Novak Djoković

[Lleyton]

Djokovic On Return To Form: 'I'm There'

Spoiler:

Former World No. 1 reaches first final since 2017 Nature Valley International

Novak Djokovic was just one point away from capturing his first tour-level title in 51 weeks. Perhaps if Marin Cilic did not blast a nearly perfect serve out wide at 4-5, 30/40 in the second set of the Fever-Tree Championships final, the former World No. 1 would be celebrating his first triumph at The Queen’s Club.

But instead, it was the Croatian who enjoyed an ATP World Tour 500-level victory on Sunday. Is it disappointing for Djokovic? Sure. But the 31-year-old is happy to be near his top form once again after dealing with a right elbow injury since the end of Wimbledon last year.

“I’m there,” Djokovic said. “I think that the level of my tennis has been as good as it has been the past 12 months.”

Djokovic did not lose a set in his first four matches of the week on the London grass, including a straightforward 66-minute win against reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion and No. 2 seed Grigor Dimitrov.

“I'm really happy that I'm able to play this way coming up to Wimbledon,” Djokovic said. “This is as big of a tournament as it gets prior to Wimbledon, and I played [in the] final and almost won it. It's a great result.”

Djokovic

So why wasn’t the Serbian able to finish Cilic off when he led 4/1 in the second-set tie-break? What will it take to get over the proverbial hump and rejoin the winners’ circle? According to Djokovic, there’s no magical recipe.

“Our task as people is to evolve and, especially as athletes at this level, trying to understand what it takes to make that final step,” Djokovic said. “I don't think I made too many things wrong, even in these big moments, except that double fault at 4/3 in the tie-break. Other than that, I was in it, and credit to him for just going for it and playing well.”

Despite the loss, the 68-time tour-level champion has won 12 of his past 15 matches, thanks to a semi-final in Rome, quarter-final at Roland Garros and his performance at The Queen’s Club. While he has yet to capture glory this year, he is still heading in the right direction.

It’s not that long ago that Djokovic lost his opening-round encounter against Benoit Paire in Miami to suffer his first three-match losing streak since 2007.

“That was probably one of the lowest points I have had in terms of state of mind, where I was at that point, [and] also my game,” Djokovic said. “It's quite a significant difference.”

That low moment, which came just three months ago, feels like it came longer ago. Now, Djokovic will go home for a couple of days to reboot with his family, return to London, and set his sights on Wimbledon, which he has won three times. When a reporter asked, after his injury struggles in the past year, where a return to Grand Slam glory would rank among his many achievements, Djokovic could only smile.

“It's what I'm playing for.”

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... l-reaction

[grzes430]

Finał Queen's Club 2018.


encrypted

Po rocznej przerwie Novak ponownie zagrał w finale ATP. W Queen's Club Serb przegrał z Marinem Ciliciem. 31-letni Djoković wystąpił już w 99 finałach ATP (68-31).

[Żilu]

Mundial 2018. Gorączka mistrzostw świata ogarnęła Novaka Djokovicia

Spoiler:

Novaka Djokovicia ogarnęła piłkarska gorączka. Serb nie tylko ogląda występy reprezentacji swojego kraju w mistrzostwach świata w Rosji, ale i sam zademonstrował futbolowe umiejętności.

Mundial 2018. Andy Murray zakpił z argentyńskich tenisistów. Doszło do wymiany zdań
Novak Djoković uważnie śledzi występy reprezentacji Serbii w piłkarskich mistrzostwach świata w Rosji. - Mamy bardzo młodą drużynę. Jest w niej kilku piłkarzy, którzy przed trzema laty wygrali mistrzostwa świata do lat 20. Liderami są Kolarov i Ivanović, którzy wiele lat grali w Premier League - powiedział kilka dni temu, gdy został poproszony o charakterystykę podopiecznych Mladena Krstajicia.
Ale Djoković nie tylko ogląda zmagania piłkarzy, ale i sam kopię piłkę. Na swoim profilu na Instagramie zamieścił filmik, na którym popisuje się piłkarską żonglerką. Musimy przyznać, że umiejętności futbolowe serbskiego tenisisty robią wrażenie.

- Gorączka mistrzostw świata zmusiła mnie, by to zrobić. Naprzód Orły (Orły to przydomek piłkarskiej reprezentacji Serbii - przyp. red.) - napisał belgradczyk w poście.

