.30am.

7.10pm: Well that's it from me here - here is tomorrow's order of play - thanks for following this afternoon:

Centre Court from 1pm:

(4) David Ferrer (Spa) v (8) Juan Martin del Potro (Arg)
Fernando Verdasco (Spa) v (2) Andy Murray (Gbr)

Court 1 from 1pm:

(1) Novak Djokovic (Srb) v (7) Tomas Berdych (Cze)
Lukasz Kubot (Pol) v (24) Jerzy Janowicz (Pol)
7.05pm: So that sets up an intriguing women's semi-final line-up which will crown a new grand slam champion:
It will be Sabine Lisicki v Agnieszka Radwanska and Marion Bartoli v Kirsten Flipkens.

7.02pm: From Sportsmail's Alex Kay:
'Most of Britain want Andy Murray to win but not everyone is feeling confident according to the bookies. Paddy Power told me today: 'We’ve seen over £250,000 put behind backing Andy Murray this year which is the most we’ve ever taken on him. It would have been a record amount if we hadn’t seen almost double that figure backing Novak Djokovic!''

Heading through: Kirsten Flipkens (top) and Marion Bartoli triumphed in their respective quarter-finals

6.59pm: And Flipkens has done it! A winner that bounced on the line was challenged by Kvitova, but it's to no avail. The 27-year-old is through to the semi-final one year after being deemed not good enough to even play in the qualifiers here - what a story!

6.56pm: Kvitova looks absolutely exhausted and Flipkens doesn't help matters by serving an ace to rack up three match points.

6.53pm: Bartoli is now on course to face Kirsten Flipkens! Kvitova looks good to save break point with a fairly simple volley at the net but the Czech fires way over the baseline to lose serve with the Belgian now serving for the match.

6.50pm: And Sloane Stephens fails! The breaking bug kicks in again as Marion Bartoli breaks to take game, set and match 6-4, 7-5.

6.47pm: And suddenly serving has become popular again on Court 1 as Bartoli holds to lead 6-5. Stephens serving to stay in the match and force a tie-break, while Flipkens levels up at 4-4.

Famous faces arrive for Ladies Quarter Final at Wimbledon

6.44pm: Strange how a service hold is now seen as a big thing on Court 1, but Stephens has finally managed to do so and level up the second set at 5-5.

6.41pm: Still no problems with the Kvitova serve as she leads 4-3 in the final set. At this stage of the match it's Flipkens who is looking more under pressure but crucially it is still on serve.

6.38pm: I'm losing count folks. I make that eight breaks in the second set on Court 1 now as Bartoli fails to serve out the match and that allows Stephens to win in deuce and give herself a shot of Wimbledon redemption. The American now serves to stay in the match.

6.35pm: It's a complete contrast on Centre Court as there isn't a break in sight as Kvitova moves 3-2 ahead. It remains on serve as we approach the business end of the set.

6.32pm: Madness continues to rain down on Court 1 as Bartoli breaks AGAIN to serve for the match. Given the way this set has panned out - I'm not too sure that is an advantage.

6.29pm: Still Kvitova keeps fighting on as she moves 2-1 ahead at the start of the third set - it's been an encounter so far.

6.26pm: It's getting ridiculous on Court 1 as Stephens now has a triple break to serve at 4-3 behind.

Unwell: Petra Kvitova called for the doctor during her match with Kirsten Flipkens

Unwell: Petra Kvitova called for the doctor during her match with Kirsten Flipkens

6.23pm: Kvitova, clearly under the weather, is still giving this all she has got to her credit as she holds at the start of the third set.
Like a game of poker, Bartoli raises the stakes again by performing a triple break on Stephens to go 4-2 up - she even broke to love.

6.20pm: Breaking is the new holding it seems on Court 1 as Stephens performs a double break herself to now serve at 3-2 behind against Bartoli.

6.17pm: It is all happening on Court 1. Bartoli looked in control at 2-0, only for Stephens to break straight back.
The American soon loses ground again though as the 15th seed performs the double break to move 3-1 ahead. A delay in play on Centre Court as Kvitova has gone for a break.

6.14pm: Kvitova holds but it's all in vain as Flipkens serves out the set to take it 6-3 - into a decider we go on Centre Court.

6.11pm: Bartoli will have one eye on the semi-finals now. The French star has broken Stephens again at the start of the second set and now leads 2-0.

