Gilles Simon has heated exchange with umpire over Wimbledon conditions

Gilles Simon ensured the weather remained a talking point on day four of Wimbledon as he threatened to sue umpire John Blom.

Gilles Simon has heated exchange with umpire over Wimbledon conditions

Gilles Simon ensured the weather remained a talking point on day four of Wimbledon as he threatened to sue umpire John Blom.

After the rain washed out large chunks of days two and three of the Championships, better conditions ensured a prompt start on Thursday.

But when drizzle passed over the All-England Club just after 1.30pm, Simon - on Court One against Grigor Dimitrov - was unhappy with having to play on.

At 40-30 down in the second game of the second set, he walked to his chair and exchanged words with Blom, clearly about the weather.

"I don't want to play, when it's raining, on grass. That's it," he was heard saying, before adding: "If I play and get injured, I will sue you and you will pay."

Dimitrov returned to his seat too but the weather soon passed over and the pair resumed their second-round clash.

Amongst those to finish their last-64 clashes early on Thursday were the 11th-ranked David Goffin, winning in three sets against Edouard Roger-Vasselin, and Great Britain's Dan Evans who beat Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6 (8/6) 6-4 6-1.

Sam Querrey also eased past Thomaz Bellucci for the loss of nine games, while Roberto Bautista Agut got a walkover when Mikhail Kukushkin withdrew injured.

Bautista Agut is now the highest-ranked Spaniard in the draw after David Ferrer was knocked out.

The 13th seed was a surprise casualty, losing in straight sets to Nicolas Mahut 6-1 6-4 6-3.

Because of the inclement weather, plenty of first-round games - normally put to bed by Tuesday - were also ticked off.

Amongst them, Donald Young beat Florian Mayer, Lucas Pouille saw off Marius Copil and Australian qualifier Matthew Barton won a deciding set with Albano Olivetti 14-12.

John Isner also finished his first-round match against Marcos Baghdatis, a clash which did not start until after champion Novak Djokovic had already booked a place in the third round.

"It's not a great feeling when you're going out there and playing, finishing your first round when some guys are already in the third round," the American said.

"A lot of players are on the grounds playing their second round. But I guess that's just how it goes sometimes. It's all good."

Sixth seed Milos Raonic booked his place in the last 32 with a straight-sets win over Andreas Seppi.

The Canadian - who it was said before the game had ended this coaching arrangement with John McEnroe - was a 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 6-2 victor.

American Steve Johnson, winner of the Nottingham Open, is through to the third round after beating Jeremy Chardy 6-1 7-6 (8/6) 6-3, while compatriot Jack Sock was a four-set winner over Robin Haase.

Croatian serve machine Ivo Karlovic was dumped out by Lukas Lacko, the Slovakian qualifier.

The 23rd seed boomed down 34 aces but Lacko hit three times as many winners as him to get the job done 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4.

Nicolas Almagro is also going home, a straight-sets loser to Denis Istomin.

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