Rebel Wilson and Cate Blanchett among stars in Royal Box at Wimbledon
Temperatures hit around 32C by mid‑afternoon, edging close to the tournament's all-time record of 35.7C which was set in 2015.
Wilson, best known for Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, attended the tennis tournament with her wife Ramona Agruma, while two-time Oscar-winner Blanchett was joined by her husband Andrew Upton.
Also in the crowd were reality star Molly-Mae Hague and actress Sarah Lancashire – who was sat alongside Peter Salmon.
Australian actress Blanchett's fellow screen star Rose Byrne, known for Bridesmaids, Spy and Physical, was also among the invited guests.
Also among the celebrities attending were Andy Murray's mother, Judy Murray, golfer Justin Rose, broadcaster Trevor McDonald, Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and Pointless host Alexander Armstrong.
Centre Court's order of play on Tuesday included world number two Coco Gauff, who faced Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska, and Novak Djokovic, who began his campaign against France's Alexandre Muller.
Russell Crowe kept cool in a full suit despite the soaring heat, joining partner Britney Theriot in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Temperatures at SW19 soared past 30C again, with the Met Office provisionally confirming Monday was the hottest opening day on record.
Kew Gardens hit 29.7C on Monday, breaking the previous record of 29.3C set in 2001.
On Monday, play on Centre Court was paused after a woman collapsed in the stands during Carlos Alcaraz's match.
The defending champion rushed to help, passing her a water bottle as paramedics and other spectators assisted.
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Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wimbledon top seed Jannik Sinner keeps calm and carries on amid chaos elsewhere
While Carlos Alcaraz needed five sets to see off 38-year-old Fabio Fognini and Novak Djokovic required 'miracle pills' to overcome Alexandre Muller - not to mention the shock exits of seeds three and four Alexander Zverev and Jack Draper - Sinner has barely broken sweat. The world number one took just an hour and 40 minutes to defeat Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-1 6-1 6-3 and set up a meeting with Spain's Pedro Martinez on Saturday. The only minor hiccup was needing six match points to finish off the world number 93. Gallingly for his remaining rivals, Italian Sinner has dropped only 12 games in two matches, spending a miserly hours three and 28 minutes on court so far. Alex de Minaur battled back from being a set down to make sure he did not join the seeds' scrapheap at this shock-filled Championships. The Australian 11th seed was poor in the opening set against French qualifier Arthur Cazaux but reset impressively to win 4-6 6-2 6-4 6-0. Grigor Dimitrov is also safely through, the 19th seed from Bulgaria taking out volatile Frenchman Corentin Moutet in four. But American 13th seed Tommy Paul, last year's Queen's Club winner, joined the exodus of seeds with a 1-6 7-5 6-4 7-5 defeat by Austrian Sebastian Ofner. Czech 21st seed Thomas Machac was also knocked out after a five-set marathon against August Holmgren, the world number 192 from Denmark who faced three match points in his second-round match in qualifying last week and is now through to a third-round meeting with De Minaur. A total of 19 of the 32 men's seeds have been knocked out before the third round. There was controversy at the end of the day's play with American Ben Shelton furious after his match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended with the 10th seed just one hold of serve from victory. Shelton had not dropped serve for the entire match, but it was called off at 9.29pm due to the fading light on Court Two, meaning the 22-year-old will have to come back on Friday and potentially play just four points.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK weather: Met Office issues yellow rain warning TODAY with ‘persistent, heavy' downpours & 50mph winds after heatwave
