LIVE: Wimbledon 2012 Day One (From Your Local Guardian)
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LIVE: Wimbledon 2012 Day One
1:35pm Monday 25th June 2012 in Wimbledon By Omar Oakes
A crowd watches the large screen at Aorangi Terrace, otherwise known as "Henman Hill" (or "Murray Mount"?)
Today's live updates from chief reporter Omar Oakes, who is at The All England Club on the opening day of the Wimbledon championships.
5.50pm: Big groan as Igor Andreev levels the match with Britain's Oliver Golding by winning the second set on a tie-break. Never mind, come on Oli!
5.10pm: Lots of Americans, Chinese and French visitors among us Brits watching the big screen at Aorangi Park (AKA Henman Hill, AKA Murray Mount, depending on your tennis religion). Failed to find anyone from New Zealand to see if they knew this park used to be the home of the London New Zealand Rugby Club until 1981. "Aarongi" means "Cloud in the Sky" in Maori (but it's really not that big).
5.00pm: Very exciting news from Court No. 2, where Twickenham's Oliver Golding has taken the first set 6-1 against the experienced Russian Igor Andreev. Golding is ranked 485 in the world while Andreev is in the top 100 - a win for the Brit would be a massive result.
4.35pm: Back in the press room to recharge batteries after a tour of the grounds. It is very, very busy - not surprising since, when I arrived at lunchtime, the queue was still stretched as far as the end of the golf course in Wimbledon Park.
3.35pm: It's a whopping £3.50 to buy a bag of minstrels or Skittles and £2.20 to wash it down with a
bottle of water. It's also £7.50 for a six-inch pizza and £5.50 for a BLT baguette!
Luckily there are plenty of cash machines. Unluckily I have hardly any cash to withdraw!
3.02pm: Former ladies' champion Venus Williams is OUT in the first round! She lost in straight sets to Elena Visnena. Yes, I had to Google her too...
2.49pm: Defending champion Novak Djokovic has just breezed past Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets. Is there any doubt he will romp to the final again this year? Well he may face Andy Murray in the semi-final...
2.30pm: Yes it's that time of year again, when our part of the world is thrust into the world's
spotlight as home to the biggest tournament in the tennis calendar. Wimbledon Park is currently a sea of vacant tents and cars parked on the grass.
Are you at Wimbledon today? Leave a comment below, tweet Omar at @OmarOakes or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.