Five years have passed since the 35-year-old player was last beaten with SW19. This is a record that didn’t seem to be in trouble when he won 6-1 6-4 6-2 on the center court. Djokovic faced one break point throughout the match.
Next is the clash with Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. The pair described themselves well to a 22-year-old player, took the opening set before being defeated, and met earlier this year on the home ground.
Kokkinakis managed only three points in as many games as Djokovic jumped out of the block and took an early break, setting early on the sunny center court.
Kokkinakis held at least 3 to 1 and got on the board, but the Australian serve was soon again under great pressure. Djokovic got three break points in and out of the sixth game of the game, but he didn’t mean to miss his fourth chance. Hold for love later and the six Wimbledon champions took the opening set 6-1.
Djokovic broke in the second early stage to lead 2-1 and reached 30-30 twice in Serbian serve as close as Kokkinakis broke back. Serving down Australia’s deep dip 5-3, I noticed I was below the points four times, but each time a big first serve came to the rescue. It was a brave hold, but Djokovic continued to make gentle progress and moved the two setups, so the break he needed didn’t last.
The third set of long opening games eventually brought Djokovic a break point. Djokovic converted with the help of selfish Kokinakis volley on the net. Immediately another break came before Djokovic moved into the game of a 5-1 win on yet another routine hold.
Kokkinakis extended the match for another match and scored the first break point in the match when Djokovic threw a double fault. It wasn’t an opportunity for Australians to take, as the Serbs closed the victory in just over two hours.