Defending champion Novak Djokovic sweeps aside Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to comfortably seal his spot in the fourth round at Wimbledon
- Djokovic was dominant as he calmly dispatched Wawrinka on Centre Court
- The Serbian is into the next round at Wimbledon as a result of his victory
- He beat Wawrinka 6-3, 6-1 comfortably in the first two sets before a 7-6 final set
- Latest Wimbledon 2023 news, including schedule, travel updates and results
It’s rare that 36-year-old Novak Djokovic finds himself the younger player on court these days, but he and Stan Wawrinka served up a scintillating late-night treat for a packed Centre Court crowd only too happy to stay up past their bedtime.
From the moment both men arrived to a standing ovation after half-past eight, there was a timeless quality to the play even if the scoreboard suggested a lack of jeopardy about the final outcome.
A straight sets victory for Djokovic, significantly achieved before the 11pm curfew to avoid an unwanted return, meant he maintains his chase for the fresh records should he become Wimbledon champion again a week on Sunday.
Having said that, Wawrinka – two years his senior and portlier than in his prime – was far from disgraced and his many trademark winners were greeted by roars of approval by his many admirers.
Such was the support for the underdog, who has returned after suffering injuries for two years, Djokovic seemed a little jealous and on one occasion urged the crowd to cheer his brilliant winner after chasing back to retrieve a lob.
Novak Djokovic has sealed his place in the next round at Wimbledon with his latest win
The defending champion swept aside Stan Wawrinka in straight sets on Friday evening
Djokovic and Wawrinka meet each other at the net after their match on Centre Court
A generous Djokovic said: ‘I have to say it is amazing what Stan is doing at his age after several surgeries. We are two old guys!’
‘It is inspiring. Like Andy (Murray), he was forced to drop his rankings. I respect him as a player and love him as a person.
‘I was two points from having the match being extended to another day. We knew coming to the court it would be tight. It looked good for me in the first two sets. Then he raised his level and I dropped mine a bit.’
At his peak, Wawrinka had twice beat Djokovic in Grand Slam finals but conceded this time he had little chance of causing an upset, and so it ultimately proved as the Serb marched relentlessly on to matching Federer’s record eight men’s singles titles at Wimbledon, and Margaret Court’s overall tally of 24 Grand Slams singles title.
Djokovic hasn’t been beaten at Wimbledon since 2017 and not on Centre Court for a decade. Finishing last night’s job off quickly enough seemed to occupy him as much as recording a 31st consecutive win at the All-England club.
The atmosphere crackled under the floodlit roof and the empty green seats evident in Iga Swiatek’s preceding match were filled by the time Djokovic launched his first serve at 8.39pm
The reigning champion didn’t want to waste time and raced into a 0-40 lead on Wawrinka’s opening service game.
When the underdog fought back to hold with some heavy serving and cracking groundstrokes, he was greeted like a hero.
Wawrinka played some vintage shots, a backhand return hit so crisply Djokovic hadn’t moved his racket when it hit the line, but the Serbian was too clinical and consistent over time and inevitably wore his man down.
A break in the sixth game proved enough for Djokovic to take the first set 6-3 in 37 minutes.
The sweat marks started showing on Wawrinka’s forehead and shirt in set two as Djokovic displayed the ruthlessness that has seen him surpass great rivals Federer and Rafa Nadal for major titles.
He raced into a 4-0 lead as Wawrinka – only the third player aged 38 or over to reach the third round at Wimbledon following Federer and Jimmy Connors – flagged and took the set 6-1, winning every one of his first serves.
Djokovic was against the clock as he clicked straight into top gear and pushed the pace
A 31st consecutive victory for Djokovic at the All England Club, equals Pete Sampras’ best
The third was far closer. Wawrinka rediscovered his elegance and took it to a tiebreak, winning one unusual rally that consisted entirely of backhand slices, and showing soft hands for a drop-volley that even the athletic Djokovic couldn’t get to.
He even led Djokovic 5-3 in the breaker before errors crept in at the wrong time – twice going long and hitting a simple forehand, allowing Djokovic to complete his win 7-5 in the breaker at 10.46, with just 14 minutes to spare.
Djokovic, who now faces Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in round four, will end all discussions about being the GOAT if he wins all four Slams this year, something that hasn’t been done since Rod Laver in 1969.
Wawrinka won’t go down in that category but if this is to be his last appearance on Centre Court, he can be proud at the joy he gave, even when it was dark outside.
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