Djokovic Streaks Into Wimbledon Week 2, Korda Climbing, Murray Falls; Federer Back Sat.

Novak Djokovic cruised into a 13th Wimbledon week two beating qualifier Denis Kudla 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7). The tournament favorite, though, had to recover from a 4-2 final set hole to the American and came break from being down a set point in the breaker.

But Djokovic has now won his last 17 matches at Wimbledon and last 17 in Slams as he continues his chase for history.

“I had to slow down the pace in the game because he was really handling the flat ball well from the back of the court. He has really good balance,” Djokovic said. “I think his backhand and forehand as well are pretty flat. He moves around pretty well on the grass-court surface. He’s a really good player.”

Up next will be Chilean Cristian Garin who ousted Pedro Martinez. Djokovic will hope for some better play.

“I can’t say that I’m too pleased with the way I performed. I felt like today I was a bit off, especially with serving,” Djokovic said. “Usually serve worked really well in the first two matches, and generally my serve is a weapon. It wasn’t today.

“Obviously in some parts of the match it was good, but generally it wasn’t that great of a rhythm that I had with that part of my game. But it is what it is. I don’t want to talk about negatives. I just won in straight sets.”

Russians Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev were also winners. Khachanov stopped Frances Tiafoe in straights while Rublev went four to beat Fabio Fognini.

Rublev now gets Hungarian Marton Fucsovics who makes his Wimbledon week two debut. Khachanov will now collide with new American star Sebastian Korda. The 20-year-old Korda, son of Australian Open champion Petr, whacked 51 winners in a cool and calm win over Dan Evans 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Evans had chances late in the match, but Korda, who was making his Centre Court debut, would immediately break back.

“I just stayed calm in the biggest moments as much as I could,” said Korda. “I tried to stay relaxed and keep playing attacking tennis, that’s what I do. I’m really proud of myself for that today.”

“ A year ago, I was 220 in the world and I’m here in the fourth round at Wimbledon. It’s incredible. I have my family to thank, my coaches and everybody around me.”

Roberto Bautista Agut won his 8th match in his last 9 at Wimbledon rolling past Dominik Koepfer. The 2019 semifinalist will now meet Denis Shapovalov who ended Andy Murray’s run eliminating the Scot in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Shapovalov built a lead 5-1 lead in the first before nerves took hold and Murray had break points to level. But once the Canadian lefty took the first, he settled down and cruised in the second.

The match was halted for 20 minutes for the roof to close, but this time it couldn’t help Murray. Shapovalov got up 3-0 and never looked back.

“I told him at the net that he’s my hero,” Shapovalov said of Murray on court after his first match against him. “What he’s been able to do in the sport to come back with an injury like this to be playing the tennis that he’s playing, moving the way he’s moving… I said after his second match it was truly like ‘vintage Andy’ and so much fun to see as a fan.

“The first set we played today was super, super intense, I had to really, really give it my all. After that, I was able to maintain the level as he dropped a little bit. But still, it’s incredible what he’s done to reach the third round like this. Obviously he’s just starting back up, so it’s going to be amazing to see what he can do.”

After two wins, Murray will take the positives.

“The amazing support here reminds you why you do all the work,” Murray said said. “But if I’m going to put that much effort in, I want to be performing better than I did here, even though there were some really great moments. I got through a week of a slam without getting injured. So that’s positive. But I can play better and close matches out better. To do that, I need time on the match court and the practice court, and I’ve had neither in the last few months.”

On Saturday, Roger Federer returns against the last British man left, Cameron Norrie. Big bombers Matteo Berrettini, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev also return.

Medvedev meets former finalist Marin Cilic.

And the Nick Kyrgios show is back with the Australian battling the 20-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime on Court 1.

SATURDAY WIMBLEDON SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT – 1:30PM
1. Kaja Juvan v Coco Gauff
2. Roger Federer v Cameron Norrie
3. Ashleigh Barty v Katerina Siniakova

NO.1 COURT – 1:00PM
1. Sorana Cirstea v Emma Raducanu
2. Felix Auger-Aliassime v Nick Kyrgios
3. Marin Cilic v Daniil Medvedev

NO.2 COURT – 11:00AM
1. Angelique Kerber v Aliaksandra Sasnovich
2. Taylor Fritz v Alexander Zverev

NO.3 COURT – 11:00AM
1. Matteo Berrettini v Aljaz Bedene
2. Anastasija Sevastova v Barbora Krejcikova