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Novak Djokovic survives medical scare at Wimbledon as he books second-round clash with resurgent Brit ace Dan Evans

Novak Djokovic survives medical scare at Wimbledon as he books second-round clash with resurgent Brit ace Dan Evans

The Irish Suna day ago
NOVAK DJOKOVIC thanked some "miracle pills" for helping him defy the dreaded Wimbledon curfew to get his bid for a 25th Grand Slam underway.
The Serbian star, ranked six in the world, will face Britain's Dan Evans in the second round after battling past Alexandre Muller.
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Novak Djokovic came through a four-setter against Alexandre Muller
Credit: EPA
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Djokovic, 38, sends a heart symbol to the Centre Court crowd
Credit: Reuters
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Djokovic required a medical time out
Credit: AP
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The Serbian superstar was not always comfortable on Centre Court
Credit: AFP
Djokovic has expressed his frustration at Wimbledon's unique 11pm curfew before and at times it looked like he would be back for the end of the first round on Wednesday morning.
Djokovic stormed the first set against the world No41, who has made money from posting risque snaps on OnlyFans.
In a rush to get things done before the roof closed, the seven-time champion cruised to a 6-1 victory in the opening set.
But Muller, who has dubbed himself France's sexiest tennis star, bit back.
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Throughout a stunning second-set tie-break performance Muller survived two set points as Djokovic toiled.
The Serb looked dejected and soon needed a medical timeout, while his opponent also needed attention from the physio.
With the roof now shut and a curfew looming, Djokovic started to go through the gears, taking the third set 6-2 and breaking Muller early in the fourth.
The Serb said: "It is great to finish tonight, before the curfew.
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Muller played some brilliant tennis at times on Centre Court
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"I went from feeling my absolute best for the first set and a half to my absolute worst.
"Whether it was a stomach bug or not, the energy came back after the doctors' miracle pills.
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Coco Gauff, 21, OUT in first-round in biggest shock at this year's Wimbledon against Ukraine sensation Dayana Yastremska
"I knew that something was off with the stomach, credit to Alex for playing some really good tennis.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I had a chance. I always have a chance."
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