Wimbledon 2023 LIVE! Djokovic battles previous Hurkacz on Centre Court
H
urkacz vs Djokovic LIVE!
Novak Djokovic took management of his fourth-round match towards Hubert Hurkacz final night time earlier than the Wimbledon curfew halted play, leaving him with work nonetheless to do on Centre Court because the match resumes this afternoon.
After Andrey Rublev after which Iga Swiatek emerged victorious on the finish of lengthy battles earlier on Sunday, Djokovic and Hurkacz arrived on court docket understanding they’d slightly over two hours to provide a consequence in the event that they had been to keep away from being referred to as again for additional time.
Djokovic nearly beat the clock when seeing off Stan Wawrinka within the third spherical, however regardless of a succession of swift service video games, he couldn’t handle a repeat right here. Two tie-breaks meant play was halted 25 minutes earlier than the 11pm curfew, with the defending champion 7-6 7-6 up and nicely on target to make it 43 straight wins because the pair return to court docket. Follow all of the motion with Standard Sport’s devoted LIVE weblog under!
Live updates
Game, set and match!
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 4-6 Djokovic
Hurkacz challenges, as if he’s the one one on Centre who didn’t see the puff of chalk because the serve hit the road. Bit of a determined one.
Another first serve doesn’t come again, 30-0. And one other one, 40-0. Djokovic motoring to the end line, three match factors.
Hurkacz unable to make the move down the road, and that can do it! Djokovic by means of to the quarter-finals in 4 units.
Over to you, Novak…
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 4-5* Djokovic
Here we go – Hurkacz serving to remain within the match.
Djokovic although is beginning to discover his vary, return drops proper on the toes of Hurkacz and he can do nothing with it. And that’s then disastrous from the Pole – loses the ball within the wind as Djokovic lobs it up, swivels because it bounces and finally sends the overhead miles extensive. 15-30.
That although is sensible. Djokovic couldn’t have accomplished extra with the move crosscourt, however Hurkacz flicks it over the online completely on the half volley.
Two aces and that’s a maintain. Djokovic will serve for it.
Djokovic a sport away
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *3-5 Djokovic
Hurkacz wants a really swift response. Two tame returns that don’t hassle Djokovic not fairly what was required, 30-0.
The defending champion strains up for the volley after one other good serve down the T, realises on the final second it’s floating lengthy and leaves simply in time.
It’s a maintain to like, Hurkacz frames the most recent return and it flies up, finally touchdown a few inches past the baseline.
Djokovic breaks!
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 3-4* Djokovic
That was an opportunity for Djokovic, neutralises the serve and will get right into a baseline alternate, however Hurkacz involves the online and the drop volley is nice sufficient.
Not this time! A drop shot battle leaves Hurkacz in management, however he doesn’t get sufficient on the lob that follows and Djokovic places away the smash. 15-30. And now two break factors! Flicks the backhand move past Hurkacz and Djokovic has his alternative.
One saved, Djokovic acquired to the drop volley however can’t fairly make the move this time. 30-40. Ace – deuce!
Another break level arising although, Hurkacz can solely lob the ball up and Djokovic holds his nerve with the overhead because the wind swirls.
TAKEN. Hurkacz blinks first within the rally and Djokovic has the essential, essential break.
Nothing in it
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *3-3 Djokovic
Poor backhand from Djokovic, adopted up with back-to-back aces although as he takes again management of the sport.
Better motion too, as much as the online and he places the volley away behind Hurkacz, 40-15.
Third ace of the sport, this one out extensive and it’s nonetheless on serve within the fourth. It’s getting very tense…
More of the identical
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 3-2* Djokovic
Serve and volley continues to ship for Hurkacz. 135mph, smash on the internet… a reasonably respectable mixture.
Djokovic nonetheless not profiting from the occasions he does get right into a rally, forehand despatched midway up the online. Plenty of annoyed appears to be like up at his field.
He does very well to get the most recent large serve again in play, however Hurkacz is ready and the forehand that follows is nice sufficient.
No signal of a break
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *2-2 Djokovic
Loose sport from Hurkacz, unable to place any actual strain on the Djokovic serve up to now on this set.
That’s wild from the Pole, backhand return is miles lengthy and the defending champion as soon as once more ranges issues up within the fourth.
And one other maintain
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 2-1* Djokovic
Djokovic at the least will get this first-serve return again in play, nevertheless it sits up for Hurkacz and he places the forehand away.
Game is prolonged as Hurkacz chucks in a double fault from nowhere, and Djokovic now has a little bit of curiosity at 40-30 as Hurkacz sends a slice low into the online.
But that’s a reasonably poor slice from Djokovic too, shake of the pinnacle and Hurkacz has his maintain.
Djokovic ranges it up
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *1-1 Djokovic
Hurkacz appears to be like for the large backhand winner down the road, doesn’t fairly make it. Not far off.
Puff of chalk as the primary serve clips the road, Hurkacz immobile as an ace offers Djokovic a routine, and much-needed, maintain.
Hurkacz makes assured begin to fourth
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 1-0* Djokovic
Djokovic goes to have actual issues if this sample doesn’t change. Hurkacz racing by means of the service video games, unforced errors from an apparently very uncomfortable Djokovic.
He’s down after lunging after the most recent massive serve, regarded awkward however a thumbs up from the defending champion. And a hand up from Hurkacz, lucky internet wire seals a gap maintain within the fourth.