Wimbledon 2025: Djokovic routs Evans; De Minaur and Andreeva win on day four

The Guardian

03-07-2025

Update:
Date: 2025-07-03T15:16:10.000Z
Title: Krejcikova serves out that first set and she now leads Dolehide 6-4 1-0, while Rybakina is absolutely rousting Sakarri, up 6-3 5-1.
Content: Updates as the second round continues at SW19
Email Katy | Raducanu storms past Vondrousova
Katy Murrells (now) and
Daniel Harris (earlier and later)
Thu 3 Jul 2025 11.16 EDT
First published on Thu 3 Jul 2025 05.19 EDT
11.16am EDT
11:16
Thanks Daniel. Yes let's stay on No 1 Court, where Rybakina is serving for the match at 6-3, 5-1, 30-all. The 2022 champ gets match point when Sakkari hits long, and an unreturned serve settles matters. That's a comprehensive, controlled and composed victory over the former No 3. Is there a better grass-court player in the draw? Probably not. Staying fit and healthy hasn't always been easy for the 26-year-old – but on her day she can beat anyone here. Next up on No 1 will be Jack Draper v Marin Cilic.
11.08am EDT
11:08
But my watch is over for now – Katy is back to guide you through the next couple of hours, after which I'll be back to bring it home.
11.04am EDT
11:04
McEnroe, though, what a total hero. How lucky we were to have him and Martina dominating at the same time, two amazing players with principles, character and genius. I coujldn't and still can't get enough of either.
11.01am EDT
11:01
Also 40 years ago today, Back to the Future was released, so here's something on the space-time continuum. Not much is perfect, but that film is perfect.
10.59am EDT
10:59
Oh man, I appear to be old. Forty years ago today, one of the first sporting shocks I can remember.
10.58am EDT
10:58
Rybakina breaks Sakkari back immediately and now leads 6-3 2-1, while Krejcikova will soon serve for set one at 5-4 against Dolehide.
Updated
at 11.06am EDT
10.56am EDT
10:56
Wrists! An amazing backhand winner, hit cross-court to break the sideline, earns Machac set point, then he stays in the next rally despite almost losing his footing, before a drop-pass combo secures a tiebreak in which he trailed 4-1. He and Holmgren are level at 1-1.
10.53am EDT
10:53
Alreet, Krejcikova breaks Dolehide for 4-3, while Sakkari does likewise to Rybakina at the start of set two so trails 3-6 0-1. Otherwise, Alexandrova leads Lamens 6-4 3-0 and Jacquemot is up 6-4 on Bencic.
10.51am EDT
10:51
'I'm sorry,' begins Martin, 'but Andy Murray's greatness is a bit like the Special Relationship. Sometimes foreigners pretend that it's real it just to be polite, but nobody outside the UK really thinks that Andy Murray is on a par with Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.'
Does anyone actually think that? I've not met anyone who does.
10.50am EDT
10:50
Griggzy Dimitrov now leads MC Moutet 2-1 3-2, while there's a potential shock brewing on Court 12, where Holmgren leads Machac 7-6 and they're locked at 6-6 in the second set tiebreak.
Updated
at 10.53am EDT
10.45am EDT
10:45
Krejcikova breaks Dolehide back immediately, while Rybakina breaks Sakkari a second time to seal a 6-3 first set.
10.42am EDT
10:42
On No 2, the champ is in action, and Krejcikova has been broken early doors by Dolehide who leads 3-1 in the first.
Updated
at 11.08am EDT
10.37am EDT
10:37
'Good afternoon, everyone, thanks for coming out on the Centre Court again,' begins Djokovic, laughing away. He knew there'd be a special atmosphere and that Evans has a great touch, but he was at the top of his game from the beginning and had prepared a good tactical plan which he executed perfectly, then adds this was a note for his coach – and without getting all conspiracist, could it be one for his former coach too?
Told this was his 99th win at Wimbledon and the 19th time he's made round three, he notes that almost as long as Sinner and Alcaraz have been alive. This is his favourite tournament and he's hoping to do well again, but he doesn't pause to reflect because he doesn't have time. He'd like to but being at the top of professional tennis requires dedication on a daily basis; that'll have to wait until he's retired and sat on the beach drinking margaritas with Federer and Nadal.Again, I don't want to read into that something that isn't there, but was there a deliberate omission from that scene?
10.27am EDT
10:27
Djokovic enjoyed that – you can see he's happy with his level there. Next for him is Kecmanovic.
Updated
at 10.42am EDT
10.22am EDT
10:22
Djokovic breaks Evans for a third time and at 6-3 6-2 5-0 is now serving for the match. He's played supremely today.
10.15am EDT
10:15
Obviously Djokovic is already up a double break in set three against Evans, leading 6-3 6-2 3-0. But can he beat Sinner followed by Alcaraz, because if he wants to win, that's probably what'll be asked of him.
