Novak Djokovic delivered a vintage Wimbledon performance to storm into the third round on Wednesday, while defending champion Jannik Sinner overcame a stern test to advance. In the day’s biggest upset, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva crashed out after a shock defeat.
In a 98-minute thrashing of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic sent a message to Sinner and the other Wimbledon title contenders. With just seven unforced errors and 33 wins, the seven-time Wimbledon champion won 6-3, 6-4, and 6-2.
Djokovic’s latest bid to create history by capturing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title got off to a rough start on Monday when he struggled in the opening round against the unheralded Wu Yibing.
Djokovic, who won his last Wimbledon trophy in 2022, is vying to become the oldest man to win a major title in the Open era. Over the past two Grand Slams, Djokovic has appeared older.
The 39-year-old Serb lost after leading Joao Fonseca by two sets in the third round of the French Open. However, Djokovic’s most recent victory over Greek world number 87 Tsitsipas, who has now lost their past 12 encounters, demonstrated his unwavering class.
With his 104th victory at Wimbledon, Djokovic is now only one match behind Roger Federer’s Open era record in men’s singles. In the round of 32, he takes on Arthur Rinderknech, the 25th seed from France.
“I’m feeling great. I like the terminology ‘vintage’, it brings back the best days and you feel very satisfied and joyful on the court when you’re playing this way,” AFP quoted Djokovic as saying after being asked if it was a vintage performance.
Sinner wasn’t playing at his best once more, but the world number one managed to defeat Nuno Borges of Portugal 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. On Monday, the 24-year-old Italian overcame a two-set deficit to defeat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, narrowly avoiding a first-round elimination.
Last year, the four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final to end the Spaniard’s two-year dynasty. Against the fierce world number 48 Borges, he was still a long way from reaching those great heights. Sinner will next face American world number 81 Jenson Brooksby in a third-round match.
“There’s a couple of things I need to improve. I felt some moments where I still need to get back to this rhythm,” Sinner said.
After winning her first Grand Slam title in Paris in June, Andreeva was touted as one of the sport’s rising stars as she arrived at the All England Club.
However, Barbora Krejcikova reclaimed the magic that led to her unexpected Wimbledon title victory two years ago, and the Russian teenager was unable to sustain the momentum from Roland Garros.
The 30-year-old Czech, who won the French Open in 2021 as well, rallied to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
“What a match! It’s always been a huge fight against Mirra. I’m extremely proud I managed to win on this beautiful Centre Court, the best court in the world,” Krejcikova said.
American McCartney Kessler was defeated by world number one Aryna Sabalenka after a difficult second set. The four-time Grand Slam champion secured a matchup with former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 32 after winning 6-1, 7-6 (11/9).
“That was a true battle and I’m super happy that I was able to stay in that second set,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka has lost in the semi-finals of her last three Wimbledon trips and has never won the tournament.
After suffering a knee injury during her singles loss to Maya Joint on Tuesday, Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback is in doubt.
Later this week, Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, will make her comeback after four years of retirement by playing in the doubles with sister Venus.
Serena “is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match,” according to the 44-year-old’s management.
Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula, seventh-seeded Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka of Japan all advanced to the next round.
