Wimbledon quarter-final result:

R STEPANEK Cz 14 v J Bjorkman * Swe

6-7 (3-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (7-9) 4-6

* denotes server

By Phil Harlow

1951 BST: The crowd are not too impressed as the announcer breaks the news that Rafael Nadal's last eight match against Jarkko Niemenen has been put off until tomorrow. But it would surely be unfair to ask the players to come out with the light starting to fade just before eight o'clock in the evening.

Fifth set:

Stepanek 4-6 Bjorkman
Precision play from Bjorkman takes him 30-0 up before he nets a simple forehand. A volley takes him to match point - four hours and two minutes of playing time since the first ball was struck - and Stepanek sends the ball tamely into the net to clinch a remarkable win for the veteran Swede, who will face the peerless Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

The 34-year-old looks shattered as he slumps in his chair after taking the cheers of the crowd. But what will this do for Stepanek's confidence?

Stepanek 4-5 Bjorkman
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson might describe this as "squeaky bum time" if you'll pardon the expression. Stepanek's fragile mental state sees him broken to love.

Unbelievably, given his plight about 45 minutes ago, Bjorkman will serve for the match in the next game.

Stepanek 4-4 Bjorkman
Stepanek is shooting from the hip as he continues to go for his shots despite the high-pressure situation. Bjorkman gets a touch of the jitters as he double faults at 40-15 up, but he fights back to level the scores.

Stepanek 4-3 Bjorkman
A brilliant game. Stepanek goes 40-0 up with some splendid tennis, including a ferocious ace that hits a line judge and a brilliant volley that goes in-off the net. Bjorkman typically fights back to deuce but the Czech holds his nerve to go ahead for the first time in the set.

Stepanek 3-3 Bjorkman
A double fault from Bjorkman sees him 0-30 down, and Stepanek takes advantage clinically to get back on level terms after another forehand error from the Swede.

News filters through that the Jarko Niemenen against Rafael Nadal match which was supposed to follow on Court One has been postponed until tomorrow.

Stepanek 2-3 Bjorkman
It's a funny old game, tennis. Stepanek shows great nerve and verve to go for his shots and wins impressively to love. A brilliant point from the net underlines his determination to not let Bjorkman have this set all his own way.

Stepanek 1-3 Bjorkman
Maybe not, then. Stepanek has lost his way, making strange shot selections and rarely troubling Bjorkman. The Swede slams down a couple of unreturnable serves and screws one down the line to sew it up.

Stepanek 1-2 Bjorkman
Finally, the set shows signs of coming to life. Stepanek holds comfortably, including a perfectly put-away volley and a delightful drop shot at the net to reduce the deficit.

Stepanek 0-2 Bjorkman
Another simple game for the doubles specialist, this time losing just one point as he puts distance between himself and the Czech.

Stepanek 0-1 Bjorkman
The Swede breaks immediately to love as Stepanek shows signs of completely losing the plot. A stunning backhand lob is the highlight of an easy game for Bjorkman.

Fourth set:

Stepanek 6-7 (7-9) Bjorkman
Hats off to Bjorkman as he fights back to win the set and force a fifth set.

A desperately tense shoot-out sees Stepanek fight back from 4-1 down to earn a match point on Bjorkman's serve. He cannot take it and Bjorkman holds his nerve to win his second set point.

Ten minutes ago, everybody was preparing for a relatively straightforward Stepanek win. But the Czech has stumbled just before the finishing line. Can be recover in the fifth or will Bjorkman's experience see him through?

Stepanek 6-6 Bjorkman
Stepanek goes 40-15 up, but Bjorkman gets back into it with a brilliant lob and then an inch-perfect passing shot.

But the Czech Republic player then shows some of the composure missing from his previous service game as he makes two excellent serves to force a third tie-break.

Stepanek 5-6 Bjorkman
Bjorkman is in no mood to let Stepanek back into the set easily. Some subtle touches at the net allow Bjorkman to take the game and put more pressure on his opponent, who must now serve to stay in the set.

Stepanek 5-5 Bjorkman
Stepanek loses the first point of the game and then falls over to let Bjorkman take the second as well. He stays prone on the floor for some time before regaining his feet 0-30 down.

With the pressure on, Stepanek wins the next point but follows it up with a double fault to give Bjorkman two break points.

Bjorkman sends his first return long, but another double fault - his ninth of the match - gifts the game to Bjorkman. The Swede richly deserves this chance to get back in the match. Has the pressure got to Stepanek?

Stepanek 5-4 Bjorkman
Bjorkman is not handing anything to Stepanek. If the Czech Republic man want to reach the semi-finals he is going to have to serve for the privilege.

