Late on Friday night, Novak Djokovic showcased his dominance at Wimbledon by defeating Stan Wawrinka in straight sets. The defending champion claimed victory for the 21st time against Wawrinka, clinching the win with a third-set tiebreak just moments before the 11pm curfew.
The match began an hour later than anticipated, starting at 8:40pm, due to the extended play between Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas on Thursday. However, Djokovic managed to secure a 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(5) triumph, leaving him with 14 minutes to spare.
This remarkable victory marked Djokovic’s 31st consecutive win at Wimbledon and propelled him into the tournament’s last 16. It also represented his 61st appearance in the fourth round of a Grand Slam event. In the next round, Djokovic will face Poland’s 17th seed, Hubert Hurkacz.
Despite Wawrinka’s status as a three-time Grand Slam champion, the 38-year-old was often reduced to the role of spectator as Djokovic unleashed his precise and powerful groundstrokes, consistently finding the lines with remarkable accuracy. This was their first meeting on grass, and Djokovic left no room for doubt about his superiority.
The early stages of the match showcased shared moments of brilliance, hinting at the possibility of a captivating battle between two players who had previously met eight times in Grand Slams, including two finals in which Wawrinka emerged victorious. However, Djokovic swiftly shifted gears, showcasing the ruthless tennis that has become his trademark and has instilled fear in opponents aiming to thwart his quest to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles and Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon crowns.
Playing under a closed Centre Court roof with the lights shining bright, Djokovic swiftly claimed the second set in just half an hour. Wawrinka, buoyed by the support of the crowd, intensified his efforts in the third set and managed to expose a few chinks in Djokovic’s armor.
As the clock approached the cut-off time, reminiscent of the previous evening when Andy Murray’s match against Stefanos Tsitsipas was halted, Djokovic appeared slightly vulnerable. He was pushed into a tiebreak after a backhand volley error. Wawrinka took a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak, threatening to extend the encounter, but Djokovic rallied back and secured victory, granting himself a well-deserved break on Saturday.
Novak Djokovic’s performance at Wimbledon thus far demonstrates his unwavering determination to claim another title. With each match, he moves closer to etching his name in tennis history alongside the sport’s legends. Tennis enthusiasts eagerly await his next challenge in the quest for Grand Slam glory.
