Wimbledon 2021: Novak Djokovic beats Denis Kudla to reach the quarterfinals, Diego Schwarzmann is suspended
Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak at Wimbledon to 17 matches, fending off a tough threat from qualifier Denis Kudla from the United States in consecutive sets in the 3rd round match in men’s singles on Friday. Djokovic defeated Kudla 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) to take the last 16 place at the championship.
Novak Djokovic was breezing through to a straight-set win at Court 1 after sealing the first two sets without breaking a sweat. However, he struggled to get going in the 3rd set, going down 0-3. Nonetheless, Djokovic fought back to force a tie-breaker.
In a surprising turn of events, Djokovic started the tie-breaker with two double faults, allowing Kudla to force a 4th set. The American qualifier had raised his game and was troubling Djokovic who looked a little wobbly. However, World No. 1 stormed back to take the set and match with a superb defensive display for the final point.
Djokovic and the Wimbledon crowd applauded Kudla as he made his way out of the court. Djokovic had 28 unforced errors after committing only six in the second round.
He will next face No. 17-seeded Cristian Garín of Chile, who beat Pedro Martínez 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in the 4th round on Monday.
Defending champion Djokovic has now won 17 consecutive matches at Wimbledon, where he is the two-time defending champion. He also stretched his Grand Slam record in 2021 to 17-0 after having won the Australian Open and the French Open.
Diego Schwartzmann knocked out
Unseeded Hungarian Marton Fucsovics beat ninth seed Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 to move into the second week of Wimbledon for the first time in his career. He will meet Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, 5th seed Russian Andrey Rublev booked a place in the second week of the tournament for the first time with a 6-3 5-7 6-4 6-2 win over Italian Fabio Fognini.
