Court 18 is one of the true gems for fans with a Grounds pass.

It's the location of the longest Grand Slam match of all time (Isner vs Mahut in 2010 - yes, it took 11 hours and five minutes, across three days), with fans and spectators able to wrap around a balcony overlooking the immaculate turf.

On Thursday, rapidly improving Flavio Cobolli was taking on Great Britain's youngster Jack Pinnington Jones (main picture) with all sorts of people peering over to watch. The one and only John McEnroe (holding his suit ready to change for broadcasting) stayed for several points, while JPJ's countryman and fellow college player Oliver Tarvet - fresh from facing Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court on Day 3 - took in the high-quality clash, which Cobolli claimed 6-1, 7-6(6), 6-2.

The Italian rewarded some vocal young fans with his match-worn trainers and a selfie.

Later on Court 18, gregarious entertainer Gael Monfils became embroiled in a battle with 'lucky loser' Marton Fucsovics. It was a meeting between former Wimbledon boys’ champions, with Monfils triumphing in 2004 and Fucsovics in 2010.

An appreciative Elina Svitolina and French compatriot Alize Cornet - who conjured up Wimbledon victories over Serena Williams (2014) and Iga Swiatek (2022) - were among an absorbed crowd, with the topsy-turvy match abandoned for the day ahead of a decisive fifth set. A thrilling finale awaits on Friday.

Champion qualities

Cool, commanding and in control. Elena Rybakina showed shades of her run to the 2022 title as she dispatched Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1 in just over an hour on No.1 Court.

“It means a lot to be back,” said the former champion. “[There are] a lot of great memories and of course I want to do well this year too and try my best. I’m just super happy to get through another round.”

Barbora Krejcikova is also rediscovering her winning ways at the All England Club, with the defending ladies’ champion progressing over Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Feeling at home

Green and gold attire was generously sprinkled through the crowd at No.2 Court as Australian fans supported their No.1 player, Alex de Minaur. But the pro-British support seemed equally pronounced as the No.11 seed faced Frenchman Arthur Cazaux.

It highlighted how much De Minaur, who spends much of his off-court time in London with fiancée and fellow player Katie Boulter, feels at home at the All England Club. “It’s a second home Slam for me,” said the grateful 26-year-old, following a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory over the talented qualifier.

“Over the last three or four years I've definitely felt the love here. It’s a special place to play tennis,” said De Minaur to warm applause. “And all my energy goes to hopefully playing a lot of matches in the next couple of weeks here.”

Sporting supporters

Emma Navarro was well supported in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Veronika Kudermetova – never mind that those fans were dressed for a different sport.

"I had some New Yorkers cheering me on,” said the No.10 seed of the trio dressed in New York City basketball jerseys. “They got the wrong sport, but I appreciate the effort."

Contesting only her third Wimbledon, the 2024 quarter-finalist was pleased to be back on No.3 Court. "I'm feeling really good,” said the 24-year-old Navarro. “I played this court back in the Juniors, it's really nice to be back, it feels really intimate and I feel the energy from the crowd. It's a really fun court.”

There were mixed results for other American players.

Hailey Baptiste – supported courtside by Frances Tiafoe – claimed a 7-6(6), 6-4 win over Victoria Mboko to set up a third round meeting with Mirra Andreeva, and Danielle Collins defeated qualifier Veronika Erjavec. The No.28 seed Sofia Kenin, on the other hand, exited in straight sets to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Tommy Paul became another seeded casualty, the No.13 exiting in four sets to Sebastian Ofner.

There was late-night drama on No.2 Court, meanwhile, as Rinky Hijikata saved three match points against Ben Shelton, before play was suspended. The match will resume on Friday with the American No.10 seed leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4.

History for Sonmez

The emotion was understandable as Zeynep Sonmez celebrated a straight sets win over Xinyu Wang. The world No.88, also a winner over the higher-ranked Jaqueline Cristian in the first round on Tuesday, becomes the first player from Turkey to reach the third round at a Grand Slam. Adding to the milestone of her Wimbledon debut, the 23-year-old Sonmez is also celebrating her maiden Grand Slam match wins.

Sonmez next faces No.18 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, who moved into the third round with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Suzan Lamens.

Mensik magic

Jakub Mensik navigated a test against the talented Marcos Giron, the No.15 seed emerging with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory after the American served for the fourth set. It equalled a best Grand Slam performance for the Czech, who is contesting only his second main draw at Wimbledon and seventh Grand Slam overall.

Playing with maturity beyond his 19 years, Mensik became the youngest Czech man to reach the Wimbledon third round since Tomas Berdych in 2005.

It contrasted with a dramatic day for fellow Czech Tomas Machac as Danish qualifier August Holmgren saved three match points in an epic, downing the No.21 seed 7-6(5), 6-7(8), 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) in just under five hours.

Five-set Frenchman

No such thing as a letdown for Arthur Rinderknech. Following his five-set upset of No.3 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round, the world No.72 Frenchman claimed another marathon win over Cristian Garin, eliminating the Chilean 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 47 minutes.

Rinderknech next faces Kamil Majchrzak, who has matched his previous best Grand Slam performance at the 2019 US Open by reaching the third round.