The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court – 12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer. “It is really special to feel this tradition”. “It was a wonderful experience”.
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Djokovic presently holds all four Grand Slam trophies and Williams is one Slam away from tying the record of 22 held by Steffi Graf. Having won the Australian Open and French Open, he’s also seeking to become the first man to capture the first three legs of a calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver swept all four majors in 1969.
Djokovic now holds all four majors and is targeting becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar Grand Slam, a feat only achieved three times in the sport’s history. “That’s something that keeps me grounded, gives me more reason to practice”. When I was playing Djokovic I didn’t have much time to play my game.
Regarding the match against the English James Ward, Djokovic told BBC Sports that is was not ease to break James serve because of his precision. “I think I came up with the best game when it was most needed in all three sets”. The game ended with Muguruza breaking for a 2-1 lead when Giorgi hit a forehand into the net.
If. Didn’t. And so Djokovic advanced, as he was always going to in his first match since the emotional French Open triumph that completed his grand slam set.
Five-time women’s champion Venus Williams had a stiff test, overcoming Donna Vekic of Croatia 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.
“Honestly, I don’t feel any pressure”, Williams said Sunday in her Wimbledon news conference in London.
With Rafael Nadal missing this year’s Wimbledon due to a wrist injury and Roger Federer struggling for a major in last four years, second-ranked Andy Murray remains Djokovic’s only serious contender for the upcoming tournament. “It’s inevitable to face this kind of sensation as a top player, being expected to do well”.
The Serbian world number one looked at ease on one of his favourite courts and dominated from start to finish on his way to a 6-0, 7-6, 6-4 win.
Among the seeded men who advanced: No. 5 Kei Nishikori, No. 6 Milos Raonic, No. 9 Marin Cilic, No. 11 David Goffin, No. 13 David Ferrer, No. 16 Gilles Simon, No. 23 Ivo Karlovic and No. 27 Jack Sock.
“It’s going to be the first match on the untouched grass”, he said. Kevin Anderson, a South African seeded 20th, lost later in five sets to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.
Women’s winners included No 14 Samantha Stosur and former finalist Sabine Lisicki, while No 25 Irina-Camelia Bergu of Romania was ousted in straight sets by Carina Witthoeft of Germany. “There are plenty of requests each year for Wimbledon towels particularly”.
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The world number eight, playing in a record-equalling 71st Grand Slam, will play Greek qualifier Maria Sakkari for a place in the third round.
