In the tournament of traditions, Novak Djokovic’s solvency is as firm a custom as any. The world No. 1 advanced to the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday after beating South African Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in a reissue of the 2018 final.
After completing one of the best performances of his life on serve on debut, Djokovic turned his serve back into a formidable blow. The Balkan protected 85% of the exchanges with his first serve (39/46), nullifying any response capacity of his opponent. On the grass, a surface that rewards his hard blows, Anderson was unable to generate any breaking opportunities throughout the match.
The game served to show a Djokovic increasingly adjusted to the pitch. Away from the slips suffered during the first round, the Serbian offered a full match of skill. With countless running shots, balloons to overcome Anderson’s great vertical and quick legs to respond flexed to the demands of the turf.
Djokovic will play the third round of Wimbledon either the Italian Andreas Seppi or the American Denis Kudla.
The Balkan has only been defeated in the first week of the All England Club on three occasions throughout his career: in 2005, during his first appearance; in 2008, months after lifting his first Grand Slam; and in 2016, after winning his first Roland Garros cup.
Did you know…?
Novak Djokovic signs a 16-0 record this year in Grand Slam, equaling the best record of his career in this type of tournaments signed in the 2016 season. After winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the Serbian continues to sign notable figures. The Balkan’s longest streak of consecutive wins in the majors they were the 31 wins signed without error between the 2015 Wimbledon first round and the 2016 Wimbledon second round.
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