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regular-article-logo Monday, 13 May 2024

Novak Djokovic’s power at play, Emma Raducanu bites dust

Serb registers 23rd straight victory at the grasscourt grand slam

Reuters London Published 30.06.22, 04:42 AM
Novak Djokovic in action against Thanasi Kokkinakis at  Wimbledon on Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic in action against Thanasi Kokkinakis at Wimbledon on Wednesday. Getty Images

Top seed Novak Djokovic looked every bit the dominant player who has won the last three Wimbledon titles in a commanding 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis on Wednesday to power into the third round.

The 35-year-old, bidding for his seventh Wimbledon title, looked scratchy during his opening win over Kwon Soon-woo but he was back close to his usual lofty standards against the 79th-ranked Kokkinakis.

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It was the 23rd straight victory for Djokovic at the grasscourt grand slam.

“I’m very happy with my performance today (Wednesday),” Djokovic said on court.

“It was not easy to serve because of the wind, it was very swirly on the court, so tough to toss the ball. But I think from my side overall, a really high-quality performance and I’m very pleased.”

Alcaraz advances

Spanish teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz proved too strong for Dutch Tallon Griekspoor as the fifth seed moved into the third round with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 win. Earlier, Frenchman Ugo Humbert recovered from a shaky start to beat French Open runner-up Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round.

It was a deserved win for the 24-year-old, who had lost in the first round at his six previous grand slam events, and as world No. 112 was a big underdog against the Norwegian who lost to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros final.

Garcia on song

Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon hopes were ruthlessly crushed on Centre Court by France’s Caroline Garcia as the golden girl of British sport suffered a 6-3, 6-3 second-round loss. The 19-year-old, who rocketed to fame with her US Open triumph last year, did not play badly but had no answer to Garcia’s superior firepower.

Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko matched her best Wimbledon run as she beat seeded compatriot Anhelina Kalinina 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round.

Reaching the third round is worth £90,000 this year and Tsurenko is donating 10 per cent of her prize money to help her fellow Ukrainians.

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