Live Commentary: Nicolas Almagro vs. Jerzy Janowicz - as it happened

Two of the higher-ranked players left in the bottom half of the men's Wimbledon draw faced off for a place in the fourth round this afternoon.

Despite his lower seeding, 22-year-old Pole Jerzy Janowicz was favourite for the match because of his big serve and he duly delivered a blistering performance to see off Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

Read how it all unfolded on Centre Court in our game-by-game updates below.

5.20pmThe commentary for Murray's match will be live on site shortly. Look out for it. The Scot could come up against Janowicz and if he does he's going to have a tough job on his hands if the 24th seed plays like today. Keep it SM this evening. Good afternoon.

5.17pmThe Pole had to finish it off with an ace, his 30th of the match. He crescendoes his normal grunt as the ball flies past Almagro. Hugely impressive from the 22-year-old. Next up on Centre, Andy Murray.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 4-6 JanowiczGAME, SET AND MATCH JANOWICZ!

5.16pmOne MATCH POINT for Janowicz at 40-30...

5.14pmAlmagro with a big forehand to start the game. He couldn't, could he?

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 4-5* JanowiczHe converts the first, thwacking Almagro's serve back across and the Spaniard can only frame the ball high into the SW19 air. Janowicz will now serve for the match and I would be amazed if he's broken.

5.11pmMassive error for Almagro as he slaps the net with an easy forehand with Janowicz also near the net. TWO BREAK POINTS for the Pole...

5.11pmDangerous moments for Almagro at 15-30 on his serve...

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 *4-4 JanowiczA big body serve followed by a much better drop shot sees the 24th seed hold. Coolly dealt with.

5.08pmJanowicz fails with a drop shot and we're at 30-30 on his serve. A rare moment of pressure for the Pole...

5.06pmThe man who knocked Federer out - Sergiy Stakhovsky - is now also out himself as Jurgen Melzer wins in four 6-2 2-6 7-5 6-3.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 4-3* JanowiczA big, big hold for Almagro. He looked in trouble there but remains a game ahead thanks to his 18th ace of the match.

5.04pmDeuce on the Almagro serve as Janowicz hits a pair of forehand winners to prevent Almagro winning the game.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 *3-3 JanowiczThe Pole fluffs his lines with an easy volley at 40-0 and then a double fault on the next but puts the game to bed with another ace at 40-30.

4.59pmJanowicz starts the sixth game of the set with his 25th ACE.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 3-2* JanowiczAlmagro looks in trouble at 30-30 but he finds a massive forehand from the baseline after Janowicz's high return and then bangs in a first serve on the next to hold.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 *2-2 JanowiczIf Janowicz continues to serve like this throughout the tournament then there's not many that will be able to stop him. Perhaps Murray and Djokovic, who are arguably the two best returners in the game.

4.54pmAcross the way on the other big showcourt, fourth seed David Ferrer has just come through a tough encounter against Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 3-6 7-6[4] 7-5.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 2-1* JanowiczThe Spaniard wins the next point with a drive-volley that just finds the line and we remain on serve.

4.52pmAt 40-15, Almagro again puts his serve right into slot of Janowicz's forehand and the ball is swiped right back at his feet.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 *1-1 JanowiczNo such fuss for Janowicz on serve. He looks supreme at the moment.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 1-0* JanowiczThe Spaniard manages to hold though without offering his opponent the chance of a break.

4.47pmIffy start to the opening game for Almagro, we're at deuce. A break for Janowicz would perhaps be the final nail in the coffin.

4.43pmAlmagro is now cutting a frustrated figure. He trudges to his chair and throws his racket down in anger. He'll have to win three sets in a row to progress.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-6 *0-0 JanowiczSET! Despite the encouraging start to the game, Almagro loses the next four. Janowicz is now up to 20 aces as he smashes down another up the middle.

4.41pmGood start for Almagro as he looks to break back. He shows agility to reach Janowicz's clever drop shot before the Pole's attempted lob bounces a foot or so out.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-5* JanowiczBREAK! He gets it! Almagro's serve is good, but Janowicz puts it back in play and the Spaniard can only find the net with his forehand approach.

4.40pmHuge moment in the match. Janowicz has a break point as his forehand return just dips inside the line.

4.39pmA light-hearted moment for the crowd as Almagro lashes a smash into the turf and off the back wall and Janowicz pretends to keep the ball alive.

