WIMBLEDON WATCH: All England Club goes to the dogs during sweep for explosives

LONDON – Wimbledon went to the dogs for a few hours Friday morning when members of the London Metropolitan Police dog support unit did a routine sweep for explosives at the All England Club.

At least three dogs and their handlers did a thorough check of the hedges and a fence line near an entrance where tournament transport vehicles deliver players to the club throughout the day. Later they checked out the media center and dining area.

One dog — a Labrador retriever — wore a green shoulder collar with the words "Explosives Check" written on it.

While the dogs did their sweeps, Caroline Wozniacki arrived in a courtesy car for the first match on Court 3 against Ana Konjuh while former American player Lindsay Davenport, whose 1999 Wimbledon championship was among her three Grand Slam singles titles, juggled two coffee cups as she walked along the driveway in a tracksuit.

Former No. 1 Davenport, who was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame earlier this year and will be inducted in July, is here doing television commentary.

— By Dennis Passa — http://twitter.com/DennisPassa

___

A SURE THING: Wimbledon weather forecasts through the Met Office are as thorough as they are (usually) accurate. A sample of the forecast covering the next few days: "A dry bright morning and afternoon with some hazy spells of sunshine. Cloud slowly thickening this evening ... Friday's outlook: A showery day, with 70 percent chance of showers, some heavy thundery downpours possible; but with some bright spells in between. The weekend will continue very unsettled, with some showers heavy at times."

By midmorning Friday, security staff and stewards were being handed umbrellas and raincoats. An hour later, it began to drizzle, courts were covered and the roof on Centre Court was closed.

— By Dennis Passa — http://twitter.com/DennisPassa

___

Wimbledon Watch follows tennis' grass-court Grand Slam tournament in London as seen by journalists from The Associated Press. It will be updated throughout the day.