LONDON, July 8: Novak Djokovic showed again why he remains invincible at Wimbledon, young rival Carlos Alcaraz graced Centre Court for the first time and Andy Murray’s hopes ended in Greek tragedy on another marathon day at the grasscourt slam on Friday.
Serbia’s Djokovic, chasing records on multiple fronts, left it late to book his place in round four, beating Stan Wawrinka 6-3 6-1 7-6(5) just before Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew. Spain’s world number Alcaraz is a round behind because of this week’s rain but picked up speed with a 6-4 7-6(2) 6-3 victory against Frenchman Alexandre Muller.
Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek continued her serene progress with a third successive straight sets win — this time against Croatia’s Petra Martic 6-2 7-5.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka suffered a scare though before hitting back to beat Varvara Gracheva of France 2-6 7-5 6-2. For British fans, at least, day five fell flat with Murray unable to finish off fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The 36-year-old had led two-sets-to-one after Thursday’s late night action and there was a wave of Pimms-fuelled optimism that he could finish the job on Saturday.
Tsitsipas had other ideas though and silenced the partisan Centre Court crowd to prevail 7-6(3) 6-7(2) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4 on the 10th anniversary of Murray’s first Wimbledon crown.
Murray disappointed
“I’m obviously very disappointed just now,” the Scot told reporters as he processed the loss.
“Yeah, obviously you never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here. The defeats maybe feel a bit tougher. But, to be honest, every year that Wimbledon’s not gone how I would like, it’s been hard.”
Shortly before Murray’s demise, Britain’s 12th seed Cameron Norrie was bundled out in the second round by in-form American Christopher Eubanks — a player who dabbles with commentating and who is making his Wimbledon debut.
And to really rub salt into the wounds, home wildcard Liam Broady, who on Thursday stunned fourth seed Casper Ruud, lost to mercurial Canadian Denis Shapovalov 4-6 6-2 7-5 7-5.
Britain’s only singles survivor is Katie Boulter who faces women’s champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday.
Broady at least had the honour of being Britain’s best-performing male player this year, although he did not take too much comfort from that fact. “Kind of makes it worse that we’ve all lost on the same day, as well. Probably would have felt a bit better if we’d staggered what days we lost on, whereas now it’s a bit of a Debbie Downer, isn’t it?” he told reporters.”
Alcaraz mixed power hitting, fearsome returning and delicate drop shots to beat Muller, declaring afterwards that he belonged on the “really beautiful court” and hoped to play Djokovic in the final on Sunday week.
“I feel like I’m ready to play more matches, to play more great matches on that court,” US Open champion Alcaraz said after reaching the third round where he will play Chile’s Nicolas Jarry on Saturday
“It would be amazing to play a final here in Wimbledon. Even better if is against Novak obviously.”
Bopanna-Ebden make winning start
India’s Rohan Bopanna and his men’s doubles partner Matthew Ebden from Australia survived a scare before prevailing over Argentine duo of Guillermo Duran and Tomas Etcheverry to advance to the second round of the Wimbledon here.
The sixth-seeded Indo-Australian duo outwitted the spirited Argentine pair 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (10-8) in their opening match that lasted two hours and 12 minutes.
The 43-year-old Bopanna and 35-year-old Ebden, who claimed two doubles titles on the ATP Tour earlier this year, will next face the unseeded British pair of Jacob Fearnley and Johannus Monday on Sunday.
Star Struck
Ons Jabeur, the No. 6 seed and runner-up to Rybakina a year ago, needed only 45 minutes to get past Bai Zhuoxuan of China 6-1, 6-1 to reach the third round.
The Tunisian player was pleased with the win, of course, but also happy to talk about meeting David Beckham two days earlier. (AP)