Djokovic reaches Wimbledon quarter-finals
The Danish player Holger Rune is considered the toughest challenge for Wimbledon title contender Novak Djokovic so far. However, Djokovic handles this task with great sovereignty. After Zverev's exit, the Serbian star needed two hours to advance to the quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic remains in the title race at Wimbledon, almost a month after his knee surgery. The record Grand Slam winner won sovereignly with scores of 6:3, 6:4, 6:2 against Holger Rune and advanced to the quarterfinals. In the match on Centre Court following Zverev's exit, Djokovic required 2:03 hours.
The 37-year-old Serb stands for the 15th time in Wimbledon in the round of the last eight and competes in his 60th Grand Slam quarterfinal. At the French Open in Paris, Djokovic had torn a meniscus in his knee and did not make it to the quarterfinals after the operation. After the surgery, he felt ready for the London grass-court classic.
"I'm very satisfied, but I think he also didn't play at his highest level," said Djokovic: "It was a solid performance." The 37-year-old has already won 24 Grand Slam titles in his unique career and is getting closer to the Wimbledon title, which would make him equal to the Swiss record champion Roger Federer.
Zverev blames his knee injury for his elimination
Djokovic's next opponent is the Australian Alex de Minaur, who confirmed his strong season in London. The 25-year-old from Sydney reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time with a 6:2, 6:4, 4:6, 6:3 victory against the 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils. De Minaur had never gone further at a Major event before.
Olympic tennis champion Zverev attributed his Wimbledon elimination to his knee injury. However, he plans to be fully fit again before the Olympics. "I will win Paris," he said. He had "a bone tumor and a tear in the capsule," said the fourth-ranked player after his quarterfinal loss against the American Taylor Fritz at the Grand Slam tournament in London.
Novak Djokovic, the Serbian star and record Grand Slam winner, will face Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals, following his victorious match against Holger Rune. Alexander Zverev, who was considered a strong contender, was eliminated due to his knee injury, blaming it for his Wimbledon exit, but assuring that he aims to be fully fit for the Olympics.
