Djokovic Turns the Tables After Rocky Start
The Centre Court crowd was buzzing, sensing a possible upset as Alex de Minaur raced through the first set, breaking Novak Djokovic’s usually rock-solid serve three times. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champ, seemed flat as the wind swirled and forced more errors than usual. Fans wondered: was age or the weather finally getting to the legendary Serbian?
But Djokovic isn’t known for rolling over. From the start of the second set, you could see him dial in—chopping down on his unforced errors and playing the percentages. He wasn’t just relying on power, instead using his court sense to force De Minaur out wide and open the court for easy finishes. Where De Minaur was dancing and retrieving everything early on, by the middle of the second set, Djokovic dictated play, moving his opponent around with precise groundstrokes.
Key Moments Shift the Momentum
De Minaur had his chance to really shift the match in the second set. At 4-5, he held a few precious break points but Djokovic’s serve came alive at the right time, helping him fend off the danger and eventually clinch the set 6-4. Those missed chances clearly hurt De Minaur, who started showing frustration as Djokovic settled into his groove.
The third set followed a similar script: De Minaur pushed for the early advantage but couldn’t keep Djokovic contained. The wind was still causing havoc, but Djokovic’s experience showed—slowing rallies and focusing on consistency. With every passing game, the Serbian looked stronger.
The drama didn’t let up in the fourth. Down 1-4, Djokovic found another gear. He rattled off five straight games, breaking the Australian’s spirit and finishing the job 6-4. The match totaled three hours and eighteen minutes of hard-fought tennis—classic Wimbledon fare.
This win gives Djokovic his 16th Wimbledon quarter-final appearance, adding yet another record to his already incredible career. The fact that he managed to pull through after such a terrible start and braving tricky conditions speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
- Djokovic hit fewer baseline errors after the first set
- De Minaur failed to convert four break points in crucial moments
- Djokovic landed 70% of his first serves in the final two sets
It’s a harsh blow for De Minaur, who missed last year’s quarters due to a hip injury. He came into this year’s tournament in great rhythm and served well for much of the match, but couldn’t take his chances when it mattered.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will take on 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in the next round. Cobolli’s four-set win over the dangerous Marin Čilić was no fluke, so Djokovic will need his trademark focus and competitive fire once again if he wants a shot at one more Wimbledon crown. It’s Wimbledon—anything can happen, but if today proved anything, it’s that Djokovic isn’t done rewriting history just yet.
