Hurkacz vs Djokovic LIVE! Wimbledon 2023 latest result and updates as defending champion battles through
urkacz vs Djokovic LIVE!
Novak Djokovic took control of his fourth-round match against Hubert Hurkacz last night before the Wimbledon curfew halted play, leaving him with plenty of work to do on Center Court as play resumes this afternoon.
After Andrey Rublev and then Iga Swiatek emerged victorious after lengthy battles on Sunday, Djokovic and Hurkacz came onto the pitch knowing they had just over two hours to come up with a result if they weren’t called into overtime wanted to.
Djokovic narrowly beat time in the third round as he defeated Stan Wawrinka but failed to manage a repeat here despite a series of quick service games. Two tie-breaks meant the game was suspended 25 minutes before the 11pm curfew. The defending champions were leading 7-6, 7-6 and were on track to record 43 straight wins when the pair returned to the court. Follow all the action in Standard Sport’s special LIVE blog below!
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Next up is Andrey Rublev for Novak Djokovic.
The quarter-finals take place tomorrow as the defending champions look to secure their place in the rest of the Wimbledon semi-finals.
The two have already met four times, with Djokovic winning three of those games, but this will be their first encounter on grass.
Game, set and match!
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 4-6 Djokovic
Hurkacz challenges like he’s the only one in the middle who didn’t see the chalk cloud as the serve hit the line. A little desperate.
Another first serve didn’t come back, 30-0. And one more thing, 40-0. Djokovic races to the finish, three match points.
Hurkacz fails to make the pass down the line and that’s enough! Djokovic reached the quarterfinals in four sets.
Now to you, Novak…
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 4-5* Djokovic
Here we go – Hurkacz manages to stay in the game.
However, Djokovic starts to find his reach, the return falls right at Hurkacz’s feet and he can’t do anything with it. And then that’s disastrous off the bar – he loses the ball in the wind as Djokovic throws it up, spins as it bounces and finally sends the ball miles wide of goal. 15-30
This is brilliant though. Djokovic couldn’t have done more with the crosscourt pass, but Hurkacz smashes him perfectly over the net with a half-volley.
Two aces and that’s a hold. Djokovic will serve for it.
Djokovic a game away
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *3-5 Djokovic
Hurkacz needs a very quick reaction. Two tame returns that don’t worry Djokovic, not quite what was required, 30-0.
The defending champion prepares to volley after another good serve over the T, realizing he’s floating too far at the last second and going just in time.
It’s a hold to love, Hurkacz sets up the final return that flies up and eventually lands a few inches off the baseline.
Djokovic breaks!
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 3-4* Djokovic
That was a chance for Djokovic, neutralizing serve and coming to a baseline change, but Hurkacz gets to the net and the drop volley is good enough.
Not this time! After a drop shot fight, Hurkacz maintains control, but the ensuing lob doesn’t get enough and Djokovic parries the smash. 15-30 And now two breakpoints! Sweeps the backhand pass past Hurkacz and Djokovic has his chance.
One saves, Djokovic comes to the drop volley but doesn’t quite make it this time. 30-40 Ace – Two!
However, another breakpoint is imminent, Hurkacz can only throw the ball up and Djokovic keeps his nerve with the overhead while the wind swirls.
OUT OF STOCK. Hurkacz blinks first in the rally and Djokovic has the crucial, crucial break.
nothing inside
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *3-3 Djokovic
Poor backhand from Djokovic followed by consecutive aces as he regained control of the game.
Motion improves too, all the way to the net and he volleys past Hurkacz, 40-15.
The third ace of the game, this time off and still on serve in the fourth. It’s getting very tense…
More of the same
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 3-2* Djokovic
Serve and Volley continues to deliver Hurkacz. 135 mph, a smack in the net… a pretty good combination.
Djokovic still doesn’t make the most of the moments when he gets into a rally, sending his forehand into the net midway. Lots of frustrated looks at his box.
He manages to get that last big serve back in play really well, but Hurkacz waits and the forehand that follows is good enough.
No sign of a break
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 *2-2 Djokovic
Easy play by Hurkacz, who hasn’t been able to put any real pressure on Djokovic’s serve in this set so far.
That’s wild from Pole, the backhand return is miles away and the defending champion equalizes again in the fourth set.
And one more stop
Hurkacz 6-7 6-7 7-5 2-1* Djokovic
Djokovic at least gets this first-service return back into play, but it fits for Hurkacz and he puts the forehand away.
The game is extended when Hurkacz makes a double fault out of nowhere and Djokovic now has a bit of interest at 40:30 when Hurkacz nets a deep slice.
But that’s also a pretty bad shot from Djokovic, a head shake and Hurkacz is in control.