(Tennis news) In the third round at Wimbledon on Friday, world No. 2 Novak Djokovic repelled a late onslaught from Stan Wawrinka. The 36-year-old Serb exploded into action, dropping just four games in the first two sets despite having dropped the previous three Grand Slam meetings between the two players.
However, Stan Wawrinka put up a stronger fight in the third set, which ended in a tiebreak, where he had a 5-3 lead. Djokovic then upped his game, winning four straight points to guarantee that he finished the match 15 minutes before the Centre Court curfew of 11 p.m. took effect.
He is now within four victories of completing a five-peat with a 30-4 win-loss record for the season and an 89-10 mark at SW-19, where he has won his previous 31 games. While this was going on, the 14th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti was defeated in straight sets by the 18th-ranked Hurkacz. The 2021 semifinalist won the second set by a score of four games to take control of the match after edging out the first set in a tiebreak.
In the second set, it was more of the same as Hurkacz claimed another 6-4 victory to advance to a thrilling fourth-round matchup with seven-time champion Djokovic. The Pole is now 10-4 at Wimbledon and 25-14 overall in 2023.
Head-to-Head
Djokovic has a perfect 5-0 record against Hurkacz, defeating Hurkacz in four sets in the pair’s lone meeting on the grass at Wimbledon in the third round. The Serb won their most recent match in straight sets, which took place in the Dubai quarterfinals this year.
Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz and Novak Djokovic are both stereotypical baseliners, but that is the extent of their similarity as players.
Djokovic is a counter puncher par excellence with extraordinary athleticism and is recognised as one of the best players in the history of the game. Hurkacz, on the other hand, has a huge serve, can strike hard off either flank and moves effectively for a player of size.
It goes without saying that the Serb has the advantage due to his greater expertise, dependability, and pedigree – particularly on grass, where he has a 112-18 record and eight titles. Hurkacz, on the other hand, has one title and a record of 20-11.
Although neither player has lost a set in each of their three meetings this week, Djokovic ‘owns’ Hurkacz, so expect another victory for the Serb.
Novak Djokovic to win in 4 sets (3-1)
