Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic to resume fourth-round match with Hubert Hurkacz on Monday two sets up

Novak Djokovic and Hubert Hurkacz will resume their fourth-round match at Wimbledon on Monday with the 24-time Grand Slam champion requiring just a set to advance.

The Pole’s huge serve made life uncomfortable for Djokovic and set up two tiebreakers but the second seed’s quality shone through on both instances.

Djokovic, therefore, will be confident of setting up a tie with Andrey Rublev, who beat Alexander Bubliv in a thriller, in the last-eight.

Hurkacz showed no signs of nerves as he held service in the opening game with two stylish aces and a drop shot as Djokovic responded with a love to hold.

Both players were swiftly progressing through their service games, serving powerful shots and refusing to engage in extended rallies. However, Hurkacz did have to recover from a 0-30 deficit to secure the ninth game.

It was no surprise, therefore, that the opening set was decided by a tiebreak. However, what caught many off guard was Hurkacz earning a mini-break and subsequently three set points – all of which he couldn’t convert. Nerves began to surface as Hurkacz netted a forehand and a backhand, followed by a long return, ultimately allowing Djokovic to secure the first set 8-6.

Normal service resumed in the second set. Djokovic earned himself a break point in the fifth game but couldn’t quite crack Hurkacz.

In the eighth game, Hurkacz managed a rare point on his opponent’s serve but Djokovic responded in typical fashion with a brilliant backhand followed by a big serve.

With a spot in the Wimbledon quarter-finals at stake, the tension was palpable. However, amidst the seriousness, both players shared a moment of lightheartedness. When Djokovic hit the tramlines and stumbled into the net, missing yet another chance to break, they shared a hug and a laugh. Hurkacz got back to business with an ace.

Hurkacz struck his 21st and 22nd aces to push the match into another tiebreaker where Djokovic landed the first mini-break.

The momentum swung again as Hurkacz responded with a well-executed sliced backhand to level at 3-3 before landing another point to make it 5-4. Yet once again the Pole passed up the opportunity on serve, losing the next point before Djokovic brought up a set point of his own.

The crowd were brought to their feet when Hurkacz won an enthralling rally but the Serb wouldn’t be denied as he wrapped up the tiebreak 8-6 at around 10:35pm.

With just 25 minutes until the curfew, it was decided to suspend play.

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