Djokovic grinds past Di Minaur to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals

ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 16th time but it proved a hard day's work at his Centre Court office as he ground past Australian Alex Di Minaur on Monday.

The 38-year-old Serb started abysmally and lost the opening set in 31 minutes but eventually gained control of a cagey battle to win 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 to keep alive his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic will next face Italy's Flavio Cobolli, who held off a spirited fightback from 2017 Wimbledon runner-up Marin Cilic to win 6-4 6-4 6-7(4) 7-6(3).

The 23-year-old, seeded 22nd, is through to his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

On the women's side, Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova beat Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-5 7-5 in the fourth round to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final.

Elsewhere, Switzerland's Belinda Bencic beat Russian 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(4) 6-4 to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.

The 28-year-old sealed the win in just under two hours after Alexandrova saved five match points late on.

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