British fans face nerve-shredding day five at Wimbledon

[July 07, 2017]    LONDON (Reuters) - Home fans were in for a nail-biting day five at Wimbledon on Friday with four Britons in third round action, including defending men's champion Andy Murray and sixth-seeded Johanna Konta in a wide open women's draw.

 Spain’s Rafael Nadal during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridg

On what is forecast to be another sunny day, wildcard Heather Watson will open proceedings on Centre Court against former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who is feeling her way back into the fray after maternity leave.

Spanish twice-champion Rafa Nadal then takes on rising Russian 30th seed Karen Khachanov, before world number one Murray plays Italian 28th seed Fabio Fognini.

Konta takes on Greece's Maria Sakkari on Court One after seventh seed Marin Cilic faces Steve Johnson of the United States. Britain's Aljaz Bedene plays 16th seed Gilles Muller on Court Two.

The oldest woman in the field, five-times champion Venus Williams, 37, will be challenged by Japan's Naomi Osaka, 19, in the final scheduled match on Court One.

(Reporting by Alison Williams; Editing by John O'Brien)

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