6.08pm: Sportsmail's Neil Moxley has more on Petra Kvitova's condition:
'I've come off Centre and am listening to the live feed from the courtside microphone. I think Petra Kvitova, having called the doctor, was complaining about feeling under the weather - sounded like a possible sore throat - apparently she started feeling it on Monday night.'

Better late than never: Marion Bartoli broke at the end of the first set to lead Sloane Stephens 1-0

6.05pm: Meanwhile, Stephens fails to hold serve on Court 1 after a lengthy rally and Marion Bartoli takes the first set 6-4. Kvitova is now ready to continue.

6.02pm: The Flipkens express is in full steam now as she holds with ease to move 5-2 ahead. There is a twist though to the sudden shift in momentum.
Kvitova has called the trainer and the doctor out to courtside - apparently she didn't warm up before this match and has felt a little unwell today.

5.59pm: Interesting...very interesting. Flipkens draws Kvitova to the net with a great drop shot before lobbing the Czech to bring up break point.
The 2011 champ then hits the net cord to allow Flipkens the advantage in a rally, with Kvitova smashing a return low into the net to lose serve. Flipkens now leads 4-2 in the second.

Back in the match: Kirsten Flipkens took the advantage in the second set by breaking Petra Kvitova

5.54pm: The players are back out on Court 1. Sloane Stephens is about to serve to stay in the first set on deuce against Marion Bartoli at 5-4 down - no pressure. Meanwhile it's another hold on Centre as Flipkens edges 3-2 ahead.

5.51pm: It's even more straightforward for Kvitova who holds to love. Aside from that break in the first set, Flipkens has really struggled returning to the Czech's serve. It's 2-2 in the second set.

5.48pm: Classic Kvitova as she hits a stunning return out wide before hitting a powerful volley past the stranded Belgian. The problem is it's her only point of the game as Flipkens easily holds.

5.45pm: Pressure is placed on the Kvitova serve but it's the 2011 champ who controls the rallies and it's proving key. Flipkens slices wide of the sideline and it allows the Czech to hold.

5.42pm: From Sportsmail's Laura Williamson:

'Good for Li Na. She was just asked who she thinks will win the ladies’ single now. ‘How can you ask me that?’ she replied. ‘I’ve just lost the match!’ Fair enough.'

Flipkens holds to 15 following the disappointment of losing that opening set.

5.39pm: From Sportsmail's Jon McEvoy:
'Covers off. For now. Ready for inspection by the referee. Update to follow.'

Advantage: Petra Kvitova took the first set against Kirsten Flipkens 6-4

5.36pm: Excellent stuff on Centre. Kvitova double faults on set point, fires her first ace on break point down and eventually comes through to take the first set 6-4.

5.33pm: From Sportsmail's Mike Dickson:
Tomorrow's Wimbledon order out: Ferrer-Del Potro followed by Murray-Verdasco on Centre. Djoko-Berdych then battle of Poland on No. 1.

5.31pm: I knew my commentator's curse would work! The covers are being deflated on Court 1 - a good sign that some tennis will follow shortly.
Big disappointment for Flipkens who wastes two break points to allow Kvitova to take this pivotal game to be taken to deuce.

5.28pm: From Sportsmail's Ivan Speck with an amusing story on men's quarter-finalist Jerzy Janowicz:
'Busted. Jerzy Janowicz texted his agent this morning asking him to get his show suppliers adidas to give him a new pair of shoes. When his agent quizzed Janowicz as to why he needed them, the Pole said his present ones had worn through as he hadn’t expected to make it as far as the quarter-finals.
'A plausible explanation except that Janowicz’s agent then watched a TV feature on his player in which he was shown throwing his shoes into the crowd after yesterday’s fourth round win over Jurgen Melzer.'

5.25pm: And that part Flipkens does with relative ease. Kvitova now serves for the set while there is still no sign of play on the outside courts.

Rained in: SW19 was subject of persistent rainfall

5.22pm: No more breaks for now as Kvitova holds to move 5-3 up and leave Flipkens serving to stay in the set.

