0301: Here you go, come and join the fun....
0253: Right, I'm leaving you for a moment but do not worry, I will return very swiftly. To ensure the system doesn't collapse, Murray v Dent gets its very own text commentary. Check back in a few moments and I'll post the link.
0248: That's that.
Flavia Pennetta screams in delight as she seals a 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-0 win after saving six match points to reach the quarter-finals. Zvonereva stomps off down the tunnel saying "I hate...." something or other. Not a happy camper. Anyway, you know what's next?
0241: "I regret wishing for that third set. It's become a pretty ugly match. Well at least there's not long to go."
From Kevin, Crawley, via text 0241: "U have to question how much tennis vera has left in those knees?"
From Paul, Glasgow, via text 0239: Pennetta breaks again and it's 4-0 in the final set. We're almost there...
0233: Blimey! Vera has certainly picked up a bit of English in her time on the Tour. She falls 3-0 behind and on her way back to the chair absolutely smashes her racquet against the umpire's chair while shouting what I believe is known as an audible obscenity. Jimmy Connors would have blushed at that 30 years ago.
0231: Rather predictably, Zvonareva drops serve. She manages to do so while slipping over and dropping her racquet, before getting up and tearing off more bandages. The drama. Anyway, it's 2-0 Pennetta in the final set.
0230: "I can't believe I'm saying this, I may just have to Sky+ Andy's match.. Looks like he's only out at 3! My wake up is 7.. thanks Penetta, thanks a lot."
From Raffaele, London, via text 0230: "No, not a third set! I am unleashing my frustration on my newly purchased packet of rice cakes or rice dust as i now call them!"
From Graeme via text 0225: We have a significant toys/pram/ejection scenario on Arthur Ashe Stadium as a fuming Zvonareva rips half of the bandaging off her knees and then demands the trainer to complete the job, only to be told she has to wait for the next changeover. "What am I supposed to do?" she demands. "You took it off, you'll have to wait," says the umpire.
0221: I know I risk the wrath of those of you who have to get up in a hew hours but Pennetta did play brilliantly on those match points and deserves a third set. I have complete faith she will rattle through it in 15 minutes, never fear. Cilic now leads Istomin by two sets to love. I bet Denis's mum is fuming.
0219: Pennetta is currently lying on the court having her lower back manipulated by the trainer, while Zvonareva has nipped off for a comfort break and to consider those six match points.
Andy Murray v Taylor Dent now looking like 0300 BST.
0216: "Noooooooooo!!! "
From anon via text 0214: Hmm, contrasting views from the great British public. Zvonareva earns another two match points at 6-4 in the tie-break but, again, Pennetta comes up with some incredible tennis when on the brink. The Italian fights back with four straight points and.... I don't know how to tell you this.... (it's one set all).
0212: "This is high quality stuff. I'm enjoying this so much i wouldn't mind a third set."
From Kevin, Crawley, via text 0212: "This is starting to get annoying! Hurry up and lose please Pennetta!"
From anon via text 0203: In fairness, that was a fantastic game. Pennetta saves a total of four match points, the first by holding her nerve in an epic rally, and the second by darting to the net and punching away a volley. She then gets a dramatic Hawkeye call in her favour and there's a bit of a to-do over whether they have to replay the point. Another match point goes begging before Pennetta saves number four with a nerveless smash. Gutsy stuff from the Italian and we have a tie-break.
0159: Cilic leads Istomin by a set and a break. But you don't care about that, do you? We have a truly epic game going on between Pennetta and Zvonareva right now....
0146: Look out, Zvonareva holds serve, which is akin to a break these days, so Pennetta must now hold to stay in the match. Andy, put the paper down, get your trainers on, this could be it....
0141: Yep, Penneta is broken once again. It's 5-5 in the second set. The umpire really should step in here and say, 'let's just skip to a tie-break.'
0137: Yikes. Facing a break point, Zvonareva plays the sort of drop shot I usually come up with when I'm beginning to tire, generally after about 20 minutes. It barely reaches the net and Pennetta will serve for one set all. Little does she know how many people's Monday mornings, and the output of UK plc, hang in the balance here.
