Only time will tell, but another rain delay at Wimbledon on Friday may end up extending Novak Djokovic’s reign.
Trailing Sam Querrey two sets to none, Djokovic–playing on a roofless Court 1–saw the heavens open up with more precipitation to postpone the remainder of their third-round showdown from Friday to Saturday. Querrey holds owns a stunning 7-6(6), 6-1 advantage heading into the resumption of play scheduled for noon.
The delay may be just what the doctor ordered for the two-time defending champion, but Roger Federer needed no such stroke of good fortune.
Thanks to being scheduled on Centre Court for a third consecutive match, Federer can sleep easily on Friday night and Saturday morning. Whereas one second-round tilt (Alexander Zverev vs. Mikhail Youzhny) has yet to be completed, Federer is the first and only man through to round four. The world No. 3 took rolled over Daniel Evans 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 under the closed roof to secure his spot in the second week.
Federer cracked 11 aces without double-faulting and broke serve six times to coast in one hour and 26 aces.
“I’m clearly very happy because, well, the goal was to get to the second week somehow,” said the 34-year-old Swiss, whose form had been question following a French Open withdrawal and early exits in Stuttgart and Halle. “Now I won nine straight sets, which is great. Plus with the wet weather that we’ve seen, the opponents that I had, (you’re) never quite sure. But I was favored if I would be feeling 100 percent, great, yes, you would maybe expect that. But I didn’t know for myself where I was, so I am happy where I am now.
“I’m really pleased of how actually my level has gone up, how round by round I’ve been able to play better. Yeah, I’ve gotten through this tough first week in terms of weather.”
“Obviously everyone dreams about playing Federer on Centre Court,” Evans added. “Two Brits (also Marcus Willis in round two) got a chance this year. Should be inspiration for a lot of people. It’s inspiration for me that I got a chance to play him. I want that again, to play other good players on those courts.”
Of course, Evans should have said two Brits “so far” have gotten to play against the 17-time major winner, because Andy Murray vs. Federer remains a potential title match. And with Djokovic down two sets to love as we speak, Murray vs. Federer has suddenly become somewhere between possible and probable.
[polldaddy poll=9460450]
Damn you rain
Crazy match. Novak looked like he didn’t want to be there, it was very odd! But I’m hoping for Sam! Love to see our Americans get through!
Querry is nervous and has made loads of errors in two games..he is not even getting in good positions before pulling the trigger! Was moving and swinging way more freely yesterday
Predictable! Yesterday he had nothing to lose. Today he is a bundle of nerves.
Would love to have been a fly on the wall during Djokovic’s debriefing.last night 🙂 ‘remember who you are’; ‘think of what is at stake’ ; ‘think of the records’; blah, blah blah………..
Djokovic must be thanking the organizers for putting him on court 1… this would have become an indoor match on centre court! Even better for Querry..haha
First set is over in a blink!! two breaks for Djokovic..4-0
Querry so poor on break points!
QUerry is a pack of nerves! he is gifting points to Djokovic despite being up 15-40….djokovic is also nervous but Querry can’t capitalize. Oh, finally a good volley and it is deuce now…
wow that was superb from Djokovic…didn’t think he could make that half-volley..well done
QUerry has so much tension in his arms…keeps sending backhands long..at least make WIN it!
Its the same old story isnt it? Djoko always wins against such opponents even when he has to go the distance.
The rain comes just in time to save Djokovic again at 5:6 serving to stay in the match.
Take away the Querrey serve and there’s not much left 🙁 But he’s managing somehow to hang with Djokovic who messed up serving for the 4th set. The rain arrives at an opportune moment for him yet again.
This is the most chaotic Wimbledon I can recall – and I’ve been watching for over 60 years.
I have a feeling the 4th set is going to go to a TB which Djoker will win then take the 5th set easily. Hope not.
I am just catching up with the tennis and tuned in to see that it’s another rain delay. I thought the Novak would take advantage of the rain delay yesterday to come out playing better. It sounds like he did just that and Querrey did not play as well as he did yesterday.
I think it’s a big challenge for Querrey to play at a consistently high level in a best of five match. Also not letting the pressure of this possible upset get to him,
I hope they can get this match in today. The ESPN commies said the rain is why they are playing this Sunday.
NNY, querry had three break points in the 4-3 game and he choked big time… luckily for him, Novak choked away the 5-4 game and the American is back in the set!
vr,
Thanks for the update! I hope the rain delay ends soon do that we can see how it all plays out.
The line judges costed him that game.
he was silly not to challenge…. only has himself to blame !
shows you his head was not clear…he was very nervous
If I remember correctly, He didn’t actually have any challenges remaining by then!
Querry may win this 7-5
Well done, Sam Querrey! ?
Woohoo!!!!
Querrey downs Djoker in 4 sets.
Stone the crows.
Congrats Sam for the win!
Djoko did play very poorly by his own standard. So, no five in a row, no calendar grand slam. Also, like I said before, winning the FO and Wimbledon back to back, ie the channel slams, is never easy. So far we have to wait for 28 years before Rafa and then Fed won the channel slams after Borg last done it.
