Novak Djokovic is set to return to the center court this Monday following his match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon. The game reached 7-6 (6) and 7-6 (6) in Djokovic’s favor, but play paused due to local rules that prohibit matches after 23:00. The delay was implemented to give Wimbledon residents a chance to rest, with the expectation that the match will resume on the center court after the pause in order to complete the contest. Elena Rybakina and Beatriz Haddad Maia are also scheduled to resume play later, with their quarterfinals planned for 14:30 local time on Movistar, potentially pushing back the day’s schedule and affecting other matches, including Carlos Alcaraz and Matteo Berrettini.
The third set was postponed with 29 minutes remaining in the allotted time for the day as organizers aimed to balance player rest with the fans’ enjoyment. Djokovic and Hurkacz hope to pick up where they left off in a highly anticipated continuation, continuing a year marked by dramatic proceedings at the All England Club.
Decisive draw ends
Djokovic managed to clinch both sets in the tiebreaks. Hurkacz showed resilience, noting that he had not yet dropped a serve in the tournament and remained focused on maintaining his strong serve—recording numerous aces and consistently winning points on first serve. Djokovic found ways to break the serve in both deciding tiebreaks, turning tight moments into key opportunities for victory.
Little Miracle D’Hubert Hurkacz proved to be a thrilling presence on the court, offering dramatic moments that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. A notable exchange during the match illustrated how Djokovic exploited a closing window to seal the set in the decisive tiebreak.
—Tennis Legend
—Tennis Legend
In the opening moments of the first set, Hurkacz faced a 5-4 deficit and faced a pair of challenging serves that tested his nerve. Before the second tiebreak, Djokovic and Hurkacz exchanged powerful serves, with Hurkacz facing a critical save at 0-40 and narrowly missing a potential break point where a mistimed volley near the net altered the course of the game.
Fabulous Rublev
Andrey Rublev secured his first Wimbledon quarter-final by defeating Kazakhstani star Alexander Bublik in four sets, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-7 (5), and 6-4. The Russian, ranked seventh in the world, avenged a recent Stuttgart final loss to Bublik, taking the match after more than three hours of play. Rublev displayed a potent combination of serves and groundstrokes, finishing with a high tally of aces and winners that underscored his strength on grass.
Rublev endured a tense finish, missing two match points at 5-4 in the fourth set, yet holding his nerve as Bublik battled back. The Kazakh produced a remarkable comeback, taking the next two sets in tiebreaks before Rublev converted the decisive moments late in the fifth, delivering a dramatic end to a grueling match on the lawn.
Jannik Sinner defeated Daniel Elahi Galán in straight sets, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-3, advancing to the quarterfinals once more. In a separate encounter, Roman Safiullin defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov in a gripping three-set match, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and 6-3, showcasing a blend of resilience and precise shot-making on big-stage grass.
Swiatek ‘to the extreme’
Bearing down on the match ahead, world number one Iga Swiatek faced a formidable challenge against Swiss Belinda Bencic, ultimately prevailing in a marathon three-hour battle that ended 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-3. The Polish star endured intense pressure, saving two match points at 6-5 in the second set to keep her title bid alive and then sealing the decisive set with a late burst of aggressive play.