WIMBLEDON All the action and NOVAK’S HAPPY ENDING
NOVAK DJOKOVIC had no trouble or strife on Centre Court yesterday.
The No. 2 seed reached the fourth round in straight sets as he stayed on course for a final showdown with defending champion Andy Murray.
The super Serb, a three-time Wimbledon champion, is rumoured to have had marriage woes after BBC commentator John McEnroe insinuated problems with pregnant wife Jelena.
She was absent again at SW19 yesterday as the No.2 seed sailed into the last 16.
But his 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7-2) victory over Latvian Ernests Gulbis was the perfect message that all is well in the Djokovic world.
McEnroe had suggested otherwise, likening Djokovic to fallen golf star Tiger Woods whose career went downhill after his own marriage hit the rocks.
Comeback
But Djokovic showed he’s fully focused on being a Grand Slam champ again, especially after fending off a brave third set comeback attempt by Gulbis who was once world No.10 – but now languishes at 589.
Djokovic was once a serial winner with 12 Grand Slam titles to his name. But he’s not won one for more than a year since the French Open with private- life troubles rumoured to have scuppered his game.
There was little evidence of that – and when he won a third set tiebreak 7-2 to finally see off battling Gulbis he punched the air in delight as coach Andre Agassi looked on.
The world No.5 did have one tiff though – with umpire Jake Garner early in the first set after two calls that left the Serb telling the American official to “focus”.
“I think the umpire was frustrated with me,” said Djokovic.
“Maybe it was not the right word for me to use at that point but I apologised.”
Djokovic, who will now meet Frenchman Adrian Mannarino after his five set victory over Gael Monfils, shrugged off an early break by Gulbis to win the first set 6-4 with some powerful shots.
And he raced through the second set to take complete control. But Gulbis fought back in the third forcing the set to a tie break which Djokovic dominated to win. Said the Serb: “I am delighted with the performance because I thought I raised the level of tennis compared to the first matches. “This was the most focused I’ve been on court this week because playing Gulbis is a challenge.” THIRSTY punters will quaff approximately 263,712 glasses of Pimm’s and 35,986 bottles of champagne over the fortnight. Helping to wash down some 115,103 portions of strawberries and cream, 68,034 ice creams and 20,605 scones.