Three-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic beat Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7-5) under a closed roof to advance to the third round. Djokovic and Mannarino met for the first time in their careers. Djokovic sets up a third round match against Thomaz Bellucci.
Djokovic saved two break points in the first game of the opening set. Mannarino fended off one break point in the fourth game for 2-2. The first set went on serve until the 10th game when Djokovic broke serve to 30 to clinch it by 6-4.
Djokovic got his second consecutive break in the second game of the second set. Djokovic reeled off his fifth consecutive game from 4-4 in the opening set to build up a 3-0 lead. Mannarino stopped the five-game losing streak by getting his first game on the scoreboard for 3-1. Djokovic won the fifth game on serve to love. Mannarino served to stay in the set at 2-5 and held his service game at deuce but Djokovic won the final game to love to clinch the second set 6-3.
Mannarino saved a break point with an ace in the first game of the third set. Djokovic rallied from 0-40 to save two break points in the second game to draw level to 1-1. Mannarino held his service game with a backhand winner to 30 for 2-1. Mannarino won three consecutive points to hold his serve in the fifth game for 3-2. Djokovic broke serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead and held his service game to 15 with an ace. Mannarino held his service game to love to stay in the match. Mannarino got his first break of the match at deuce as Djokovic was serving for the match at 5-4. Mannarino hit an ace to win his service game to 15 for 6-5. Djokovic rallied from 0-30 by winning four consecutive points to force the third set to the tie-break. Djokovic got a mini-break to open up a 5-2 lead with a streak of 9 points to 2. Mannarino won two consecutive points to claw his way back to 5-4. Djokovic earned two match points at 6-4. Mannarino saved the first opportunity as the Serb hit his forehand into the net but Djokovic sealed the match on the next match point as Mannarino could only return on the net.
Djokovic won his 30th consecutive match at Grand Slam level. The Serb is third on the list for most consecutive Grand Slam wins behind Calender Grand Slam winners Rod Laver and Don Budge.
“I am not surprised of this statistic but I am very proud. I am grateful to play at such a good level for a long level. I will continue playing with passion for a long time”, said Djokovic.
Asked about the next match between Roger Federer and World Number 772 Marcus Willis, Djokovic said.
“Roger is the favourite but Marcus will play at home in front of his fans”, said Djokovic.
