By Mattias Karén
London-Novak Djokovic added another record to his name by reaching the third round of Wimbledon for the 19th time with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 victory against Dan Evans on Center runs on Wednesday.
It was Djokovic’s 99th victory at Wimbledon as a whole, and the 19 appearances on the third round put him ahead Roger Federer for the most part by any man in the open era.
This is not the most prestigious record for Djokovic, including the 24 Grand Chelem titles – including seven in Wimbledon – are the most by a male player. But he could at least use it to make fun of his new main and much younger rivals.
“Nineteen times is a large statistic,” said Djokovic, 38. “It is probably almost as much as the sinner and Alcaraz have years in their lives.”
Well, not quite.
Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in the last two Wimbledon finals, is 22 years old, while Jannik Sinner, n ° 1, who later played in the central court – is 23 years old.
The growing rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz – in particular following their final of five sets at the Open of France last month – helped tennis to go from the time of the three big ones, where Djokovic is the last man standing after Federer and Rafael Nadal retired.
But Djokovic is too focused on the prouvance that he can always win another slam to sit down and think about everything he has accomplished in Wimbledon.
“I don’t stop to think, to be honest. I don’t have time,” said Djokovic in an interview on the field. “I would like. But I think it will probably come when I put the racket aside, then sip the Margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and think about our rivalry and everything. ”
Later in his press conference, Djokovic said he could choose a different drink if the three former competitors come together.
“I don’t know why I said Margaritas because I have never had Margarita in my life,” he said. “I don’t necessarily like this drink, but I guess it sounds well.”
Against Evans, Djokovic failed to convert his first new break in the first set. But once he obtained the breakthrough for an advance of 5-3 – raising the two arms in the air as if to say “finally” – he went five for six on break points the rest of the path.
“You have this kind of days when everything is going in your way,” said Djokovic, who did not face his own breakdown before the last match. “Everything flows.”
What happened Thursday in Wimbledon?
The best female players all avoided other upheavals, after four of the five highest seeds came out during the first three days. Mirra Andreeva, n ° 7, and Emma Navarro, n ° 10, both advanced in right sets. Andreeva, 18, won a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory against Lucia Bronzetti of Italy, and Navarro crossed Veronika Kudermetova 6-1, 6-2.
The former IGA Swiatek n ° 1, addressed to the eighth while it offers a first title from Wimbledon, had to come from a set to beat Caty McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the central court. Reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova was also taken to a third set before beating Caroline Dolehide 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, while the Wimbledon winner in 2022, Elena Rybakina, beat Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1.
In the draw for men, it was a good day for the old. Aside from Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, 34, Jan-Lennard, 35, Struff, 35, and Marin Cilic, 36, all advanced.
Cilic, champion of the 2014 American Open and Wimbledon 2017 finalist, amazed Jack Draper British n ° 4, 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in court n ° 1.
The n ° 11 Alex de Minaur ousted the 115th classified by Arthur Cazaux 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 and 19th seeded Gregor Dimitrov overcome Corentin Moutet 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
The sinner passed the past Aleksandar Vukic 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the late match in the central court.
Who plays on Friday at the All England Club?
Alcaraz, the double reigning champion, faces Jan-Lennard, 35, Struff on the central field, beforeryna Sabalenka, n ° 1, confronts Emma Raducanu, the favorite of the British house in the late match. The champion of the Australian Open Madison Keys faces Laura Siegemund in court n ° 2.