Stepanek 5-3 Bjorkman
Stepanek is closing in on his first-ever Grand Slam semi-final. Two big serves get him out of a spot of bother and put him within touching distance of the last four.

Stepanek 4-3 Bjorkman
Bjorkman is going to go down fighting, if he has to go down at all. He goes 40-0 up before losing his first point of the game to a brilliant half volley from Stepanek. But he soon regains his composure and reels off another game.

Stepanek 4-2 Bjorkman
Stepanek is playing with more and more confidence the longer the game wears on. He must be careful not to become too cocky, as two excellent Bjorkman returns give the Czech a wake-up call.

But Stepanek seals the game with yet another ace.

Stepanek 3-2 Bjorkman
Bjorkman certainly hasn't given this up. Two aces and two unreturnable serves send out a message that Stepanek is still very much in a match.

Stepanek 3-1 Bjorkman
Stepanek is loving it, as he sprints through a service game to consolidate his break. He is looking the stronger player now - Bjorkman needs something really special to find a way back on Court One.

Stepanek 2-1 Bjorkman
Potentially a pivotal moment as Stepanek gains an early break of serve. Once more he is pumping the air like he's scored the winner in the World Cup final.

Stepanek goes 40-0 up to earn three break points. Bjorkman saves one, but a volley into the net on the next seals his fate for this game - and possibly for the match as well.

Stepanek 1-1 Bjorkman
Stepanek is still strutting around like a particularly proud peacock. At the moment, his game is justifying his attitude as he holds serve easily.

Stepanek 0-1 Bjorkman
Bjorkman shows some real mental resolve as he sparkles to take the first game of the fourth set on his serve.

The 34-year-old may be competing in the singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles, but there are no signs of weariness in his legs so far.

Third set:

Stepanek 7-6 (7-5) Bjorkman
A hard-fought tie break goes Stepanek's way as he converts the second of two set points.

He is certainly very pleased about it as he whoops with delight and looks up proudly to the players' box where girlfriend Martina Hingis smiles on approvingly.

Stepanek 6-6 Bjorkman
An error of judgement sees Bjorkman leave one Stepanek return which bounces well within the lines. But the Swede gets away with it as he sets up another tie-break.

Stepanek 6-5 Bjorkman
Stepanek makes sure the pressure is firmly back on Bjorkman's shoulders as he comfortably holds.

The umpire is seen to be on the phone during the between-game break. I wonder who was on the other end of the line?

Stepanek 5-5 Bjorkman
Still neither player will give an inch. One Bjorkman backhand draws gasps of amazement and sets him up for another hold. Who will blink first?

Stepanek 5-4 Bjorkman
The aces are flying off Stepanek's racquet now as he follows up with a love service game of his own.

He is bounding around with great confidence with a slightly effete jig after each point at the moment. His body language is trying to shout "I'm the man", but Bjorkman is so far refusing to get riled in the manner of some of Stepanek's previous opponents.

Stepanek 4-4 Bjorkman
Bjorkman is refusing to take a backwards step as the match continues to simmer. He holds to love, with Stepanek unhappy with one marginal line call.

Stepanek 4-3 Bjorkman
Buoyed by the break-back, Stepanek gets his nose in front again with an assured service hold.

Stepanek 3-3 Bjorkman
In the blink of an eye, we're back on serve as Stepanek hits back with a vengeance. There's nothing to choose between these two players, but you get the feeling the next few games will be pivotal to the outcome of the match.

Stepanek 2-3 Bjorkman
The momentum is swinging this way an that at the moment in this match. After looking like he was going to go a break up in the last game, Stepanek loses serve as Bjorkman converts his second break point, albeit with some very handy assistance from an untimely (or timely, depending on your viewpoint) Stepanek double fault.

Stepanek 2-2 Bjorkman
There's a real shot in the arm for Bjorkman as he saves three break points after going 40-0 down. He then holds his nerve to seal the game.

Stepanek 2-1 Bjorkman
Stepanek's insistence on sticking to serve and volley, despite some problems in the first set, is looking like a wise move now as he wraps up another decent hold.

His athleticism is allowing him to make all kinds of tricky volleys at the net and could be the key to deciding this finely balanced match.

Stepanek 1-1 Bjorkman
As the sun shines through at Wimbledon, Bjorkman gets his game going again to hold serve.

Stepanek 1-0 Bjorkman
Stepanek allows Bjorkman to earn a break point, before snuffling out the chance with an ace.

His dancing celebrations, in which he looks ever so slightly too pleased for himself, show how much it means to him. He then wins the next two points to hold serve in the opening game of the third set.

Second set:

Stepanek 6-4 Bjorkman
Having done the hard work by breaking in the last game, Bjorkman promptly loses the set as Stepanek breaks back.

