SUE Barker apologised to viewers who were expecting to see the latest edition of Bargain Hunt.
A British woman was on court and this was no time to be watching a show about old antiques.
What followed was a repeat of British hopes being crushed, on this occasion by a particularly fine piece of China – their fifth ranked player Zheng Jie.
She sent Scot Elena Baltacha on her way in straight sets, at times reducing fans on Court Two to near silence.
Bargain Hunt’s audience joined watching tennis fans in looking for the nearest sofa to hide behind.
As did supporters of men’s No 3 seed Novak Djokovic.
He lost to Russia’s popular Marat Safin, making him the biggest name to fall so far.

HE drives a Vauxhall Astra with duct tape on one wing mirror and strung his own racket before going on court.
But British qualifier Chris Eaton was the talk of Wimbledon today after his straight sets win over Boris Pashanski on a packed Court 3.
An hour after a generally glum Andy Murray had departed the press interview room last night, Chris walked in with a smile on his face.
Last month the 20-year-old was playing in an obscure tournament in Uzbekistan and had to win through six matches just to qualify for Wimbledon.
Now he’s in the second round with a guaranteed pay day of at least £17,000.
“This is a dream come true,” he said.
“To actually win my match, it’s phenomenal.”

ANDY Murray was given a standing ovation as he walked out on to Centre Court today.
But the crowd were often strangely subdued during his victory over Fabrice Santoro.
A predictable cry of “Come on Tim” lifted the cool evening atmosphere, along with flashes of brilliance from both men and the final triumph.
But there was little sign of rampant Andymonium.
Even Henman Hill – still to be claimed as Murray Mount – was quieter than might have been expected.

BACK from Centre Court where Venus Williams was almost stung by a bee – and a British opponent.
Naomi Cavaday, 19, shocked the crowd by breaking the serve of the defending champion in the very first game.
That opening game also featured a little dance from Venus as what she described as a “big old bumblebee” – obviously British – buzzed around her leg on the baseline.
“I didn’t want it to sting me – then I ended up losing that service game, so I guess the bumblebee got me off to a bad start,” she told us later.
What can only be said to be a hubub broke out when the world No 197 raced into a 3-1 lead against the four times Wimbledon champion.
There were roars of approval as our girl matched the No 7 seed shot for shot.

A few kilts in the queue this morning ahead of Andy Murray’s first match later today.
Andymonium has yet to break out. As has Murray Mania. But give it time.
The British No 1 takes on France’s Fabrice Santoro in the third match on Centre Court.
Other highlights this afternoon include Rafael Nadal’s first outing at Wimbledon 2008.
Rafa was so keen to get to the practice courts yesterday that he walked through the crowds by Henman Hill without any security escort.
By the time fans realised it was him, he was jogging off into the distance.

THE Americans in the press interview room called it a sweater.
But I simply couldn’t let day one go by without showing you a picture of Roger Federer’s cardigan.
It was a case of no jacket required as the defending champion walked on to Centre Court today in this cream cardy.
I got a close-up look at that post-match press conference when our Roger explained all.
“Well, obviously, it was Nike,” he said, rather disappointingly.
I had visions of Roger by his Swiss winter fireside, pouring over books on the history of cardigans at Wimbledon.

THERE were tears on Court 11 today as a sobbing Elena Baltacha sank to her knees after the final point.
For once, they were tears of joy, and relief, as she became the first British player to reach the second round.
But normal service was resumed a few hours later when Alex Bogdanovic crashed out of the men’s singles on the same court.
The jury is still out on the Lawn Tennis Association’s moves to improve the state of British tennis.
Just nine Brits – four men and five women – were entered into the singles draws at Wimbledon, seven of them thanks to wild cards.
Andy Murray opens his campaign last on Centre Court tomorrow, with one eye on the BBC’s early evening TV coverage.

NO-ONE could accuse Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal of having feet of clay.
But I think even I could beat these guys over five sets.
The Tennis Terracotta Warriors have been on parade at Wimbledon since April.
They’re also on show here for the next fortnight and will then be given to the players they depict.
Where they’re going to put them is another matter.

IT certainly is a good morning here at Wimbledon on the first day of the 122nd Championships.
The sun is shining, the covers are off and all is ready for play to begin at noon.
Thousands of people are in the queue outside – now moved away from the pavement and into Wimbledon Park.
My old friends the sniffer dogs are back searching the Press Centre and a police helicopter is hovering overhead.
Security is tighter than ever at The All England Club, with Wimbledon always a potential high profile target.
But with dry weather currently forecast until the end of the week, tennis is set to take centre stage after last year’s rain hit Grimbledon.

WHAT a difference a year makes.
Fifty weeks ago, I left the grounds of the All England Club as the clock crept towards midnight on the final Sunday.
Yesterday afternoon I returned ahead of Wimbledon 2008, which begins on Monday.
I’ve got my usual desk in the Press Centre and will also be reporting events direct from Centre, No 1 and many other courts, as well as the post-match press conferences.
After last year’s open bowl, Centre Court looks much more like its old self – but with some striking changes.
The fixed element of the new roof is now in place with the full retractable translucent roof on schedule for the 2009 Championships.