Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic brushes aside Stan Wawrinka while Carlos Alcaraz is given stern workout | Tennis News

Novak Djokovic brushed apart the problem of previous foe Stan Wawrinka of their first Wimbledon assembly whereas world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz was given a stern take a look at of his title credentials.

The match didn’t start till 8.40pm, an hour later than Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas obtained below approach on Thursday, however Djokovic completed a 6-3 6-1 7-6 (7-5) victory with 14 minutes to spare earlier than the dreaded curfew to ebook his place within the fourth spherical.

The Serbian is now undefeated on Centre Court docket for a decade together with his final loss on the world’s most well-known tennis court docket coming towards Andy Murray on July seventh, 2013.

It was a thirty first consecutive victory for Djokovic on the All England Membership, equalling Pete Sampras’ greatest, and the seven-time champion stated: “He was two factors away from extending this match to a different day. Coming to the court docket we knew it was going to be actually tight.

“I do know I can at all times play higher, I at all times have a few gears that I can go greater. Hopefully because the match progresses I can play higher and higher.”

Djokovic pounded precision groundstrokes into the corners, repeatedly drawing errors from his opponent after thumping exchanges.

Wawrinka’s statistics didn’t make fairly studying however it might be harsh to criticise the veteran an excessive amount of, other than a really low first-serve share, given the barrage of high quality coming from the opposite finish.

He served a lot better within the third set and fought exceptionally exhausting to power a tie-break.

Djokovic had received his final 11 tie-breaks at Grand Slams, famously not making an unforced error in six on the French Open. That report was in peril right here when Wawrinka went 5-3 up however he was unable to ship the competition to a second day as Djokovic booked a date with Hubert Hurkacz.

Talking in regards to the Polish seventeenth seed, Djokovic stated: “His serve is extraordinarily highly effective and he covers the court docket very effectively,” Djokovic stated of his subsequent opponent. “He has very lengthy arms and he has an excellent really feel on the internet.

“He is simply general a really full participant. I do not see too many holes in his recreation. I do know that is going to undoubtedly be the hardest problem for me of the match thus far.

“He is very snug enjoying on grass. He hasn’t dropped a set within the match thus far and he beat [Roger] Federer right here some years in the past. It is going to be nice battle. I stay up for it.”

Carlos Alcaraz needed to work exhausting on his second Centre Court docket look at Wimbledon to earn a straight-sets victory over Alexandre Muller in spherical two.

Alcaraz was given a stern examination by France’s Muller throughout a contest that lasted two hours and 32 minutes, however in the end progressed 6-4 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

It made it seven consecutive wins on grass for the highest seed, who’s considered by many because the more than likely candidate to cease Djokovic in his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth title on the All England Membership.

“I really feel that I belong in that court docket. I really feel like I am able to play extra matches, to play extra nice matches on that court docket,” he stated.

“There’s a whole lot of nice gamers enjoying right here on grass, that really feel actually, actually snug on grass. I’ve to be actually, actually centered till the ultimate.

“It is a whole lot of matches forward. I can not chill out. I’ve to play my greatest in each match. Let’s examine if I attain the ultimate or not.”

Spectacular wins for Rune, Berrettini & Medvedev

Holger Rune dazzled the packed crowds as he beat Spain’s Roberto Carlos Baena to storm into the third spherical.

The charismatic 20-year-old produced his full repertoire of silky shot-making to win 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.

Rune grew to become solely the fourth Dane to succeed in the lads’s third spherical at Wimbledon and the primary for practically 20 years.

“He made it very tough and did not give me something totally free, however I believe I managed to lift my degree and near the tip I obtained unbelievable assist from the gang,” Rune, who twice needed to recuperate service breaks within the opening set, stated on court docket.

“I really like getting the followers concerned, it was unbelievable, actually cool and I hope we are able to carry all of it the best way.”

Rune’s recreation fashion and informal manner have made him a success with younger followers who chanted “Ruuuuune” at common intervals, and he responded with some beautiful winners and received a large number of factors with cunningly disguised drop pictures.

Matteo Berrettini shocked Australian fifteenth seed Alex De Minaur with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory on Court docket 18 because the Italian seems to rediscover his kind after accidents which have left him exterior the world’s high 30.

“Final yr, what occurred final yr is one thing that I believe it did not heal but. It is a actually sharp ache, if I give it some thought,” he stated.

“I most likely was in the perfect form in my profession, particularly feeling nice on grass. I needed to benefit from the match. Such a particular match for me.

“Not having the ability to play was one thing that, even after I was higher bodily, was actually powerful mentally to beat.

“That is why I am right here this yr, as a result of I missed final yr. I used to be actually unhappy. Even enjoying like a number of factors would have been good this yr.

“That is why I am actually completely happy. I am actually glad. I do know it is the third spherical, but it surely looks like far more.”

Third seed Daniil Medvedev superior with a 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Friday after their match was suspended as a result of unhealthy gentle the day past.

The Russian was indignant when play was suspended on Thursday night whereas he led by two units with the rating at 4-4 within the third.

Medvedev returned to Court docket Two and duly accomplished victory to arrange a third-round assembly with Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

“It is not straightforward to play two totally different days. The final time I had it, I misplaced to Hurkacz right here two years in the past,” he stated.

“At 4-4, it is by no means straightforward. Immediately you are nervous, you do not wish to lose this set as a result of the momentum of the match can change.

“So I am completely happy that I managed to shut it out on the tie-break. Pleased that I managed to push it by way of and be right here tomorrow.”