Novak Djokovic is back in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 16th time, grinding past Australia’s Alex de Minaur 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a high-intensity fourth-round clash that tested the Serbian’s patience and precision.
Playing on Centre Court under swirling winds, the seven-time champion made a sluggish start, losing the first set in just 29 minutes. De Minaur was sharp early, breaking Djokovic thrice and dominating from the baseline.
Last year, De Minaur was forced to withdraw ahead of his quarter-final clash against Djokovic at SW19 due to a hip injury sustained late in his fourth-round win against Arthur Fils.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion regrouped, saving crucial break points at 4-5 in the second set and gradually turned the tide with clean hitting and smart court coverage. Djokovic’s experience showed as he rallied from 1-4 down in the fourth set, outlasting the Australian in long rallies and slicing exchanges.
“It wasn’t a great start for me. He broke my serve three times. Very windy conditions. But I managed to reset. That second set was a momentum shift,” Djokovic said after the win, which took 3 hours and 18 minutes.
The victory marks Djokovic’s 101st match win at Wimbledon, second only to Roger Federer’s 105. Federer, watching from the Royal Box, even drew a quip from the Serb:
“Sometimes I wish I had his serve-and-volley touch. That would’ve helped,” Djokovic said with a smile.
Djokovic will next face Flavio Cobolli, who beat veteran Marin Cilic in four sets. With three more wins, Djokovic could not only clinch a record 25th Grand Slam title, but also match Federer’s eight Wimbledon crowns.