5.19pm: From Sportsmail's Ivan Speck on how money doesn't guarantee success:
'With Agnieszka Radwanska now in the women’s semi-finals and an all-Polish men’s quarter-final to come tomorrow, it is worth bearing in mind that the annual expenditure of the Polish Tennis Federation is £930,000. How other countries would love that return. The LTA’s annual expenditure in the latest accounts came in at £61.38million.'
It's breaks o'clock on Centre as Kvitova's powerful return immediately has Flipkens defending from under the baseline, before the Czech volleys out of the Belgian's reach to restore her advantage at 4-3 ahead.

5.16pm: Well, well, well. A great response from Flipkens who breaks straight back. A small sigh from Kvitova who had just started to look like she was taking control of this set.

5.12pm: From Sportsmail's Neil Moxley with an interesting look on the injuries today:
'I don't know if the women are making a point here, but following on from Agnieszka Radwanska's heavily-bandaged pins, both of the players are wearing strapping. Has it been unduly difficult on the muscles here?'
Kvitova is certainly making a point as she finally starts to read Flipkens' serve by breaking the Belgian in deuce. Just a small fist-pump from the Czech who is going up the gears now.

Holding her own: Flipkens served well at the start of the match

5.09pm: The 2011 champion prevails though, letting a Flipkens shot bounce in court before unleashing an unstoppable winner across court.

5.07pm: From Sportsmail's Neil Moxley:
'Few seats not occupied again on Centre Court - expect it to fill up after lengthy first quarter-final - Flipkens has started confidently here...'
Flipkens is looking good here as we enter a fourth deuce on Kvitova's serve. The Czech star doesn't seem to have found her range yet - making a few errors.

5.04pm: Wimbledon have confirmed that they expect rain for at least another 30 minutes - when they will likely inspect the courts and bring off the covers.
Pressure on Kvitova who fires a forehand over the baseline to bring up deuce on serve.

5.01pm: There is an endearing appeal about Flipkens in that she plays with some quite trendy glasses - they are certainly helping her at the moment as she races into a 40-0 lead on serve before eventually managing to hold with ease to go 2-1 ahead.

On the ball: Kirsten Flipkens (above) took the match to Petra Kvitova in the early games

4.58pm: From Sportsmail's Ivan Speck:
'The enduring appeal of Jack Nicklaus – the best golfer in history until or unless Tiger Woods proves differently – has been evident around various points of the All England Club. The Golden Bear is into his second day of turning heads in SW19.'
Kviotva holds to level up at 1-1.

4.55pm: We saw veteran Tommy Haas crumble serving against Novak Djokovic yesterday but no such trouble for Flipkens who gets off to a good start on Centre Court by holding to move 1-0 ahead.

4.52pm: Flipkens is now the 20th seed but she has a tough opponent in the 2011 champion. The Belgian will serve first.

4.49pm: An interesting little stat before this clash. This time last year, Kirsten Flipkens was ranked 262 in the world - a rank so low she wasn't even eligible to play in the qualifiers at Wimbledon. What a difference a year makes.

4.44pm: It's still raining at SW19 and enough to mean the covers will stay on for now. Play goes on at Centre Court though as Petra Kvitova and Kirsten Flipkens arrive for their quarter-final.

4.41pm: Worth noting the Centre Court crowd gifted both players a great reception as they went off the court and that Radwanska despite being bandaged up and looking slightly fatigued was full of smiles in that post-match interview.
I feel she will need to raise her game to beat Lisicki though.

4.38pm: Agnieszka Radwanska spoke to the BBC after the game, regarding her leg injury:

'I am very happy to go through. I've had too much tennis in the last few days but I think it's a good problem so I'm going to just keep trying my best.'

Last four: Agnieszka Radwanska needed eight match points to see off Li Na

4.35pm: What a gruelling final game in the final set! Agnieszka Radwanska is through to the semi-finals after winning her EIGHTH match point (I think it was that, I lost count!) when Na lobs over the base line.
The Pole will now face Sabine Lisicki in the semi-final - a clash I am thoroughly looking forward to.

4.30pm: What an epic game this is becoming! Na's volley at the net just bounces on the line to deny Radwanska the match in deuce, before the Pole then double faults to hand the initiative to Na.

4.27pm: Incredible stuff from Radwanska. Facing two break points, the Pole hits a back hand across court while almost sitting down to save one, before Na fires wide to take this game to deuce.

