Wimbledon24: Djokovic dig deep to get to 4th round, Rybakina cruise past Wozniacki

 


Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic overcame a sluggish start to defeat unseeded Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Saturday, advancing to the Wimbledon fourth round. Djokovic's pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title appeared in jeopardy when Popyrin led 4-3 in the first set with a blistering crosscourt forehand winner and clinched the set with a second-serve ace.


However, Djokovic quickly regained his formidable form. After the roof was closed, he looked rejuvenated and took a 4-1 lead in the second set. The crowd on Centre Court erupted in cheers when they learned that England had beaten Switzerland to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals, prompting Djokovic to humorously mimic a penalty kick that Popyrin pretended to save, much to the fans' delight. Djokovic dominated the second and third sets but faced more resistance in the fourth as Popyrin fought valiantly, saving three break points to hold in the 11th game.


In the tiebreak, Djokovic accelerated to secure the win, finishing with a powerful serve that Popyrin could only net. Djokovic will next face 15th seed Holger Rune, who advanced after a grueling five-set battle against Quentin Halys.


In another match, Elena Rybakina overpowered former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, losing only one game in a commanding display to reach the Wimbledon fourth round. The first set flew by as Rybakina started strong, and only a brief interruption for the Court One roof to be closed slowed her down.


Returning to the grass court major for the first time in five years after coming out of retirement following the birth of her two children, Wozniacki showed some resistance when play resumed. However, the 33-year-old never seemed likely to reverse the match against the 2022 champion. The Moscow-born Kazakh served nine aces and hit 36 winners in a 57-minute one-sided match, clearly aiming for a second Wimbledon title.

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