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

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

Djokovic has been unable the crack the service recreation of Hurkacz, who has nonetheless not misplaced serve within the event (58 service video games). Nonetheless, 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.

Event 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 could 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 together 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 hassle, the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals competitor delivered a booming serve of greater than 130mph.

Nonetheless, 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 received 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 strain 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 online to let slip his alternative. The seventeenth seed made groundstroke errors in three consecutive factors to lose the set.

Hurkacz did effectively 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 hassle with three consecutive serves of not less than 134 mph. The ATP Tour’s clear 2023 chief in aces according to Infosys ATP StatsHurkacz delivered beneath service strain 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 online.

<img src="https://www.atptour.com/-/media/pictures/information/2023/07/09/22/07/djokovic-wimbledon-2023-sunday-net.jpg?w=100percent25&hash=747D85CD924CFBF16B2AF669090DE328" alt="Novak Djokovic” style=”width: 100%;” />^{Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}
But Djokovic once again found a way to claim the tie-break despite trailing by a late mini-break. Hurkacz made a forehand unforced error to fall behind by two sets and is now one set from trailing the seven-time Wimbledon champion 0-6 of their Lexus ATP Head2Head collection.

Djokovic is now 20-4 in tie-breaks this season and has received 14 in a row on the majors, relationship 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 Rublevwho defeated Alexander Bublik in 5 units earlier within the day.

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