Djokovic to take on Polish youngster in Wimbledon third round
2018 champion Novak Djokovic faces Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in the third round today.
The pair met for the first time at the recent Grand Slam at Roland Garros in Paris. Djokovic kicked off his run to the semi-finals there by comfortably beating the 22 year old 6-4 6-2 6-2, who was making his second appearance at the Slam.
Playing in the third round for a 14th time, Djokovic is looking to win back to back Wimbledon titles for the second time in his career. Despite a slow start to the opening set, the Serb progressed comfortably in the first round beating 57th ranked Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-5 6-3, before thrashing America’s 111th ranked Denis Kudla 6-3 6-2 6-2.
The last time Djokovic lost at SW19 in round three was three years ago when big serving Sam Querrey hit 31 aces to shock the number one seed in four sets. Before that though the last time Djokovic had gone out of a Slam before round three was in 2009, when his round 1 opponent here Philipp Kohlschreiber beat him 6-4 6-4 6-4 at the French Open.
Hubert Hurkacz is playing his seventh straight Slam after qualifying for and making his debut at the French Open in 2018. Before the start of this tournament, the Pole had only won two Grand Slam matches out of seven, including his first when he beat Tennys Sandgren, before recording his second against fellow qualifier Stefano Travaglia at last year’s US Open.
Hurkacz lost here in the first round last year after receiving a lucky loser position into the draw where he lost to another lucky loser Bernard Tomic in straight sets.
This week has seen the man from Wroclaw defeat 32nd seed Dusan Lajovic and the experienced Leonardo Mayer both in four sets, a big improvement on previous Grand Slam performances.
Looking to pull off the upset of the tournament so far, Djokovic’s opponent will hope to win in his first ever third round appearance at a Slam. Heavy favourite Djokovic though will aim to continue his hunt to win his 16th Slam, and onto a potential fourth round with 18 year old star Felix Auger Aliassime, whom he has never faced before.
Djokovic (Serbia)
Age: 32
ATP Ranking: 1
Wimbledon seeding: 1
Career Wimbledon record: 67-10
Career Grand Slam record: 272-42
Career grass court record: 90-18
Hurkacz (Poland):
Age: 22
ATP Ranking: 48th
Wimbledon seeding: Unseeded
Career Wimbledon record: 2-1
Career Grand Slam record 4-5
Career grass court record: 4-3
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