Rather than sit it out on an open court we moved to the cover of Court 1, meeting Patricia K on the way. Once settled, things looked a little more promising and at Ten to Two the covers came off.

At two o’clock they went back on! We watched the crowds and we watched the clouds as they came and went, but all to no avail.

The hours dragged by. At 4:30 they raised the covers to a tent. Next to us the lady and her daughter said that’s it, and went. But patience is a virtue. They’d raised the covers to air the grass. By 4:45 the covers were off and the nets were up. Or were they? A while later out came a second net. A shorter net? A singles net! A change of match!! The Ladies’ Semi Finals had been moved to Court 1.

Lindsay Davenport (USA) versus Amelia Mauresmo (FRA); the “Silver Lining”. About 5:15, the lady and her daughter reappeared. They had just reached Richmond on their way home, when they heard it on the radio. A quick U-turn!

Play commenced at 5:22 and like the weather was to and fro.

First, Mauresimo broke serve, and then Davenport to force a tie-break, which Mauresimo won. Even the sun shone in the second set! Again Mauresimo broke and Davenport replied. This time Davenport took the tie-break. The final set hung in the balance. Davenport broke first, and held on until 5-3. Potential match game! Mauresimo 15-0 up serving to stay in the match. And...... Yes! It b..... rained. At 7:30 the covers came on. No more play. It sort of summed up the day - an on and off affair.