Order of Play for Day 3 Confirmed Plus Djokovic plays Dimitrov

Thursday sees World No.1 Novak Djokovic make a welcome return to Stoke Park. The six-time Grand Slam champion has played here every year since 2007 and seems to love the relaxed environment of The Boodles. He will be playing against rising star Grigor Dimitrov to start the day off in style.

Also in action on Thursday is defending The Boodles champion Marin Cilic, who is up against Djokovic’s Davis Cup team-mate Janko Tipsarevic in the second match of the afternoon. Following that will be a treat for doubles fans when brothers Mikhail Zverev and Alexander Zverev of Germany take on American James Cerranti and Great Britain’s Jamie Delgado.

A sun-drenched Wednesday at Stoke Park saw former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych overcome entertaining Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 before big-serving American Sam Querrey took out French showman Richard Gasquet 7-6(2), 7-6(5).

“For me the movement on grass is the toughest thing,” said Berdych. “It’s much faster (too) and the ball doesn’t always bounce in the same place every time. It’s good that we have a couple of weeks to be ready for Wimbledon.”

US star John Isner took to the court for Wednesday’s final match. Isner was making a welcome return to Stoke Park after making his debut at The Boodles last year. He was given a gruelling grass-court workout by Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-4, 4-6, 12-10. 

“These tiebreakers and long matches seem to follow me, especially here in England and that was the case today,” said Isner. “I feel like I’m shaping up pretty well for Wimbledon. My goal is just to go out there, stay level headed and keep competing. It brings back good memories coming back to London. I feel like I’m getting better and better at playing on this surface.”