Djokovic aiming to make Wimbledon third round for 11th time in a row
Novak Djokovic will be up last on Centre Court today, as he looks to continue his 2019 Wimbledon campaign. His opponent will be 111st ranked American Denis Kudla, whom Djokovic has never faced before.
The world number one Djokovic started slowly in his first round match falling a break behind to German Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first set. However the four time champion quickly turned it around to win in straight sets despite an admirable fight from his 35 year old opponent.
Djokovic has only ever gone out at this stage of Wimbledon once, eleven years ago when he fell to Marat Safin. Since this Djokovic’s record at SW19 has been formidable. He has won the title in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2018, whilst also losing the final to Andy Murray in 2013.
Djokovic won his 15th grand slam title earlier this year at the Australian Open, when he brushed Nadal aside 6-3 6-2 6-2. He also made the French Open semi-final this year, being edged out 7-5 in a fifth set to Dominic Thiem. This the 21st Grand Slam where the Serb has topped the draw at number one seed, though this year’s Australian Open was the first since 2016.
26 year old Denis Kudla is playing at the All England Club for the 6th time, having only missed the 2017 competition in the last seven years after he lost in the last round of qualification. His best Grand Slam performance came here when he made the fourth round in 2015, defeating 18 year old Alexander Zverev en route.
Kudla comfortably overcame Tunisian Malek Jaziri in the first round. Despite being ranked 11 places lower than Jaziri, he cruised to a 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory. The Ukrainian born American boasts a positive match record on grass courts, boasting a 53% win record.
A win today would be the Kudla’s 50th Tour-level win, but he will be considered a big underdog facing last year’s champion.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Age: 32
ATP Ranking: 1
Wimbledon seeding: 1
Career Wimbledon record: 66-10
Career Grand Slam record: 271-42
Career grass record: 89-18
Denis Kudla (USA)
Age: 26
ATP Ranking: 111
Wimbledon seeding: Unseeded
Career Wimbledon record: 6-5
Career Grand Slam record: 11-20
Career grass court record: 21-19
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