Novak Djokovic advances at Wimbledon as injuries continue to pile up

By Ben Knapton, Senior ReporterPublished: 08 July 2024 9:03 PM
Last updated: 08 July 2024 9:05 PM

Novak Djokovic cruises into the quarter-finals of Wimbledon with a three-set win over Holger Rune, but his upcoming opponent Alex de Minaur suffers an injury scare.

Novak Djokovic navigated the Holger Rune test with consummate ease to reach his 15th Wimbledon quarter-final on Centre Court on Wednesday evening.
Despite a couple of slips on the grass – which certainly tested the flexibility of his knee following his recent operation – the seven-time champion barely broke a sweat in a 6-3 6-4 6-2 triumph.

Djokovic needed two hours and three minutes to see off his Danish foe, whom he had recently stood side-by-side with during Andy Murray’s on-court farewell before squaring up on opposite sides of the net.

The Serbian saved the only two break points that Rune brought up and was far superior at the net, winning 78% of points from close range and sealing his fourth-round success with a deft cross-court backhand.

In the Open Era, only Roger Federer (18) has reached more Wimbledon men’s singles quarter-finals than Djokovic, but fears have been raised over the fitness of his next opponent before he stepped out onto Centre Court for the day’s showpiece.

Alex de Minaur issues injury update after Arthur Fils win

With British number one girlfriend Katie Boulter watching on, Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur reached his maiden Wimbledon quarter-final by virtue of seeing off a late fightback from Frenchman Arthur Fils in a 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory.

However, after converting his second match point, De Minaur was evidently in discomfort, moving incredibly slowly as he shook Fils’s hand and went back to his chair before shaking his head at his box.

De Minaur played down his concern on his on-court interview but was pressed for more details in his press conference, where he confirmed that he had tweaked his hip, but he is optimistic that he will be fine to take on Djokovic.

“It was kind of more hip area. Felt like I jarred it a little bit. Again, it’s probably a little bit of a scare more than anything. I’m feeling pretty decent. Body feels a little bit ginger everywhere, I’m not going to lie,” the 25-year-old said.

“I’ve done my recovery. I’m sure I’ll be feeling great tomorrow. Obviously a couple years back I was in a similar position, being two sets to love up, as well. Us humans, we tend to be the only living thing that makes the same mistake twice. I’m glad I didn’t make that same mistake today.”

Taylor Fritz comes through thrilling Alexander Zverev five-setter
© Reuters

However, one player who was forced to retire from their fourth-round contest was Anna Kalinskaya, who became the latest high-profile injury victim of the current tournament when she succumbed to a wrist injury.

Boyfriend Jannik Sinner cut a glum figure as Kalinskaya retired while 3-6 0-3 down to 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, joining the likes of Madison Keys, Hubert Hurkacz and Grigor Dimitrov in calling it quits midway through a match at Wimbledon 2024.

In between Djokovic’s win and Kalinskaya’s retirement, Taylor Fritz brilliantly came back from two sets down to emerge triumphant from a five-set spectacular with French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev, whom he conquered 4-6 6-7[4] 6-4 7-6[3] 6-3.

Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti was also forced to do it the hard way against rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whom he overcame 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-2, while there were a trio of straight-sets wins in the women’s fourth round.

Jelena Ostapenko sunk Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Yulia Putintseva 6-2 6-3, Elina Svitolina eased past Wang Xinyu 6-2 6-1, while Danielle Collins’s last Wimbledon appearance ended with a 5-7 3-6 loss to Barbora Krejcikova.

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