British hopefuls knocked out on day of hot Wimbledon action

Two British hopefuls were unable to win in the sunshine at Wimbledon on the third day of the grand slam tennis tournament.

The temperatures reached 24C on Centre Court on Wednesday, where the Duchess of Cambridge’s parents watched the action from the Royal Box.

Attending Wimbledon just a day after Kate made a surprise visit, Carole and Michael Middleton witnessed Briton Kyle Edmund suffer a five-set defeat to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

TV presenter Tess Daly and her husband Vernon Kay, actor Sam Clafin, ex-Bake Off judge Mary Berry and former England rugby captain Matt Dawson all joined the Middletons in the Royal Box.

Over on Court No.1 another British player Heather Watson crumbled to a straight sets defeat against Anett Kontaveit from Estonia.

Around the grounds of the All England Club, tennis fans enjoyed the sunshine, with many picnicking and drinking on Henman Hill.

Rufus the Harris Hawk was out early with handler Imogen Davis in SW19 to scare away intrusive pigeons.

Meanwhile rescue dogs Finn and Piper were part of a patrolling canine team on hand to sniff out an explosive threats.

The hot topic on fans and players’ lips was the upcoming return of Andy Murray to SW19 as a doubles player.

The Scot is due to appear in the men’s doubles competition on Thursday, and will also partner Serena Williams in the mixed doubles draw.

Watson said the Murray and Williams pairing would be “exciting” to watch, while Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka said they would be “tough, tough, tough” to beat.

Murray’s mother Judy described the duo as the “perfect match”. But she did not welcome the chance to see Murray and his brother Jamie possibly play against each other later in the men’s doubles competition.

“If they were to play against each other I would go to the pub,” she said.

“I’d go to the pub and wait for a text when it’s over.”