Updated
at 10.33am EDT
10.14am EDT
10:14
On No 1, Rybakina and Sakkari are under way, Martina insighting that the 2022 champ has really good shot-selection and doesn't go for too much, which is necessary on grass. She breaks immediately., consolidates, and leads 2-0.
10.10am EDT
10:10
Looking around the courts, then, some latest scores:
Dimitrov 7-5 4-6 5-4 Moutet
Holmgren 7-6 1-2 Machac
Baotiste 7-6 5-2 Mboko
Colins 6-4 Erjavec
10.09am EDT
10:09
Pretty simple for Darderi, who meets Jordan Thompson next.
10.00am EDT
10:00
Back to Felix, I remember the first time Coach Calv saw him play because he messaged to tell me he's seen something special – a 16-year-old he mentions in the same breath as Becker and Nadal. Problem being he hasn't improved his weaknesses – volleying, returning and second serve – and granted the break of the pandemic, he still didn't. It's never too late, but when is he going to get so much time ever again?
9.58am EDT
09:58
While all that was going on, Djokovic continues assaulting Evans, taking set two 6-2 and losing just two points on serve this time. If he continues impriving through the rounds, he's a very serious threat here.
9.56am EDT
09:56
At 24, it's beginning to look like Felix isn't going to realise the full extent of his talent.
9.53am EDT
09:53
And you know what? Should Rinderknech move on, he'll fancy himself against Borges or Khachanov too – rightly so – and the big seed he'd meet in the quarters would probably be Fritz, someone he's also capable of berating. We shall see…
Updated
at 10.04am EDT
9.52am EDT
09:52
He's made to fight through deuce, but he forces it to happen and, with the no 3 seed's passage through the draw, will fancy himself to see off Majchrzak, who he faces next.
Updated
at 10.09am EDT
9.47am EDT
09:47
On 17, Rinderknech is serving for the match against Garin; I'm not sure I've seen a player whose action is as face-on as his. It works, though.
9.45am EDT
09:45
Next on No 1 Court: Maria Sakkari v Elena Rybakina (11).
Updated
at 10.02am EDT
9.45am EDT
09:45
We must, though, credit Bronzetti, who forced Andreeva play the tiebreak that she did. If she can keep hitting that level, she'll move up the rankings, but of course the difference between those at the top and the rest isn't just how well they can play but how they play most often.
9.43am EDT
09:43
When she needed to lift it, she launched it into the stratosphere; Mirra Andreeva knows, and next for her it's Baptiste or Mboko.
9.40am EDT
09:40
Djokovic has been putting Evans under constant pressure, so it's no surprise that there's an early break in set two. Elastic Man leads 6-3 2-1.
Updated
at 10.32am EDT
9.38am EDT
09:38
Yeah, Mirra Mirra on the charge. She doubles that mini-break for 4-1, sticks in the next point when it's tough, switches momentum, takes the point, and this is near-perfect behaviour, a gorgeous combination of class, intensity and certainty.
9.34am EDT
09:34
Andreeva holds easily, so here comes the breaker. I'd love to get a deciding set – we deserve it – but I'd not be shocked if she finds something. And, as I type, a sensational backhand cross-court earns her an immediate mini-break.
9.30am EDT
09:30
Elsewhere, Darderi has taken the second set against Fery; Dimitrov and Moutet are level at a set apiece; and Auger-Alissime trails Struff 1-2 2-3.
9.28am EDT
09:28
Wowwee! Down 30-40, Bronzetti saves break point with a glorious drop; had she missed it, she'd have had one chance to break, else she'd have been gone. And from deuce, she quickly closes out, so Andreeva must now serve to stay in the set at 6-1 5-6.
9.27am EDT
09:27
Munar, who leads Morzsan by two sets to love, has broken in set three. At 3-1, he's nearly there.
9.26am EDT
09:26
Evans made him work for it, but Djokovic would not be denied. He only lost three points on serve the entire set and is looking pretty good out there, I must say. It's almost as if he's a seven-time champion.
9.24am EDT
09:24
Andreeva eventually holds for 5-5 in the second, while Evans saves a break point but can't get out of the game; Djokovic breaks him for 5-3 in the third and quickly makes 30-0.
9.23am EDT
09:23
Next for Mensik it's Cobolli (22), and my advice is that you don't miss it.
9.22am EDT
09:22
Next for her, Jacquemot or Bencic, and I wonder if she might be the surprise hero of this year's competition.
Updated
at 9.56am EDT
9.18am EDT
09:18
Andreeva is so mentally solid, saving both while, on 16, Cocciaretto has match point against Volynets…
9.17am EDT
09:17
Rinderknech, memorably described as a 'handsome [redcated] with a huge serve' – you'd take it – by Coach Calv Betton on Tuesday's blog, has broken Garin for 2-0 in the fifth. That'll sting the Chilean badly, given how hard he had to work to win set four. Meantime, Bronzetti has made 15-40, securing two points! Here they come…
9.13am EDT
09:13
Ach, Bronzetti overhits a forehand that means she's down 15-30, and when she misses her first serve, the pressure intensifies. Can she shut it out? Well Andreeva plays a terrific point, finishing with an overhead that, a little spooked by earlier failures, she ends up faking and instead pats away, then Bronzetti nets a forehand and there's the break back. I couldn't say with any certainty that she got tight, but I'm surer Andreeva found something extra when she needed it, which is one of the major differences between the best and the rest.
9.09am EDT
09:09
On No 1, Bronzetti is playing beautifully, but how are her nerves? Andreeva has just held, so she'll need to hold to force a deciding set.
Updated
at 9.19am EDT
9.07am EDT
09:07
I'm watching: Evans 2-3 Djokovic, Andreeva 6-1 2-5 Bronzetti, Garin 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-4 0-0 Rinderknech and Volynets 0-6 4-3 Cocciaretto.
9.06am EDT
09:06
Thanks Katy and hi everyone. There's so much going on I don't really know where to begin, but let's get on with it.
9.03am EDT
09:03
Right, with that settled, I'm off for some lunch. Daniel Harris is here to guide you through the next couple of hours …
9.03am EDT
09:03
De Minaur has got himself three match points on No 2 Court, where he leads Cazaux 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 5-0. And the 11th seed gets the job done when Cazaux miscues a forehand. After a slow start, he was locked in, and avoids going the way of Zverev, Musetti and all the others. The Aussie fanatics are happy. And so is De Minaur, who has a winnable match against Tomas Machac or qualifier August Holmgren next.
Updated
at 9.10am EDT
8.59am EDT
08:59
Djokovic thunders another forehand winner or two to get himself to deuce on Evans's serve. And here's a first break point. Evans averts the danger, but a loopy forehand goes well long and here's a second BP. This time Evans cuts Djokovic up with his backhand slice, before conceding a third BP. And a fourth. Evans eventually holds. But Djokovic has shown the Brit what he's up against, as if he needed any reminder. It's 2-2.
8.51am EDT
08:51
Some lunchtime (well, if you're in the UK) viewing:
8.49am EDT
08:49
Despite never going beyond the third round at Wimbledon, Evans's game is well suited to the grass, with his backhand slice that stays low, his serve and volley and his variety of pace. But he doesn't have Djokovic's power, and the seven-times champion comes out swinging to seize a 2-1 lead on serve.
8.45am EDT
08:45
Andreeva has the opening set 6-1 against Bronzetti. Dimitrov leads Moutet 7-5. Cocciaretto has claimed a first-set whitewash over Volynets. And the Canadian winning machine Victoria Mboko, who began the year ranked No 333 in the world but is now in the top 100 and is playing here as a lucky loser, has an early break against the American Hailey Baptiste, leading 2-0.
Updated
at 8.52am EDT
8.41am EDT
08:41
Evans has had an emotional summer so far, beating two top-20 players in Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, as the world No 154 bids to regain his best form at the age of 35. Djokovic, of course, at 38 is raging against the dying of the light too, and sees Wimbledon as his best chance to claim that elusive record-breaking grand slam No 25, having won No 24 two years ago. Djokovic credited a doctor's 'miracle pills' for helping him get through his first-round match when he was struggling with stomach problem, so let's see what kind of condition he's in today.
Updated
at 8.48am EDT
8.34am EDT
08:34
Here comes Dan Evans, as the rejuvenated Brit gets the Centre Court billing he so wanted against Novak Djokovic … a man he actually has a winning record against and has never lost to, which is something even Federer, Nadal and Murray can't boast. Looking closer, they've only played each other once before, on the clay of Monte Carlo four years ago.
8.30am EDT
08:30
Alex de Minaur has come back brilliantly in his match against the French qualifier Arthur Cazaux. Having lost the first set 6-4, Demon has won the next two 6-2, 6-4.
8.27am EDT
08:27
One of the seed slayers, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, the Italian who took out the third seed Jessica Pegula in the first round, is out on Court 16. She's facing the aptly named Katie Volynets (geddit?), who defeated Tatjana Maria, the 37-year-old former semi-finalist who had that fairytale run at Queen's a couple of weeks ago. Cocciaretto is charging ahead and leads 4-0 in the opening set.
8.23am EDT
08:23
One could write a sociolinguistics dissertation about the way #Wimbledon haphazardly shortens surnames on the scoreboard. pic.twitter.com/q2hZE3wnao
8.20am EDT
08:20
It's show time on the show courts, with the Russian wonderkid Mirra Andreeva, already seeded seventh at the precocious age of 18, taking on Italy's Lucia Bronzetti on No 1 Court. Andreeva stirs memories of Martina Hingis with her natural talent, high tennis IQ and varied all-court game – but she's got more power than the 1997 runner-up, and she demonstrates that as she thunders to a 3-0 lead. Shortly on Centre Court it'll be Novak Djokovic v Dan Evans.
Updated
at 8.21am EDT