However, a damp morning on Thursday meant action could not begin on time at 11.30am. Courts were covered and many spectators were seeking shelter under umbrellas.

Andy Murray’s second-round match on Court One was not due to begin until 1pm. Although the rain was not expected to be sustained, there was the prospect of afternoon showers disrupting play later in the day.

Centre Court action was guaranteed, with the roof already closed.

That meant the main show court would start on time, whatever the weather, with seeds Sabine Lisicki, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all due to feature.

The covers were removed by 11.50am as the rain relented, with play due to shortly begin.