urkacz vs Djokovic LIVE!
Novak Djokovic looks to extend his remarkable Centre Court run when he faces Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon this evening. The defending champion has not lost on SW19’s biggest stage since defeat in the 2013 final to Andy Murray, boasting a perfect record since then.
That run includes three straight-set wins this week to see him through to the fourth round in routine fashion, with Stan Wawrinka comfortably beaten on Friday night. It would be a huge shock if Djokovic was not appearing in the final in seven days’ time, where victory would see him move alongside Roger Federer on eight Wimbledon titles.
Hurkacz reached the semi-finals here two years ago and has been faultless throughout this first week too, and he did take a set off Djokovic when they met in the Wimbledon third round back in 2019. The 11pm curfew could be a factor too, after two long matches earlier in the day on Centre Court. Follow Hurkacz vs Djokovic with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
Djokovic wins the first set!
And now Djokovic has a set point, on his serve. Hurkacz with the backhand into the net, he’s fallen apart in this tie-break. 7-6.
TAKEN. Terrible return from Hurkacz and Djokovic takes the first set. He glares at the crowd, not thrilled as ever with the amount of support against him…
On we go…
Well then. Big gasps around Centre Court as Djokovic chucks in a double fault after bouncing the ball a few hundred times. Hurkacz leads 4-3, with two serves to come.
Ace down the T. 5-3. Followed by an ace out wide, Djokovic doesn’t move. 6-3 and three set points.
Hurkacz slices into the net. 6-4. Djokovic saves another one with a first serve right on the line. 6-5, one set point to come.
SAVED. Ball sits up for Hurkacz, but he slaps the forehand into the net. That’s a massive, massive moment. 6-6.
Hurkacz doesn’t get the volley quite right, but the lob from Djokovic floats just long. 1-0 – noise levels from the umpire now deafening.
That levels it up though, Hurkacz goes for a huge return and it’s long. 1-1. And again, poor forehand and Djokovic leads 2-1.
That makes up for it I guess. Two thunderous first serves and Hurkacz edges ahead once more. 3-2.
Return into the net from Hurkacaz, it’s 3-3 at the changeover.
Tie-break time
Hurkacz 6-6 Djokovic
Here we go again, doesn’t look like we’ll be getting any sort of rally in this game either.
This point does involve more than two swings of the racket, but Hurkacz slices into the net and it’s 40-0.
There’s the hold to love. We’re going to a tie-break!
Relentless from Hurkacz
Hurkacz 6-5* Djokovic
We’ll get a full five sets in before the curfew if Hurkacz keeps serving like this. 40-0 up in about 20 seconds, Djokovic watching on with the rest of us.
And an ace down the T to seal a hold to love in the blink of an eye. Hurkacz will have a tie-break at the very least.
Still on serve
Hurkacz *5-5 Djokovic
Not quite as quick, but just as effective. Ace out wide and Djokovic is already strolling to another hold at 30-0. He’s taking longer and longer bouncing the ball before he serves though, looks like he’s buffering.
He’ll be even more ‘measured’ now, double fault and 30-30. Hurkacz suddenly just two points away from taking the first set. The umpire and one of the line judges meanwhile seem to be having their own private battle to see who can make the most noise. Line judge giving it a good go, holding his own despite the lack of microphone.
Deuce, after a Djokovic unforced error. Loose game from him. Hurkacz unable to take advantage though, on we go towards what feels like an inevitable tie-break.
Danger averted
Hurkacz 5-4* Djokovic
Just the 135mph serve from Hurkacz, neutralised by Djokovic though and the rally ends with the Hurkacz forehand letting him down. And again, the Polish man has to avoid these baseline exchanges. Not going to win them. 0-30 and the first sniff of a break.
Djokovic launches himself at the ball, can’t catch up with that Hurkacz volley though. And that’s superb at the net again from Hurkacz, getting himself out of trouble here. 30-30.
Deuce coming up – that Hurkacz forehand a few feet away from clattering into the roof. WILD.
Dear me – 141mph first serve! He’s thundered his way to a hold, Djokovic will serve to stay in the first set.
Hurkacz breaks his duck
Hurkacz *4-4 Djokovic
At last, Hurkacz wins his first point on the Djokovic serve! Took him 20 minutes.
Might just be the one though, return is long before Djokovic is once again as cool as ever at the net. Needed a few attempts with the volley, but eventually guides it into the open court.
A big first serve and that’s a fourth very, very comfortable hold for the defending champion.
Flying through it!
Hurkacz 4-3* Djokovic
Hurkacz with his first test of the night as Djokovic lobs the ball up, overhead is a good one though. As is the ace that follows.
And another ace, this one 131mph. Would you believe it… it’s a hold to love for a change.
Djokovic perfect on serve
Hurkacz *3-3 Djokovic
Djokovic turning to the serve and volley regularly. His latest volley clips the baseline, Hurkacz stands there with hands on hips for a few seconds before realising it’s probably best if he starts moving again.
Ace out wide – Djokovic hasn’t lost a point on serve yet.
