THAT’S MORE LIKE IT, CENTRE COURT

TWENTY-FOUR hours after ticket-holders were left feeling shortchanged by abrupt retirements, this was a welcome return to form for Centre Court. The farce of watching two consecutive opponents pull out against Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer was succeeded by a wonderful variety of fare on a perfect English summer afternoon. There was even a diverting attack by flying ants, causing umpire Kader Nouni to fend off the insects divebombing his head as he called out the score in his inimitable baritone. Two British singles wins is a rare sight on Centre Court, not one that has been witnessed since 2013, and they came in contrasting fashion. Jo Konta’s gutsy 7-6, 4-6, 10-8 win had a coming-of-age feel about it in Wimbledon terms, and it will be interesting to see how her first dose of big love in the main arena affects her. Then there was Andy Murray and Dustin Brown putting on a showcase of old school, touch tennis at the net — even if it was ultimately not much of a contest as the Briton triumphed 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Parliament and governments may creak but there is something reassuring about a glorious afternoon at Wimbledon, where home heroes and international all-comers are feted alike.