0130: "I fancied Pennetta after her previous matches, and after winning £50 on Kvitova last night I started to think I also knew what I was doing. If she goes on to win this set she'll walk the 3rd and Murray will be strolling out by 2...I hope!"
From Chris in Leeds via text on 81111 0130: "Bored on night shift, now fantasising over rice cakes as a chicken burger is just boring!"
From Chris in high wycombe 0127: Zvonareva has taken her sweatshirt off now and apparently means business as she breaks back for 4-4. And she is wearing a sleeveless top, don't worry.
0121: A thousand apologies to fans of Marin Cilic and Denis Istomin, your heroes have begun their third-round match on Court 11. Cilic, the 16th seed, already leads 4-0 and is in line to face Murray in the fourth round. Denis is coached by his mum. Nothing wrong with that of course. And Pennetta has broken to lead Zvonareva 4-3 in the second set. Put the kettle on...
0113: "I've got a meeting at 8.30 in the morning so would appreciate if the ladies could hurry up a bit. Murray to win in 3. Chuffed that kim won!"
From Gavin in Wales via text on 81111 0111: "Sitting reading Kafka, drinking coffee and desperately wanting Murray to get on court. Also, how crazy is daniel koellerer?"
From anon via text 0105: Serena & Venus are a set and a break up on Cirstea & Wozniacki, busy old day for Venus especially. Zvonareva leads by a set and 2-1 and Pennetta is nowhere near her best in her first night-session match. The rice cakes are growing on me and I'm wondering how many you have to eat before the become unhealthy. I'm hoping fewer than 20 in one sitting.
0057: Murray alert - Zvonareva takes the first 6-3 so we could, theoretically speaking, be half an hour away from our man. However, that would mean my tip Pennetta proving I have no idea what I'm talking about. Better make it 20 minutes.
0048: You look away for five minutes and it's all over -
Gael Monfils leads Jose Acasuso 6-3 6-4 1-0 when the Argentine retires and it's Nadal up next for
La Monf. Meanwhile, Zvonareva has moved 5-3 clear of Pennetta.
0038: Monfils breaks to lead 5-4 in the second set and Acasuso is sitting with his head under a towel on the changeover, possibly sobbing. And, er, Zvonareva has Pennetta running all over the place and reels off her third game in a row to lead 3-2.
0031: Zvonarena breaks back to trail 2-1 and we could be in for a long one, which is good news for fans of Vera and Flavia, less so for the people of the UK. I have eaten the first savoury rice cake and can confirm it's like spreading marmite on a piece of polystyrene. And not enough marmite.
0026: Pennetta and Zvonareva are up and running on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the Italian screaming into a 2-0 lead. Well, taking a 2-0 lead. Zvonareva is wearing a sweatshirt and heavy strapping on both knees, which doesn't bode well for her chances.
0021: Monfils is being pushed a bit more by Acasuso in the second set and does well to hold serve for 2-2. Serena & Venus are playing doubles against Wozniacki & Cirstea, who played each other in singles yesterday with the Dane winning. No hard feelings, obviously.
0019: "I'm on a night out with mates, but somehow confined to live text, very sad. Digging for Murray tonight!"
From Otis, st helens, via text 0017: We have Monday's order of play through - the night session will be Wozniacki v Kuznetsova followed by Djokovic v Stepanek. The day session kicks off at 1600 BST with Bondarenko v Dulko, Oudin v Petrova, and Federer v Robredo.
0012: OK, slightly slow updating but I'm sure it's just a midnight glitch. For all those asking, Murray follows Pennetta v Zvonareva, which follows some form of on-court ceremony, obviously, so I'm guessing around 0200 BST. And staying up on a Sunday night/Monday morning is sensible, yes.
jamestphillips via Twitter: "Just arrived home to edinburgh from new york. instead of fighting the jet lag, I think I'll stay up & watch murray. sensible?"
ca7randall via Twitter: "I hope you either have something to spread on them, or you have plenty of liquid. dry ricecakes = not cool."
0001: Monfils seals the first set 6-3 against Affleckasuso. We have Murray v Dent to come but before that on Arthur Ashe Stadium is Flavia Pennetta v Vera Zvonareva. A slightly surprising choice of night match, but maybe word has reached New York that Pennetta is my outside tip for the title. What's that? She plays Serena next, you say? Oh dear.