Djoković aktualnie bierze udział w turnieju ATP World Tour 500 w Londynie. W piątek pokonał 7:5, 6:1 Adriana Mannarino i awansował do półfinału oraz odniósł 800. zwycięstwo w zawodowej karierze. W meczu o finał, w sobotę, zmierzy się z Jeremym Chardym.

Z kolei piłkarze Serbii po dwóch kolejkach rywalizacji w Grupie E mistrzostw świata w Rosji zgromadzili trzy punkty. Pokonali 1:0 Kostarykę i przegrali 1:2 ze Szwajcarią. W trzeciej serii gier, w środę, zmierzą się z Brazylią. Aby awansować do 1/8 finału, będą musieli wygrać.

Djoković z pewnością będzie wspierał swoich rodaków, zwłaszcza że w serbskiej kadrze znajduje się kilku jego kolegów. - Jestem zaprzyjaźniony z Aleksandarem Kolarovem oraz z Nemanją Maticiem i jeszcze kilkoma zawodnikami - wyjawił.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/ms-2018/762 ... icia-wideo

[Barty]

Djokovic Dialed In, Breezes Through Opener

Spoiler:

Edmund moves past Aussie qualifier Bolt
One year ago, the All England Club was a site of disappointment for Novak Djokovic. After retiring in the quarter-finals, he would miss the rest of the season with a right elbow injury.

But perhaps this time around, the historic grass tournament will be where the Serbian completes his comeback. Djokovic certainly looked in top form in dispatching Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship finalist Tennys Sandgren 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 in one hour, 33 minutes. Thanks to seven breaks of serve, Djokovic moves into the second round for the 14th time in 14 appearances in this event. He will face Argentine Horacio Zeballos, who ousted compatriot Guido Andreozzi 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4.

"I made him play a lot on his service games. I thought I served accurately. Quite swirly conditions. Difficult to play. First match at Wimbledon. You always want to start off well," Djokovic said. "I've never played him before, so it took a little bit of time to kind of get used to his pace and rhythm. But just overall was quite solid performance."

While the Serbian’s ATP Ranking sits at No. 21 — mostly residue from not playing a tournament after The Championships in 2017 due to his elbow — the No. 12 seed is moving closer to his best tennis. After losing three consecutive matches earlier this year for the first time since 2007, Djokovic has made progress, reaching the semi-finals in Rome, the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and just two weeks ago, the final at The Queen’s Club.


The three-time champion, who competed in his 100th tour-level grass-court match on Day Two, is now 82-18 on the surface. According to the FedEx ATP Performance Zone, Djokovic’s grass-court win-rate (82.0 %) ranks third among active players behind just Roger Federer (87.4%) and Andy Murray (83.6%).

Djokovic now owns 59 match wins at the third major of the year, tying John McEnroe for fifth place in the Open Era. Only Roger Federer (92), Jimmy Connors (84), Boris Becker (71), and Pete Sampras (63) have triumphed more at The Championships than Djokovic. He has not lost in the first round at a Grand Slam since losing to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open, a streak of 49 majors.

Watch Live

The first seed Djokovic could face, in the third round, is British No. 1 Kyle Edmund, the Australian Open semi-finalist. The No. 21 seed defeated Aussie qualifier Alex Bolt 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

"The performance was good. You always want to do well at Wimbledon," Edmund said. "I thought today was a great experience for me being out on No. 1 Court. To be on the court and playing is a great situation, a great feeling, especially when you win."


Edmund, who is at a career-best No. 17 in the ATP Rankings, will next face qualifier Bradley Klahn. The American defeated 2017 Antalya titlist Yuichi Sugita 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-2. Klahn is competing in his first Grand Slam main draw since the 2014 US Open, and this was his first victory at a major since the 2013 US Open.

Did You Know?
Djokovic is pursuing a 13th Grand Slam title, which would put him in solo fourth place on the all-time list of Grand Slam champions. He currently has 12 major trophies, tied with Australian Roy Emerson.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... 18-tuesday

[Damian]

[grzes430]

Novak Remembers Sweet Taste Of Success

Spoiler:

The Serbian speaks of his Wimbledon victories after his first-round win
If you ask people around the All England Club what their favourite dessert is, they'll likely mention Wimbledon's traditional strawberries and cream. Not Novak Djokovic.

