Kukushkin exhales deeply after sending a forehand winner down the line to win his service game to love.

Nadal in complete control on his serve, closing out the game with a lovely forehand volley.

Martina Navratilova
Nine-time Wimbledon singles champion on BBC TV

"After breaking Serena in the first game of the match, the second game was an exercise in self-destruction from Cornet. The forehand broke down, allowing Serena to break back and quickly order has been restored."

Image source, Reuters

England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw has help straightening his tie by partner and singer Camilla Kerslake-Morgan. Behind them, English golfer Ian Poulter looks like he's dosing off...

Marion Bartoli
2013 Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

"If I was still classed as a player after winning this tournament I would still still be ahead of Alize Cornet in the world rankings, without playing all year, that just shows the gulf between her and Serena Williams."

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

The fans crowded outside the players' pavilion have high standards. Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki wanders by with barely a murmur of an autograph request.

Maybe they are saving their vocal cords to attract the attention of a Roger or Andy...

It's a tricky opening service game for Kukushkin, as he is dragged to deuce by Nadal. However, the 26-year-old Kazakhstan player finds an ace and another big serve to get a game on the board.

Kukushkin to serve first. Let day six on Centre Court begin...

Tim Henman
Former British number one on BBC TV

"You saw Nadal's reaction to winning that second-round match against Rosol. You saw how much that meant to him. For him to come through that test sets him up very well. It's a big advantage playing on Centre Court today when the weather is unpredictable) with the roof. For those (playing on the other courts) that don't get finished it makes the second week not so easy."

Nadal has had a tough time at Wimbledon so far, losing the first set against Martin Lizan in the first round before fighting back. And then he did the same agains Lukas Rosol, who knocked him out of Wimbledon in 2012. As a result, he has spent over an hour more on court so far than Kukushkin.

Kukushkin is bidding to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in his career. He managed it at the 2012 Australian Open, after back-to-back five-set wins. However, he has only once beaten a top 10 players in 13 attempts.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Winning Wimbledon last year, made Andy Murray feel 10 feet tall...

It's a standing ovation for Rafael Nadal and Mikhail Kukushkin as they stride out on to Centre Court. Nadal carefully positions his drinks bottles, with the labels facing the right way, before heading to the net for the coin toss.

Image source, AFP

There's a great reception for the large number of sports stars in the box, which include former England captain Andrew Strauss and Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Tracy Austin
Two-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TV

"Lukas Rosol was probably the toughest match-up Nadal was going to face in the first week and it would have been tough if he had gone two sets down to him. He is doing a much better job of staying close to the baseline and he needs to do that again."

Milos Raonic's coach and former ATP player Ivan Ljubicic:, external 70 top 100 ATP players from Europe and 38 top 50... Wta almost identical. 69 top 100 and 38 top 50. #curiousfacts #raining #Wimbledon

Over on Court One, Serena Williams and Alize Cornet are warming up while play should commence shortly on all the outside courts with players negotiating the crowds on the way to the courts.

The ball boys and ball girls have marched onto Centre Court, followed by the linesmen and women and the umpire. The players can't be too far behind.

Image source, PA

The Royal Box is packed with sports stars today from David Beckham and Sachin Tendulkar to Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Bradley Wiggins. Who is the greatest of that quartet? Cast your vote on the right and text us on 81111 (UK only), tweet #bbctennis or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page with your reasoning.

Rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent, skeleton gold medallists Lizzie Yarnold and Amy Williams and boxer David Haye are just a handful of the names in the box today.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

"The racquet stringers on Aorangi count Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal among their clients. Their busiest day of the tournament so far was the Sunday before the tournament when they laced up 402 bats. While the £22 charge come out of senior players' winnings, the juniors have to stump up the cash up front."