Djoko has done the incredible of winning four in a row, 47 years after Laver done it in 1969; no one can take that away from him. Commies to him.
PS. With this R3 loss, his consecutive slam QF streak is broken; Fed’s record is safe.
yeah…Djokovic just didn’t have enough fight in him today to get the job done… perhaps he is mentally exhausted. Querry was brilliant though! His serving and winning that long rally in th tie breaker for 3-3 was amazing! He also won the final point with a basline rally 🙂
Djokovic’s SICK streak ends…. I would have felt bad if he had won his 13th coz rafa has 14 lol…
Commies to Djokovic and well done Sam Querry!
Now, it is between Federer and Murray… Raonic wil be dangerous though and Murray’s draw also has dangerous players like Delpo, Kyrgios..
Wow! Just WOW! Querry cold blooded and brave sends Novak packing!
Respect for the amazing American! I really thought Novak would find the way to win this as he always did…
Djoko can’t use certain pods in Europe.
WST, Jan. 28, 2016: ¤¤ Djokovic said he only uses hyperbaric pods in the U.S. and Australia, because access and regulations are challenging in Europe. ¤¤
http://www.wsj.com/articles/tennis-players-get-an-oxygen-fix-1454023796
lol…you speak as if he has never won anything here!he has 3 Wimbledon titles !!!
I speak about “Djokovic just didn’t have enough fight in him today to get the job done…” (written AT 4:37 PM).
Don’t know what your concept of the CVAC pod is….perhaps you think even the dead can be brought back life by using it?
I talked about being mentally exhausted and that comes from playing/winning too much. He was totally fine physically and had a nice break after the French.
You can read “the consept of the CVAC pod” in the article I posted.
Apparently not! Just read on Wimby home page Nole’ s post match interview in which he hinted at injury/illness although refusing to talk details about it…
My post is a response to vamosrafa post of 4:59 pm…Novak claims he was not physically ok…tired he must be…the POD would have certainly helped…maybe now that GB is out of EU the PODs get approved… ?
yeah…he refused to reveal any details…don’t think it is anything serious but was enough for an inspired Sam.
natasha gets it! 🙂
I think it’s disgusting that the pod would even be brought up here! The continued insinuations are despicable.
Sour grapes from someone incapable of appreciating what Novak just did in winning four slams In a row. I
Someone who presumes to be a Rafa fan, while throwing cheap shots at his rival. Not something you would ever hear from Rafa!
@native 6:55 pm,
I see no cheap shots here! These are just facts!
1. Novak regularly uses POD when in the US or Australia
2. PODs are FORBIDDEN in EU therefore he CANNOT use it
3. Novak claimed he was NOT physically fit at this Wimby
so the conclusion is that if he was able to use POD it could have been different…or not…but certainly there are no insinuations here!
I see no reason for overwrought responses when POD is concerned…if Novak was hiding anything about it I would understand…but he is so open and frank about using it and I really see no reason why would people get upset if it’s discussed at forums…
and yet again, you make mistake and bring Rafa into the picture…what does Rafa have to do with Novak using PODS?!
natashao gets it! (AT 7:35 PM)
No, you guys make it seem as if the POD can even cure cancer! Come on! What is the research on it? What percentage improvement does it bring? You guys think humans are machines and you charge them with PODs and they can go on and on and on? Lol!
He said he is not healthy…and that can encompass 100 possible things… but no, the POD could have cured whatever it is!!
Murray said it didn’t work for him..bryans said they made a marginal difference!
Yeah, the POD does help in recovery but that type of recovery is to recover quicker between matches usually…you can’t keep using PODs and keep playing till 50?!
Sure the POD has helped him but these guys, Rafa, Novak, Federer put their hearts and souls into matches so continually associating it with PODs is just silly IN NY VIEW.
And frankly, how on earth is it a mistake or diagusting to bring write Rafa’s name here :s
It is a FACT that Rafa holds his opponents in high regards and never indulges in discrediting them.
Well, there is absolutely no need to ensue any debate on the POD but if there is evidence on that the POD cancure 101 health related issues, do let me know…haha
NNY (AT 6:55 PM),
That’s disgusting that you bring Rafa into it!
To add to my post AT 7:45 PM, Djoko just lost his last match, he didn’t win.
@ vamosrafa 9:04 PM,
I don’t think you get it! Nobody says POD can cure any illness…and nobody discredits Novak for using it! The fact is if one gets used to it and reliant on it then it can create trouble when not being able to use it…nobody says Novak lost due to that…all I am saying is that it could have been different if Novak was able to use it…or not…or it may just be in his head…but, once he gets to NW he will us it again! Does it help him? He certainly thinks it does, otherwise he would have not used it, like Brians decided not to…
BTW, it does help some people…go online and read about it…close friend of mine has been using it for quite a while and he thinks he is not the same without it…and he is only using the cheap version of it…apparently the one tennis players use is more sophisticated and enhanced…
Novak is great athlete and using POD does not diminish his accomplishments…only he knows if it is really worth it or not…but I see no reason to not discuss it here…
Again Rafa has nothing to do with it…I bet if asked about it he would probably just say: “I dont know…ask those who are using it…”
haha..on the contrary, I don’t think you get it Natashao 🙂
My initial response was to Augusta who , right after the match, associated the loss to the CVAC pod (even before Djokovic had mentioned in his presser he was not feeling 100%)!!!!