"I love tasting the grass of Wimbledon. That means that I'm in the finals and I won," said Djokovic, a three-time champion, after winning his opening-round match on Tuesday. "That's kind of like a little tradition, I would say, the three times that I managed to win this great tournament."

You May Also Like: Djokovic Dialed In, Breezes Through Opener
Djokovic got off to a good start in his pursuit of a fourth Wimbledon title — or grass-tasting, whichever way you'd like to look at it — on Tuesday. If you find his tradition a bit odd, don't. The three times the 31-year-old has had himself a taste, he was simply living a childhood dream.

"I've always dreamed of winning Wimbledon. I kind of constructed little trophies when I was seven years old, eight years old, of Wimbledon, raising that trophy in front of the mirror, imagining myself to be a Wimbledon champion," Djokovic said. "That was always one of the biggest dreams. When I imagined myself doing that one day, I said, 'I must eat grass'. For some reason, I don't know why I picked that. The first time I did it, it was the sweetest dessert I'd ever tasted in my life. That experience hopefully I'll get to taste one more time before I finish my career."

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... e-of-grass

[Lleyton]

Djokovic Showing Contender Status At SW19

Spoiler:

Serbian could face top Brit Edmund in R3

If there were any doubts about how serious of a contender Novak Djokovic will be this fortnight, the Serbian should have silenced nearly all of them on Thursday. The three-time champion blitzed past Argentine Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in only 90 minutes to advance to the third round of Wimbledon for the 10th consecutive year.

Watch Live

The 12th seed was merciless, winning 89 per cent of his first-serve points (41/46) and saving all three break points. Zeballos, No. 126 in the ATP Rankings, had won only tour-level grass-court match win before Thursday, his first-round win against countryman Guido Andreozzi.

Djokovic celebrated his 60th win at Wimbledon, moving him into fifth place on the Open Era SW19 match-wins list. The former No. 1 is only three behind seven-time champion Pete Sampras.

Most match wins at Wimbledon in the Open Era

Player


No. of Wimbledon match wins

Roger Federer


93-11

Jimmy Connors


84-18

Boris Becker


71-12

Pete Sampras


63-7

Novak Djokovic


60-10

John McEnroe


59-11

Djokovic arrived to Wimbledon in top form. Two weeks ago, he reached the final of the Fever-Tree Championships at The Queen's Club in London and held a match point before falling to Marin Cilic of Croatia. The Serbian will next meet top Brit Kyle Edmund or Bradley Klahn of the U.S. Edmund is bidding to reach the third round at the All England Club for the first time.

Are You In? Subscribe To Get Tournament Updates In Your Inbox

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... 8-thursday

[Damian]

[Lleyton]

[DUN I LOVE]

Novak wygrał wczoraj swój 60. mecz na Wimbledonie.

1. Roger Federer 94
2. Jimmy Connors 84
3. Boris Becker 71
4. Pete Sampras 63
5. Novak Djoković 60
6. John McEnroe 59

[Damian]

Djokovic Steps Up To Beat Edmund At Wimbledon

Spoiler:

Djokovic to challenge Khachanov on Monday

Novak Djokovic broke through his defensive shackles to often play at his aggressive best in a hard-fought victory over British No. 1 Kyle Edmund at The Championships on Saturday.

Initially defensive and pervious to Edmund’s power, Djokovic rallied back in an entertaining 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win on Centre Court for a place in the Wimbledon fourth round.

The three-time former Wimbledon champion will next look to beat Russian Karen Khachanov on Monday for a place in his 44th Grand Slam championships quarter-final (second only to Roger Federer’s 61, an Open Era record).

You May Also Like: Khachanov Completes Comeback, Into Round Of 16
Djokovic, the No. 12 seed from Serbia, is now 21-9 on the year, which includes a runner-up finish for the second time (also 2008) at the Fever-Tree Championships two weeks ago (l. to Cilic).

Watch Live

Edmund capitalised on defensive play from Djokovic in the first set by striking 80 miles per hour forehand winners and showcasing aggression on serve. Edmund converted his third break point chance in the seventh game with a backhand winner, then withstood pressure from Djokovic in the next game.

