Djokovic thumps king of clay Nadal to enter third round
The two greats of the racquet game, both in the evening of their fabulous journey in tennis, have fought many a pitched battle between themselves in their glittering careers.
Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic topped Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam event for the 10th time.
The Serb committed just a dozen unforced errors on Monday and hit 29 winners to dispatch Khachanov as night fell on the All England Club, reports Efe.
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Next up for Djokovic, the tournament’s 12th seed, will be Kei Nishikori of Japan who defeated Ernests Gulbis 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6, (10), 6-1 in a gruelling contest that went on for three hours and 28 minutes.
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“I’m very pleased,” Djokovic said after the victory.
“He started off with a break. He made a couple of great shots but I managed to break and get back into the set. He’s got weapons, a big first serve and a big forehand, but I managed to get serves back and make him play another shot,” he added.
With a 10th appearance in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Djokovic moves into a tie with Andy Murray behind Roger Federer (16), Jimmy Connors (14) and Boris Becker (11).
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