2353: "It was unbelievable. I don't know what to say. It was such a weird match, especially those first two sets. But after I lost the second at 6-0, I said, let's start over and start a new match."
Kim Clijsters on her 6-0 0-6 6-4 win over Venus Williams.
2347: "Live text to tennis I think! Just lying in bed debating whether to set alarm to wake me up for murray! Anyway u can ping me not to bother if he looks like he'll fail?"
From anon via text on 81111 2346: "Very upset I missed such a great match but am so pleased Kim won she has been missed on tour. who does she play next? Working til 5am so cmon Andy."
From Paula, Gwent, via text 2346: Monfils breaks Ben Affleck lookalike Acasuso and leads 4-2 on Grandstand. With 606 now closed you might think you have an excuse not contribute. Ha! We've thought of that, and you can
text on 81111 or get in touch via
Twitter to give me your thoughts on Comeback Kim, Bonkers Koellerer, Andy Murray, Taylor Dent, or whether I'm going to be disappointed by the wholewheat savoury rice cakes I bought to stop me eating crisps all night.
2339: I just caught the end of Austria's Koellerer - nutty as a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte that lad. Del Potro seemed to take no notice of his antics and finished him off ruthlessly - the big Argentine is seeded to meet Murray in the quarters. Tasty.
2333: Good evening. After two nights spent totally awake anyway I'm fresh as a daisy and chomping at the bit for some Murray action, but in the meantime we have Gael Monfils and Jose Acasuso under way on Grandstand for the right to face Rafael Nadal. It's 2-1 on serve to
La Monf, which is his official nickname. I checked.
2324: Right, that's my time in the chair. Fresh from his two-day graveyard hiatus, Piers Newbery is back in the hotseat to talk you through Gael Monfils and of course, Britain's own Andy Murray in the wee hours of the morning. Have fun.
2322: J Del Potro bts D Koellerer 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-3 Absolutely sensational from Koellerer, whose full-length diving volley at the net loops over the retreating Del Potro's head, a move which delights the Louis Armstrong crowd, fully appreciated by the Austrian showman. Del Potro lets his opponent have his moment in the limelight, but Koellerer is not reading the script as he leaves the sixth seed floundering with a forehand winner for 30-30. But Del Potro - who has been smashing winners from all over the court - continues his dominance from the back of the court to nail the match. Another Juan awaits in the last 16 in the shape of Spain's Carlos Ferrero, the 24th seed.
2315: A lovely slice of serve-volley tactics from Koellerer, who unleashes a primal scream which could break glass after winning a sensational point. Looks a bit like Taylor Hawkins, the drummer from Foo Fighters. Anyway, Danny holds on for one more match at least at 3-5 in the fourth set.
2311: Comedy capers from Daniel Koellerer, more to keep the crowd on his side than anything else, but his antics can't distract Juan Martin del Potro, who nails his service game to move to within one game of booking his place in the last 16.
2309: J Tsonga bts J Benneteau 7-6 6-2 6-4 No further seed-slaying antics for Julien Benneteau, conqueror of Serbia's 30th seed Viktor Troicki in the previous round as French compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga cruises to a comfortable win. Next up for the seventh seed is 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez.
2300: It's all looking rosy for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is serving for a place in the last 16 at 5-4 against Julien Benneteau. Meanwhile sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro extends his lead to 4-1 in the fourth set against Daniel Koellerer.
2246: Up next for Clijsters is China's 18th seed Li Na, who earlier eased past Francesca Schiavone in straight sets. Meanwhile on Louis Armstrong, Juan Martin del Potro is two sets to one up against Daniel Koellerer after winning the third 6-3. Seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, two sets to love up, is a break up against Julien Benneteau in the third at 3-2.
Greatest_Valentines_Day_Ever_2009 on 606: "What a final set. What a contest. Who could have known after the first two sets how this one would finish. It could have been an anticlimax. It could have been another 6-0 set but instead we got a close, exciting contest, and an upset that will make the tournament more interesting."
2238: K Clijsters bts V Williams 6-0 0-6 6-4 Awesome response from Clijsters at 0-30 down. The Belgian thumps a serve down the middle before dispatching the winner right into the corner. However, some dodgy footwork and Venus has two break points. But more incredible resolve and Clijsters forces the match to deuce and after 102 breath-taking minutes, the 26-year-old mother of one seals an incredible victory - her fifth career win over Venus - with a vicious serve to claim her place in the quarter-finals. Extraordinary.
2231: Venus screams like a wailing banshee as she overcooks a forehand smash to hand Clijsters a 15-30 lead. But more grit and determination from the former world number one, holding on to serve to ensure a grandstand finish to this absolute classic game. Interestingly, the crowd support is pretty much split - partisan loyalties are often tossed aside when there's enthralling sport to watch.
2226: A ballsy second serve after a double fault, along with a whippy double-handed backhand, sees Clijsters one game away from a sensational upset. Five-three with Venus to serve to stay in the match.
Andy, Exeter ex-offenders project, text 81111: "Working tonight, would love it, if KC can beat Venus!"
2222: A slugging double-handed crosscourt forehand from Clijsters just sails past the tramlines, enabling Venus to hold serve and maintain the one-game deficit. Over on Louis Armstrong, Juan Martin del Potro is a break up against Daniel Koellerer at 3-2 in the third set.
2219: It's all going well for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the Grandstand right now. he's two sets up against Julien Benneteau after a 6-2 win in the second.
2214: I think I'm right that Clijsters has only played seven matches since her return to the professional tour - how in the blazes are you supposed to out-forehand Venus Williams after setting her up with two precise backhands with the bare minimum of preparation? Immense. Venus pushes her 26-year-old opponent to deuce, but Clijsters holds, a point accompanied by a gritted "c'mon!". Four-two to Kim.
2212: Clijsters and Williams indulge in some scintillating rally play, culminating with a cheeky drop shot which helps sets up the point for the Belgian. Sensing another service break, the mother of one forces Venus to deuce, but a rasping forehand and an unforced error later and Venus reduces the arrears to one game at 2-3.
2203: Clijsters sniffs out a break point as Venus thunders down a long missile-like first serve. She opts for power over placement on the second, but the gamble does not pay out as she commits her fourth double set of the match to go down to a 1-2 deficit in the final set.
2200: Juan Martin's game has gone to Potro (sorry). The giant Argentine's serve is broken for the second time as unheralded Austrian Daniel Koellerer takes the second set to level the match at 1-1.
2156: With Williams beaten after a last resort defensive backhand lob, Clijsters messes up game point on serve when she pummels a forehand drive too far. But she has the steel and resolve to hold on and break Venus' seven-game winning run.
2152: Venus is absolutely welting down the serves at shocking speeds, while her shrieks are scaring toddlers in Central Park. She takes the first game of the third set as Clijsters' forehand return goes wide.
2148: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's nicked the first-set tie-break against Julien Benneteau while Del Potro is a break down in the second set against Koellerer - didn't Gabriel Garcia Marquez write an epic novel featuring his surname?
2145: Anything you can do... Just 23 minutes after a 6-0 pasting, Venus Williams returns the favour with a quite brilliant volley at the net to leave Clijsters floundering. The Belgian looks totally flummoxed - as do most of the watching public. Has there ever been a match where all three sets featured bagels?
2141: Juan Martin del Potro is on the money, claiming the first set 6-1 with minimal fuss. It's a little tighter over on the Grandstand in the all-Gallic affair between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Julien Benneteau, with the first set going into a tie-break.
2138: I just can't figure this match out - Clijsters has just gone a double break down, conceding a 0-4 deficit with her third double fault of the match.
2135: Venus unleashes a first serve which would still be flying towards the Hudson river had the back wall not stopped its trajectory, a point which seals the game and a 3-0 lead.
2130: Ooooh this is good - Venus is refusing to back down as Clijsters reveals her fangs - it's sheer muscle against exceptional hard graft. A double fault allows Venus to earn her first break point - duly converted as Clijsters returns into the net. Two-nil to Venus.
Slushington on 606: " Actually Pranav, Venus lost the first set 6-0 to Agnes Szavay at this year's French Open."
2123: The last time Venus Williams was bagelled in a competitive match was against Nadia Petrova in the semi-finals of the Fed Cup over two years ago. But she's just been served one of New York's finest by a resurgent Clijsters, who absolutely steamrollers the first set in 27 minutes. Judging by her expression, she has more fish to fry. Game on.
James L in Leeds, Del Potro is in full flow against Daniel Koellerer, with the Argentine 2-0 up in the first set.
Pickles91 on 606: "FINALLY!!!! We have a women's player who can hold it together against the Williams sisters, how women's tennis has missed the Henin's and Clijsters."
2115: So within 20 minutes, Kim Clijsters has broken Venus' serve three times and roared into a 5-0 lead. The Belgian jumps out of her seat on her way to serving for the first set - and a potential bagel to boot too. Sensational scenes.
2110: Hello! Clijsters takes another service game off Venus and suddenly this is looking very interesting indeed.
2107: France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and countryman Julien Benneteau are underway on Grandstand. That's a court rather than the deceased Saturday afternoon institution. Anyway, all square at 2-2 in the opener.
2101: Clijsters sniffs an opportunity to break Venus in the very first game of the match, but the third seed thunders into the net and pummels a forehand volley right into the bottom corner for deuce. But at the fourth time of asking, the Belgian converts a break point when Venus fires a forehand wide of the tramline. Venus' serve has been poor - two double faults in her opening service game.
2055: Confident start from Juan Martin del Potro. The sixth seed Argentine has already broken Austrian Daniel Koellerer's serve to lead 2-1 on Louis Armstrong.
2052: Venus Williams, in an all-pink number with some sort of crazy motif which I can't quite make out on the back (anyone shed any light?) and Kim Clijsters (regulation red shirt and blue skirt effort) are knocking up on Ashe. Clijsters is the talk of the tournament having made her comeback after a two-year hiatus from injuries and motherhood - and is absolutely loving it right now.
Jamesearlbond on 606: "Am I imagining things, or does Nadal look like Tom Cruise with the new haircut? saw him playing Keifer the other day, thought I was watching a celebrity match between Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell."
2042: F Gonzalez bts T Berdych 7-6 6-4 6-4Fernando Gonzalez seals his last 16 place with a solid serve down the middle to outplay Czech opponent Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Next up for the Chilean 11th seed is the winner of an all-French tie between Julien Benneteau and seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
2037: R Nadal bts N Almagro 7-6 6-4 6-4 Boom!
Rafa Nadal wraps up the victory with a box office double-handed forehand winner, to the delight of the Arthur Ashe crowd. Almagro asks his compatriot about his health, a nervous, subdued shake of the head from the world number three suggests the next 36 hours will be filled with intensive treatment around his abdomen. Turns out he picked up an injury in Cincinnati which is still clearly hampering his serve, which was about 75% today. However, I doubt whether 12th seed Gael Monfils would be as generous as Nicolas Almagro was. The Frenchman or Argentina's Jose Acasuso will be Nadal's fourth-round opponent.
2031: Li Na bts F Schiavone 6-2 6-3So no double joy for the Italians in the women's last 16 as 18th seed wraps up a comprehensive victory over 26th seed Francesca Schiavone. Li will face either Venus Williams or Kim Clijsters in the next round.
2028: Over on the Grandstand, Fernando Gonzalez is one game away from wrapping up a straight sets win over Tomas Berdych.
2026: Rafa clearly wants this match over and done with without going into an additional set. Whatever injury he has picked up seems to be bothering him on his serve the most. Nevertheless, he holds to move within one game of the last 16.
2012: Fresh from a second-set tie-break defeat, Britain's
Heather Watson turns the afterburners on and demolishes Russia's Ksenia Kirillova in the final set for a 6-2 6-7 6-1 victory in the junior girl's singles competition. The 11th seed will play either Courtney Dolehide of the US or Romania's Cristina Dinu in the next round.
2012: Both men are looking as uncomfortable as a dad accompanying his teenage daughter to a Slayer gig. Rafa looking towards his contingent in the crowd with unease, but manages to hold on to his serve and draw level at 2-2. Almagro will need to review his shot selection, which has been injudicious, to say the least, at times.
2003: Fernando Gonzalez, who lists home-grown avocados as his favourite fruit, clinches the second set 6-4 against Tomas Berdych while Li Na does the honours against Francesca Schiavone, taking the first set 6-2. Meanwhile, a thoroughly bizarre scene on Ashe with both Almagro and Nadal flat out on their backs receiving treatment from the on-court trainers. Almagro is receiving plenty of attention on the upper part of his back while Rafa gets the ladies in the crowd hot under the collar by changing his shirt after his treatment. I wouldn't bother putting it back on again if my forearms looked anything like that.
1956: Groundhog day for Almagro, who once again concedes tosses back the initiative to Nadal after surrendering his serve straight after a break. Rafa has summoned the trainer, he's on the floor and is receiving treatment around his lower mid-riff.
1956: Groundhog day for Almagro, who once again concedes tosses back the initiative to Nadal after surrendering his serve straight after a break. Rafa has summoned the trainer, he's on the floor and is receiving treatment around his lower mid-riff.
1951: Wallop! Almagro thunders a ballistic forehand down the line to take an early break at the top of the third set for a 2-0 lead. Despiet Nadal's 2-0 cushion, I genuinely still can't figure out which way this match will go.
1941: Hang in there Heather Watson - the British teenager has just been taken into a deciding set against Russia's Ksenia Kirillova after losing her second-set tie-breaker. Meanwhile, Rafa holds his serve to take the second set 6-4.
1935: Blimey, this all-Spanish fourth-round match is about as predictable as the temperature gauge in a cheap hotel shower bathroom. Just moments after breaking Nadal's serve to level at 4-4 in the second set, Almagro has just gifted the world number three a break of serve with a series of unforced errors and his sixth double fault of the match.
1927: A few breaks of serves to report - Li Na is 4-1 up against Schiavone while Fernando Gonzalez has broken Tomas Berdych for the first time in the second set to 3-2 in the second set. Meanwhile, Almagro just about holds on to his serve as Nadal's backhand slice sails beyond the service line to trail 3-4 in the second set.
1922: What a backhand from Nadal - from an impossible angle he somehow manages to skim the ball across the net beyond Almagro's outstretched racquet as he holds on to serve for a 4-2 lead.
1916: Fernando Gonzalez capitalises on his break of serve and seals the first set 7-5 against Tomas Berdych. Elsewhere, Italy's 26th seed Francesca Schiavone is 1-2 down to China's 18th seed Li Na.
1911: Early second-set break for Nadal as Almagro sends down two poor serves and it's 2-1 to the Mallorcan.
1858: Swinging over to the Grandstand, 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez has just broken Tomas Berdych's serve for a 6-5 lead to serve for the first set.
Ugot2ndServed, Basingstoke, text 81111: "Five breaks of serve in a row in the Nadal vs Almagro match before Rafa finally holds. He just doesn't look himself... yet."
1858: A big booming double-handed backhand down the line sets Nadal up to take the first set 7-5, but what a bizarre first 40 minutes with numerous serve breaks and unforced errors. Entertaining though.
Louise, text 81111: "You seem to be getting a little confused about colours - Nadal's sweatbands are not magenta, a colour which would better describe Serena's outfit from earlier, which was not mauve, which is a much lighter, bluer purple."
My interior decorator will be steaming... 1848: Remarkable first set unfolding on Ashe as Nicolas Almagro earns two break points against Rafael Nadal with the third seed serving for the set at 5-4. Unbelievably, Rafa serves his second double fault at the most inopportune moment, handing Almagro the game to level matters at 5-5.
1841: Sad news from Louis Armstrong, ninth seed
Gilles Simon has been forced to retire, looks like a reoccurrence of a knee injury which has troubled him of late, so
Juan Carlos Ferrero advances into the last 16 and will play either Juan Martin del Potro or Daniel Koellerer.
1835:L Robson bts O Jabeur 6-0 6-1Quick as a flash and Laura Robson is through to the next round of the junior girl's singles with a comprehensive win over her Tunisian opponent. Next up for the Brit will be either seventh seed Lauren Embree of the USA or Poland's Paula Kania.
1827: That ding-dong battle between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Gilles Simon on Louis Armstrong is still going strong. They are into a tie-break in the third with the Spaniard 5-2 up as I type.
