Djokovic keen to take centre stage “
LONDON Being scheduled to play last on Court One on Manic Monday is something Novak Djokovic is getting rather used to - and also getting rather fed up with.
A year after his 2017 fourth round match was postponed by 24 hours into what is a designated rest day for the men, he narrowly avoided suffering the same fate again.
With South African Kevin Anderson taking almost 3-1/2 hours to tame French showman Gael Monfils in a four-set thriller in the previous match, Djokovic was left with about two hours of daylight to complete his match against Karen Khachanov if wanted to avoid coming back on Tuesday again.
It was not until he walked off court after booking his place in the quarter-finals that he heard how close he had come to being bumped off Mondays schedule.
Post-match I heard that the organisers were planning to cancel my match if Monfils and Anderson went to a fifth. Luckily for me it didnt happen, Djokovic said after he romped to a 6-4 6-2 6-2 win to reach the last eight for a 10th time.
The last couple of games I couldnt really see the ball very clearly, it was getting very dark... so I had to hang in there.
Djokovic was kept waiting in the wings till after 7pm local time before he could start swinging his racket against the Russian but there was no stopping the Serb once he got on court.
Fading light
Although he was broken twice in the opening set, Djokovic was rattling through the games at supersonic speed.
With the light fading fast, the 12th seed timed the conclusion to perfection, sealing victory at 8.50pm on his third match point after Khachanov dumped a tired backhand into the net to end a 20stroke rally.
But it was the organisers decision not to move his match to Centre Court, where the three scheduled singles matches had already finished long before Anderson and Monfils came off court, that irked Djokovic.
A year ago, officials refused to move Djokovics match with Adrian Mannarino on to Centre even though the court sat empty, while on Monday they opted to give priority to a mixed doubles encounter once Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal had all swiftly booked their quarter-final berths.
Asked if he had expected to be switched to Centre, where matches can go on till 11pm under floodlights, the three-times Wimbledon champion said: Of course, its always an option.
Its what I wished for. Like last year, I received the information that they cant reschedule my match on the other court because of the tickets that are presold. I guess there are other factors that play in.
Being made to play his fourth round and quarter-final matches on successive days cost Djokovic dear last July as he not only ended up retiring hurt from in his lasteight contest but also had to call time on his 2017 season.
Ostapenko in semis
Jelena Ostapenko became the first Latvian woman to reach a Wimbledon semi-final as the former French Open champion beat Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 64 yesterday.
Just four years ago, Ostapenko was winning the junior Wimbledon title and now the youngest player left in the womens singles is only one win away from the final.
Ostapenko hasnt dropped a set in her first five matches after the 12th seed battled past Slovakian world number 33 Cibulkova on Court One.
Ostapenkos second Grand Slam semi-final appearance will be against former Wimbledon finalist Angelique Kerber on Thursday.
Speaking after her win, Ostapenko revealed she is playing with more freedom now she no longer has the pressure of defending the title in Paris, where she was knocked out in the first round last month.
Its really great to be in the semis. Im just enjoying being here, Ostapenko said.
Dominika was playing great, but Im fighting until the end and Im gaining more confidence.
Ostapenko also admitted she needed ice on her leg in between games after slapping herself with her hand in frustration at a missed chance.
I hit myself when I missed a shot. It was too hard so I had to ice it, she added. REUTERS/AFP
The last couple of games I couldnt really see the ball very clearly, it was getting very dark... so I had to hang in there.