Almagro 6-7[6] *3-4 JanowiczA love hold for Janowicz as Almagro almost catches him out with a forehand return but it doesn't quite make it over.

Almagro 6-7[6] 3-3* JanowiczAlmagro with an ugly forehand miss that takes us to deuce but he holds on to his serve with a 14th ace of the match.

4.33pmWhoosh! What a return from Janowicz. Almagro's serve isn't as wide as it could be, but it's not bad. Janowicz is across to it and it's right in the hitting zone so he just wallops it over the highest part of the net and in the corner. Incredible timing.

Almagro 6-7[6] *2-3 JanowiczThese two aren't hanging about. The likelihood of a break looks so slim at the moment.

4.29pmRemember Almagro's down-the-line backhand in the first set? Janowicz has just produced an even better one on the backfoot. Amazing groundstroke.

Almagro 6-7[6] 2-2* JanowiczA bad challenge from the Spaniard brought it back to 30-30 but he closes out the game without offering a break point.

4.26pmAlmagro with his first double fault moves us to 15-15 but he makes up for that with one of the most casual winners of the tournament, barely moving his feet when swiping a ferocious forehand into the corner.

4.25pmOver on No. 3 Court, Roger Federer's conquerer - Sergiy Stakhovsky - is down two sets to one to Austria's Jurgen Melzer.

Almagro 6-7[6] *1-2 JanowiczHe finishes the game off with another. This time on his second serve!

4.23pmJanowicz begins the next game with two aces and both men now have 13.

Almagro 6-7[6] 1-1* JanowiczExactly the same pattern as the game before. The receiver wins the first point but can't win another.

4.20pmFantastic start to the next game for Janowicz. His forehand return pings right off the sweet spot and Almagro can't react quick enough to get a clean racket on the ball himself. 0-15.

Almagro 6-7[6] *0-1 JanowiczAlmagro won the first point of the set but more enormous serving from Janowicz sees him win the next four to take the lead in the second.

4.17pmAfter a timid start, Janowicz really grew in that set. Almagro may have hit 13 aces and served at 83% first serves but he lost the set because of second-serve points won. He only managed to win 25% of those points while Janowicz managed a brilliant 60%.

Almagro 6-7[6] 0-0* JanowiczSET! The Pole's grunt gets louder and louder in the rally and he finishes it off with a forehand winner.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 6-7* Janowicz. Set point Janowicz on his own serve after the drop shot pays dividends again. Great rally.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *6-6 Janowicz. Almagro saves it with another ace!

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *5-6 Janowicz. Set point Janowicz...

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 5-5* Janowicz

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 5-4* Janowicz. The Pole breaks back.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *5-3 Janowicz

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *4-3 Janowicz. First mini-break to the Spaniard. His return clips the tape and Janowicz can't get down low enough to dip his backhand over the net.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 3-3* Janowicz. Almagro with a chance to break but he swipes the backhand straight at Janowicz who volleys into the open court. They change ends for the first time.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 3-2* Janowicz

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *2-2 Janowicz

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro *1-2 Janowicz. "Come on!" says Janowicz as he blasts a forehand winner into the corner. Still on serve in the breaker.

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 1-1* Janowicz

FIRST-SET TIE-BREAKAlmagro 1-0* Janowicz. The Spaniard starts with an ace.

Almagro 6-6(*0-0) JanowiczInto a tie-break we go as Janowicz holds to love.

4.06pmThe Spaniard has a great chance to move 0-15 ahead but slaps a short backhand into the net.

4.05pmWill Janowicz continue to serve powerfully and take us to a tie-break or will Almagro nick the set?

Almagro 6-5* JanowiczAlmagro looks on course for another comfortable hold at 40-0, but Janowicz pulls him back to 40-30. The 24th seed can't take it to deuce though as Almagro bangs down a first serve and finishes off Janowicz with a crosscourt forehand.

Almagro *5-5 JanowiczThe Pole does so. Both men are now looking unstoppable on serve at the moment.

Almagro 5-4* JanowiczAlmagro's still at 82% first serves in, despite that break in the last game. He holds on this time and Janowicz must serve to stay in the set.

Almagro *4-4 JanowiczThe Pole is up into the 140s on his serve but Almagro blocks it back with some rapid reactions. Janowicz still wins the point though with a stop volley that Almagro can't nudge back over.

