Clinical Djokovic glides past Anderson at Wimbledon

BEN STANSALL / AFP

Top seed Novak Djokovic clinically dispatched big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-3 to cruise into the Wimbledon third round.

Defending champion Djokovic, bidding for a sixth title and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title, was imperious during a grasscourt masterclass on Centre Court.

In a repeat of the 2018 final, the Serbian broke Anderson's serve once in each set and offered up only five unforced errors.

His only minor concern were a couple of tumbles to the turf on the lush grass, but he remained unruffled.

Twice Grand Slam runner-up Anderson, who is battling back after knee problems, did not play a bad match but Djokovic was at his ruthless best as he won in an hour and 41 minutes.

Elsewhere, Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini continued his winning run on grass with a confident display against Guido Pella of Argentina.

The 25-year-old roll into the second round with a 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-0 victory.

Berrettini arrived at the grasscourt Grand Slam brimming with confidence having won the title at Queen's and was one of the many players yet to play their first round due to rain interruptions on the first two days.

In the women's competition, world number five Elina Svitolina was made to work hard in her opening match.

The Ukrainian sealed a 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory over unseeded Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck.

Meanwhile, Bianca Andreescu suffered yet another first-round exit at Wimbledon. The Canadian fifth seed lost to Alize Cornet 2-6 1-6.

Andreescu might have been the first teenager in 15 years to conquer a Grand Slam when she unexpectedly triumphed at the US Open in 2019 but when it comes to Wimbledon, she has yet to find her grasscourt feet as both her appearances at the All England Club have ended in first-round exits.


 

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