Djokovic outclasses Evans to continue Wimbledon bid

Wimbledon 2025

Venue: All England Club, June 30 – 13 .

Dan Evans could make his Wimbledon final appearance, but Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion, outclassed him.

In their second-round match, Evans, who is currently ranked 154th in the world and given a wildcard, defeated 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.

A serving masterclass by Serb legend Djokovic, 38, even caused Evans to shake his head in disbelief at several points.

The 35-year-old home favorite, who was wooed on by a supportive Centre Court crowd, only managed to collect nine of his 58 receiving points (16%) in the match.

Djokovic, who is currently in sixth place this year, also demonstrated why he is still one of the best men’s game breakers by converting six of his 16 break points.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s impressive display will help him to bring his record-tying win with Roger Federer’s total of men’s singles titles.

Djokovic, who hasn’t won one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes since the US Open in 2023, is also attempting to land a 25th major on his own.

A Brit in Britain is never easy to face, said Djokovic, who won his 99th match at Wimbledon. “Everyone knew it was going to be a special atmosphere today.

“He’s a good player, has a lot of great talent, a great touch, and it can cause trouble if you’re not at the top of your game,” he said.

“But I believe it was. I succeeded flawlessly. You may experience these “flowing” days.

With a place in the last 16 on the line, Djokovic’s victory secured a spot against Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round.

Djokovic is the last of the “Big Three” to continue playing now that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have retired.

Djokovic, who is aiming to win his 25th Grand Slam title, said he has no idea when he should retire along with his former rivals.

To be honest, I don’t pause to reflect. He said, “I don’t have time.”

“I think that’s going to happen probably when I put the racquet down, drink margaritas on the beach with Federer and Nadal, and then reflect on our rivalry and everything.”

Evans received a lot of rewards when he faced the arguably greatest men’s player of all time on Centre Court once more.

A brief exile outside the top 200 earlier this year was caused by injuries and poor form over the past couple of seasons.

Particularly difficult to deal with is the strain of the aging process and an unavoidable feeling of “letting down” his supporters and family.

In his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon, Evans expressed his emotions as he became overcome with emotion.

The ex-world number 21’s celebration of defeating fellow British wildcard Jay Clarke in the first round demonstrated his joy at a new, priceless victory at Wimbledon.

Evans has stated that he has no plans to retire, but he also is aware that his career has not yet accomplished a lot.

When asked if this might be his Wimbledon final, he replied, “I don’t know.” See what the upcoming year will bring.

At the end of the year, I must make a decision. At the end of the year, there will undoubtedly be a discussion about what I want to do.

There couldn’t be a better place to shock than Clarke’s victory on Centre Court, according to Evans, who knew it would be his first at the All England Club since 2021.

However, it quickly became clear that the pair’s class division was excessive.

Evans held on for a while in the first set before finally buckling at 4-3 on the tenth break point, with Djokovic going on to win 13 of the next 15 games to complete the sweep.

The 15, 000 spectators patiently waited for Evans to leave the sport’s most well-known court with a passionate ovation.

“I hoped I could win,” I said. Before the match, I had confidence,” Evans said.

Jack Pinnington Jones and Arthur Fery, two wildcards who were defeated by Italian opponents, were the only three British singles players to leave Wimbledon on Thursday.

Flavio Cobolli defeated Pinnington Jones 6-1 7-6 (8-6) 6-2, making his Championship debut this year.

Meanwhile, Fery was unable to turn around Luciano Darderi after losing 6-4, 6-3, and two sets when the match was suspended on Tuesday.

After the second round, 19 men and 17 women, or 36 seeds, exited Wimbledon.