Novak Djokovic struggles past big-serving Pole Hurkacz in four sets as Wimbledon champ admits to having ‘miserable’ time
NOVAK DJOKOVIC remains in the hunt for an eighth Wimbledon title after finally dispatching of Polish giant Hubert Hurkacz in a delayed last-16 tussle.
The Serbian’s 100th Wimbledon match was certainly a memorable one because it started late on Sunday night and then finished on Monday afternoon.
Djokovic, 36, had led 7-6 7-6 on Centre Court overnight but he and Hurkacz, 26, were told by tournament referee Gerry Armstrong to pack their bags and return to duty on what used to be known as Manic Monday.
The pair had been denied an all-nighter by the 11pm curfew, which has been in place since the £100million roof was built in 2009.
World No.18 Hurkacz, who fired down 33 aces in four sets and found plenty of success at the net, earned a measure of respectability by winning the third set.
But any hope of a famous five-set upset were ruined when Djokovic claimed set four thanks to a break in game seven to prevail 7-6 7-6 5-7 6-4.
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The world No.2 is unbeaten on this court for 10 years and has now stretched his winning streak in the tournament to 32 matches since 2018.
Hurkacz, who is 6ft 5in, had three set points in the first set but choked in the vital moments, which enabled the defending champion to establish a vital stranglehold in this tie.
Djokovic now faces Russian Andrey Rublev in a 14th quarter-final appearance and only Roger Federer – whose tally of eight victories he is chasing – has had more last-eight notches (18).
The Belgrade battler said: “Big credit to Hubert for playing an amazing match. Tough luck for him. He put up a great performance.
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“Honestly, I don’t recall the last time I felt this miserable on returning games to be honest due to his incredibly accurate and powerful serve.
“I mean he has got one of the best serves in the world and it is so difficult to read it.
“Playing on the quickest surface in sport, a grass court, it really favours the big servers.
“So, it was not an enjoyable match for me I must say. But I guess in the important moments, yesterday and last night, I was fortunate to win that first set. I was 6-3 down in the tie-break.
“This match definitely could have gone a different way. But I guess I held my nerve when it mattered and I am happy to win.
“I do a great connection with the court. Every match I win, the next time I step on the court I feel more comfortable and confident to play. Hopefully the love affair keeps going for a long time.”
