Wimbledon 2024 Men’s Day 6

Novak Djokovic fought back after losing a set to overhaul Alexei Popyrin for a spot in the second week of Wimbledon on a Saturday interrupted frequently by bad weather.

The second seed playing in his 75th Grand Slam and who underwent a knee procedure less than a month ago took victory 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) over his Australian opponent.

The seven-time champion from Serbia copped it in his stride when Centre Court fans interrupted play with their cheers as England beat Switzerland in Duesseldorf on penalties to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

But the 24-time Grand Slam winner got back to the business of turning the match around after dropping the first set.

Djokovic won the next three to move into the last 16 here for the 16th time after squeezing out a tiebreaker after three hours.

“It was another tough match, I didn’t expect anything less than that,” Djokovic said after beating Popyrin for the second time this season.

“I knew he would come out with self-belief and confidence. He was close to winning our match in Australia.

“His serve and forehand are dangerous on any surface. He was better in the first set but I stepped it up – the fourth set was anyone’s game.

“But I played one of my best tiebreakers of this season.”

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev survived a nasty skid on the grass and was forced to fight through a monster tiebreaker to overcome determined Brit Cam Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (15).

The final set lasted for well over an hour, with the German, last month’s Roland Garros runner-up, staying on track for a possible first Grand Slam title if he maintains current form.

Zverev defeated British No. 2 Norrie for the sixth time without a loss and tied his career Wimbledon best by advancing to the fourth round for a third time.

The winner was checked out by the trainer after hyper-extending his left knee during a running slide on the grass during the fifth game of the second set.

Despite fearing the worst, Zverev played on without further incident after a slight taping was applied to the knee.

“I’m pleased I was able to continue in the way that I did,” he said. “If my level had dropped I would have had no chance against Cam.

“He’s an incredible player and grass is his favourite surface; he’s also a semi-finalist here.

“I knew I had to play at my highest level. I’m happy with my game and my level. It’s always something special to play on the Wimbledon Centre Court.”

Zverev said he will have his knee seen to, but does not seem to be anticipating further complications.

Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, survived a two-day match to defeat German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3)

Ninth seed Alex de Minaur advanced into the second week without touching a racquet as Lucas Pouille withdrew before their third-round match with an abdominal injury.

The No. 212 who has battled injury during this season, suffered his latest setback in the previous round, which he won as opponent Thanasi Kokknakis quit with a knee injury. 

American Ben Shelton, the 14th seed, finished off a rain-interrupted match from the day before, defeating Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, taking just over three hours to reach a tournament-best showing.

Towering French youngster Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard overwhelmed Finn Emil Ruusuvuori, dropping the first set but fighting back for a 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-5 decision as he threw down 27 aces and hit a serve speed of 181 kph.

Fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert joined the party, defeating Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (9), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6) after more than three and a half hours.

Italian showman Fabio Fognini fell 7-6 (6), 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (1), 6-4 as Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut came from two sets to one down for a win over two days which ran for four and a half hours..

Main photo:- Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd