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People's Sunday awaits champions
Roger Federer and Serena Williams will notice a distinct change in the air when they seek to make up for lost time at Wimbledon on Sunday.
Defending champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams will notice a distinct change in the air when they seek to make up for lost time at Wimbledon on "People's Sunday".
The men's and women's title-holders were left twiddling their rackets in the changing room on Saturday when rain wiped out the entire day's programme for the second time this week.
Persistent drizzle forced organisers to order play on the middle Sunday for only the third time in Wimbledon history.
Swiss top seed Federer is first out to face Swedish 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson on Centre Court.
If the last two occasions -- in 1991 and 1997 -- when play took place on the middle Sunday are indicative, the famous arena will be filled by a crowd let in on a first-come, first-served basis that is likely to be a lot more rowdy than normal.
The Meteorological Office is forecasting bright skies and sunny spells on Sunday with the risk of the odd shower. Gates will open at 0800 GMT with play scheduled to start at 1000 GMT on all courts.
Two of the world's biggest servers, Americans Andy Roddick and Taylor Dent, go toe-to-toe in another delayed third round clash on court one.
Second seed Roddick, holder of the world's fastest delivery at 153 miles (246.2 km) per hour, will be expected to emerge victorious.
Their match follows American seventh seed Jennifer Capriati's showdown with Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy in the third round of the women's singles on court one.
HENMAN OMEN
By far the biggest cheer of the day will be reserved for the second singles match on Centre Court, British fifth seed Tim Henman's third round encounter with Morocco's Hicham Arazi.
The omens are good for Henman, who once again is the sole bearer of British hopes of a first men's champion in 68 years.
On the last "People's Sunday" in 1997, Henman won 14-12 in the fifth set of a third round thriller against Dutchman Paul Haarhuis.
Serena Williams tackles her Spanish third round opponent Magui Serna on Centre Court after Henman's match.
After sister Venus's shock exit, Serena must retain her title here to ensure the Williams family is not left without a grand slam in the family trophy cabinet for the first time since 1998.
French women's fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo and last year's men's runner-up Mark Philippoussis are among the other leading seeds scheduled to play.
Organisers hope to complete all 22 of the outstanding third round singles matches, allowing the fourth round of the women's and men's singles to take place on Monday as originally scheduled.
