Novak Djokovic vs Holger Rune start time: When is Wimbledon ...

Wimbledon organisers are confident of finishing the tournament on time despite forecasts of more wet weather this week.

There were only two dry days in the first week and some events are already behind schedule following numerous delays.

Conditions are forecast to be similar for the second week, but chief executive Sally Bolton believes they can get back on schedule.

Former champion Elena Rybakina halted the run of big-name exits in the women’s draw by advancing to the quarter-finals when opponent Anna Kalinskaya withdrew mid-match.

The fourth seed is the highest-ranked player left in the draw and the only woman to have previously made a Wimbledon final after her victory over Ons Jabeur two years ago.

Russian Kalinskaya, who was again watched by boyfriend and men’s world number one Jannik Sinner, made a great start under the roof on Centre Court but took a medical time-out for treatment to her right arm after seven games and shook hands trailing 6-3 3-0.

American 13th seed Fritz sealed his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals with an epic 4-6 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-6 (3) 6-3 victory in three hours and 29 minutes.

The last time Fritz played on Centre Court, in 2022, he came out on the wrong side of a five-set quarter-final against Rafael Nadal.

It was a defeat that left Fritz in tears for weeks afterwards, but it also turned out to be Nadal’s last appearance in SW19, as such was the intensity of the match the Spaniard aggravated an injury which forced him to withdraw from the semi-final.

Alex De Minaur played down injury fears after he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time and is happy to be an honorary Briton for the rest of the tournament.

The ninth seed from Australia continued his fine run at the Championships with a 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-3 win over Arthur Fils on Court One, but looked to pull up during match point and barely celebrated the fine volley which closed out the tie.

De Minaur seemed to shake his head in the direction of his box, which contained long-term girlfriend and British number one Katie Boulter, but claimed it was only a scare after he jarred his hip.

“I’ve played in much more hostile environments, trust me, you guys can’t touch me,” Novak Djokovic assured the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon on Monday night. Even after winning in straight sets, he had the bit between his teeth. Holger Rune couldn’t touch him either, you see, so the seven-time champion had a little more energy to expend.

Make no mistake, the 24-time grand slam champion can win Wimbledon this week. He remains among the favourites, and rightly so. But after his walkover exit from the French Open, and with that compression sleeve still hugging his surgically-repaired right knee, and with his movement a little laboured, it is fair to suggest that he’ll welcome this straight-sets win.

It was almost cruel how Alex de Minaur repeatedly sent lob shots up and over Arthur Fils’ head to defuse the Frenchman’s explosive approach. This is new ground for the Australian: a first grand slam quarter-final.

One of the fastest players in the sport is gathering momentum. After four successive fourth round matches in the sport’s most prestigious events, a run that confirmed the world No.9 was knocking on the door, this polished victory (6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3) suggests he might be ready to knock it clean off its hinges.

Ashleigh Barty triumphed in 2021, but it’s been 22 years since a male Australian has won at SW19. Lleyton Hewitt, serving as a mentor to De Minaur, passionately lived through each point in the box, barking encouragement down below when the 25-year-old ventured over to his towel to wipe away sweat.

“I don't think you need to talk too much about Novak here at Wimbledon. He's obviously achieved greatness many, many years. So he's going to be a tough battle.

“But the type of battles that I want to be playing. Those are the challenges that I want to take advantage of and go out there and show what I can do.

“I feel like Novak is a lot more constant and solid with his level throughout the whole match.”

The Serbian was repeatedly showered with cries of “Rune,” which he maintained were supposed to serve as boos in a spicy atmosphere at SW19.

And Djokovic, a seven-time champion at Wimbledon, took aim at those cheering Rune and explained why he thought it was “disrespectful”.

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

That was rather spicy from Djokovic, who was furious with the fans who repeatedly shouted “Rune”.

It’s unlikely to cool the atmosphere down for the next round though.