Novak Djokovic Trounces Frenchman Adrian Mannarino In Three Sets Securing Last Wimbledon Quarterfinal Slot

Three-time All England Club Champion Novak Djokovic knocked out France’s Adrian Mannarino in three heated sets to clinch the last seat in the quarterfinals. Mannarino struggled in the match against Djokovic’s barrage of brilliant shots ending the two hours 15-minute victory in three straight sets.

Up by two sets, Djokovic called for a trainer in a medical timeout complaining about a discomfort in his right shoulder. The former three-time Wimbledon champion was seen grimacing in pain as his right stretched shoulder was being checked by the medical examiner. Djokovic later confirmed that it is a condition he is suffering sometime now but he is still in control over his games. The Serb continued to win the third set and match in a 6-2, 7-6, 6-4 final score.

But this was not what bothered Djokovic in their round of 16 matches that was postponed from the original schedule the day before. The Wimbledon second seed snapped at the Wimbledon committee for making him wait till the next day due to an extended match between third seed Rafael Nadal against Gilles Muller for a quarterfinal slot. The court they were supposed to play with Mannarino had no lights and roof that left only less than an hour of play before darkness sets in.

Djokovic suggested that a tie breaker should be set in the fifth set so as to finish the game after five grueling sets. He further reiterated for the player’s consideration and advantage not to prolong a game in the fifth set in preparation for the next day’s match which is not good for an athlete. Only the US open has a five-set tiebreaker in force and requested Wimbledon officials to apply it in their system.

Another option was to transfer their match from Court number 1 to the Center Court; he was looking at it but no court preparation was being made. With less than an hour left of natural playing light left, the umpires received a notice to cancel the game and reset the match for the next day of play, reports Express.

Novak Djokovic will be trading shots in his quarterfinal set up against the fiery Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. The 11th seed got into the quarterfinal rounds after cruising past Dominic Thiem of Austria in a hard fought five setter hostility with a score of 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, reports ESPN.

Novak Djokovic has 27 matches behind him with the Serb leading the Czech 25 wins to two. All matches between these two brilliant players were in the quarterfinal stage or higher. Berdych had been playing the Wimbledon very well while manifesting his presence on the top eight slots in the 2017 Championships. The unpredictable course of play between the players lies in the strategies they are willing to implement and follow through. Berdych being a solid and all around player has leveled up his performance with his big serves while Djokovic is doing his all natural game flow. Schedule of play is on July 12 at 10:30 a.m. EST, the second match at court number one.

[Featured Image by Alastair Grant/AP Images]