Novak drops a set, brings Centre Court back to life
DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic overcame an early fright to fend off British teenager Jack Draper 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and launch his quest for a sixth title as Wimbledon returned after a two-year absence yesterday.
The first match on Centre Court since Djokovic's nail-biting victory over Roger Federer in the 2019 final - 716 days ago - was a classic David v Goliath clash.
And while there was to be no dream Grand Slam debut for 19-yearold Draper, the match proved the perfect way to bring Centre Court back to life after it's enforced silence.
Djokovic has never lost a grand slam match to a player ranked as low as world No 253 Draper, but looked a little stunned as he struggled to find his footing on the greasy turf and contain the fearless hitting of the Briton.
Grand Slam main draw debutant Draper broke serve in the third game and made a mockery of his inexperience to win the opening set to huge roars from the crowd.
Twice Djokovic found himself on his backside in the first set and with the roof closed because of the rain that delayed play on the outside courts, the stage looked perfect for a Wimbledon shock of monumental proportions.
But Djokovic is not a 19-time grand
slam champion for nothing and the Serb quickly snuffed out the danger, levelling the match by dominating a 26-minute second set.
When Draper completely missed an overhead to drop serve in the second set, Djokovic roared in relief.
From that point on it was straightforward enough for Djokovic who looked immaculate as he completed his victory.
“It feels great seeing everyone and being back on the most sacred tennis court in the world,” Djokovic, who is bidding to win a record-equalling 20th grand slam title, said on court.
“It was very sad last year that Wimbledon was cancelled but really glad
the sport is back.”
Meanwhile, second seed Aryna Sabalenka struck a barrage of winners to blitz past Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu 6-1, 6-4 yesterday and reach the second round of Wimbledon.
The withdrawal of Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep from the grasscourt grand slam meant world No 4 Sabalenka is at her highest seeding at a major.
“In the beginning I was really nervous to open the Wimbledon and also be first playing on first court,” Sabalenka said afterwards.
“I was nervous a little bit because I haven't played in the stadiums at
Wimbledon.
“The atmosphere there was unbelievable. I was nervous about the surface because I never played on the new grass ... I didn't really know what to expect.”
Nerves, however, did not have an impact on her game as the 23-yearold, 10 years younger than 191-ranked Niculescu, produced winners at will off both forehand and backhand to leave Niculescu powerless and rooted to the baseline during the match.
Elsewhere, American Frances Tiafoe dumped third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas out of the tournament with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 as the Greek became the first big casualty at SW19 yesterday.