An excellent shot from the back of the court gives Stepanek two break points and when Bjorkman nets a forehand, the second set is over.

Stepanek 5-4 Bjorkman
Stepanek lets the opportunity to clinch the set slip through his fingers as a brave Bjorkman breaks back superbly. His touch has Stepanek chasing balls all over the court, and a brilliant lob sets up the break.

Stepanek 5-3 Bjorkman
Bjorkman holds well to pressurise Stepanek's next service game when he will be hoping to take the second set.

Stepanek 5-2 Bjorkman
After struggling to get out of the blocks early on, it's now clear why Stepanek has got as far as he has at SW19. He holds to love, with his volleying up there with the best.

Stepanek 4-2 Bjorkman
Bjorkman hits back with an impressive hold of his own. The Swede is hoping to have to find something special to break Stepanek in his current mood though.

Stepanek 4-1 Bjorkman
Stepanek is going through the gears and is now playing his best tennis of the match. His volleying is going well, while his shots from the back of the court are improving.

Stepanek 3-1 Bjorkman
Some more sumptuous volleys from Stepanek, including a Boris Becker-esque diving effort which sees him win the point and then add a theatrical extra few rolls, like a felled Portuguese player at the World Cup. There is no waving of an imaginary card when he regains his feet though.

Meanwhile, Bjorkman starts to lose his range - although he appears unhappy with some uneven bounce - to give Stepanek two break points. He saves one but then produces his second double fault to give Stepanek the advantage.

Stepanek 2-1 Bjorkman
Stepanek is persevering with his serve and volley tactics, but Bjorkman is enjoying more than a little success in passing him. Bjorkman engineers a break point, only for Stepanek to produce his best shot of the match - a delightful half volley which barely bounces when it lands on the other side of the net.

Stepanek seems to take heart from this and quickly wraps up the two points he needs to hold.

Stepanek 1-1 Bjorkman
Bjorkman, playing his ninth match of the Championships because of his involvement in the mixed and men's doubles, looks as fresh as you like. He holds confidently.

Stepanek 1-0 Bjorkman
Stepanek recovers from the disappointment of being edged out in the first, holding well despite some excellent Bjorkman pressure.

First set:

Stepanek 6-7 (7-3) Bjorkman
Bjorkman holds his nerve to win the first set on a tie-break. Stepanek starts the shoot-out well, but loses his way midway through it to hand the initiative to his opponent. Bjorkman needs no second invitation and clinches the set on the first of three set points.

Stepanek 6-6 Bjorkman
Stepanek gets the match back under way, much to the crowd's delight. The players are up to speed straight away, with a superb backhand passing shot from Bjorkman followed by two precise volleys from Stepanek.

Stepanek holds to set up a tie-break.

1631 BST: The players are going through their regular warm-up routines for the third time. The umpire has just called "two minutes" so we should be under way in, well, two minutes or so.

1624 BST: Say what you want, but this synchronised hand clapping really does get people moving - the players are out again and warming up. The next time you're stuck in a queue at the post office or supermarket, try getting your fellow queuers to join you in some slow clapping and you'll be on your way before you know it.

1621 BST: Yet more hand clapping from the insatiable spectators. What more do they want? Players? Some tennis action? Some people are just never happy.

1618 BST: The ball boys and girls march onto the court after another short-lived bout of 'why are waiting?' clapping. They are soon followed by the line judges. We're getting there by degrees.

1612 BST: The well-spoken announcer informs everyone that play should resume in the next 10 minutes. But we've heard that one before, haven't we?

1605 BST: This kind of direct action can produce results. A more friendly round of applause greets the ground staff as they emerge on court to take the covers off yet again.

On the count of four, the covers are removed and an expectant hubbub strikes up again among the spectators.

1600 BST With every umbrella down, and no obvious signs of imminent rain, the crowd embark on some synchronised clapping, possibly to remind any passing Wimbledon officials that they would really rather like to see some tennis.

The clapping soon dies out, but the fans have sent out a message that they are not to be mucked about.

1536 BST: With Stepanek querying a late line call (he contents himself with a lingering look and a raised eyebrow), once more the rain covers come out.

The rain this time looks a little heavier than before, with more umbrellas in evidence on Court One.

Stepanek 5-6 Bjorkman
Bjorkman gets some momentum going again with a convincing service hold, including a volley at the net - for which he jumps several feet in the air to get on top of the ball - that Pete Sampras would be proud of.

Stepanek 5-5 Bjorkman
For the first time, Stepanek holds to love. Bjorkman has the crowd gasping though, as he somehow gets racquet to ball to return to fierce overhead smashes from his opponent.

