Top seed and two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round at Wimbledon after defeating 2018 finalist Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday.
The No. 1 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings was dominant from start to finish, and didn’t face a break point as he reached the third round here for the 15th time. Djokovic, who is going for his sixth Wimbledon trophy – and an all-time record-tying 20th Grand Slam crown – improved his win-loss record at the All England Club to 74-10.
Djokovic also extended his ATP Head2Head lead against Anderson to 10-2 with the victory, and continued his perfect record against him at Wimbledon. The Serbian has now won all four of their previous meetings at the All England Club, including the 2018 championship match.
"Obviously I'm in a high level of confidence after winning [Roland Garros]. But I was nervous coming into this match because I was playing a very good player, experienced player, whom I faced in the final three years ago," Djokovic said. "He's a big server. He's very dangerous opponent, especially in the early rounds.
"But I've done things on and off the court to make myself feel that I'm focused, yet at the same time calm and composed and clear with my game plan and what I want to do. Obviously did my homework, talked with my coach, worked well on the practice court.
"I think it's a combination of all these factors that make you feel confident on the court and to execute the shots that you want."
The reigning Australian Open and Roland Garros champion aced an early test in his quest for his third consecutive Grand Slam title as he faced big-hitting Anderson on Centre Court.
The South African regularly came to the net for serve and volleys, but Djokovic made him pay for a hesitant approach with a zinging forehand passing shot in the opening set. Helped along by an Anderson double fault, Djokovic continued to chip away before claiming the break at 4-3, and won the last 10 points in a row to close out the first set.
Djokovic kept the rallies short and had the 6’8” South African moving from side to side around the court. Djokovic drew him up to the net with a smart drop shot before striking a perfect lob on the line to earn a break of serve at 3-3 in the second as he reeled off the last four games of the second set.
View Wednesday's Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
The top seed stayed in control of the rallies with his strong serving; he didn’t face a break point in the match, and was only pushed to deuce once (in the first set). He reached a nearly untouchable level in the final set, winning 93 per cent (14/15) of points behind his first serve to keep the pressure firmly on Anderson’s serve.
As a result, each of Anderson’s four double faults came during games in which Djokovic broke his serve. The third set was no different, as the top seed claimed his fourth break of the match at 5-3 before serving out his place in the third round.
Djokovic awaits the winner of Andreas Seppi and American qualifier Denis Kudla as he seeks his third consecutive Wimbledon title. He would become the fourth man in the Open Era to achieve the triple feat, joining Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras.
The No. 1 player in the FedEx ATP Rankings was dominant from start to finish, and didn’t face a break point as he reached the third round here for the 15th time. Djokovic, who is going for his sixth Wimbledon trophy – and an all-time record-tying 20th Grand Slam crown – improved his win-loss record at the All England Club to 74-10.
Djokovic also extended his ATP Head2Head lead against Anderson to 10-2 with the victory, and continued his perfect record against him at Wimbledon. The Serbian has now won all four of their previous meetings at the All England Club, including the 2018 championship match.
"Obviously I'm in a high level of confidence after winning [Roland Garros]. But I was nervous coming into this match because I was playing a very good player, experienced player, whom I faced in the final three years ago," Djokovic said. "He's a big server. He's very dangerous opponent, especially in the early rounds.
"But I've done things on and off the court to make myself feel that I'm focused, yet at the same time calm and composed and clear with my game plan and what I want to do. Obviously did my homework, talked with my coach, worked well on the practice court.
"I think it's a combination of all these factors that make you feel confident on the court and to execute the shots that you want."
2011:
2015:
2018:
2021:
History repeats itself for @DjokerNole as the defending champion beats Kevin Anderson again at #Wimbledon to progress to the third round pic.twitter.com/RlkJIYNoIq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2021
The reigning Australian Open and Roland Garros champion aced an early test in his quest for his third consecutive Grand Slam title as he faced big-hitting Anderson on Centre Court.
The South African regularly came to the net for serve and volleys, but Djokovic made him pay for a hesitant approach with a zinging forehand passing shot in the opening set. Helped along by an Anderson double fault, Djokovic continued to chip away before claiming the break at 4-3, and won the last 10 points in a row to close out the first set.
Djokovic kept the rallies short and had the 6’8” South African moving from side to side around the court. Djokovic drew him up to the net with a smart drop shot before striking a perfect lob on the line to earn a break of serve at 3-3 in the second as he reeled off the last four games of the second set.
View Wednesday's Schedule | Listen To Radio Wimbledon | List Of Broadcasters (PDF)
The top seed stayed in control of the rallies with his strong serving; he didn’t face a break point in the match, and was only pushed to deuce once (in the first set). He reached a nearly untouchable level in the final set, winning 93 per cent (14/15) of points behind his first serve to keep the pressure firmly on Anderson’s serve.
As a result, each of Anderson’s four double faults came during games in which Djokovic broke his serve. The third set was no different, as the top seed claimed his fourth break of the match at 5-3 before serving out his place in the third round.
Djokovic awaits the winner of Andreas Seppi and American qualifier Denis Kudla as he seeks his third consecutive Wimbledon title. He would become the fourth man in the Open Era to achieve the triple feat, joining Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras.