LONDON: Protecting champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon 3rd around for the sixteenth time on Wednesday as possible semi-final opponent Casper Ruud crashed out. Best seed Djokovic brushed apart 79th-ranked Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 and can face Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic for a last-16 position.

3rd seed and French Open runner-up Ruud was once knocked out by way of 112th-ranked Ugo Humbert, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4. “I’m more than happy with my efficiency. I began rather well, cast from the again of the courtroom,” mentioned Djokovic, who’s taking a look to sign up for Pete Sampras as a seven-time Wimbledon champion. “I made him paintings for each level and labored him across the courtroom,” added the 20-time primary winner.

Kokkinakis had likened Djokovic to a “brick wall” earlier than the fit. “It was once one-way visitors. I were given chopped lately,” mentioned the 26-year-old Australian after his Centre Courtroom torment. Within the ladies’s match, moment seed Anett Kontaveit misplaced 6-4, 6-0 to Germany’s Julie Niemeier because the Estonian persisted some other Grand Slam to omit. Kontaveit has made the quarter-finals of a big simply as soon as in 29 makes an attempt. 9th seed and 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza additionally exited in her not on time first-round conflict, shedding 6-4, 6-0 to Belgium’s Greet Minnen.

‘Superb beef up’

Lesia Tsurenko got here out on most sensible in 3 units over Ukrainian compatriot Anhelina Kalinina to make the 3rd around for the second one time. Tsurenko, ranked at 101, proudly wore a ribbon within the colours of Ukraine on her blouse. “It was once a large courtroom. Two Ukrainian avid gamers however numerous other people have been staring at us. We felt wonderful beef up,” mentioned Tsurenko after her 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win.

“Nowadays at the method from resort to the membership, we were given a motive force,” she added. “She has taken two other people from Ukraine into her area. “I feel it’s wonderful when other people lend a hand Ukrainians such a lot.” Later Wednesday, two-time champion Andy Murray places his 8-0 report towards John Isner at the line of their second-round conflict. Former primary Murray, now down at 52 on the planet, wanted 4 units to defeat Australia’s James Duckworth on Monday.

At one level, the British celebrity dropped in an underarm serve to carve out a profitable level, a lot to the satisfaction of the Centre Courtroom crowd. “I don’t know why some other people in finding it disrespectful,” mentioned Murray. Regardless of his shedding report towards Murray, 37-year-old Isner hasn’t ever performed the Briton on grass. He’s assured he has the guns at his disposal, having fired 54 aces to knock out qualifier Enzo Couacaud on Monday. “I’m older than Andy, I’m no spring hen, however I paintings arduous,” mentioned the American, who stands 6 toes 10 inches tall.

Isner has now served 13,688 aces in Excursion-level suits throughout his career-just 40 at the back of the report of 13,728 held by way of Ivo Karlovic. Isner was once one among 13 American males to achieve the second one around, essentially the most since 1995. Spanish youngster sensation and 5th seed Carlos Alcaraz goals for a spot within the final 32 for the primary time when he meets Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands. Britain’s US Open champion Emma Raducanu tackles France’s Caroline Garcia, who accrued her 3rd grass-court name at Dangerous Homburg final week. – AFP