Novak Djokovic (no 1) passed his first test of the fortnight at Wimbledon without too much difficulty.
The Serb beat Alex Reed Tim van Rijthoven (ATP 104) 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2 on Sunday night on Center Court to advance to the quarter-finals.
Three-time defending champion and six-time winner of the tournament, Novak Djokovic expected to suffer once morest the Dutchman, who revealed himself by conquering the title on the grass of ‘s-Hertogenbosch by dominating world no. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the final. Aware of the danger, Nole has also started this duel foot to the floor.
Unable to convert one of the four break points he obtained in the last game of the second set, Novak Djokovic failed to avoid overtime. The Serb nevertheless resumed his march forward at the start of the third set, in which he even got three balls from 6-0. He finally took 2h38′ to pick up his 25th success in a row at Church Road.
Novak Djokovic – who is with Rafael Nadal the only player still in contention to have already reached the last four in a Grand Slam – will rub shoulders with Jannik Sinner (no 10) in the next round. He won the only duel once morest the Italian, who beat Carlos Alcaraz (No. 5) in four sets on Sunday. The other quarter-final at the top of the table will oppose Cameron Norrie (no 9) and David Goffin (ATP 58).
/ATS