Novak Djokovic Advances to Wimbledon Fourth Round with Comeback Victory.
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic came from a set down to secure his place in the Wimbledon fourth round, defeating Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. Djokovic, who holds 24 Grand Slam titles, triumphed 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) on Centre Court after a slow start.
Djokovic will next face Holger Rune, the Danish 15th seed, who also mounted a comeback to prevail over Frenchman Quentin Halys in five sets after trailing by two.
“A very challenging match, I think mentally as well, to hang in there,” said Djokovic. “I was not allowed to have too big concentration lapses. I think I’ve done well in that regard. That was one of the best tie-breaks I’ve played this year, that’s for sure.”
Popyrin, who had never progressed beyond the second round in four previous Wimbledon visits, took the first set with a break of serve in game seven. However, a lengthy break to close the roof before the second set worked in Djokovic’s favour, as the Serb began to find his rhythm.
The 37-year-old, still sporting a knee support following surgery in June, broke Popyrin in the fourth game of the second set. The match was briefly interrupted when fans celebrated England’s victory over Switzerland on penalties to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals. Both players saw the funny side, with Djokovic mimicking kicking a football and Popyrin raising his arms to imitate a save.
Djokovic wrapped up the second set with his 1,000th ace in men’s singles at Wimbledon, becoming the sixth male player to achieve this feat. Momentum remained with Djokovic in the third set, breaking Popyrin in the first game and dropping just three points on serve before sealing the set with another ace. The fourth set was much tighter, requiring a tie-break to decide the match.
“I didn’t expect anything less than what we experienced on the court today from Alexei,” Djokovic added. “With that serve and powerful forehand, he’s dangerous on any surface. I knew he was in form and he was going to come out believing he can win. He was the better player in the first set. I think I played a good second and third and the fourth was anybody’s game.”
Ben Shelton Ready for the Challenge Ahead
Meanwhile, American 14th seed Ben Shelton is “100% ready to go the distance” after coming through a third successive five-set match to reach the Wimbledon fourth round. Shelton defeated 2021 semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2 on Court One.
Shelton will next face world number one Jannik Sinner on Sunday. Despite the daunting task, Shelton remains confident. “I’m really excited about facing the Italian and always confident in my abilities, no matter who is on the other side of the net,” he said. Shelton has followed in the footsteps of his father and coach Bryan, who reached the last 16 at Wimbledon 30 years ago.
Other Notable Results
Elsewhere, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev set up a meeting with 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov after beating German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-3). Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard became the fifth lucky loser in the Open era to reach the fourth round, defeating Emil Ruusuvuori 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
German fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who defeated Britain’s Cameron Norrie, will face Taylor Fritz in the fourth round after the American 13th seed won 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-5 against Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo.
Frenchman Ugo Humbert defeated American Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (11-9) 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (8-6) and will play defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut overcame Italy’s Fabio Fognini in another five-setter, winning 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-5 6-7 (1-7) 4-6, and will play American 12th seed Tommy Paul on Sunday.
Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur was handed a walkover when Frenchman Lucas Pouille withdrew with an abdominal injury before their third-round match. De Minaur will meet Arthur Fils in round four after the unseeded Frenchman beat Russia’s Roman Safiullin 4-6 6-3 1-6 6-4 6-3.
