Novak Djokovic proved too good for both Tim van Rijthoven and the Wimbledon curfew as he eased into the quarter-finals.
A combination of Sir Cliff Richard’s singing, a Centre Court ceremony and a four-set win for Jannik Sinner over Carlos Alcaraz meant that the final match of the day did not begin until 8pm. That left Djokovic and Van Rijthoven with three hours to get the job done on Sunday night.
The six-time Wimbledon champion wrapped up a 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2 victory with 22 minutes to spare, to extend his long winning run at the tournament. Djokovic has not lost at SW19 since retiring against Tomas Berdych in the 2017 quarter-finals. A thrilling conclusion to the second set not only got Centre Court going but so too Djokovic, as he then raced to the finish line in ruthless fashion. He will face Sinner in an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final.
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Match report
Novak Djokovic proved too good for both Tim van Rijthoven and the Wimbledon curfew as he eased into the quarter-finals.
A combination of Sir Cliff Richard’s singing, a Centre Court ceremony and a four-set win for Jannik Sinner over Carlos Alcaraz meant that the final match of the day did not begin until 8pm. That left Djokovic and Van Rijthoven with three hours to get the job done on Sunday night.
The six-time Wimbledon champion wrapped up a 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2 victory with 22 minutes to spare, to extend his long winning run at the tournament. Djokovic has not lost at SW19 since retiring against Tomas Berdych in the 2017 quarter-finals.
A thrilling conclusion to the second set not only got Centre Court going but so too Djokovic, as he then raced to the finish line in ruthless fashion. He will face Sinner in an eagerly-anticipated quarter-final.
Read the full report!
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2 Van Rijthoven
Djokovic brings Van Rijthoven forward with another great drop shot, then has an empty court for the volley. Two points away from victory at 30-15.
Two match points – flat backhand winner down the line from Djokovic! Finishing in style.
Forehand down the line gets the job done! Sensational from the top seed and he marches on.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 *5-2 Van Rijthoven
Sublime from Djokovic, drop shot is just too good and Van Rijthoven can’t chase it down. The end is near… Djokovic flicks it crosscourt, Van Rijthoven can’t make the volley into the empty court. 0-30.
Djokovic almost bends himself in half getting that serve back, does so superbly. Still not enough, Van Rijthoven with the put-away at the net. Again there’s not enough patience from Van Rijthoven – got bored of the slice battle and then slaps a forehand long. Two break points Djokovic.
Return from Djokovic is too good once more… he will serve for the match!
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 4-2* Van Rijthoven
Long rally, Van Rijthoven comes out on top as Djokovic dumps a backhand into the net. 15-15. Centre Court crowd trying to inspire one last charge from the Dutchman.
It’s good from Van Rijthoven in the rally, until he loses patience and whips a forehand long. 40-15.
Slice is low into the net from Van Rijthoven and Djokovic is just two games away from the quarter-finals.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 *3-2 Van Rijthoven
Rare missed return from Djokovic – lands just beyond the baseline. Not far away from being perfect. 30-0.
Net cord pops the ball up perfectly for Van Rijthoven to put the ball away – he sends a forehand halfway up the net from a few feet away. Can only laugh at that. That’s into the net too, 30-30.
Backhand long from Van Rijthoven, break point Djokovic. That will pretty much be it if Djokovic converts. He can’t though, shocks himself with an unforced error. Deuce.
Djokovic slice lands long, before a big first serve seals the hold.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 3-1* Van Rijthoven
Djokovic finding the line at will now, level is incredible.
Helps when Van Rijthoven stops a rally to challenge, only to watch Hawk-Eye show the ball landed right on the baseline. 40-15.
Huge cry of frustration from the Dutchman, second serve to attack but he shanks the backhand long. Djokovic holds.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 *2-1 Van Rijthoven
There’s a cheer for Van Rijthoven but it was hard work. Looked to have done enough with the forehand, but Djokovic somehow stretched to make him hit an overheard. The Dutchman was up to it. Ace follows, 30-15.
Forehand put away before another ace out wide. Van Rijthoven keeps himself in it.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 2-0* Van Rijthoven
Van Rijthoven grows bored of the Djokovic slice and lines up a massive backhand down the line. Flies long. 15-15.
Unforced errors from the Dutchman growing, another backhand sent halfway up the net. Got away from him very quickly since the second set.
Return drifts long and Djokovic consolidates the break.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 *1-0 Van Rijthoven
Problems for Van Rijthoven at 0-30, after a double fault. Bigger problems now as he faces two break points – returns from Djokovic to neutralise that big serve is outrageous.
And Djokovic moves a break up in the fourth set! He is rushing to victory now on Centre Court. Raised his levels at the start of the third and hasn’t looked back.
Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-1 Van Rijthoven
Can Van Rijthoven extend this third set?
Nets a return before the Dutchman sends a backhand well wide. 40-15 and Djokovic has two set points.
One will do, as he moves to the net and watches a slice from Van Rijthoven finish halfway up the net. Djokovic leads two sets to one!
