Novak Djokovic has qualified for the quarterfinals of Wimbledon at the expense of Australian Alex de Minaur. After a difficult start, the score was 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-4. Eight-time champion Roger Federer was present in the Royal Box.
Djokovic had a bad start on center court and lost no less than three service games in the first set. After only half an hour, De Minaur, the number eleven in the world, had pocketed the first set. The hesitant Djokovic hit four double faults and recorded sixteen unforced errors in the opening set.
In the second set, Djokovic recovered and immediately placed a break. The 24-time Grand Slam champion failed to hold his lead for long and saw De Minaur come alongside after a game lasting longer than fifteen minutes.
Djokovic continued to search for his top level and gave up another break lead halfway through the second set. At 3-3, he placed another break with a love game and this time he did not relinquish the lead. In the third set, Djokovic placed the decisive break at 4-4.
It seemed to be heading for a fifth set, as De Minaur extended his lead to 4-1 in the fourth set. However, Djokovic saved his best level for last and took five games in a row. The Serbian finished it off with a love game. The match lasted three hours and nineteen minutes.
“Of course, I prefer to win in three sets. But deep in the tournament you are also a bit more nervous and that was reflected in my game in the first set. At such a moment I would like to have the serve-volley game of that man there,” Djokovic said, pointing to Federer. The beloved Swiss was invited to center court on Monday. He sat in the front row of the Royal Box, together with his wife Mirka.
“It was probably the first match he saw of me that I managed to win. I have always appreciated him very much and it is great to see him back at his favorite Grand Slam, where he celebrated his greatest successes.”
In the last eight, Djokovic will face Italian Flavio Cobolli, who put an end to Marin Cilic’s winning streak. It was 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4) and 7-6 (3) for the number 22 on the placement list.
The 38-year-old Djokovic, the world number six, is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title in London. He will then pass Margaret Court, with whom he currently shares the record for most majors won. He can win Wimbledon for the eighth time and then come level with Federer.