After a day when the weather allowed for a full slate of matches, rain delayed the start of Day five on Friday and interrupted play during the session. Despite mother nature, some very compelling matches unfolded at the All England Club.

Del Potro Upsets Wawrinka 

Not so long ago, Juan Martin del Potro was pegged as a player with the potential to join the “Big Four” group of players. After defeating Roger Federer to win the 2009 U. S. Open, the sky was the limit. However, the Argentine has faced a number of wrist surgeries since, forcing him to consider retirement. But he continued to work towards a full return, and on Friday it all came to together as he defeated Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

In the first set, del Potro looked like the version witnessed since his comeback at Delray Beach earlier in the year. With little confidence in his wrist, he sliced his backhand and Wawrinka would capitalize with precision strikes and win the first set. However, del Potro would make a mid-match adjustment, began to strike through his backhand and became more aggressive. It was this change of strategy that turned the match and brought confidence back to the big hitter.

Even though his backhand was not equal to its previous strength, it complimented his other big weapons. As he confidently struck it, his powerful serve and forehand became more of a factor allowing him to control play and take the match.

Del Potro was a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2013, his last appearance at the fortnight. He was thrilled at the result. “It feels amazing, it's a great sensation,” he said. “I enjoyed the crowd. It's an incredible feeling, that's why my hands are still shaking. I feel alive again. After sitting at home for two years, this feels like a second or third career.” It is the 27-year old’s first grand slam event since 2014.

Serena Battles Through

Top-seeded Serena Williams survived a strong challenge from Christina McHale but advanced 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 on Centre Court. It wasn’t a vintage Serena performance, but it was good enough for a spot in the third round.

In a rain-interrupted first set, Williams appeared in control several times but McHale would hang around and take advantage of some untimely errors. Playing solid defense against the power strokes of the world no. 1, McHale would force a tiebreak. There, Serena looked to have control in hand once again but it was the 24-year old who would win the key points and capitalize off of some glaring errors from the veteran.

In the second set, Serena promptly turned the tide and raced through to even the match. And in the third set, she appeared to be on the verge of capturing total control but McHale would fight the Williams momentum and play remained on serve. Much to the fans delight, some very entertaining points ensued as the tug-of-war continued. However, in a key ninth game, Williams broke serve and as she has done so many times previously, served out the match.

Afterward, Williams explained her frame of mind during the match, “I know mentally no one can break me,” she said. “I know that it takes a lot to break me mentally. And I knew being down a break in the third that I was going to have to put my mind in it, and that’s what I did.”

Venus Survives Rain Interrupted Match

Rain wreaked havoc in a match featuring the oldest player in the draw against the youngest remaining. But after drama-filled action and momentum swings, Venus Williams defeated Daria Kasatkina 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.

Play was suspended three times during the encounter but it was an interruption in the third set at match point that had both players and fans hanging on the edge. With the 19-year old serving down 6-7, 30-40, the skies opened and play was immediately interrupted again. After a delay of more than an hour, Kasatkina would fend off the match point and play continued. But finally, Williams was successful in cracking the Russian’s serve, breaking to win the match.

Early in the contest, Williams was sharp with strong ground strokes from the baseline and she gained an early advantage. But the teen fought back in the second set and benefited from some unforced errors from the 36-year. This set up the competitive, dramatic third set in which both players had their share of impressive moments.

Williams is the oldest player in the women's draw and due to the backlog of matches, was forced to play an excessive amount of tennis over the last couple of days. But she has shown little sign of wear and tear and there was no evidence of stiffness after the multiple delays.

Venus was complimentary of her opponent afterward, “This has got to be something out of a movie. She's such a great competitor and it wasn't easy to play out there against someone who was so inspired. I'm not sure I've ever played a 10-8 set,” Williams said.

Federer Cruises to Fourth Round

Roger Federer has continued to improve with each round and on Friday, cruised by Daniel Evans 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

The Swiss has appeared more confident with each round as his knee injury moves further behind him. It was an efficient performance by the 7-time Wimbledon champion, who picked his spots with timely winners. His ground strokes were clean and he yielded just 15 unforced errors in the match.

It took just under an hour and a half for Federer to advance. He will face the winner of the Steve Johnson – Grigor Dimitrov match that was suspended with Johnson up a break at 4-3 in the first set.

Note

As play was suspended for the day, top-seed and the world no. 1 Novak Djokovic found himself down 6-7. 1-6 to Sam Querrey. After the American won a tightly contested first set tiebreak, Djokovic appeared deflated in the second. This match will resume on Saturday.