Sports

Djokovic peaking in time for title charge

World number one to face Haas for place in Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Afp June 30, 2013

serbia 039 s novak djokovic gives a wave as he leaves the court after beating france 039 s jeremy chardy in their third round men 039 s singles match on day six of the 2013 wimbledon championships tennis tournament photo afp

Serbia's Novak Djokovic gives a wave as he leaves the court after beating France's Jeremy Chardy in their third round men's singles match on day six of the 2013 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: Novak Djokovic believes he is peaking at just the right time as the world number one prepares to step up his bid for a second Wimbledon title.

Djokovic took the express route into the fourth round as the world number one thrashed French 28th-seed Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

The Serb, who faces German 13th-seed Tommy Haas for a place in the quarter-finals, played a flawless first two sets without a single unforced error, and eventually hit 38 winners and served eight aces in one hour and 26 minutes of total dominance on Centre Court.

“My results are getting better and better, so this is very encouraging going into the second week,” said Djokovic.

“Now every match I’m going to play, every opponent I’m going to face is going to be more difficult. I’m going to expect tough challenges in front of me. I’m ready for it.

“It was a fantastic match [against Chardy]. I felt great from the start till the end. I had that super focus. I saw the stats that I won 100% of first serves. That was incredible for me.

“I’m striking the ball really well. Hopefully I can maintain that rhythm for the next opponent.”

While Florian Mayer, Bobby Reynolds and Chardy have been contemptuously swatted aside by Djokovic, he acknowledges Haas is likely to provide far more resistance.

In another match, Spanish fourth-seed David Ferrer beat Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the last-16. Ferrer will face Croatia’s Ivan Dodig for a place in the quarter-finals.

Serena still fighting for rights under bright lights

Top seed and defending champion Serena Williams breezed into the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-0 win over 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm to set up a match with German 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki for a place in the quarter-finals.

Saturday’s win was the 600th of Serena’s career as the American continued her gentle cruise towards a sixth Wimbledon title.

A win today will also give her a 35th successive victory, taking her level with sister Venus’s record set in 2000.

“Wow, 600 wins. I had no idea. What better place than under the roof at Centre Court to achieve it,” said the 31-year-old American.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2013.

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