1822: Nadal holds his serve to press home his advantage. He produced the shot of the match so far in doing so, bending a delicious winner down the line just when Almagro seemed to have finally have him pinned
1815: As feistycheese points out below, Nadal looks to have kicked his nervy start to the kerb and breaks Almagro for the second successive time to take a 3-2 first-set lead. The forehand is well-oiled, like a pristine Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, and the fleet-footed movement is electric. Good news for Heather Watson, who takes the first set 6-2 against Russia's Ksenia Kirillova.
1811: Bagel graphic time as Laura Robson annihilates Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 6-0 in the first set on court 14. It's all looking good for the 15-year-old, who shares the same birthday as me. Life cannot get any better for her right now.
feistycheese - speling genieass on 606: "Nadal will pick his game up, there's no way he will lose to Almagro, even on one leg. He's often started matches slowly, being broken early on, but he will be fine."
Ana Ivanovic on Twitter: "I will take a week or two off to totally switch off from tennis and come back refreshed for my tournament in Tokyo."
1805: Bang on cue, after a howler in the previous game, Rafa converts two break points as Almagro hammers a backhand return into the net. 2-1 to Almagro.
1801: A shocker of a service game from Nadal, who loses his first service game when a forehand - yes, you did read correctly, a Rafa forehand - is hit straight into the net. Almagro probably can't believe his luck to take a 2-0 lead so early on in the match.
1756: Laura Robson's off to a flyer against Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, racing into a 2-0 lead over on court 14.
1754: Rafa wins the toss and elects to receive first. Oooof! Almagro is hit flush in the family jewels by a tennis ball accidentally sent his way by a, err, ballboy. But after a good couple of seconds of deep reflection, the 32nd seed can see the funny side of things and holds his serve to take a 1-0 lead.
1748: Lest we forget Britain's
Heather Watson, currently 3-0 up in the junior girl's singles against Russian Ksenia Kirillova on court 13. You go girl...
1744: Here comes Rafa and his guns, draped either side by large holdalls. The Mallorcan is decked in a tasteful canary yellow t-shirt accompanied by jet black shorts, while two magenta sweatbands - the same colour as Nicolas Almagro's shirt - match the headband.
1739: Also in action today are 17th seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and Chile's 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez on the Grandstand. The duo are scheduled second after a women's third-round doubles match.
1733: So can Vera Zvonareva or Flavia Pennetta extinguish Serena's red-hot form in the last eight? Judging by her latest performance, probably not.
1731: After breaking Juan Carlos Ferrero's serve at 4-5, ninth seed Gilles Simon sees the Spaniard break back and seal the second set 6-4 to level the match score at 1-1. Intriguing battle unfolding on Louis Armstrong.
1729:S Williams bts D Hantuchova 6-2 6-0 Desperate to avoid a New York bagel with extra cream cheese, Hantuchova is doing everything in her power to will that 0 to turn into a 1, but
Serena Williams, as ruthless as a bloodhound, unleashes a boombastic forehand drive across court for deuce. A wayward volley and an overhit forehand return and it's all over 64 minutes after the match began as Serena books her place in the quarter-finals with a polished display of power and placement.
The Dude, Manchester, text 81111: "Please tell Hantuchova not to worry. This ought to be quick and painless!"
1717: Boom! Another Serena forehand bomb leaves Hantuchova sprawling for another break point and a horrible double-handed forehand from the Slovakian flies well wide as Serena saunters into a 4-0 lead. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Ferrero squanders the perfect opportunity to level the match against Gilles Simon as the Frenchman breaks his serve to trail 4-5 on his serve in the 10th game.
1709: Over on Louis Armstrong, a stirring fightback from everyone's favourite insect-nicknamed Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero after his abject first-set display, breaking Gilles Simon for 5-3 and is currently serving for the second set.
1705: Hantuchova's service game is unravelling at a rate of knots on Ashe, with Serena breaking her serve for the third successive time to take a 2-0 lead in the second set.
Invisible on 606: "Pranav, any chance of learning how to spell the word 'racquet'? It's not the American Broadcasting Corporation, you know!"
