logo
Wimbledon 2025: Djokovic beats Kecmanovic to enter last-16, follows Federer, Navratilova for unique record

Wimbledon 2025: Djokovic beats Kecmanovic to enter last-16, follows Federer, Navratilova for unique record

The Hindua day ago
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic roared his way to a rare century at the grasscourt Grand Slam on Saturday when he outclassed Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 and reached the fourth round in his quest for a record 25th major.
The sixth seed's stellar display ensured that he became only the third player to claim 100 match wins on the All England Club lawns after nine-time champion Martina Navratilova and eight-time winner Roger Federer.
'It's very historic. It sounds very nice. I'm very grateful, obviously, privileged to be in the position that I am,' the 38-year-old Djokovic said.
'I've said it many times. Tennis made me who I am, and has given me incredible things in life that I can experience. I try not to take anything for granted, particularly at this age, still going strong, still trying to compete with the young players.'
More from Wimbledon 2025: Sinner savages Martinez to reach Wimbledon last 16
'Wimbledon is a favourite and a dream tournament for not just me, but probably the majority of players. Growing up, most of the kids dream of playing here and winning here.
'I've been blessed to do it multiple times. Any history that I make in my favourite tournament, I'm blessed.'
Djokovic started and finished the opening set with aces and grabbed the decisive break during the see-sawing eighth game. At one point, he had the Centre Court crowd standing in ovation when he produced a spectacular diving winner at the net.
His 49th-ranked Davis Cup teammate cracked on serve in the opening game of the second set and allowed Djokovic to quickly reel off the games and double his advantage in what suddenly became a lopsided contest.
Kecmanovic raised his fist to applause when he stemmed the flow at the start of the third set, but a double fault gifted his opponent the break in the third game, and Djokovic overcame a slight wobble at the end to prevail.
More from Wimbledon 2025: Swiatek outclasses out-of-sorts Collins to reach Wimbledon fourth round
'I have enjoyed myself very much except maybe the last couple of games,' added Djokovic, who will take on Australian 11th seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals.
'A bit of tension in the end, I was 5-1 up and 15-30 and then 5-4, 15-30. Things got a bit complicated... It's never easy playing a friend and compatriot. Miomir is a super nice guy, someone that I have known for many years.
'We've faced each other on different surfaces, different courts. But more than rivals and competitors, we're friends and teammates. I wish him all the very best.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Djokovic And Sinner Face Tough Wimbledon Tests: 'So Quick And...'
Djokovic And Sinner Face Tough Wimbledon Tests: 'So Quick And...'

News18

time25 minutes ago

  • News18

Djokovic And Sinner Face Tough Wimbledon Tests: 'So Quick And...'

Last Updated: Djokovic and Sinner face tough Wimbledon matches, aiming for a semi-final clash. Djokovic plays de Minaur, Sinner meets Dimitrov. Swiatek faces Tauson in the women's draw. Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner face their toughest challenges yet on Monday as they strive to edge closer to a highly anticipated semi-final showdown at Wimbledon. Djokovic, aiming for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, is set to play against Australia's Alex de Minaur, while Sinner goes up against the skilled Grigor Dimitrov. In the women's draw, five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek takes centre stage, facing Clara Tauson in a wide-open field. 'Complete' De Minaur worries Djokovic Djokovic impressed by defeating compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4, much to the delight of his seven-year-old daughter Tara, who joined him in a celebratory post-match dance. Despite his dominance, the seven-time champion remains cautious about the challenges ahead, including potential matches against Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who has bested Djokovic in their last two finals. De Minaur, who had to withdraw from their quarter-final meeting at Wimbledon last year due to injury, now has another shot at one of the sport's legends. The world number 11 and two-time grass court title winner has only dropped one set on his journey to the last 16. 'He's playing the tennis of his life. He's definitely knocking on the door of the final stages of Grand Slams," Djokovic remarked. 'You're not super excited to play Alex de Minaur on grass, that's for sure, because he's so quick and he's a complete player." Although Jannik Sinner may not have Djokovic's or Alcaraz's Wimbledon credentials, the Italian has been the most commanding player in the men's draw during the opening week. The US Open and Australian Open champion has equalled the men's Open Era record for the fewest games lost—17—in reaching the fourth round, a record set by Jan Kodes in 1972. Sinner has also yet to lose his serve this year at the All England Club, but his next opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, remains undeterred. 'We're in the second week of Wimbledon. Let's have fun," said the 34-year-old Dimitrov, aware that his time on Grand Slam show courts may be limited. The Bulgarian, who appeared destined for Wimbledon glory when he made the semi-finals in 2014, has not progressed beyond the fourth round since. 'Smooth' Swiatek finds form on grass A rare defeat at the French Open has allowed Swiatek to finally feel at ease on grass, as the former world number one eyes her second Wimbledon quarter-final on Monday. Aryna Sabalenka beat Swiatek in the semi-finals at Roland Garros, ending the Polish player's run of four titles in five years, but the slightly earlier exit provided more time to adjust to the grass. Swiatek reached her first grass-court final in Bad Homburg last week and expressed optimism about her performance. 'This year on grass I had some moments where I just felt comfortable and I didn't have to think much. It was just pretty smooth." With many of the top six seeds, except Sabalenka, bowing out early, Swiatek could make it to the final without facing another top-10 player. With AFP Inputs First Published:

Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic sees his opportunity on grass
Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic sees his opportunity on grass

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Wimbledon 2025: Novak Djokovic sees his opportunity on grass

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after beating Daniel Evans of Britain during their second round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) London: The situation was diametrically different for Novak Djokovic last year. After limping out of the French Open with a torn meniscus on his right knee, he underwent surgery, which punctuated his immediate schedule with a question mark. Every other question, at least during the first week of Wimbledon , was related to injury, surgery and fitness. This year it has been all about his sparkling form. After flying to a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win over compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic to claim his 100th match win at SW19, the possibility of the superstar Serbian winning a historic 25th Major title is looking brighter than it has in a long time. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Djokovic, who won his last Major title at the 2023 US Open, is second only to the world No.1 Jannik Sinner in service stats this past week. The 38-year-old, who has spent almost seven hours on court, has been broken once so far, in the third round, winning 98 percent of his service games. Given the carnage of seeds in the early days, Alexandre Muller, the world No 41, is the highest ranked player Djokovic has played so far in the tournament, and that happened in the first round. He played Daniel Evans (154), and then Kecmanovic (49) in subsequent matches. 'I feel great physically, mentally sharp,' he said. 'Game-wise I'm playing as well as I can on grass.' Djokovic goes up against the world No.11 Alex de Minaur in the fourth round on Sunday, in what'll be a rematch of last year's quarterfinal match-up which the Aussie was forced to pull out of before a ball was struck. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Near the end of his fourth-round victory over Arthur Fils last year, De Minaur sustained a hip cartilage tear. 'There's two versions of myself, ' said De Minaur, who trails the head-to-head 1-2. 'Last year I was very confident and ready to kind of take on the world. I got stopped in my tracks. I would say the version that I am right now is a lot wiser. I think I'm more prepared mentally going into this next match.' 'It's amazing for him to still be showing up, still showing that fire. He's a player that can find motivation from anything, and that's extremely dangerous,' De Minaur said. 'You don't want to give him something to get motivated about because then you'll definitely see his absolute best side.' As good as De Minaur may be feeling, Djokovic is tipped to go through to at least the semi-finals, where he could play Sinner. During the tribute to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray joined the Spaniard on court. The Serb, the only one among the fab four, who is yet to retire, looked shaken. 'I was thinking about my end of the road,' he said later. For as long as the world No.6 continues in the sport, his best chance for a Major is Wimbledon, given his vast experience of dealing with the vagaries of playing on a slick natural surface, unlike the synthetic hard courts better suited for the younger generation. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.

Wimbledon 2025: USA's Taylor Fritz swiftly enters quarters; set to face Russia's Karen Khachanov
Wimbledon 2025: USA's Taylor Fritz swiftly enters quarters; set to face Russia's Karen Khachanov

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Wimbledon 2025: USA's Taylor Fritz swiftly enters quarters; set to face Russia's Karen Khachanov

Taylor Fritz of the U.S. reacts during his men's singles fourth round match against Jordan Thompson of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan) London: If Taylor Fritz is growing his grass court game, a Wimbledon show court is just the place to put it on display, which is exactly what the 6' 5'' American has been doing this past week. The fifth seed couldn't claim his 12th Tour-leading match win on grass this season in the manner he'd have wanted to, given that his opponent Jordan Thompson came into the fourth-round match, a tad battered. The Aussie was forced to retire with an apparent right thigh injury after just 10 games. The 31-year-old, playing with a heavy strapping, threw in the towel with the score reading 1-6, 0-3. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Fritz fittingly is back in the last eight at SW19 for a third time in four years. The American, who arrived in this leafy London suburb off the back of a record fourth Eastbourne title last week, was pushed to the limit in his opening two matches. The 27-yearold Californian rallied from the brink to defeat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets in the first round and then went the distance against Gabriel Diallo in round two. In the third round he put out Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four sets, totalling nine hours and 43 minutes on court through his first three matches. Fritz, who has won five Tourlevel titles on grass – the secondhighest total among active male players behind Novak Djokovic, who has won eight – had his first breakthrough on the surface in the juniors, making the semi-finals of the 2014 Junior Wimbledon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Option Trading Mastery: Mr. Gopal Shares His Laxman Rekha Strategy For Free TradeWise Learn More Undo 'I feel like a lot of parts of my game translates well (on grass),' Fritz said. 'I've experimented with different things on grass like returning, chipping, slicing, sometimes chipping and coming in on a low ball. I'm trying not to change my game too much, but I've made little tweaks that have helped me.' Fritz will look to go a step further than he has at Wimbledon when he plays the 17th seed Karen Khachanov in the last eight on Tuesday in what will be a clash of big servers. They've served a total of 121 aces in the tournament. Meanwhile, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova put out Briton's Sonay Kartal 7-6 (3), 6-4 in a match that became the talking point because the automated line-calling technology on Centre Court malfunctioned, failing to call Kartal's shot long. The point had to be replayed, costing the Russian a game in the first set. Pavlyuchenkova was at game point at 4-4. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame the challenge of Belgian Elise Mertens, coming through 6-4, 7-6 (4). For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store