Djokovic sizzles in London heat
WIMBLEDON Djokovic outclasses Pavlasek to reach third round; Kvitova comeback cut short, Pliskova dumped out too
Novak Djokovic shrugged off sweltering 30-degree heat to breeze past outclassed Adam Pavlasek 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 and reach the Wimbledon third round on Thursday.
The three-time champion brushed aside the 136rd-ranked Czech on Court One to make the last-32 for the ninth year in succession.
Djokovic, the second seed whose shock third round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon 12 months ago precipitated a worrying decline in form, will next face either Juan Martin del Potro or Ernests Gulbis.
“It was a very warm day, it wasn’t easy to play point after point and some long rallies,” said Djokovic as his comfortable Wimbledon continued following a first round in which opponent Martin Klizan had retired hurt after just 40 minutes.
“But overall, from the very beginning I managed to impose my own rhythm and play the game I intended to play.
“I feel better as the days go by in Wimbledon. I’ve been in this particular situation before many times and I’ll try to use the experience to get myself in the right shape.”
Meanwhile, the injuries continued to pile up at Wimbledon when Belgium’s Steve Darcis, who famously knocked out Rafael Nadal four years ago, retired at 3-0 down to David Ferrer. Darcis needed a medical time-out on his injured groin before quitting one point later.
Eight men and one woman have now retired from their singles matches.
Fourth seed Nadal, fresh from winning a historic 10th French Open, had a comfortable ride against fellow left-hander Donald Young of the United States, the Spaniard winning 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 late on Wednesday.
He faces Russian 30th seed Karen Khachanov next. “I’m happy now, it’s great to be back in the third round without losing a set,” Nadal said.
“I take it easy now, just trying to enjoy every moment. I’m having a great season.”
Latvian Ernests Gulbis deprived Wimbledon of a sequel to one of the best men’s singles matches in recent years when he knocked out Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday. A high-octane clash between Del Potro and three-times champion Novak Djokovic looked likely in the third round, stoking memories of their epic 2013 semi-final, but Latvian Gulbis had other ideas. He won 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3). Two-time champion Petra Kvitova, the bookmakers’ title favourite, lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to Madison Brengle of the United States. Kvitova, playing in her second Grand Slam since recovering from a terrifying knife attack in her home, needed medical assistance during the third set.
“I just could not breathe, and I was feeling a bit sick,” the Czech 11th seed said. “I felt like an animal. But a very slow animal.”
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka, playing her first Grand Slam tournament since giving birth to first child Leo in December, knocked out Russian 15th seed Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-3.
She hopes to become the first mother to win the Wimbledon singles since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
Czech third seed and pre-tournament favourite Karolina Pliskova was dumped out in the second round on Thursday, with Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova beating her 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Centre Court. America’s Bethanie MattekSands was stretchered off the court screaming in pain after suffering a serious knee injury during her second-round match against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea . The Woman’s Tennis Association later said she had suffered an acute knee injury and had been taken to hospital.
Mattek-Sands appeared to slip as she approached the net at the beginning of the third set then collapsed awkwardly to the grass. After a moment’s silence she suddenly screamed out in pain, then shouted “help me,” clutching her right leg.
Mattek-Sands continued to cry out in pain as everybody around the court initially seemed stunned.
Medical personnel then attended and she was treated by doctors on the court for more than 20 minutes and given oxygen and an injection.
Still clearly in pain she continued to scream out. “It hurts, hurts so much.”