Djokovic, far from peak form, began to dictate as Edmund’s service speeds dropped. Finally, on his ninth break point opportunity, Djokovic was gifted a 5-3 advantage in the second set courtesy of a double fault. The momentum shifted in Djokovic’s favour early in the third set, with Edmund striking a forehand long to give away his serve in the first game.

At 3-4 in the fourth set, Edmund withstood four break points — including a contentious pick up off a Djokovic drop volley at 15/40 — but soon paid the price as Djokovic channelled his energy in the 10th game by breaking the No. 21 seed, who struck a forehand wide. Shortly, after three hours of play, Djokovic closed out the pair’s fifth FedEx ATP Head2Head with his 18th ace, letting out a primal roar.

The match had been scheduled third on Centre Court in an attempt to avoid a direct clash with England’s World Cup football quarter-final against Sweden in Russia.

Edmund beat Djokovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 for the first time at the Mutua Madrid Open in May this year. He is now 23-13 on the season, which also includes advancing to his first ATP World Tour final at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech (l. to Andujar) and the Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Cilic).

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... 8-saturday

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Barty]

[arti]

Confident Djokovic Hitting Top Form At Wimbledon

Spoiler:

At the business end of The Championships, Novak Djokovic is growing in confidence at just the right time. The Serbian was quick to move up the court and struck 29 winners on Monday as he continued to dream of a fourth trophy at the All England Club.

The former World No. 1, winner in 2011 and 2014-15 at Wimbledon, has shown flashes of a return to peak form in recent weeks and on Monday he played with great discipline to overcome the power of Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I'm really happy with the way I played tonight. I managed to win in straight sets against a player in form. I was really pleased with my second and third set. Really, really pleased," Djokovic said. "I made him play a lot. I served accurately, picking my spots, not really forcing the serve too much, trying to get easier first shots in the rally. Just overall, I felt good in these difficult conditions."

Djokovic recorded his 248th match win at Grand Slam championship just as daylight faded on No. 1 Court and will now prepare to challenge Japanese No. 24 seed Kei Nishikori, who beat Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis. Djokovic leads Nishikori 13-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, but the pair has not met on grass.

"I like my chances in the match against Nishikori. I played very well at Queen's coming into Wimbledon. So far, four matches have been really, really good for me. I haven't spent too much time on the court. I feel physically, mentally ready, fit, positive," Djokovic said. "Now the matches are only going to get tougher. I've been in this position and situation before many times. I don't want to look ahead too much. I'm just focusing on Nishikori for now."

You May Also Like: Nishikori Survives Tough Test Against Gulbis

The No. 12 seed committed just 12 unforced errors against Khachanov, showcasing his great retrieval skills for his 22nd victory of the year in one hour and 46 minutes. Broken once at 4-2 in the first set, Djokovic bounced back immediately and tightened up his game in the pair's first meeting.

Two weeks ago, 31-year-old Djokovic finished runner-up to Marin Cilic at the Fever-Tree Championships, which was his first ATP World Tour final since capturing the Nature Valley International crown in June 2017.

Watch Live

Khachanov came out firing by putting Djokovic under immediate pressure, but it was the experienced Serbian who gained the first break in the second game. Although Khachanov recovered to 3-4, in a game of four errors for Djokovic, the 22-year-old was unable to dominate and paid the price in hitting three straight groundstroke errors at 4-5.

Djokovic won 12 of the first 15 points in the second set, building up his service fluency and taking control of the shorter points. At 2-5, 30/40, Khachanov slipped when playing a forehand and Djokovic struck a forehand into space. The former champion lost just four of his service points in the third set, breaking serve in the sixth and eighth games.

The 22-year-old Khachanov had been bidding to become the fifth Russian man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. He is now 23-14 on the season.

"Honestly, he was too good today. Too good," Khachanov admitted. "He had an answer for everything I did. Okay, of course I could maybe do some things better, like serve, for example. But I don't know, he was returning everything. I felt like the ball was always coming back."

