John McEnroe left his media duties with the BBC during the Wimbledon clash
John McEnroe had to abandon his BBC commentary position midway through Arthur Fery’s match against Grigor Dimitrov. Fery, the only British player to make it to the second week of the men’s singles, had taken the opening set 7-5 before his far more seasoned rival fought back to secure the second and third.
The Brit took an extended toilet break at the conclusion of the second set and during the interruption in play McEnroe seized the chance to make a quick departure. The American was in the BBC commentary box alongside Andrew Cotter and Tim Henman when he was forced to step away from his post.
“I think we’re going to have to bid farewell at this point,” Cotter informed viewers. ” John McEnroe to take a break, never to return.”
McEnroe responded: “Well, hopefully I’ll return but I’ve got contractual obligations to do the lone American in the draw, Taylor Fritz.
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“He’s maybe the slight favourite to get to the final on this half. I’m sure [Alexander] Bublik, [Alexandeer] Zverev and others may have a say about that. You guys call a great rest of the match.”
No. 9 seed Linda Noskova had just defeated Madison Keys 6-4, 7-6 (2) on Court 1 meaning it was time for Taylor Fritz to head to the venue for his encounter with Alexander Bublik.
And the No. 6 seed recognised he was in line for challenging contest against the world No. 11.
“I don’t really have a preference between the two of ’em,” Fritz said when it was still unclear if he would play Bublik or Frances Tiafoe.
“Both are very crafty. Good grass court players playing well. In form. I mean, I have good stuff to go off of because I played both of them in this grass court season. Yeah, I mean, no preference. But both really, really dangerous players. It’s not an easy round of 16.”
Bublik needed five sets to get past Tiafoe in round three and took Fritz to a first set tie-break. However, the American won it to draw first blood in the fourth-round battle on Court 1.
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