3.54pmI just clapped in my seat. Both men defend phenomenally well before Janowicz takes charge he pushes Almagro left, then right with his forehand before the Spaniard somehow takes the point with a stunning up-the-line backhand. One of the best points I've seen at this year's tournament.

3.53pmJanowicz begins the eighth game, new balls in hand, with a 138mph ACE. Mighty.

Almagro 4-3* JanowiczBREAK BACK! The Pole converts with a gorgeous drop shot. Almagro is a nimble guy but even he can't track that one down. We're back on serve on Centre.

3.51pmBreak-back point for Janowicz as the Pole unleashes on a forehand and Almagro can't dig it back.

Almagro *4-2 JanowiczAfter a shaky start, Janowicz has settled down on serve but he needs to trouble the Almagro serve now.

Almagro 4-1* JanowiczA tough game, but Almagro comes through it to retain his one-break advantage. I said beforehand that there would be plenty of shotmaking and it's been good viewing so far.

3.44pmAnother big serve from Almagro moves him to game point but the opportunity goes as Janowicz finds the line with a well-timed backhand return.

3.43pmA SEVENTH ace from Almagro saves it.

3.42pmAnother break point for the big man as Almagro's forehand falters again.

3.42pmJanowicz misses on a break-back opportunity. Almagro sliced well and came to the net and the Pole could only push the pass wide.

3.41pmHmmmm. Almagro looked so comfy at 40-0 but we're now back at deuce after a couple of missed forehands.

3.40pmJanowicz reminds us that he can play though with a backhand winner from deep, deep in the corner. 40-15.

3.39pmAlmagro is serving at 91% first serves in! That's unheard of!

Almagro *3-1 JanowiczHUGE pair of aces from Janowicz moves the Pole to 40-15 and he gets on the board with a sublime drop shot that bounced sideways because of the spin imparted.

Almagro 3-0* JanowiczA fifth ace already for Almagro. Swift start from the 15th seed.

3.35pmMore first serves from Almagro and he's already at 40-0...

Almagro *2-0 JanowiczBREAK! He takes it straight away as Janowicz attempts a drop shot but can't get it over the net. Superb start from the man who started as underdog, remember.

3.33pmAnd now BREAK POINT Almagro as the Spaniard produces a superb crosscourt pass.

3.33pmA double fault from Janowicz and he's in a spot of bother at 30-30.

Almagro 1-0* JanowiczBIG start to the match for Almagro. Over to Janowicz, who has a monster serve.

3.30pmNo! Janowicz just gets it back and then Almagro misses awfully with a simple forehand. 40-15.

3.30pmAnd another! Can he get four in a row?!

3.29pmWE'RE UNDERWAY and Almagro starts with two aces!

3.26pmThe players are now back out on court and going through a final warm-up before we start.

3.22pmBBC Sport commentator Barry Davies says that the players are waiting just inside and haven't gone back to the locker room. If they'd kept the roof on we would be well underway by now!

3.18pmThe faint drizzle continues to drop and the umpire tells Centre Court that they are not planning on shutting the roof, instead trying to wait it out.

3.16pmJanowicz stands at a mighty 6'8" and is currently ranked at a career-high of 22 in the world. Almagro is just six better at 16 and in fact underdog with the bookies today. He is a clay-court expert but is likely to struggle against the big-serving Pole on the grass. I would back Janowicz.

3.13pmThis match may seem an odd choice to be sandwiched between Laura Robson and Andy Murray on Centre Court today. However, I think we may see some great tennis as Janowicz is a big server while Almagro can produce magic from the baseline.

3.09pmJanowicz may feel slightly fresher than Almagro as his opponent in the last round, Radek Stepanek, pulled out injured in the second set. Almagro, meanwhile, came through in four against Guillaume Rufin.

3.06pmI know the organisers want this to be an outdoor tournament as much as possible but there's no point risking the only court that has a roof. If you know the forecast is dodgy then keep it on and get the matches played.

3.04pmOh dear. The rain is beginning to fall at the All England Club. If this has to be suspended and the roof put back on it is a bit absurd.

3.02pmThe roof is now fully retracted and Almagro and Janowicz are warming up.

3.01pmHowdy folks. There's been a bit of a delay to this match as the organisers have made the risky call of opening the roof on Centre Court.

Live Commentary: Nicolas Almagro vs. Jerzy Janowicz - as it happened

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