A fair point Vis, I can never remember our house style but having just double checked, it is indeed with a 'qu', so much more civilised, like tea without sugar. Kim Clijsters on Twitter: "On our way to the courts now. Feeling excited! There's been a lot of upsets in the women's draw, hopefully I can pull one today too! "
1657: A doozy of a forehand from Serena earns her a set point - which she duly converts at the first time of asking as Hantuchova misdirects a double-handed backhand return. It's a big ask from 2-6 down for the 22nd seed.
1647: Advantage Serena as the defending champ breaks Hantuchova's serve in the sixth game to take a 4-2 first-set lead, although the Slovak is not being outmuscled by any stretch of the imagination.
Jimmy, Oakham, text 81111: "When Andy Roddick was at Wimbledon he was always scheduled to play in the morning so that American fans could watch him at a reasonable hour, so why do we get Andy Murray's matches at one in the morning?"
1643: September 6 - what a momentous day for British tennis. Forget, if you can, Andy Murray and Laura Robson for a moment and cast a birthday salutation in the directions of former British one and two Tim Henman (35) and Greg Rusedski (36). I wonder if they ever had a joint birthday party?
Andy Murray on Twitter: "Andres carrasco tennis imitations on youtube is soooooo good try watching on mute see if u can guess the players."
1634: In the fashion stakes, Serena opts for a mauve one-piece, as seen in her third round win over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, while Hantuchova sports a blue skirt with a lilac vest, accompanied by a crisp white visor. Nothing to send the fashionistas on What Not to Wear into fits of apoplectic rage. So far everything has gone with serve, with Serena taking a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, ninth seed Gilles Simon has wrapped up the first set in double quick time against 24th seed Juan Carlos Ferrero.
1627: Over on Louis Armstrong, Gilles Simon is absolutely steaming into Juan Carlos Ferrero, taking a 5-1 lead.
feistycheese on 606: "Laura's ranking will also jump massively after this tournament simply due to her qualifying efforts for the main seniors draw. I believe she will end up somewhere around 350, a jump of about 100 places."
1622: I've neglected to mention that everyone's favourite tennis racket-wielding British teenager
Laura Robson is in second up on court 14 in the junior girl's singles against Tunisia's Ons Jabeur on court 14. Serena is knocking up on court and her earrings are absolutely enormous - you could fit a German Shepherd through one of those and barely touch the sides. The rumour goes the bigger the earrings, the less respect for the opponent...
1616: Daniela Hantuchova's record against Serena is not exactly what one might describe as "encouraging". The pair have met eight times in previous encounters, with the Slovak registering just one win. Their last match was in the last 16 at this year's Wimbledon, a match won with consummate ease by Serena 6-3 6-1.
1612: Fresh from her restaurant faux pas (shared to the world via Twitter - I envisage a day when world peace will be declared in less than 140 characters),
a Serena Tweet reads: "Ughhhh i was eating before my match and a looooonnnnngggghh hair was in my food!!!! Ahhhhhhhh soooo gross!!!!!"
1607: World number three Rafael Nadal is conveniently sandwiched between the Williams sisters today on Ashe. The Spaniard is up against compatriot Nicolas Almagro, while Venus will play a resurgent Kim Clijsters, who is playing with a smile the width of the Brooklyn Bridge. For me, the match of the day.
1602: We're set for a marathon shift today/wee hours of Monday morning as
Andy Murray is scheduled for the second evening match on Arthur Ashe against all-American favourite Taylor Dent on Labor Day weekend. We're estimating a 0100 start for the world number two, depending on how Vera Zvonareva's match against Flavia Pennetta pans out. Get involved via the
606 website (link above) or
text 81111.
1558: Afternoon all, what awaits after the Russian equivalent of the
Night of the Long Knives? So Dinara Safina, after insisting she would rather be remembered as world number one rather than a Grand Slam winner, can now concentrate on printing numerous copies of the WTA rankings pages until her heart's content. For American-reared compatriot Maria Sharapova, it's time to hit the practice court and work on the horlicks that is her service game. It's fourth round matches today and first up on Arthur Ashe we have defending women's champion Serena Williams against Daniela Hantuchova, while Juan Carlos Ferrero takes on France's Gilles Simon on Louis Armstrong.
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