The seven-time SW19 champion is still trying to tie Roger Federer’s record in the third round.
On Centre Court this evening, Novak Djokovic will resume his most recent SW19 campaign. After proving his fitness following a knee injury that necessitated surgery and prompted him to retire from the French Open last month, the seven-time men’s singles champion is attempting to tie the record held by fierce rival Roger Federer at the All England Club this summer.
Before losing a set in a more difficult-than-expected test against tenacious British No. 13 Jacob Fearnley, Djokovic started the week with a commanding 3-0 victory over Czech world No. 123 Vit Kopriva. Now, he faces Alexei Popyrin, the Australian who made it to this level of the Wimbledon tournament for the first time in his career by winning two tough matches against Thiago Monteiro and 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Tonight in west London, Djokovic will be the main attraction. Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu’s planned mixed doubles match against Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai was cancelled owing to the 2021 US Open champion’s withdrawal from the match due to wrist pain, meaning the soon-to-be retiring At his home Grand Slam, Murray has just completed his final match. Watch Dom Smith of Standard Sport’s live coverage of Alexander Popyrin vs. Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon below!
Recent news about Alexei Popyrin vs. Novak Djokovic
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MINUTES PRIOR
The Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, and 4-6 Popyrin.
Following yet another display of powerful serving, Djokovic narrowly avoids serving the set to love when he hits his opening serve.
Although Popyrin manages to even the scores at 40-30, Djokovic has the midas touch and wins the third set as well!
A TEN MINUTES AGO
The Djokovic 6-3, 5-4, 4-6 Popyrin.
Popyrin needs to maintain his intensity, and he succeeds in doing so by serving well to stay in the third set.
Djokovic is going to finish it immediately.
In this hard-hitting match on Centre, the Serb is still winning.
AGO 14 MINUTES
Djokovic 6-3, 5-3, and 4-6 Popyrin.
With one more solid hold, Djokovic is one game away from taking the second set.
AGES 19 MINUTES
Djokovic 3–4, 6-3, and 4-6 Popyrin.
Before tucking away down the line for 3-4 and a hold of serve at a crucial moment, Popyrin sends Djokovic sprawling across the court and brings up 40-30.
22 MINUTES PRIOR
Djokovic 6-3, 4-2, Djokovic
Once more, Djokovic holds, and Popyrin must be beginning to question how he’s going to choke his way back into the third set.
Popyrin will come next. Nothing wrong with a hold…
MINUTES AGO 28
Popyrin 3-2, 6-3, 4-6 Djokovic
Djokovic, behind 30-0 on Popyrin’s serve, issues an apology after finding a lucky winner that sails over the net and onto the line.
It’s then 30-30 with a potential second break as Djokovic pushes Popyrin into the outer reaches of the court, from where he is unable to return.
But Popyrin serves well, and then he holds strong to serve again.
31 minutes have passed.
Djokovic 6-3, 3-1, Djokovic
The world No. 2 is becoming more comfortable serving cross-court and is currently winning points on serve without the need for lengthy rallies.
He grasps once more. Popyrin is having difficulty right now.
33 MINUTES PRIOR
Djokovic 6-3, 2-1, Djokovic
Djokovic takes 40-15 to 40-30 with a hammered backhand, but Popyrin’s serving is back at its peak and Djokovic is unable to return the final back over the net.
37 minutes have passed.
Popyrin 2-0, Djokovic 4-6, 6-3
Popyrin returns fire from where he had came from after Djokovic lures him into entering the heart of the court, giving Djokovic a 40-0 lead.
Popyrin smacks into the net, and the second seed holds.
AGO 39 MINUTES
Popyrin 1-0, Djokovic 4-6, 6-3
With Popyrin under duress right away, Djokovic breaks through via deuce in the opening game of the third set. Popyrin’s crucial shot, however, goes wide across the court.
It seems like Djokovic is currently merely shifting gears. Let’s not forget that he has the most gears of any player in the men’s draw. I’m hoping for a 2-0 now.
AGES 43 MINUTES
Djokovic 6-3 4-6 Popyrin.
And it ends there. With superb serving, Djokovic is able to hold out the set to love and is back to full strength at one set.
With its tremendous force and final serve down the T, it felt like a declaration.
