KEY MOMENTS
‘I executed it perfectly’
Djokovic reflects on outstanding performance
Djokovic wins in straight sets
Evans 3-6, 2-6, 0-6 Djokovic
Djokovic cruises to second set
Evans 3-6, 2-6 Djokovic
Djokovic takes first set
Evans 3-6 Djokovic
Likely path to the final
Who will Djokovic face if he is to win a 25th major?
Dan Evans bows out of Wimbledon after defeat by Novak Djokovic
Dan Evans walks off Center Court following his straight-sets defeat Credit: Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Novak Djokovic created a slice of history as he marched into the third round at Wimbledon after cruising to a comfortable win over Britain’s Dan Evans.
While he needed so-called “miracle pills” from a doctor to battle past Alexandre Müller in the opening round on Tuesday night, this 6-3 6-2 6-0 victory against wildcard Evans was a far more straightforward affair.
In doing so the seven-time Wimbledon winner etched his name into the history books by becoming the first man to reach the third round of the Championships for a 19th time during the Open Era.
It might be almost two years since Djokovic landed a major at the US Open, but at the age of 38 he continues to rewrite records.
Against a man who has won 40 of his past 42 matches at Wimbledon, the odds were understandably stacked against Evans, a player three years’ Djovokic’s junior who has spent much of the past year trying to prove to himself that he still has the ability to compete at this level after slipping down the rankings to world No 154.
While the stark gulf between both players gradually became more evident – the Briton was bageled in a lop-sided final set – you could not fault Evans’s effort. He saved an incredible nine break points in the first set and displayed moments of epic defence, repeatedly teasing out mistakes from Djokovic by applying generous amounts of backhand slice. He was, though, only delaying the inevitable.
Djovokic began turning the screw and before long entered full exhibition mode. When he was 5-0 up and cruising in the final set he even attempted a ‘tweener’ when he hit the ball between his legs from behind the baseline in an attempt to lob Evans and please the Centre Court crowd.
His effort landed out, but a clenched fist moments later signalled his win – a 99th at Wimbledon – after Evans overcooked a forehand, as another Briton at this year’s Championships bowed out.
The seven-time champion was in sensational form as he dispatched the Briton in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.
He will now face Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round in his pursuit of a 25th major and eighth Wimbledon title.
“I think being on the highest level of professional tennis requires a lot of dedication on a daily basis on a weekly basis. We play a lot of tournaments, the season is non-stop, it basically starts January 1 and ends late November.
“I don’t play as much as I did before but the weeks I don’t play, I play at home with my kids.
“So I don’t reflect fully on everything that I have been through. I would like to but I think that’s going to come probably when I set the racket aside and sip margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.”
Djokovic reacts to ‘extra special’ milestones
On his 99th win at Wimbledon and qualifying for third round for the 19th time, he said: “It means that I’ve been playing quite a long time and 19 times, that’s a great stat, probably as much as Sinner and Alcaraz have years in their life.
“I still enjoy this sport, it’s giving me so much. Wimbledon stays the most special tournament in my heart, the one I always dreamed of winning when I was a kid. Any history made here is obviously extra special for me.
“It’s the beginning of the tournament so I’m aware of the history on the line and im obviously in a privileged position to do that, but at the same time I’m thinking about the big things I can make in this tournament.”
‘I executed it perfectly’ – Djokovic reflects on excellent performance
Speaking on court, Djokovic has said: “Good afternoon everyone, thanks for coming out on this Centre Court again. I knew that – I think everyone knew that – it was going to be a special atmosphere on the court today, obviously a Brit in Britain is never easy to face.
“He is – tricky is maybe not a great word – but he is a good quality player than possesses a lot of talent and a lot of great touch for the grass, the ball stays very low with his slice. He can be causing a lot of trouble to you if you’re not on the top of your game, which I think I was to be honest from the very beginning.
“That was necessary, I knew that. I was preparing well for the match, technically, tactically, I knew exactly what I needed to do and I executed it perfectly, sometimes you have these kinds of days.
“It was not for me, it was more for my coach, I was sending him a message, in case he didn’t see it well. But you have these kinds of days where everything goes your way, everything flows and it’s good to be in the shoes and holding the racket on days like this.”
Evans gets a wonderful reception as he makes his way off Centre Court, for what might be the final time.
Djokovic was just too good for the 35-year-old today, there was very little he could have done differently.
Djokovic wins in straight sets
After a completely ruthless performance throughout, Djokovic is serving for the match on Centre Court.
A smashed winner gets the seven-time champion off the mark but it’s followed up by a double-fault, just his second of the contest.
Djokovic steps forward during the next point but whips a forehand into the net, making it 15-30. Well, he then slices a backhand wide and Evans has his first break points of the match.
The first is saved by a crushing ace down the middle and the second too, by a sublime forehand right on the line.
Evans’ return catches the top of the net and Djokovic has a first match point. A wayward forehand from the Briton drifts long and the 38-year-old cruises into the round three. Utterly dominant.
Evans* 3-6, 2-6, 0-5 Djokovic
Once again, Evans gets a big cheer from the crowd before his next service game. But there is little he can do about Djokovic in this form. The Serbian goes 0-15 up with a winner into the corner.
He pushes his return wide on the next point, though, making it 15-15, before the Briton produces an ace. Djokovic then goes for the ‘tweener’ following Evans’ defensive lob but it sails long, making it 40-15.
Evans does well to reach the drop-shot but he can’t make the passing shot, with Djokovic volleying into an empty court. Another Djokovic volley takes it to deuce and he is just giving nothing away in this set.
Evans whips a forehand into the net, giving Djokovic a 15th break point, and it’s taken as the Briton sends a ground-stroke wide.
Evans 3-6, 2-6, 0-4 Djokovic*
You feel this match won’t be going on for much longer and Djokovic continues where he left off with a second serve being returned into the net by Evans.
The Serbian comes to the net during the next point but gets his volley wrong. That’s not been said much today.
He recovers with an ace down the middle before making it 40-15 with a serve and well-controlled volley.
The crowd are sensing Evans’ energy levels and spirit have dropped and are really getting behind him now. You can’t fault the Briton for trying but he’s always looked a few steps behind the Serbian king the longer the match has gone on.
