Very good first set, very close, but the French kid takes it 7-5

He was always just fractionally in front with Fabio playing catch-up so probably fair enough.

However, the second set could be a different matter.

Fabio's been let down by his forehand rather - not the attacking one, which is OK, but his bread and butter one, where he opens the racket face too much and the ball therefore has a tendency to float long. The return of serve on his forehand has also been poor.

Much as the commentators are slightly irritating, I like their constant push for the French kid to play on the front foot, come up the court, hit through the ball etc. I realise the kid can't hear them (!) but I like the attitude - much better than some of the GB ones at Wimbly, for instance, where it all seems to be about not making a fault. They've also been quite complimentary about Fabio.

Allez, Fab !

Ends up losing the tie-break.

Fabio will be crushed that he didn't win that second set, after leading 4-1 and 5-3 and having a SP.

But it's all a learning experience and he put up a very good show, the match was over two hours, and a good quality.

Ghibaudo's forehand made the difference but there really should have been a third set and then who knows....

Well done to Fabio.

Worth pointing out that Eva Shaw and Ranah Stoiber lost in R2 to the two girls who have gone on and made the final. Which is always encouraging.....