THE Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain today as "persistent, heavy" downpours are predicted for parts of the UK. Windy conditions, with gusts of up to 50mph, could also lead to travel disruption in the affected areas, marking a 6 The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, lasting from 6am today until 3pm tomorrow - with locals in Glasgow pictured here sheltering from downpours yesterday Credit: Alamy 6 The rain and wind comes just days after a heatwave across much of the UK came to an end - with tennis fans seen covering themselves from rainfall at Wimbledon on Wednesday Credit: PA 6 The warning is in place for much of western Scotland Credit: Met Office The weather warning has been put in place for much of the west coast of Scotland from 6am today until 3pm tomorrow. It states: "Persistent, heavy rain on Friday and Saturday brings difficult travel conditions and possible flooding in places". The Met Office explained that spray and flooding on roads would likely increase journey times, with bus and train services also similarly impacted by the rainfall. Warnings have also been put in place for "some interruption" to power supplies and other services. Read More on UK News The strongest period of rainfall is expected to be throughout much of Friday and overnight before easing on Saturday, the weather agency said. It warned that around 40 to 60mm of rain is expected to build up "quite widely", with potentially more than 100mm falling over some mountains. The Met Office added that the rain would be accompanied by windy conditions, with gusts reaching as high as "40 to 50mph" around coasts and hills. Residents in these areas have been advised to avoid travelling by road during "potentially dangerous conditions". Most read in The Sun If you must travel, make sure to Areas affected by the warning include Perth and Kinross, Stirling, the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and West Dunbartonshire. Grumpy Wimbledon fans left with sticky fingers as record-breaking weather sees ice creams melt before getting to court Summarising the weather today, the Met Office said it would be "wet and windy" across Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the rain being heaviest across western Scotland. It said this rain would also spread into parts of northwest Wales as well as northern England as the day progresses. But beyond this, the Met Office said it would be a largely "fine and dry" day elsewhere, with "plenty of sunshine". Temperatures have begun to drop down towards average levels from this time of year, after a heatwave swept across much of the UK over the past week. 6 Brits spotted enjoying the sun at Royal Windsor Racecourse in Berkshire on Monday Credit: Alamy 6 A runner battling the heat on the Hove seafront in East Sussex on Tuesday - the hottest day of the year Credit: Alamy 6 Tennis fans were spotted sheltering from the rain on Wednesday as they queued up for Wimbledon Credit: PA Lasting for as long as six days in some areas, temperatures soared above 34C during the heatwave in southern England. The blistering heat finally came to an end on Wednesday as temperatures were no longer for three consecutive days in any part of the UK. On Tuesday, the 34.4C was recorded on the mercury in Writtle, Essex , trumping last year's record high of 33.2C - recorded on June 21 in Charlwood, Surrey . Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C - recorded in 1976. Met Office five-day forecast Today: Wet and windy across Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the rain heaviest across western Scotland. The rain will also spread into parts of northwest Wales and northern England later. Otherwise, fine and dry elsewhere with plenty of sunshine but breezier. Tonight: The cloud and rain gradually spreading southeastwards across the rest of the UK, but very little reaching the southeast. A mild night but remaining windy in the north. Saturday: A breezy day with large amounts of cloud and some outbreaks of rain, most frequent in the west. Temperatures around average in the north, but feeling warm in the south. Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday: Remaining changeable on Sunday and Monday, with some further spells of rain, especially in the west. Drier and brighter for all on Tuesday. Rather cool initially, but turning warmer Tuesday.
