Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Holger Rune of Denmark during the men’s singles on day eight of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2024. (AFP)
London – Novak Djokovic beat Holger Run on Monday to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals and Taylor Fritz stunned fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev to stay on track for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Ukrainian skater Elina Svitolina cried as she walked wearing a black ribbon, hours after a Russian missile attack killed dozens and destroyed a children’s hospital in Kiev.
Seven-time champion Djokovic was expected to be tested by Rene after dropping sets in the second and third rounds, but instead taught the young Dane a harsh lesson with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory in just over two hours.
The 37-year-old Serb, who still wears a brace on his right knee after surgery last month, did not concede a point in his first three matches against bewildered opponents.
He broke once in the second set and two more times in the third to book a place in the quarterfinals against ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia.
But despite his easy victory, the Serb launched an angry tirade at sections of the Centre Court crowd, whom he accused of disrespecting him.
“I want to say from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all the fans for staying here tonight out of respect,” said a frustrated Djokovic, who reached his 60th Grand Slam quarter-final.
“And to all those who choose to disrespect a player, in this case me, good night,” he added, mocking his tormentors.
Djokovic is aiming to tie Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles, but also overtake Margaret Court’s record of 24 major championships.
Fritz’s Return
Earlier, 13th seed Fritz produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to win 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 and knock the big-serving Zverev out of the tournament.
Facing Zverev’s relentless serve, the American looked to be on the losing side, but he turned the tide of the match with a crucial break in the third set – the first time the German had been broken in the entire tournament.
“To do it on Centre Court, in front of the crowd and two sets down is amazing. It’s a dream,” said the American, who will face Italy’s 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals.
“Even though I was down two sets I still felt like I was playing really well. To play that well and then lose in straight sets is the worst thing.”
Zverev, who is wearing a brace on his left knee, said he “played on one leg today” due to an injury he suffered in his third-round match against Cameron Norrie.
“It’s not something that would require surgery,” he added. “It’s not something that won’t heal on its own. It just needs time.”
The 27-year-old, who was runner-up at last month’s French Open, denied concerns that he would be unable to defend his Olympic title at the upcoming Paris Games.
Svitolina in tears
Svitolina was in tears on court after beating China’s Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-1 in just 55 minutes to reach the quarterfinals for the third time.
The 21st seed, wearing a black ribbon on his white shirt, was taking part in the match after Russia launched missile attacks on cities across Ukraine, killing 36 people and causing extensive damage to a children’s hospital in Kiev, Ukrainian officials said.
“Today is a very difficult day for all Ukrainians,” Svitolina, 29, said.
As she tried to compose herself, the crowd on Court 2 erupted in a long round of applause.
“It wasn’t easy to concentrate on the match. It was hard reading the news and going out on the court this morning.”
Svitolina will next face Russian-born Kazakh Elena Rybakina, who advanced after Anna Kalinskaya withdrew 6-3, 3-0.
Australian ninth seed De Minaur, who won the grass-court tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last month, beat France’s Arthur Fils in four sets.
Musetti ruined the 21st birthday celebrations of big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetzi Pericardo by coming back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
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Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Iga Swiatek winner Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 and will next face Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic, who beat 11th seed Danielle Collins in straight sets.