You entered the conversation later when Djokovic did say that and you said’ must’ be tired… again, it is only a matter of could be … the match was not physical and he played it in stints and the way he was hitting poor shots looked more about being mentally tired to me and after a decent break post FO , it was ample time to recharge enough physically to at least last till the third round!
I responded to Augusta because mental tiredness cannot be magically cured by PODs..you just need time away with family and other stuff to recuperate….they are humans…
I DID say that the POD helps him! Of course it has helped him. My references to curing illness was sarcasm because apparently, without knowing anything or hearing from Djokovic, Augusta claimed it happened as there was no POD?! seriously?!
Hope you understand why I responded and why the reference to curing illnesses.
And, there is a limit as to how long you can last using these equipments…fatigue is bound to kick in both mental and physical and when you are emotionally empty (which is linked to my reference that ‘he did not have enough fight left in him’ ) , no POD can help.
Rafa has nothing to do with it, but mentioning Rafa’s name in good light is also perfectly fine 🙂
vamosrafa (AT 9:35 PM)
—My references to curing illness was sarcasm because apparently, without knowing anything or hearing from Djokovic, Augusta claimed it happened as there was no POD?! seriously?!—
===
.
And you are constructing here long imaginary stories without knowing anything.
what is the imagination part here ?
these are facts…are you denying your own post which was posted before djokovic’s presser?!! LOL !!!
Looks like Djokovic winning 4 in a row has affected you… 😀
augusta,
Cut out your fake concern for Rafa! You have repeatedly brought up the pod in such a way to clearly imply that Novak is using something that gives him an unfair advantage! And you know it!
I can bring Rafa into it if I so choose! I had my own point to make and the fact that both you and natashao reacted negatively, says it all.
I made the point that Rafa woul never stoop so low as to bring up Neal using the pod, as though in some way it is responsible for his success in the sport. You don’t follow the classy example of the player you profess to admire and support so much.
Natashao,
Your response to me was filled with hypocrisy and inaccuracy. But I not surprised. You know exactly what the point is when bringing up novak’s use if the pod! Pretending otherwise is not fooling anyone!
NNY AT 10:36 PM
—augusta, Cut out your fake concern for Rafa!—
—I can bring Rafa into it if I so choose! —
—You have repeatedly brought up the pod in such a way to clearly imply that Novak is using something that gives him an unfair advantage! And you know it!—
===
.
I am wondering what’s fake about that? 🙄
I can be concerned for Rafa if I so choose!
I have repeatedly posted the article about Djoko using hyperbaric pods. I wonder why you still haven’t read it! 🙄
http://www.wsj.com/articles/tennis-players-get-an-oxygen-fix-1454023796
so if you think you can bring Rafa into it if you so choose, then why was it disgusting to you when Rafa’s name was mentioned by someone else, that too in a good light!!!
Hypocrisy is everywhere!!
Can’t be a clearer example than this!
AT 10:27 PM
—Looks like Djokovic winning 4 in a row has affected you…—
===
.
This article is about the match between Djoko and Querrey. Djoko didn’t win.
AT 11:18 PM
—so if you think you can bring Rafa into it if you so choose—
===
.
I paraphrased NNY’s words in her post AT 10:36 PM.
I feel sorry about your inability to understand it.
Vamosrafa JULY 2, 2016 AT 9:04 PM
—No, you guys make it seem as if the POD can even cure cancer! Come on!…—
===
.
I keep wondering why you are making up stories about other posters?! 🙄
.
I posted AT 4:48 PM an article about Djoko using hyperbaric pods. Read it.
I feel sorry about your inability to understand sarcasm.
AT 9:53 PM
Feel sorry for yourself.
for what? just because I make you speechless? hahahahahah
@native 10.36 pm,
You really don’t get it, do you? It’s all about hate to you, isn’t it? Sorry if you feel that way! You are utterly wrong about me! I don’t hate Novak, I admire every single achievement of his and I firmly believe he will be the greatest Serbian athlete of all times! And I am proud of it despite the fact that I am Rafa fan! However, I will always discuss things I like or dislike about him! It’s called freedom of speech!
Please, don’t pretend that you are here to defend Novak and his fans from me! I live and work with Novak’s fans and they don’t think I am disrespectful of him! Or you consider yourself bigger Nole fan than them? LOL..,
I had posted before the tournament began that my gut feeling was that Djokovic will not win this Wimbledon. Gut feeling proved right! Let us see whether the Muzzard can now take home the prize. If somebody else wins this, it would be exciting only if that person is nextgen and he is ready to be the next big thing. As I don’t see any such player so far, some are too young, some too inconsistent, I am now rooting for Muzz!