Wimbledon- Federer and Djokovic move to week 2
Novak Djokovic vs. Ernests Gulbis
Seems like Agassi has been keeping his promise of ensuring that Novak ‘improves every day‘. Djokovic has moved past the mental turmoil he had been facing for a few months before Wimbledon and seems to be back to his old fired up and hungry self.
In his third round match against Ernest Gulbis, the second seed Novak Djokovic seemed ready to give his all, and played some excellent tennis, defeating his opponent in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2.)
Part of Djokovic’s fiery personality in the match could be due to his small spat with the umpire, when he told the referee to “focus“on the match. Djokovic did apologize for this harsh statement later, and then began to focus on the match himself, causing his level to rise.
Gulbis hung on during the first, giving Novak a tough fight, and holding serve for as long as he could until the fateful break that would give Novak the set. In the second set Gulbis was unable to put up a proper defense, and Djokovic would sweep Gulbis away.
With a change in momentum, Gulbis would break early in the third, but Djokovic would pull it out in a tiebreak.
“I am delighted with my performance today,” said a content Djokovic.
Roger Federer vs. Mischa Zverev
Federer had a tough match against the serve and volleyer, Mischa Zverev, but Federer would end up playing some amazing tennis, which would enable him to pull out the match in three sets, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4.
Federer has been able to play at a high level consistently throughout Wimbledon so far, except for a few moments of nerves in the first few matches, and that has made him the man to beat this year. This is not to say however, that Federer is not having any mental lapses or even plating his best. Federer is capable increasing his level even more and should do so in the 2nd week.
In the first set Roger would go up 4-1, but would go walk about, and Mischa would put the pressure by taking it to a tiebreak. Roger hit a beautiful backhand volley for a set point and convert.
Federer would break early in the second set, making it easy for him to hold serve and move to the third set, where Zverev would double fault and give Roger the advantage again.
Roger also seems to be keeping in mind the toll that playing has on his body, finishing the match comparatively quickly in an hour and 49 minutes.
“It’s important to get through the first week with a good feeling and I think I got that.”
“The first match with the walkover saved me a lot of energy, crucial energy.”
“The first goal is to get through to the second week and I am happy to sit back and relax and then come back on Monday,” said Roger after his match.