4.24pm: Centre Court will indeed see more action then as Radwanska wastes another match point to fire wide and allow Na to pull a game back at 5-2.
In another bout of drama, the Pole requires a brief massage on her left leg from her trainer before going to serve for the match.

4.21pm: Victory could come sooner for the Pole though as she sneaks a match point - only for Na to come back and take the game to deuce.

4.16pm: Not the easiest of holds and the pressure is put on Radwanska as Na volleys 15-30 ahead. The Pole takes the next three points though to move 5-1 in front, leaving the sixth seed Chinese star serving to stay in the match.

4.13pm: And there is the break. Na fires just wide of the side line and her challenge for the ball called out is more in hope than knowledge. No Emotion from Radwanska as she puts one foot in the semi-final with a 4-1 lead in the deciding set.

Taking cover: Fans shelter under an umbrella after rain hit Centre Court

4.10pm: We are at a crucial stage in this quarter-final. Radwanska is hunting down the Na serve as we enter a fourth deuce. She's already had four break points and looks the much more confident player under the slight change of conditions provided by the roof.

4.05pm: One of the great features about the roof is the atmosphere it produces inside Centre Court. There is an echo to every shot as Radwanska holds to keep her break at 3-1 up in the final set.

4pm: That's all from Adam this afternoon, Dan Ripley here to see you through as Radwanska and Na come back to a roof covered Centre Court.

3.51pm A true Thai tongue twister, which I'm sure Charlie Sale can pronounce perfectly: 'The chair umpire on court four currently has the hardest player pronunciation task of the championship with Thailand's Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul taking part in a boys singles match.'

3.40pm The decision has been taken to close the roof on Centre Court to guarantee the match between Radwanska and Li Na can be played to its exciting conclusion. It's currently 2-0 to the Polish player early in the third set.
On Court One, which is more vulnerable to the elements of course, Marion Bartoli leads Sloane Stephens 5-4 and they're locked at deuce in that vital game.

3.28pm PLAY SUSPENDED Confusion on Court One as it starts spitting with rain again. The brollies are going up in the crowd and I think Bartoli, who had just won a vital point to return to deuce, wanted to keep going. But the rain doesn't let up and the players are now off on both courts.
3.21pm Not that Radwanska is feeling any extra weight from the new protective layer, she's just broken in the first game of the third and decisive set.
3.17pm A stoppage prior to the third set so Radwanska can have her left thigh strapped up. She already had some protective tape on there and now it's been completely bandaged.

Battle wounds: Agnieska Radwanska needed treatment after the second set and re-emerged with her leg heavily bandaged

Plenty of action on Court One, however, as following a topsy-turvy game, Marion Bartoli holds serve to nudge back into the lead at 5-4.
3.14pm Laura Williamson's take on that set between Radwanska and Li Na: 'Does anyone want to win the ladies' singles this year? Radwanska was a break up in the second set and faltered horribly, allowing Na to break back - thanks to three lucky net cords - and then break again to take this into a deciding set on a cold, grey Centre Court.'
3.11pm Here's a touching picture of two champions together posted by Martina Navratilova on her Twitter feed

Superstars: Martina Navratilova and Novak Djokovic pose in the Tennis Channel TV studio

3.10pm Crunch time in the second set on Centre, with Li Na leading 5-4 and Radwanska having to hold on to her serve. But it isn't going to plan and Li Na forces two break points. She needs only one and LI NA WINS THE SECOND SET 6-4
3.07pm Admirable resolve from Sloane Stephens to save three break points in her last service game and keep things ticking over on serve. Bartoli currently leads 4-3.

Spirit: Sloane Stephens saved three break points to win one of her service games in her quarter-final with Marion Bartoli

3.05pm BRIT WATCH brought to you by Mike Dickson: 'There have been plenty of fallers among the British juniors today but the flag is being flown by Yorkshire’s Kyle Edmund, a set and 4-1 up against Japan’s Nishioka and Scotland’s Jonny O’ Mara, who has beaten Argentina’s Pedro Cachin 7-6 6-2 to make the last sixteen. Harriet Dart lost earlier to 15 year-old Croatian Ana Konjuh, a name to remember as she is reckoned to be a truly outstanding prospect.'
3.03pm If you watch one weird Taiwanese animation today about how this year's Wimbledon has been full of excitement and surprises, then please make it this one.
3pm A-ha, a real intriguing match now on Centre as Li Na breaks back to level at 4-4. Grandstand finale now.
2.54pm Radwanska keeping her nose in front on Centre Court - she leads 4-2 and looks the favourite at this point.

Aiming for the semis: Marion Bartoli in action against Sloane Stephens on Court One

2.52pm This I'd like to see... From Alan Fraser: 'Don’t be too surprised - ok, be astonished - if the occupants of the Royal Box break into a stirring rendition of that old cockney favourite, 'Down At The Old Bull and Bush'. After all, on the guest list today were Ms Deborah Bull and her partner Mr Bill Bush. Da da da da da………….'
Here's how it goes...
2.49pm The Laura Williamson guide to court etiquette: 'I'm not sure what annoys me more at Wimbledon: People clapping when the umpire reminds the crowd to switch off their mobile phones, or the players apologising when a lucky net cord goes their way. Sorry to sound like a grump, but both strike me as a complete waste of energy!'
2.44pm Marion Bartoli wins the first game on her serve against Sloane Stephens as the action gets underway on Court One.
2.38pm That could be a very big break in the context of this game and it's gone the way of Agnieska Radwanska. She took the first set remember so Li Na has to dig a little deeper now. Radwanska leads 2-1 and serves next.

Gripped: Kim Cattrall getting involved in the excitement

2.33pm The rain shower has passed, the covers have been removed, and Radwanska-Li Na is back underway at 1-1 in the second set.
As that continues, Sloane Stephens and Marion Bartoli have just walked out on Court One.
2.31pm Come on, Tim? Charlie Sale writes: 'Tim Henman, a member of the All England Club management committee, wouldn't have pleased his Wimbledon colleagues when he described Queen's Club as having the best grass courts in the world during the Aegon championship.
'So Henman went some way to addressing the balance when he said of Tommy Haas before Novak Djokovic's last match on Centre Court: 'What a treat for him to play the best player in the world on the best court in the world.'

Star attraction: Novak Djokovic hits on the practice courts this morning

2.29pm BRIT WATCH starring Neil Moxley: 'Away from the two obvious Brit success stories so far, it's been a disappointing effort on the home front. The doubles yesterday was a wipeout and in the boys' and girls' events today have gone the same way. Katie Boulter, Lara Rush and Harriet Dart all lost. The one shining light so far is Kyle Edmund who has raced into an early three-game lead on Court No 4 against Yoshishito Nishioka.'
2.25pm Further to the Sir Cliff picture, Jon McEvoy is getting a bit worried: 'Regarding rain, I’m waiting to see the Sloane Stephens v Marion Bartoli match on Court One. Fear spits and spots for a while. But not as much as I fear Sir Cliff, who is in the building, bursting into song. The covers are being peeled off, thankfully.'
His update has neatly reminded us that Stephens-Bartoli, the second quarter-final on Court One, isn't far away.

Winning moment: Sabine Lisicki celebrates reaching the semi-finals

2.22pm Jon McEvoy having to back track on his earlier forecast (see 11.32am)... 'What do the Met Office know? It’s raining, chaps. Why don’t they just stick their fingers out of the window?'
But luckily for him, the covers have just been dragged off Centre Court and it looks as though Radwanska and Li Na will resume shortly.
2.18pm Laura Williamson writes: 'Li Na has absolutely thrown that first set away. Was up a break and had four set points to close it out and failed, and then went 5-3 up in the tiebreak, only to throw it away again. Radwanska takes the first set, the Centre Court covers come on and we'll have a slight rain delay before the roof springs into action.'
And a good observation by Mike Dickson: 'Sabine Lisicki, a German who is of Polish extraction, is through to the semi-finals, and Agnieszka Radwanska, the Polish number one, is a set up on Li Na. With two Poles in the men’s quarters it is not just Polish plumbers who are doing well in London.'

Safely through: Sabine Lisicki became the first woman through to the semi-finals as she beat Kaia Kanepi 6-3, 6-3

Bit lonely? Sir Cliff Richard certainly looks the part on Centre Court... but why doesn't anyone want to sit near him?

2.16pm PLAY SUSPENDED They finished just in time as the covers are being pulled on to Centre Court as the first spots of rain fall.
2.14PM GAME, SET AND MATCH All over on Court One and Sabine Lisicki has continued her excellent form from yesterday's win over Serena with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kaia Kanepi to reach the last four in an hour and five minutes.
While the Estonian undoubtedly had the weapons to give Lisicki, the new favourite for the title, some problems, she has been blown away. Obviously the German was determined to beat the weather as well as her opponent there!
2.13pm Finally, something gives and Radwanska, having saved four set points earlier, requires just one to win the first set 7-5 on the tie breaker. RADWANSKA WINS FIRST SET ON TIE-BREAKER
2.09pm Still very little to separate Radwanska and Li Na - it's 3-3 in the tie-break and neither looks like budging.
Kanepi is still hanging in there too, pulling it back to 5-3, but Sabine Lisicki is now serving for the match.
2.05pm We're going all the way in the first set on Centre as Li Na puts the disappointment of not taking that last service game behind her to level at 6-6.
1.59pm Meanwhile, Lisicki is making light work of the second set as well and has the advantage of a break at 4-2. This could be over very soon barring miracles from Kanepi.
1.58pm Wonderful digging in from Radwanska there - it looked for all the world that Li Na would wrap up the set and she had a number of points to win it, but the number four seed stood firm and denied her. Back level at 5-5. To add to the agony for Li Na, they've just shown a Hawkeye replay that proves a serve called out was fractionally in, and that would have won her the set.

Dreaming of the final: Li Na in action against Agnieska Radwanska

1.53pm Early break in the second set for Kanepi as she responds very well from the disappointment of losing the first - 2-1 to the Estonian, who is next on serve.
1.47pm A break at the perfect time for Li Na, who now leads Radwanska 5-4 and is about to serve for the set.
1.44pm Sabine Lisicki is winning the arm-wrestle on Court One and has won the first set 6-3 following a break on the last Kanepi service game. Good start for the German. LISICKI WINS THE FIRST SET 6-3
1.40pm Li Na is not happy with the umpire after she ordered a successful point to be replayed following a review. It would have given her the game too. It doesn't matter in the end as the Chinese player channels her frustrations to win the point and level things at 4-4.

You what? Agnieska Radwanska argues over a point during the first set of her match with Li Na

1.36pm Important hold by Kaia Kanepi as Lisicki was threatening to gain a second break in the first set. It's currently 4-3 to the German, who is next to serve.
1.31pm Quiz poser by Alex Kay (not especially difficult)... 'Anyone recognise the player signing autographs? He's spending ages signing tickets, tennis balls and lots more'

Man of the people: Andy Murray signs autographs for waiting fans after completing his practice session

1.24pm Nothing to fault on the Lisicki service game as she holds to lead 3-1 as we pass the quarter-hour mark. The match on Centre has fallen into a more normal pattern after those two early breaks, and it's presently 3-2 to Radwanska and back on serve.

Steely focus: Sabine Lisicki returns during the first set of her quarter-final match with Kaia Kanepi

1.17pm An early break of serve on Court One as well, where Lisicki has grabbed the advantage against Kanepi and has then reinforced it by winning the second game.
1.13pm Touche! Identical game to love by Radwanska to break right back and it looks like this could be a bit of a ding-dong battle.
Laura adds: 'In fact, strapping clearly isn't covered by the dress code: Radwanska has bright red tape on the base of her back. That must be classed as 'undergarments', too.'

Royal Box beauties: Katherine Jenkins and Darcey Bussell on Centre Court

1.09pm Lightning-fast start by Li Na, winning the first game to love and picking up an immediate break.
Meanwhile, on Court One, Sabine Lisicki and Kaia Kanepi are just underway.
1.06pm Centre Court taking a little bit of time to fill up as usual as the spectators and corporates drag themselves away from their lunches. Chair umpire Lucy Grant calls Radwanska and Li Na to the court and we're underway.
Laura Williamson is watching that one: 'The press benches are full of Chinese journalists, eager to see a woman who recently graced the front cover of TIME magazine and is one of the highest paid stars of women's tennis.
'Both players are wearing very heavy strapping - perhaps to guard against the slip-ups that have affected so many already in this tournament. Na has black tape on her right knee (hardly in keeping with the strict dress code here) and Radwanska has nude-coloured strapping on both her quadriceps.'

Centre of attention: Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall is at Wimbledon today

1pm Right, it's almost time for some live action as the players walk onto Centre and Court One for the first of today's women's quarter-finals. A reminder that it's Agnieska Radwanska v Li Na on Centre and Sabine Lisicki v Kaia Kanepi on One.
12.56pm The all-Polish battle tomorrow between Jerzy Janowicz and Lukasz Kubot is big news back home, at least judging by the throng of interviewers and photographers on the media balcony as the pair posed with the national flag and staged a joint interview.
Charlie Sale writes: 'Such a British scenario with Andy Murray taking on a GB compatriot in the last eight of Wimbledon looks highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Yet Polish tennis has only a small fraction of the resources of the woeful Lawn Tennis Association, who have wasted hundreds of millions of pounds in botched initiatives to discover new talent.'
12.51pm Andy Murray looked like he meant business as he trained on the practice courts this morning ahead of tomorrow's date with Fernando Verdasco. His warm-up was watched by a bank of about 50 photographers and cameramen, a very interested crowd of junior coaches at the courtside and, of course, legions of fans.
And according to Sportsmail's Stuart Fraser, who was watching, Murray was 'beasting' back the serves left-handed training partner Johan Brunstrom was sending down.
Mike Dickson was also there and writes: 'Been on Wimbledon’s practice courts over at Aorangi Park. Andy Murray has finally found a left-hander to practice with ahead of Verdasco match tomorrow, it’s Swedish doubles specialist Johan Brunstrom. No, I hadn’t heard of him either.'

Bring it on: Andy Murray looks ready to make his Wimbledon dream come true as he took to the practice court this morning

12.48pm Absolutely everyone is enjoying the tennis, whether it be in the grandstands of SW19 or on the sofa at home, but what everyone surely wants to know is whether meerkats like tennis.
Well, one zoo in Oxfordshire decided to find out and installed a big TV and Freesat box in their Meerkat enclosure, renaming it 'Meerkat Mound' in honour of the famous 'Murray Mound'.
And, as this video conclusively proves, mammals are just as mad about tennis as humans...

12.42pm A couple of additions to today's Royal Box line-up. From Neil Moxley: 'Not sure what they do to qualify for a spot in the royal box, it should be strictly come the entitled...but Ms Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are among the guests today....'
And what do you know, here they are arriving at Wimbledon earlier...

Royal Box guests: Tess Daly and Vernon Kay arrive at Wimbledon this morning

12.29am BRIT WATCH with Alex Kay: 'It seems Greg Rusedski was a tad optimistic with his junior predictions. Luke Bambridge has just gone down 6-4, 6-4 to Christian Garin. Now for Harriet Dart and Kyle Edmund to fly the Court No 4 flag.'

Defeated: Britain's Luke Bambridge lost to Chile's Christian Garin 6-4, 6-4 in the Boy's singles this morning

12.27pm TWITTER post by Sportsmail'sStuart Fraser: 'Murray bringing in the left-hander Johan Brunstrom for practice ahead of quarter-final against lefty Verdasco tomorrow.'
12.24pm Alan Fraser is feeling a little bit, well, underwhelmed by the line-up today, which admittedly does look rather weak compared to the stellar cast we had yesterday. Hopefully the entertainment won't be lacking.

'The second Tuesday. A difficult day to get too excited about. Magic Monday has gone and we await Wonderful Wednesday when Andy Murray - the key figure in four very good men’s quarter finals - should take another step towards his first Wimbledon title.

'The four women’s quarter finals don’t raise the pulse quite so much, if at all. Without Serena and Laura, it all looks a bit tame.'
12.21pm The Doubles competition carries on today, but what about those already knocked out? Alex Kay has the answer:

'What do you do when your Wimbledon comes to an end? In Jonny Marray and Colin Fleming's case, you go and try a different sport. They are off for a round of golf today. Fleming plays off 10. Not quite scratch golfer Tim Henman but not bad at all.'

Anyone for golf? Colin Fleming (left) and his Doubles partner Jonathan Marray are hitting the golf course today after being knocked out of Wimbledon yesterday

12.17pm Charlie Sale with news of a presenter who has found work thanks to Wimbledon:

'Dan Lobb, former professional tennis player who was ranked number 18 in Britain in 1997 and once beat Tim Henman, has been out of the spotlight since unluckily losing his job as a presenter of ITV's Daytime breakfast show.

But Lobb, which is a great name for any tennis involvement, was chosen to do the red carpet interviews for the Women's Tennis Association's pre-Wimbledon party.'
12.05pm After yesterday's surprise loss for Serena, the eight remaining players in the women's draw believe all of a sudden that the title is theirs for the taking. But we appreciate that you may not be familiar with all of them, so Laura Williamson has written a little preview of today's matches and contenders.
11.59am Priorities, priorities... Ivan Speck again: 'Football comes first. Men’s quarter-finalist Lukasz Kubot will be watched by his mother Dorota tomorrow. His father Janusz won’t be there, though.
'He is coach of Polish Second Division side KS Polkowice and has been told by the club’s directors that he can’t fly to London and forsake his pre-season duties for the day.'

Yes I Can-Can! Poland's Lukasz Kubot celebrates in trademark style after his win over Adrian Mannarino yesterday

11.53am Perhaps Ivan Speck has seen a different forecast, or is a glass-half-empty kind of man: 'The Centre Court schedule is only two matches long today. With rain forecast, that almost certainly gives Referee Andrew Jarrett the chance to switch the No.1 Court women’s quarter-finals across and under the roof.
'If it doesn’t rain, they will probably put John McEnroe’s doubles match on to Centre. Which would you rather watch?'

Ready for action: Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe is due on court with his younger brother Patrick in the Senior Men's Invitation Doubles later on

11.47am The early exits from Wimbledon don't just dent professional pride, but can also hit you hard in the wallet too. Charlie Sale again: 'Roger Federer’s early exit from Wimbledon has been a particular blow to his watch sponsors Rolex who signed him on a 10-year £10million contract in 2006 – sport’s most lucrative watch deal.
'Federer is so sponsorship savvy he made a habit of going into the Rolex hospitality suite on Centre Court after his matches.'
11.44am BRIT WATCH Of course, it's not only the women's quarter-finals today. The Doubles action continues apace on the outside courts and there's plenty of British interest to keep tabs on in the Boy's and Girl's singles.
Alex Kay writes: 'Just chatted to a very pumped up Greg Rusedski, who is looking after the British boys in the juniors. He predicted wins for Luke Bambridge, Kyle Edmund and Jonny O'Mara today. Let's see if he's right.'

Well turned out: Wimbledon umpires pose for a group photograph

Last minute preparations: A groundsman paints the white lines and another uses a mop on the grass as a cleaner works in the Royal Box on Centre Court

11.38am CELEBRITY WATCH A low key Royal Box guest list today, says Charlie Sale: 'After all the sporting stars invited into the Royal Box for the first eight days of the tournament, only a small turn-out from sport today led by the new chairman of UK Sport Rod Carr and former Wimbledon champion Margaret Court, who won the women's title in 1970.'
11.35am Hopefully these words from Charlie Sale don't jinx things for me today: 'The All England Club's in-house online operation for the championships has a team of reporters working at Wimbledon. Yet not one of them was allocated to cover defending champion Serena Williams shock fourth round defeat by Sabine Lisicki yesterday. Sportsmail Online's Wimbledon Live coverage is far more reliable.'

11.32am Today's WEATHER FORECAST comes courtesy of Jon McEvoy (and the Met Office):
'A dull, cloudy start with even some light rain and drizzle around at first. Becoming largely dry by the end of the morning and then the afternoon will be dry and bright with cloud lifting and breaking to bring some spells of sunshine to the Championships.
'Light to moderate westerly winds and feeling quite pleasant in the afternoon sunshine with a maximum temperature of 20 Celsius (68F).'

Hooded: Rufus, the resident Wimbledon Harris Hawk, wears the club colours as he performs his daily duties of scaring away pigeons that can distract the players (below)

11.30am Good morning and welcome to ladies' quarter-final day at Wimbledon. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova may have fallen by the wayside, but that has only served to open up the draw and we will see eight players today with real hopes of lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.
The action gets underway at 1pm, with two matches on Centre Court and two on Number One Court. On Centre, we start with the highest remaining seed, number four-ranked Agnieska Radwanska, against the former French Open champion and sixth seed Li Na. That's followed by the 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova against the Belgian 20th seed Kirsten Flipkens.
First up on Court One is Sabine Lisicki, who so memorably defeated favourite Serena Williams yesterday, against the conqueror of Laura Robson, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi. And after that, the next great hope of American tennis, Sloane Stephens takes on the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli.