Djokovic targets Wimbledon quarters, Zverev crumbles

Novak Djokovic faces a tough challenge in his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title on Monday, following Taylor Fritz’s remarkable comeback that ended Alexander Zverev’s Wimbledon journey. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, visibly emotional and wearing a black ribbon, advanced to the quarter-finals amidst tragic events in Kyiv where a Russian missile strike devastated a children’s hospital.

Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion aiming to match Roger Federer’s eight titles, is set to meet Danish 15th seed Holger Rune, who has defeated him twice before. Recovering from knee surgery, Djokovic has been mostly dominant but acknowledges Rune’s potential, describing him as a formidable opponent with a competitive spirit.

In a dramatic turn of events, Fritz rallied from two sets down to defeat Zverev, prevailing 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. Fritz’s victory included breaking Zverev’s serve for the first time in the tournament, showcasing resilience and strategic brilliance on Centre Court.

Svitolina’s poignant victory came amid heavy emotions as she reached the quarter-finals with a swift 6-2, 6-1 win over Wang Xinyu. The Ukrainian player, deeply affected by the day’s tragic news from her homeland, received a heartfelt applause from the crowd on Court Two as she struggled to maintain focus amidst difficult circumstances.

The tournament also saw Lorenzo Musetti advancing to face Fritz after overcoming Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while Jelena Ostapenko secured her spot in the next round with a decisive victory over Yulia Putintseva.