Novak Djokovic wobbled briefly, but didn’t lose his nerve: Only a win on Sunday (3 p.m.) in the Wimbledon final against Nick Kyrgios (Aus), who progressed without a fight against Rafael Nadal (Esp), separates the Serbian defending champion from his 21st Grand Slam title. That would make him the only number two in men’s rankings behind Nadal (22) and ahead of Roger Federer (20), whose comeback is expected in the fall.
Djokovic ended the British dream in the round of four. The number 9 seeded local hero Cameron Norrie had a brilliant start, but ultimately lost 6:2, 3:6, 2:6, 4:6. The moderator on Center Court should then have the laughs on his side with his personal analysis: “As soon as you put your cap on, it went like clockwork,” he said to 35-year-old Djokovic, who couldn’t help but smile: “This recipe sounds simple, but it was tough for me against a player who played the tournament of his life. It was the hottest day of these two weeks,” emphasized the third in the world rankings against number 40 in the ATP computer, Kyrgios , is to be favoured. However, the enfant terrible won the previous two duels – that was in 2017 on hard court.
Final premiere for a duo
Ons Jabeur meets Elena Rybakina in the women’s final of the grass classic today (4 p.m.). For both it is the premiere in a Grand Slam final. The Tunisian Jabeur is the first African professional tennis player to do this. Rybakina was born in Moscow, in 2018 the nationality changed from Russia to Kazakhstan. “She is our product. We wish her victory,” said Shamil Tarpishchev, President of the Russian Tennis Federation.
Jabeur’s entry into the final has also taken on a political dimension. She enjoys cult status in her home country, and a big reception is organized for her return to Tunis. “The Tunisians have forgotten their problems, everyone is proud of Ons. She is our Minister of Happiness,” said Minister of Sport Kamel Deguiche.
Last stop in the round of sixteen
In the round of 16 of the ATP Challenger from Salzburg, which was postponed from Thursday to yesterday due to rain, Dominic Thiem was the end of the line. He lost to Argentinian Facundo Bagnis 3-6, 6-2, 4-6. “There are small things that I still have to change,” said the Lower Austrian. For the world number 346. the tournaments in Bastad, Gstaad and Kitzbhel are coming up next week.
Thiem: Out in the Salzburg round of 16 Image: APA/Barbara Gindl
In the quarterfinals, Thiem’s compatriots Lukas Neumayer (2: 6, 2: 6 against Corentin Mutet) and Maximilian Neuchrist (2: 6, 7: 6, 2: 6 against Bagnis) also failed.
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