Invited by the organization, the young Jack Draper, 19 years old, had the illusion that it cost Novak Djokovic to calibrate the supports and the touch of the ball.
The Englishman snatched a set from the great designated at this Wimbledon, but the number one reacted immediately and as soon as he adjusted and stopped sliding, bazooka in hand, he offered the best of his repertoire and unbalanced the premiere in his favor: 4-6 , 6-1, 6-2 and 6-2, after two hours.
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And now who stops Novak Djokovic?
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'The three arms of Nole', by TONI NADAL
Despite the lapse, Nole (34 years old) recovered with a hierarchical response and when Draper flew into the air to try to return a balloon and conceded that
break
in the second heat, an unfortunate concession, the duel changed direction drastically. From there, Djokovic adjusted his sight - from the initial nine errors he reduced to 4, 6 and 5 in the next three rounds - and overcame with a recital of good tennis and service, a section in which he has made especially progress this year.
According to the statistics collected by Wimbledon, the Balkan closed with 25
aces
, which is the second best record of direct aces in his career; he only managed more (26) this year in Australia, against Frances Tiafoe. "In that sense, it has been one of my best performances," he stressed. "The grass is the fastest surface and getting those free points helps a lot," he extended without even knowing that he would collide with Kevin Anderson, whom he beat in the 2018 final.
Then the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas burst into the Center Court, who two weeks ago stroked the Roland Garros title, two sets up against Nole, and has not yet overcome the turnaround that the Serbian gave him that day.
Decayed and without filming –he landed in London without a single preparatory match on his legs–, he suddenly found himself with a rival who was in tune and knocked him down the first time, after having denied him the six
break
options
he had: celebrate Tiafoe.
6-4, 6-4 and 6-3.
Heart.
Determination.
Murray. @ Andy_murray seals a battling victory on his return to singles action at #Wimbledon, overcoming Basilashvili 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 pic.twitter.com/Z2OjYYyrjy
- Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2021
"The transition to grass is probably the biggest challenge in our sport," lamented the Athenian, whose claim is supported by the data: in two of the three previous visits to the London club, he fell in the first round; the exception was 2018, when he managed to advance to the eighth. "Maybe he could have played the week before the tournament," he added. "I did not have the same fighting spirit as always," Tsitsipas reproached himself on a day when the program was torpedoed by rain.
This Monday, 11 games were suspended due to the lack of light and postponed to 21 due to delays. The setback was not affected by the Scottish Andy Murray, who sealed the center against Nikoloz Basilashvili (6-4, 6-3, 5-7 and 6-3) and was reunited with the victory at home four years later. It was the emotional note of the opening day, in which Roberto Bautista beat John Millman (6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and 7-6 (4) and Pedro Martínez beat Stefano Travaglia (6-3, 2 -6, 6-4 and 6-4); on the other hand, Alejandro Davidovich (5-7, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 and 6-3 for Denis Kudla) and Roberto Carballés ( triple 6-3 in favor of Vasek Pospisil).
This Tuesday, Spanish tennis will feature the premiere of Carlos Alcaraz in the main draw (Yasutaka Uchiyama) and with double female representation: the Canarian Carla Suárez, who says goodbye to the All England Tennis & Croquet Club, will face Ashleigh Barty (14.30 , Movistar) while the Valencian Sara Sorribes will face the Croatian Ana Konjuh.
As great attractions, Roger Federer (Adrian Mannarino) and Serena Williams (Aliaksandra Sasnovich) will complete the menu of the center after the clash between Suárez and Australia's Barty.
Check the
Results of the day
/
Order of play
for Tuesday.
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