Novak Djokovic reached the third round at Wimbledon for the 16th time. A seven-time All England Club champion defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours for a place in the third round. Djokovic played much better than against Soonwoo Kwon in the opening round, controlling the pace on serve and return and sailing into the last 32.
The Serb fired 29 winners and 14 unforced errors and faced only one break point in the encounter’s final game. World no. 1 took 45% of the return points and grabbed five breaks that carried him over the top. Djokovic made a strong start and dropped only four points behind the initial shot in the opening set.
Kokkinakis failed to follow that pace and got broken twice from five chances offered to world no. 1. Novak broke at 15 in the encounter’s second game after Thanasi’s forehand mistake. The Aussie reduced the deficit to 3-1 before the Serb grabbed his second break in game six to open a 5-1 gap.
Djokovic held at love in game seven to wrap up the opener and gain a boost.
Novak Djokovic defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets at Wimbledon.
Thanasi raised his level in set number two but could only do a little against Novak’s 13 winners and three unforced errors.
The Serb did not face a break point while creating six chances on the return. He broke the younger rival in the third game with a volley winner at the net and earned four set points on the return at 5-3. Kokkinakis stayed calm and fended them off to reduce the deficit and extend the battle.
Djokovic clinched the set on his serve in the next one with a service winner for a 6-1, 6-4 advantage in an hour and 21 minutes. The Serb did everything right behind the initial shot in the third set, and the pressure was always on the Aussie.
Novak secured an early break in the opening game and forged a 4-1 lead with another in game five after Thanasi’s backhand error. Djokovic served for the victory at 5-2 and hit a double fault to face the first break point. He saved it with a well-constructed attack and sealed the deal with a service winner to emerge at the top.
