Novak Djokovic comes from a set down to clinch his place in the last-16 of Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic triumphed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 over Alexei Popyrin on Centre Court
- The second seed was in action as England beat Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2024
Novak Djokovic took a penalty during the match and then, as tiebreaker master, won a tennis equivalent of a shootout to advance to the second week of Wimbledon.
The second-seeded player was locked in a thrilling battle with Australia’s Alexei Popyrin when news filtered through to the crowd towards the end of the second set that England had defeated Switzerland on penalties.
Djokovic, a true showman, pretended to kick a football and Popyrin pretended to tap the ball next to the tram rails.
“Did England win in the end?” Djokovic asked after the match. “That’s why you stayed! Yes, congratulations.
‘Congratulations England. I tried to shoot a penalty, I’m left-footed, but Alexei defended it well.’
Novak Djokovic celebrates his Wimbledon victory after reaching the last 16 on Saturday
The No. 2 seed came from a set down to triumph 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 on Centre Court
The Serb faced the 1.95m Australian Alexei Popyrin, who has a perfect game on grass
In the end it was all well and good, but it was certainly not a comfortable evening for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Popyrin is 1.95 meters tall and with his hard serve, slice backhand and neat volleys he has a perfect game on grass.
He won the first set and was combative throughout, but Djokovic recovered and when the fourth set went to a tiebreak, it never seemed in doubt.
“One of the best tiebreaks I’ve played this year, for sure,” Djokovic said after a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 victory.
‘It was another tough match. I didn’t expect anything less from Alexei than what we experienced on the pitch today.
“I knew he would come to the match with confidence and a lot of self-belief. With that serve and powerful forehand he is dangerous on any surface.
“I knew he was in shape and that he would come out believing he could win. He was the better player in the first set. I think I played a good second and third and the fourth was anyone’s game. He served very well. It was very difficult to read his serve.
‘It was just a very challenging match, also mentally to keep going. I can’t lose too much concentration. I think I did well in that respect.’
In the fourth round, Djokovic will play against Dane Holger Rune, who won with a two-sets-2 deficit against French qualifier Quentin Halys.
Rune has already beaten Djokovic twice in the past, so this should be the first serious test of the past two weeks for the 37-year-old Serb.