jokovic vs Wawrinka LIVE!
World no2 Novak Djokovic continues his quest for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title to conclude day five at the All England Club, taking on two-time quarter-finalist Stan Wawrinka. It will be the 27th time the pair have met but, remarkably, the first on grass.
Djokovic has won 20 of those clashes, but lost to Wawrinka in the finals of both of US Open and French Open in his career peak, before injuries have taken their toil on the 38-year-old Swiss great. Djokovic is rightfully favourite today, but huge respect remains between the pair.
Ahead of the match, Djokovic said: “We cannot forget that he’s a three-time Grand Slam champion, Davis Cup winner and also (won) Olympic gold (in doubles). He had a fantastic career.” Can Wawrinka add another famous memory tonight? Follow all the action on Centre Court live with Dom Smith from Wimbledon below!
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GAME, SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(5) Wawrinka
Just as this tiebreak is about to begin, one man yelps in Wawrinka’s direction: “He’s just a human, Stan.”
Amazing effort by Wawrinka to really push for the first mini break, but Djokovic gets first point and then he himself gets the mini break on Wawrinka’s serve.
Djokovic permits himself a smile as he goes 3-1 ahead when Wawrinka then nets.
But Wawrinka then turns the tide and edges 5-3 ahead.
It’s 5-5 and back on serve when Wawrinka loses that lead and Djokovic levels at 5-5 in the most tense of tiebreaks, and then he devastatingly swipes at the ball too early, netting, and offering up a match point to Djokovic.
TIEBREAK!
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-6 Wawrinka
We’re heading for a tiebreak after a dramatic 12th game in the third set.
There’s a roar from the crowd as Djokovic pushed Wawrinka to deuce on his serve
On second deuce, Djokovic misses with a net volley — only finding the tramlines — and the Swiss 38-year-old has forced a tiebreak.
Djokovic holds (when does he not?)
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 6-5 Wawrinka
Djokovic brings up 40-0 with ease and then leaps onto a poor return by Wawrinka to slam down the winner.
A love hold for Djokovic, who moves 6-5 ahead in this much-more-competitive third set.
Wawrinka with a brilliant game
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 5-5 Wawrinka
Djokovic nets from Wawrinka’s hammered serve as the Swiss veteran leads 30-0.
Fine, fine cross-court backhand from Wawrinka to make it 40-0. Djokovic get there but doesn’t reply into play.
It’s 5-5.
What a point
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 5-4 Wawrinka
It’s an ace down the T for Djokovic as he moves 30-15 ahead.
He’s then forward to the net to put away a smooth winner. He’s not often at the net, Djokovic, but was decisively so there.
And then WOW. Djokovic is pointing to his ear asking for applause and Wawrinka is one of the many inside Centre Court obliging. A stunning point which included a shot against the net cord, a lob, and smashed volley winner.
Djokovic the winner, on serve, and if he breaks here he’s won the match.
Stan the man
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 4-4 Wawrinka
Well, well, well. Stan the man is not going down without a fight.
He jars a one-handed backhand into the tramlines but responds with a fiery serve.
A battered winner down the line brings up 40-15 for Wawrinka, who takes the game with an ace immediately afterwards.
Djokovic nudges ahead once more
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 4-3 Wawrinka
Cross-court winner for Djokovic as he wins the first two points of the game. He then bats down Wawrinka’s lobbed return of serve and then slams down an ace.
Impressive stuff from Djokovic, who won Wimbledon last year by defeating Nick Kyrgios in the Australian’s only Grand Slam final to date.
3-3
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 3-3 Wawrinka
Wawrinka is 30-0 up after he fires a blistering ace down the T. The very next point sees Djokovic get much closer to Wawrinka’s delightful clip than the Swiss would have liked, but Djokovic nets it.
It’s another vital hold for the 38-year-old.
Djokovic holds. Just!
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 3-2 Wawrinka
Laughter across Centre Court as a cat-and-mouse rally of backhand cross-court slices ensues. Wawrinka challenges midpoint as one of Djokovic’s is deemed in. But it’s OUT.
Great call from Wawrinka. Djokovic responds with a fierce winner and he’s now 40-15 up.
Djokovic then nets, leaving Wawrinka one point away from forcing deuce on the Djokovic serve.
But Wawrinka can only find the tramlines and Djokovic holds.
Wawrinka holds again
Djokovic 6-3, 6-1, 2-2 Wawrinka
The Serb can only find the tramlines as Wawrinka takes a 15-0 lead, and then he moves further in front in this fifth game of the third set.
Wawrinka completes the job with a down-the-line winner with Djokovic’s momentum sending him the other way.
Thumbs-up approval from the Serb.
