On the men’s side at Wimbledon, the usual suspects cruise into the second week.
LONDON — As usual, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are playing well at Wimbledon, leading the way into Week 2.
“It’s their turf,” said Ernests Gulbis, who stood in Djokovic’s way in the third round but failed to present much of an obstacle. “It’s their home court.” Indeed, it is. Not since Lleyton Hewitt won the championship 15 years ago has someone other than Federer (a record-equaling seven titles in that span), Djokovic (three), Nadal (two) or Murray (two) left Wimbledon with the men’s singles title. In addition, that socalled Big Four accounts for eight runner-up finishes during that stretch.
Count Federer among those shrugging at the quartet’s success this fortnight, with only one set dropped among the lot.
“I thought that everybody this week was going to find their form, especially speaking about Andy and Novak,” said Federer. “With me, I hoped I was going to be there. Whereas, with Rafa’s confidence, I thought he was also going to be there. So I’m not that surprised. But it’s great.”
This Grand Slam season has been like old times.
Federer revived
Following a period in which Djokovic, then current No. 1 Murray overtook Federer and Nadal in the rankings, and started regularly appearing in — and winning — major finals, the latter two have reasserted themselves.
First, Federer returned from missing the last half of 2016 while letting his surgically repaired left knee heal and has been as impressive as he’s been in quite some time. He won his first Grand Slam title in 4½ years at the Australian Open, beating long-time rival Nadal in the final.
If that was the first indication that Nadal, 31, was truly back after his own health issues, another one came at the French Open, where he won his record 10th trophy in fantastic fashion, not dropping a single set. He’s run his
consecutive-sets streak at majors to 28, tying his personal best and, in the Open era, behind only Federer’s run of 36 from 2006-07 and John McEnroe’s 35 in 1984.
“Against Rafa,” said the man he defeated in the third round, 30th-seeded Karen Khachanov, “if you give him time, he can destroy you.”
As Federer alluded to, it’s been Djokovic, 30, and Murray, 30, who arrived at the All England Club having been less than their best this season.
Djokovic rejuvenated
But, with Andre Agassi and Mario Ancic in his coaching corner, Djokovic seems rejuvenated. Defending champion Murray is the only member of the foursome who hasn’t won every set he’s played in the tournament. Against Fabio Fognini in the third round, he ceded one and saved five set points.
“I came through the juniors with all these guys,” Federer said. “It’s nice to see them still hanging on, still enjoying the tour.”