Djokovic restores order with routine win at Wimbledon

Serbian through to third round after straight sets success

Novak Djokovic  hits a return to America’s Bobby Reynolds during their singles  match at  Wimbledon. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters
Novak Djokovic hits a return to America’s Bobby Reynolds during their singles match at Wimbledon. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

Top seed Novak Djokovic moved through to the Wimbledon third round today after overcoming Bobby Reynolds under the Centre Court roof.

Defeat for Reynolds made it the worst Wimbledon for American men since 1912, with none through to the last 32.

Rain hampered play towards the end of the day, meaning the second-round clash was forced indoors.

Serbian Djokovic got off to a slow start against world number 156 Reynolds, but came through a first set tie-break and never looked back.

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The 26-year-old eventually won 7-6 (7/2) 6-3 6-1, thus avoiding an early shock exit and joining Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the road home.

Djokovic said: “It is a bit strange that so many top players lost in one or two days, but it is a Grand Slam and the low-ranked players have an extra motivation to perform their best.

“They have nothing to lose when they come out and play on the big stage, on the Centre Court.

“I needed to be extra careful today, obviously. With the roof closed, it was a bit different. I needed some time to adjust to the conditions.

“It was a bit slower than the first match but I played well in the second and third and I am glad I am through.”

Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, one of those tipped to challenge Djokovic for the Wimbledon crown, made light work of Canada’s Jesse Levine before rain brought play to a halt at Wimbledon.

The former US Open champion took just under two hours to dismantle his opponent, running out a 6-2 7-6 (9/7) 6-3 winner in the first match on Centre Court.

Ninth seed Richard Gasquet set up what promises to be an entertaining contest against Bernard Tomic, while there was an upset on Court 18 as big-serving 17th seed Milos Raonic lost to world number 64 Igor Sijsling.

Dutchman Sijsling goes on to play Ivan Dodig, who beat Denis Kudla, while Japan’s Kei Nishikori advanced after beating Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 6-1.

Seventh seed Tomas Berdych progressed without dropping a set against Germany’s Daniel Brands and next plays South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.

Rain started falling intermittently at 3.30pm, but organisers did not stop play until 5pm.

Grigor Dimitrov, watched by girlfriend Maria Sharapova, was 9-8 behind against Grega Zemlja in the final set of their contest when Court Three became unplayable.

Fourth seed David Ferrer did not get a chance to start his clash with fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

Before the showers, which saw play cancelled at 7pm, there were two more injury withdrawals to add to the record-breaking seven from yesterday.

France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu handed Feliciano Lopez a walkover when he suffered a hamstring injury, while his compatriot Michael Llodra pulled out earlier in the day during his contest against Andreas Seppi, after dropping the first set.

Llodra declared himself fit for a later doubles match as he and Nicolas Mahut tackled Jan Hajek and Jaroslav Levinsky, and the French duo went through after Levinsky withdrew because of a back injury.