Novak Djokovic On Verge Of Wimbledon QFs, Play Suspended By Curfew | ATP Tour

Novak Djokovic is on the verge of reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals, however might want to return to the court docket Monday to finish the job in opposition to seventeenth seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Djokovic has been unable the crack the service sport of Hurkacz, who has nonetheless not misplaced serve within the event (58 service video games). Nevertheless, the second seed rallied from down a late mini-break in every of the 2 tie-breaks, saving three set factors within the first set for a 7-6(6), 7-6(6) lead.

Match referee Gerry Armstrong suspended play after the tip of the second set, at 10:35 p.m. native time, given it was most unlikely the match can be performed to a conclusion earlier than the 11 p.m. curfew.

[Suspense builds up…]@DjokerNole and @HubertHurkacz will come again tomorrow 💪Wimbledon?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@Wimbledon | Wimbledon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/MxAHr3s4kr

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 9, 2023

Hurkacz delivered a jaw-dropping show along with his first serve all through the primary two units, hitting 23 aces and successful 81 per cent of his first-serve factors. Each time he was in any bother, the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals competitor delivered a booming serve of greater than 130mph.

Nevertheless, Hurkacz struggled on return, successful simply 18 per cent of his receiving factors, which saved him from capitalising on his spectacular serving. Djokovic’s first serve was not as visually spectacular, however he gained 88 per cent of these factors.

Djokovic held onto his two service factors from 3/6 within the first-set tie-break to avoid wasting two set factors and put stress on his opponent. That paid dividends.

The 26-year-old Hurkacz crushed a 130mph first serve into the field on his third alternative, however missed his placement too removed from the T, permitting Djokovic to dam it again. Hurkacz then rolled a forehand into the web to let slip his alternative. The seventeenth seed made groundstroke errors in three consecutive factors to lose the set. 

Hurkacz did nicely to proceed holding onto his serve, regardless of Djokovic more and more incomes alternatives. At 3-4 0/40 within the second set, the Pole dug out of bother with three consecutive serves of a minimum of 134 mph. The ATP Tour’s clear 2023 chief in aces according to Infosys ATP Stats, Hurkacz delivered below service stress and saved all 5 break factors within the first two units. He even hit a backhand drop volley with a lot backspin, Djokovic crashed into the web.

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However Djokovic as soon as once more discovered a method to declare the tie-break regardless of trailing by a late mini-break. Hurkacz made a forehand unforced error to fall behind by two units and is now one set from trailing the seven-time Wimbledon champion 0-6 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence.

Djokovic is now 20-4 in tie-breaks this season and has gained 14 in a row on the majors, courting again to when he misplaced a tie-break to Enzo Couacaud within the second spherical of the Australian Open. If the 36-year-old advances, he’ll attain his 14th Wimbledon quarter-final, tying Jimmy Connors for second most males’s singles quarter-finals in event historical past behind solely Roger Federer (18).

The winner between Djokovic and Hurkacz will play seventh seed Andrey Rublev, who defeated Alexander Bublik in 5 units earlier within the day.

Did You Know?
That is the primary time Djokovic has gained the primary two units in tie-breaks at Wimbledon for the reason that 2007 quarter-finals, through which he defeated Marcos Baghdatis 7-6(4), 7-6(9), 6-7(3), 4-6, 7-5.