Novak Djokovic survives scare against Jacob Fearnley to reach Wimbledon third round - 'Not comfortable in my own skin'
Updated 04/07/2024 at 17:23 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic was asked numerous questions by 22-year-old Briton Jacob Fearnley in the pair's second-round clash at Wimbledon, but ultimately had the answers as he secured a four-set win to move into the third round. Djokovic was intermittently animated, but regained his composure as he continued his bid for an eighth SW19 crown.
'It makes me feel unbelievable!' - Best bits from Wimbledon Day 3 as Raducanu, Alcaraz, Gauff win
Video credit: SNTV
Novak Djokovic emerged victorious from a tough battle with Britain's Jacob Fearnley to make the third round of Wimbledon.
It was at times a difficult afternoon for the Serbian great, with a display of his usual class pockmarked with outbursts towards his box as Fearnley more than held his own on Centre Court.
But Djokovic drew on all his considerable experience to close out the match in four sets - 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 - and secure his progression.
Speaking on court afterwards, Djokovic said: “First and foremost, huge congrats to Jacob for an amazing match today, he put in a great effort, played very good tennis.
“He deserves a great round of applause. I haven’t had a chance to see him play, actually two days ago I’ve seen him for the first time.
“Obviously there’s always an element of surprise and, you know, nothing to lose, him playing in Wimbledon, it’s always going to be tough. Most of the British players grow up being exposed to grass courts, quick surfaces, so they know exactly how to play.
“[It was a] very windy day, very challenging conditions, I thought he served very well, it was very difficult to break his serve.
“He made me work, definitely, I was probably a but lucky in the fourth to not go a break down. Maybe I could have won the match in three, but I think all in all potentially this match deserved to get into the fifth the way we both played, the way he played, especially in the fourth - but very glad it didn’t."
He continued: “I don’t know if I really had a champion’s mentality today.
"I was not really comfortable in my own skin, particularly in the third and fourth, but sometimes you have rough days where maybe you’re not feeling your best. And of course it also depends on the opponent across the net.
“Today Jacob played on a high level and made me earn this victory. All in all, it was a win, I’ll take it and hopefully I can play better in the next round."
Djokovic also discussed his physical condition, as he continues to wear a knee brace following surgery prior to the tournament.
“Honestly I was feeling ok," he said. "I don’t want to be looking for any excuses for my performance today. Again, credit to Jacob. On my side, I should have done some things better when I was a break up in the third. As I said, very swirly, very challenging conditions on the court.
"I think physically I felt well. Can I be playing better and moving better? Yes, absolutely, so I’m hoping that as the tournament progresses, I’ll be feeling a bit better."
Fearnley, 22, had made an impressive start, holding his service games with as much aplomb as the seven-time champion.
The quality of the Briton's play was such that there were astonished gasps with Djokovic leading 4-3, as Fearnley threaded two brilliant backhands down the line in the same game.
However, the bubbling atmosphere behind the home hope was pricked when Djokovic broke to move to 5-3, and served it out consummately thereafter to move one set to the good.
Fearnley was right back on the money in the second set as Djokovic appeared increasingly out of sorts, gesturing towards his box amid a difficult service game at 2-1 down - one he eventually held despite facing two break points.
But - as in the first set - Djokovic came through his tough spot, eking out a break over the Brit to move into a lead that he did not relinquish, despite some late pressure from Fearnley.
So two sets to the good for Djokovic, and it needed a reaction from the Edinburgh-born Fearnley to arrest the inexorable momentum of the match.
And the underdog delivered just that, moving to 2-2 in the third as he continued his theme of good starts to each set.
Djokovic was chuntering once more, appearing at times to struggle with the conditions, but within a few minutes he was exhibiting wholly contrasting emotions, roaring with joy after breaking to take total control of the match.
From 3-2 up, the Serbian might have expected to make his run for home, but Fearnley forced two more break points in the next, landing the second to level things up again at 3-3, before holding beautifully to go 4-3.
That became 6-5 as an engrossing third set reached the business end, and suddenly Fearnley found himself with a set point on Djokovic's serve.
To the delight of the crowd, he took it and as the match ticked into the third hour, it went into an unexpected fourth set.
Over the years Djokovic has been the master of bouncing straight back from adversity, but Fearnley was growing ever more confident as the pair produced some of the best tennis of the match in the opening games of the fourth set.
After moving to 4-4, Fearnley snapped up the next to move one game from a deciding set amid a huge buzz on Centre Court.
But back came Djokovic, and a double fault on break point down saw Fearnley cough up his serve to give the 37-year-old the chance to serve it out.
That he did, and he will next face Alexei Popyrin, who beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
--
Stream daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm UK time, as well as the two singles finals live on July 13 and 14, on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement