Novak Djokovic too good for resilient Philipp Kohlschreiber

Novak Djokovic got centre court matches underway as he began his campaign to win this year’s Wimbledon.

Despite winning in straight sets, last year’s champion Novak Djokovic was forced to work hard against German Philipp Kohlschreiber playing at his 15th successive Championships. This was his 60th Grand Slam singles event and the German underdog has now moved into the top 10 for most Open Era slam singles appearances.

Kohlschreiber began the match impressively, taking advantage of a nervy service game from the world number one. A precise drop shot helped him break serve straight away. Despite this, successful passing shots aided this year’s bookies favourite Djokovic to break back immediately.

Momentum stayed with Djokovic as he forced numerous errors to take a 4-1 lead. Powerful serving saw the Serbian go on to take the first set 6-3.

The second set started in similar fashion to the first when Kohlschreiber capitalised on weak Djokovic play to take an early break of serve and 2-0 lead. Kohlschreiber has only managed to beat Djokovic twice in 13 meetings, and his opponent earnt another instant break back after a weak German backhand dropped into the net.

The world number 57 battled to save three break points at 4-4, and hit an unreturnable serve to gain an all important hold to stay on serve. At the next time of asking though Djokovic let out a big roar when Kohlschreiber hit into the tramlines to give the Serb a 6-5 lead. A powerful service game consolidated the break to see the 32 year old take a 6-3, 7-5 lead.

At 3-3 in the third set at break point a mistimed pickup shot from Kohlschreiber helped Novak cruise onto the homestraight. Powerful serving followed by successive breaks of serve meant the world number one clinched the match 6-3 7-5 6-3 with a simple forehand winner.

Djokovic will take confidence from this testing win as he chases a 5th Wimbledon title that would take him to 4th place on the all-time list for most grand slam singles titles.

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