The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Beirne gets big Lions honour as Keenan keeps his dinner down
SO WHERE EXACTLY does Tadhg Beirne fit in Andy Farrell's Test plans? Pre-tour, many people saw Beirne as Maro Itoje's most likely partner in the second row. That was the Lions' lock pairing for their opening game of the campaign against Argentina in Dublin. When Andy Farrell then moved Beirne to the number six shirt for the Lions' first game on Australian soil against the Western Force, you wondered if that was a big Test team hint. A lineout specialist on the blindside flank would make sense. Yet, there are others who feel that Beirne could miss out on the starting Test XV altogether given that Joe McCarthy made such a big impression against the Force and Itoje was at his best against the Reds on Wednesday. Tom Curry has worn the six shirt twice so far in this Lions campaign and his fellow Englishman, Henry Pollock, will be at blindside against the Waratahs tomorrow [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. Others like Jac Morgan, Jack Conan, and Ollie Chessum are also options at number six. Still, there is no doubt that Farrell appreciates Beirne's world-class qualities. The Munster skipper has been a key figure in Ireland's success under Farrell. He has delivered immense performances in games much, much bigger than warm-up fixtures against the Force and Reds. Beirne might not always be as eye-catchingly explosive as other back five forwards, but Farrell knows that he is a genuine force. His breakdown skills are among the best in the game, his lineout work is excellent, his handling is slick, and his work rate is ceaseless. Farrell has handed Beirne the honour of captaining the Lions from the second row for tomorrow's clash with the Waratahs in Sydney. This is Beirne's second Lions tour but his first time skippering the side. It's a major honour for the 33-year-old. 'It took him aback when I told him. That's exactly the type of reaction you want,' said Farrell. There is a growing sense that the Lions team for next Wednesday against Stephen Larkham's Brumbies – the strongest Aussie Super Rugby side – will be similar to the one Farrell names for the first Test against the Wallabies. Advertisement Tadhg Beirne scoring against Argentina. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO The likes of Beirne, Hugo Keenan, Josh van der Flier, Mack Hansen, and James Ryan might be hoping to back up their starts tomorrow against the Waratahs with another appearance against the Brumbies in a few days. But the guesswork continues after Farrell's latest team announcement yesterday in Sydney. 'I'm 100% open-minded to let people find their way,' said the Lions boss with regards to how he has an outline of plans for selection but has to roll with the punches of injuries, illness, and late arrivals. Even after three games, it doesn't feel like there is a huge crop of absolutely nailed-on Test starters. That might change with Farrell's selection for the Brumbies game, which takes place three days before the final warm-up against the AUNZ Invitational team. That AUNZ side has been boosted by the addition of three Australia internationals in wing Marika Koroibete, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amoso, and back row Pete Samu, who has been sensational for Bordeaux this season. All Blacks Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, David Havili, and Shaun Stevenson are also part of the AUNZ squad, ensuring plenty of firepower. For now, Farrell and co. are focused on tomorrow's clash with the Waratahs, whose teamsheet is the weakest the Lions will face in Australia. The Wallabies have sent heavyweight tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and wing Andrew Kellaway back to the Waratahs to play against the Lions, but seven other players remain with Joe Schmidt's group. The Tahs have named other Australia-capped players in lock Rob Leota, wing Darby Lancaster, and centre Lalakai Foketi in their XV but overall, it is a callow selection to take on Lions. There are big worries locally that the tourists could run riot. Taniela Tupou will start for the Waratahs tomorrow. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Halfbacks Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen are just 22 and 21, respectively, with Wallabies-capped out-half Tane Edmed surprisingly left on the bench. Replacement loosehead prop Jack Barrett – who will likely scrum against Tadhg Furlong in the second half – is a 21-year-old who has only one cap of Super Rugby experience. There is no doubt the Waratahs will deliver a proud, impassioned performance but the reality is that this should be an obvious mismatch. The Lions' matchday 23 is once again packed with quality and points of interest. Keenan belatedly making his debut at fullback after withdrawing from the Reds game due to illness will be fascinating. 'He has just had his dinner now, so hopefully that stays down,' joked Farrell yesterday evening in Sydney. There's another Lions debut on the left wing as Blair Kinghorn gets his Test bid going following his late arrival after playing in Toulouse's thrilling Top 14 final victory over Bordeaux. Scotland's 'Huwipulotu' centre pairing are reunited, Mack Hansen looks to build on his relentless performance against the Force, Ryan makes his first start in the second row, and Pollock bids to impact from the blindside. Farrell has also gone for a 6/2 bench split for the first time in this campaign. It's a possibility for the Tests given how much strength the Lions have in the back five of their scrum, as well as the flexibility of some of their outside backs, even without the cruelly unlucky Elliot Daly. With the impending arrival of Owen Farrell tonight throwing a cat among the pigeons, we're still waiting to see how all of this pans out for Beirne and the rest of the Lions.
