Another rain delay was not the only reason for a sombre mood to commence day 6 at Wimbledon.
Britain's Emma Raducanu announced her withdrawal from mixed doubles with Andy Murray due to wrist soreness. It means Murray played his final match at the All England Club with his brother Jamie in the men's doubles earlier this week - a fitting way to end his journey.
Elsewhere, two Aussie men experienced contrasting results in the final stretch of third round matches, as the top seed in the women's draw continued her struggles on grass.
Aussie Results: Novak Djokovic d. Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) Alex de Minaur [9] d. Lucas Pouille (walkover) There was an inkling of a potential upset brewing when Alexei Popyrin pinched the first set against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic. The Sydneysider was staying consistently aggressive moving inside the court and received his deserved reward.
However, that was the moment when it started to go downhill for the Aussie.
It was a tremendous serving performance from both players, with three breaks of serve combined throughout the entire contest - but Djokovic upped his level as he has done countless times in his career when needed, progressing to the fourth round in four sets. “It was another tough match," said Djokovic courtside. "I didn’t expect anything less. He was close to winning that. We played each other in Australia (this year). He’s dangerous on any surface. He was the better player in the first set and in the fourth it was anybody’s game. It was one of the best tie-breaks I played this year."
Less than an hour before the day session commenced, news broke in the Lucas Pouille camp that the Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an abdominal injury, gifting Alex de Minaur a free pass to the fourth round.
No player wishes to progress under those particular circumstances, but the Aussie will grasp as much rest as possible in a bid to reach his first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final berth.
Without hitting a ball, de Minaur is guaranteed to climb to a career-high world ranking of No.6 which will officially release on Monday, July 15th.
Standing in his way is 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils, having survived a five-set thriller from two sets to one down.
Men's Results:
Ben Shelton [14] d. Denis Shapovalov 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Alexander Zverev [4] d. Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(15)
Daniil Medvedev [5] d. Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(3)
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard d. Emil Ruusuvuori 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4
Arthur Fils d. Roman Safiullin 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
Taylor Fritz [13] d. Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-5
Holger Rune [13] d. Quentin Halys 1-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-1
Lorenzo Musetti [25] d. Francesco Comesana 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3
How is Ben Shelton still standing on his own two feet? Three gruelling five setters in the opening three rounds mean the American has spent the most time on court (10 hours and 23 minutes) than any other player this tournament.
On all three occasions, Shelton has responded after being one set down - increasing his level against a resurgent Shapovalov as the pair were difficult to break down on serve.
The 21-year-old executed the fastest serve in Wimbledon history, clocking 246km/h before the first rain delay almost 48 hours ago.
Local hero Cameron Norrie’s run was ended by Alexander Zverev who is arguably producing the best purple patch of his career in 2024.
Zverev is aiming to reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals for the first time - and without dropping a service game in the first week at SW19, those odds have further increased.
Denmark's Holger Rune dragged himself out of the most difficult position in tennis, somehow finding a way to claw back from two sets down against 27-year-old Quentin Halys to book a date with Djokovic in the round of 16.
Women's Results:
Yulia Putintseva d. Iga Swiatek [1] 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
Elena Rybakina [4] d. Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-1
Elina Svitolina [21] d. Ons Jabeur [10] 6-1, 7-6(4)
Danielle Collins [11] d. Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 6-4
Jelena Ostapenko [13] d. Bernarda Pera 6-1, 6-3
Barbora Krejčiková d. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-0, 4-3 (retired)
Anna Kalinskaya [17] d. Liudmila Samsonova 7-6(4), 6-2
Xinyu Wang d. Harriet Dart 2-6, 7-5, 6-3
Multiple seeds have tumbled this tournament, but despite an unconvincing grass court record, there will not be a bigger shockwave sent through than Swiatek's elimination in the third round.
A 6-3 lead after the first set was smooth sailing for the world No.1 until Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva began to move the Pole around the court with confidence and precision - rattling Swiatek until the end as the reigning French Open champion's campaign ended in disappointment.
Her incredible 21-match winning streak dating back from the end of April also came to a halt.
Former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki received a harsh reminder that her best days are behind her - blown off the court in 58 minutes by 2022 winner Elena Rybakina, conceding the sole game.
The draw is now completely wide open for Rybakina to pounce after the exit of Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, the withdrawal of Aryna Sabalenka, and two-time finalist Ons Jabeur knocked out in straight sets overnight.
Aussie Doubles:
15th seeds Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson prevailed in straight sets to reach the third round of the men's doubles (6-4, 7-5) as they will fancy their chances of making a deep run on a surface that suits the pair.
The good news stopped there from an Australian perspective, with Matt Ebden and partner Rohan Bopanna defeated 3-6, 6-7(4), providing a hammer blow for the second seeds and one of the favourites for the doubles crown.
Meanwhile in the women's doubles, Olivia Gadecki and French partner Elixane Lechemia fought brilliantly against the No.4 duo of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniaková, losing in three sets.
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