Did You Know?
Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors with 41 major championship quarter-final appearances, which is second only to Roger Federer with 53.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... 18-monday2

[Damian]

[grzes430]

Wimbledon 2018: 41. wielkoszlemowy ćwierćfinał, Connors dogoniony.


www.dailystar.co.uk

1. Roger Federer 53
2. Jimmy Connors 41
2. Novak Djoković 41
4. Andre Agassi 37
5. Rafael Nadal 35

[Lucas]

Djokovic Back In Business, Reaches Eighth Wimbledon Semi-final

Spoiler:

Serbian star awaits the winner of Nadal or Del Potro

Three-time former champion Novak Djokovic moved into his eighth semi-final at The Championships on Wednesday with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kei Nishikori, the No. 24 seed from Japan, in two hours and 35 minutes.

The Serbian, who retired in the 2017 Wimbledon quarter-finals with a right elbow injury against Tomas Berdych that resulted in a six-month injury lay-off, is returning to peak form at just the right time. Djokovic lost just eight of his first-service points (52/61) and won 18 of his 20 points at the net against Nishikori. “I think we were quite even until the middle of the third set, then I managed to step up and play up a gear,” said Djokovic. “I ended this match really well.”

He will next face second-seeded Spaniard and two-time titlist Rafael Nadal, who defeated fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro, the 2013 semi-finalist, from Argentina. Djokovic leads Nadal 26-25 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

“I feel [that] if I have to compare the game that I've played, the level of tennis that I've had those years and today, I think it's pretty close,” said Djokovic. “I like the level of tennis that I'm playing right now. I really do. I think with the performances I've had, I deserve to be in the semi-finals. I don't want to stop here. I hope I can get a chance to fight for a trophy.”

Through to his 32nd Grand Slam championship semi-final — second only to Roger Federer (44) — Djokovic also recorded his 63rd match win (63-10) at the All England Club, the same number as 1993-95, 1997-2000 Wimbledon winner Pete Sampras (63-7).

Djokovic came into the grass-court major on the back of a runner-up finish at the Fever-Tree Championships — his first ATP World Tour final for 12 months. He has a 23-9 record on the season, which includes two other victories over Nishikori at the Mutua Madrid Open and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events.



Djokovic highlighted his growing confidence and tremendous athleticism from the front and back of the Centre Court, in the fourth game at 15/30, when a forehand down the line left Nishikori lunging for the ball. Two points later, Nishikori mis-timed a deep backhand, which clipped the baseline, to give Djokovic a 3-1 advantage. But the Serbian struck a double fault in the next game to hand the break back to Nishikori.

Nishikori, who set up his favoured backhand stroke down the line with serves out wide, particularly on the Ad-court, got back to 3-3, but subtle changes of groundstroke pace by Djokovic reaped dividends in the eighth game. The 38-minute set ended with Nishikori committing a backhand error.



Nishikori came through a 10-minute first game in the second set, then began to change his approach by coming to the net against one of the sport’s greatest returners. He earned a confidence boost by recovering from 0/40 at 1-1, much to the frustration of Djokovic, who received a code violation for racquet abuse.

Having battled to two service holds in 17 minutes, Nishikori was gifted a 3-1 lead, courtesy of his Serbian opponent attempting to hit a sliced drop shot into the net. Djokovic tightened up his game, putting Nishikori under pressure, but could not make the breakthrough.

Djokovic proved to be adept at the net and quick on approach in the third set, when he highlighted his mental capabilities and flexibility in recovering from 0/40 at 2-2. The 31-year-old capitalised on early fatigue from Nishikori, letting out a roar when he broke the Japanese for 30 for a 4-2 advantage and won eight of the next nine points to dominate.

“I think that was the biggest chance I had,” said Nishikori, when asked about the fifth game of the third set. “But he played three great points. Maybe things change if I got the game. I mean, he was also playing great tennis. I know it's not going to be easy holding my serve, even after I break him, but after that he was playing better. I think he was playing more aggressive and didn't give me any free points.”

Nishikori bounced back by breaking in the first game of the fourth set, but it only heightened Djokovic’s motivation and soon the Serbian couldn’t miss, forcing Nishikori to strike one extra ball in their baseline rallies. From 0-1, a fired up Djokovic won 16 of the next 20 points with exceptional hitting. Djokovic struck his 39th winner - a forehand - on approach to the net for victory.

Nishikori had been bidding to become the first Japanese man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since Jiro Satoh in 1931. The 28-year-old is now 20-10 on the year.

https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/dj ... wednesday2

[Damian]

[Barty]