By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 30, 2021
In a rematch of the 2018 Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic did not face a break point sweeping Kevin Anderson to storm into the third round for the 15th time.
Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty
Playing pristine tennis, Novak Djokovic turned a Wimbledon final reunion into clean-up time.
In a rematch of the 2018 final, a dynamic Djokovic swept Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to charge into the Wimbledon third round for the 15th time.
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It was Djokovic's 16th straight Wimbledon win as he continues his quest for a record-tying 20th Grand Slam title to take a major step closer to a historic Golden Grand Slam.
"I look to peak at the biggest tournaments in our sport. I've said it before: at this stage of my career, Grand Slams are the ones that matter the most," Djokovic said. "Of course, 1000 events on the ATP Tour, I try to maintain the high position on the rankings.
"Since I have reached the historic No. 1, for me now the priority is playing well in slams and Olympic Games obviously this year, being Olympic year."
Enduring a few early falls to the Centre Court lawn, Djokovic imposed near immaculate tennis on the two-time major finalist. The world No. 1 whipped 25 winners against only six unforced errors—19 fewer than his opponent—and did not face a break point in an impressive 100-minute victory.
Lobbing the lanky Anderson is as ambitious as trimming the entire Centre Court lawn with a pair of tweezers. Yet Djokovic was so precise at one point he lofted a looping lob that cleared the 6'8" South African's head and settled inside the baseline.
It was Djokovic's fourth Wimbledon win over Anderson as he beat the towering South African for the 10th time in 12 meetings. Djokovic broke in the eighth game of the first and second sets and the seventh game of the final set never giving Anderson too much say in baseline exchanges.
In Paris, Djokovic showed his fighting spirit and willingness to do the dirty work rallying from two-sets down to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final.
Since dropping his opening set to Jack Draper in London, Djokovic has played with punishing precision.
"Obviously I was, and I'm striking the ball really well in general," Djokovic said. "Obviously I'm in a high level of confidence after winning the French. But I was nervous coming into this match because I was playing a very good player, experienced player, whom I faced in final three years ago. He's a big server. He's very dangerous opponent, especially in the early rounds.
"But I've done things on and off the court to make myself feel that I'm focused, yet at the same time calm and composed and clear with my game plan and what I want to do. Obviously did my homework, talked with my coach, worked well on the practice court.I think it's a combination of all these factors that make you feel confident on the court and to execute the shots that you want."
The top-seeded Serbian will face Denis Kudla for a spot in the fourth round. American qualifier Kudla topped Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Quality serving to all areas of the box has carried the 34-year-old Serbian through six straight sets. Djokovic followed up his 25-ace performance in his opening-round win over British wild card Jack Draper serving 65 percent, slamming 9 aces and permitting just 7 points on his first serve.
Seven games into the match, Djokovic slipped into his second fall of the day and waved his arms in frustration. The reigning champion regained his feet, held serve and immediately imposed pressure on the South African serving with new balls.
The 102nd-ranked Anderson double faulted on a big second serve, mis-judged a floating return that settled inside the baseline and attacked only to see Djokovic drill a backhand pass rolling through a love break for 5-3.
The Roland Garros champion spun a running forehand winner, closing the 32-minute opening set on an 11-minute run as Djokovic showed superior movement stretching his lead on the South African.
Former world No. 5 Anderson, who overcame two right knee surgeries in a sixth-month span last year, tamed trouble in his first game of the second set, erasing break point with an ace and winning an athletic net exchange to hold.
The depth of Djokovic's return diminished Anderson's ability to play first-strike tennis off his first serve and when he had to hit a second delivery the top seed made him pay.
Displaying audacious shot-making creativity, Djokovic spun a rainbow lob right over the 6'8" South African's head that nestled inside the baseline putting a bow on the break in the seventh game.
Firing a forehand into the body, Djokovic drew an error off the back foot for double set point. Driving another forehand return that danced near the big man's shoelaces, Djokovic scored his second straight break for a two-set lead.
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Near pristine play from the world No. 1 from all areas of the court combined with his superior quickness forced Anderson to play closer to the lines.
Confronting a triple-break point chasm in the eighth game of the third set, Anderson torched two aces in a row, but attacked net on the third and paid the price as Djokovic spun a crosscourt forehand pass breaking for 5-3 with a shout.
A ruthless Djokovic wrapped the 3,3 and 3 win coaxing one final backhand error as the first seeded man into the third round.
Three years ago, Djokovic deconstructed Anderson, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) in the Wimbledon final to capture his 13th career Grand Slam championship. Following today's sweep, Djokovic is five wins from a sixth Wimbledon title and major history.