Unstoppable Novak Djokovic powers past Rune for record 60th Grand Slam quarter-final

Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th major title continues at Wimbledon. Along the way, records continue to fall. 

Djokovic defeated Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to wrap up Day 8 on Centre Court, advancing to his record 60th Grand Slam quarter-final and handing the Dane his tenth consecutive top-5 loss. 

There were thrills and spills along the way, including three falls that left Djokovic on the set of his pants in the grass near his baseline, but each time he got up no worse from the wear, and continued to take the play to his 21-year-old opponent as he completed his victory in a swift two hours and three minutes.

37, the new 27?

With his win, Djokovic becomes the fifth man in Open Era history to reach multiple Grand Slam quarter-finals beyond the age of 37, along with Ken Rosewall (7), Roger Federer (5), Jimmy Connors (2) and Pancho Gonzalez (2). 

The Belgrade native’s record 374th Grand Slam singles victory sets a clash with Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the last eight. 

“yOU can’t touch me”

The Centre Court crowd took to chanting Rune’s name in the tone of a boo throughout the contest, and it caused some confusion with Djokovic. He looked surprised at first, then, after chatting with the umpire and his opponent, appeared to find it funny.

But he didn’t find it innocent.

After the match Djokovic told the crowd what was really on his mind:

‘I know they were cheering for Rune, but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said. “Listen, I’ve been on the Tour for more than 20 years. So trust me, I know all the tricks, I know how it works. It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s okay. I’m focused on the respectful people, that have respect, that paid the ticket to come and watch the night, and love tennis, and appreciate the players and the effort put in here.

“I’ve played in much more hostile environments, trust me. You guys can’t touch me.”

12 out of the gate

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic was out of the gates before Rune could make his presence felt. He rifled through the first 12 points of the contest and never really looked back from there as he scored early breaks in each of the three sets to limit the stress in his mind and on his surgically repaired right knee, which once again held firm and allowed Djokovic to put his best foot forward against the dangerous world No 15. 

If there was a moment when Rune, who was bidding to become the fourth player in history to own wins over Djokovic on all three surfaces, could have gained ground in the contest it came late in the second set. The 21-year-old saved six set points while serving to stay alive at 3-5, holding for 4-5 before earning a break point to draw level at 5-all. 

It wasn’t meant to be, as the opportunity was quickly snuffed out by Djokovic, who won the final three points of the set to take a two sets to love lead. 

The world No 2 wasted no time in the third set as he needed just five points to score a break for 1-0. Later in the set he benefited from a Rune double fault to take a 5-2 lead and served out the match without incident to improve his lifetime ledger at Wimbledon to 96-11. 

If he can win three more matches Djokovic will finish the fortnight with 99 Wimbledon wins and 99 career titles. A nice bit of symmetry for the man who was counted out by many when he underwent knee surgery on June 5th, but given how deeply he cares for the traditions of Wimbledon, the number that is most likely on his mind is eight – as in eight Wimbledon titles, which would tie him with Roger Federer on the tournament’s all-time list.

Four down, three to go…

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London (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 50.000.000, most recent results first):

• Taylor Fritz (13) beat Alexander Zverev (4): 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-3
• Alex De Minaur beat Arthur Fils: 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
• Lorenzo Musetti (25) beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (LL): 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
• Tommy Paul (12) beat Roberto Bautista Agut: 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-2
• Daniil Medvedev (5) beat Grigor Dimitrov (10): 5-3 ret.
• Jannik Sinner (1) beat Ben Shelton (14): 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (9)
• Carlos Alcaraz (3) beat Ugo Humbert (16): 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5