Stepanek 4-5 Bjorkman
Bjorkman goes 30-0 down, but two lengthy clay court-esque rallies see Stepanek send innocuous backhands marginally long, perhaps out of boredom more than anything else. Bjorkman soon recovers to 40-30 but wastes his first set point.

Stepanek converts his third break point to break back and put the first set back in the balance. Stepanek's noisy celebration makes it clear he sees this as a turning point. Apparently the fist-pumping and shouts of joy can get on his opponents' nerves, but you'd never have guessed it from Bjorkman's phlegmatic reaction.

Stepanek 3-5 Bjorkman
The Stepanek serve is once more under pressure as Bjorkman, making light of his 34 years, continues to attack. Stepanek holds on, but Bjorkman will be serving for the first set in the next game.

"Bjorkman is one of the best returners in the game, if not the best."
BBC commentator Peter Fleming

Stepanek 2-5 Bjorkman
A poor forehand from Bjorkman gives Stepanek the sniff of a chance, but the Swedish veteran quickly rattles off three quick points to retain his three-game cushion.

Stepanek 2-4 Bjorkman
Bjorkman is making a superb job of returning his opponent's serves, and some rasping winners are giving Stepanek plenty to think about. But the Czech Republic player is slowly finding his touch at the net, and he holds.

Stepanek 1-4 Bjorkman
Bjorkman consolidates his break as he holds serve despite a clear improvement in Stepanek's performance.

Stepanek 1-3 Bjorkman
Stepanek, with girlfriend Martina Hingis watching from the sidelines, serves well to go ahead before adding his first double fault. He recovers his composure though, to get his first game on the scoreboard.

Stepanek 0-3 Bjorkman
After the one hour and 20 minutes break, Bjorkman starts where he left off as he quickly wraps up the game thanks to a volley into the net from Stepanek.

1449 BST: Both players are back on court with some sunshine fighting through the clouds. Bjorkman starts rummaging through a carrier bag on the side of the court, perhaps checking on the remainder of his packed lunch.

After completing a second warm-up, Bjorkman - resuming 40-0 up in the third game of the match - will serve to get the match under way again.

1435 BST: The covers are off once again, with officials hoping that the players can get back on court in the next few minutes. The ground staff must be exhausted.

1428 BST: Ignore that last entry. In true hokey-cokey fashion, the covers are back on as "a few spots of rain" start to fall.

1424 BST: Play should be back under way by 1430 BST.

1413 BST: Latest update from the All England Club is that the rain seems to have passed over. Ground staff will begin to uncover all courts, before the referee checks their condition.

Once this is done, there will be a further announcement over the resumption of play. I hope the announcer is getting paid overtime.

1344 BST: There is an announcement over the loudspeakers on Court One to inform the crowd that the current rain delay is expected to last an hour, after which the Met Office are confident of dry conditions.

Nevertheless, the announcer continues, there remains a risk of further showers throughout the afternoon.

Somewhat oddly, a sizeable proportion of the crowd do not take this as a cue to run off to the nearest beer tent or Pimm's vendor. Instead they prefer to stay in their seats with umbrellas up, looking at the giant greenhouse structure. Each to their own.

1340 BST: The result of the toggle-fiddling becomes apparent as the covers are hoisted into an aesthetically pleasing triangular shape, much like a giant greenhouse.

1337 BST: There is a brief flurry of excitement as a dozen or so ground staff jog out to the middle of the court. Could the covers be coming off already?

It turns out to be a damp squib though, as they fiddle with a few toggles - the correct technical term, I believe - before wandering off court again.

Umbrellas are still up on Court One, but the rainfall is still light at the moment.

1325 BST: With Bjorkman leading the third game 40-0, play comes to an early halt as a few drops of rain start to drop on Court One.

The ruthlessly efficient Wimbledon ground staff cover the court almost before the players have picked up their bags.

There is no deluge as yet, but the informed word among the meteorological types is that SW19 can expect some reasonably heavy showers over the course of Wednesday. The players may well be in for a long day.

Stepanek 0-2 Bjorkman
The big-serving Stepanek also starts with an ace, and seems keen to serve and volley as much as possible. But a series of lightning fast passing shots from Bjorkman sets up a break and serves as early warning that Stepanek may be well advised to mix things up.

Stepanek 0-1 Bjorkman
Ominous signs for Bjorkman as he is put under severe pressure in his first service game. He starts with an ace, but two brutal Stepanek returns and a double fault later, the Swede is facing two break points. He saves both to go to deuce.

He has to pull out the stops with a brilliant touch volley at the net, but manages to hold to settle his nerves.

1308 BST: The players are knocking up with both players looking fully focussed and up for the challenge.

Bjorkman, at the age of 34, certainly has the edge in experience, while Stepanek has never been this far in a Grand Slam before.