
Djokovic marks 100th Wimbledon win as Krejcikova exits
Seven-times champion Novak Djokovic scored his 100th match win at Wimbledon and led the march of the old guard into the last 16 on Saturday while an ailing Barbora Krejcikova's title defence ended in defeat and tears.
World number one Jannik Sinner was at his ruthless best yet again as the Italian gathered momentum in his quest for a maiden All England Club title while American Ben Shelton and Australian Alex de Minaur announced themselves as dark horses.
Djokovic is on an altogether different plane as he looks to capture his eighth title to match Roger Federer's record on the pristine lawns of London and his 25th major overall to surpass Margaret Court on the all-time list of champions.
The 38-year-old showed exactly why Wimbledon could be his best chance of achieving the elusive targets when the 2023 and 2024 runner-up dismantled Davis Cup teammate Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-0 6-4 in a little under two hours.
A ton of victories put him among elite company as the sixth seed became only the third player to achieve that feat at the tournament after nine-times champion Martina Navratilova and Swiss great Federer.
"Wimbledon is a favourite and a dream tournament for not just myself, but probably the majority of players. Growing up, most of the kids dream of playing here and winning here," Djokovic said.
Done. Dusted. Djokovic.
The seven-time #Wimbledon champion produces an incredible performance to defeat fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4
Onto the next ➡️ pic.twitter.com/6WH4EQt5Rd — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
"I've been blessed to do it multiple times. Any history that I make in my favourite tournament, I'm blessed."
Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian 34-year-old, also scored his 100th match win across the four Grand Slams when he quelled the challenge of Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4 7-6(0).
Joining him was fellow veteran Marin Cilic, the Croatian 36-year-old getting past spirited Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 to book a meeting with Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli who took apart big-serving Czech teenager Jakub Mensik 6-2 6-4 6-2.
While Cobolli may not be relishing a meeting with the tricky Cilic, his compatriot Sinner will welcome the chance to test his metronomic hitting against Dimitrov's elegant approach in what promises to be a classic.
Sublime Sinner
A sublime Sinner booked that clash with a 6-1 6-3 6-1 hammering of Pedro Martinez. The top seed, who has lost just 17 games in his first three matches, equalled the professional era record for fewest games dropped to make the Wimbledon fourth round along the way.
"About the games lost, this is whatever," Sinner said, his grounded nature coming into sharp focus.
"I'm not looking on these kind of records. I know everything can change very quickly from one round to the other."
Sensazionale 🇮🇹
Lorenzo Sonego wins a five-set thriller in over five hours, defeating Brandon Nakashima 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1gqaAoSd11 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
After the unexpected high of last year's title triumph, Krejcikova came crashing down when she was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-4 by American 10th seed Emma Navarro in a disjointed Court One contest.
The distressed 29-year-old Czech, who has endured her share of injuries this season, was in tears as she prepared to serve to stay in the tournament at 3-5 in the deciding set before eventually crashing out.
"It was tough, neither of us played our best tennis, she was dealing with some injuries and I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with," Navarro said, adding that it was difficult to focus when her opponent was struggling.
"It's not easy to be composed. Part of you is saying just put a bunch of balls in the court and that's all you need to do. But then you trick yourself into not playing the way that you want to play."
Krejcikova's exit and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina's 7-6(6) 6-3 defeat by Danish powerhouse Clara Tauson means a first-time women's champion will be crowned at the Grand Slam for the eighth consecutive year.
Iga Swiatek will hope she can be the one after the five-times major champion secured a 6-2 6-3 victory over American Danielle Collins, whose compatriot Hailey Baptiste crashed to 18-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva 6-1 6-3.
Shelton gave Americans something to smile about when the powerful left-hander made quick work of Hungarian lucky loser Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-6(4) 6-2 while De Minaur swatted aside Dane August Holmgren 6-4 7-6(5) 6-3 to go through.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sinner eyes golden era after Wimbledon glory
Jannik Sinner has warned Carlos Alcaraz that he will get even stronger after beating his arch-rival to win his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Sinner avenged an agonising French Open final loss against Alcaraz as he battered the Spaniard into submission with a dynamic display of power hitting on Centre Court. The Italian's 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory ended Alcaraz's two-year reign as Wimbledon champion and gave Sinner his fourth Grand Slam crown. Sinner has reached the last four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, and the world number one has no intention of resting on his laurels. "I don't think I'm at my best because at 23 I don't think you can be in your best shape ever. So hopefully I can keep improving," he said. "I keep looking up to Carlos because even today I felt like he was doing couple of things better than I did. "That's something we will work on and prepare ourselves because he's going to come for us again. "We have a big target on us, so we have to be prepared." It was a cathartic triumph for Sinner after he squandered a two-set lead and blew three championship points against Alcaraz at Roland Garros in June. Alcaraz had won five successive encounters against the 23-year-old, including finals in Paris, Rome and Beijing, prior to their showdown at the All England Club. Sinner admitted it was vital to finally beat the world number two for the first time since 2023. "It is important, for sure, because you know, when you lose several times against someone, it's not easy. But in the same time in the past I felt that I was very close," he said. "I never pushed myself down. I felt like I did something great because it has been not easy. Coming here and winning Wimbledon, it has been amazing." 'The rivalry is real' While Sinner had spent the last five weeks publicly insisting he would not let his French Open collapse affect him, he revealed he had to work hard to move on from the loss before launching his Wimbledon challenge. "This is the part where I'm the proudest because it really has not been easy. I always tried to be honest with myself and had the self-talk. You know, what if, what if? I tried to accept it, in a way," said Sinner, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May. "Even if I don't cry, it feels emotional because only me and the people who are close to me know exactly what we have been through on and off the court, and it has been everything except easy. "We've tried to push, you know, every practice session, even I was struggling at times mentally. "That's why I also said after Roland Garros that it's not the time to put me down, no, because another Grand Slam is coming up, and I did great here." Sinner and Alcaraz have won the past seven majors between them, establishing themselves in a class of their own. Sinner's coach Darren Cahill expects the pair to battle for supremacy for years to come, but he stopped short of comparing it to the dynastic era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. "It's difficult to compare this rivalry to what we've just had. It's been a golden age in tennis with Novak and Roger and Rafa. They dominated for 20 years," Cahill said. "To win a Grand Slam back in those days, you had to beat one of them in the quarters, the other one in the semis, and another one in the final. "These guys still have a ways to go, but they've started incredibly well. Carlos is a big focus, and both of those guys are pushing each other. "The rivalry is real. Hopefully it's going to be there for the next 10 or 12 years."


Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
'Love Island's' liv walker confirms she is dating an athlete while keeping identity private
Liv Walker from Love Island USA has confirmed she is currently dating an athlete, choosing to keep the identity of her boyfriend private. In a recent update, she described the relationship as being in its early stages and shared that she prefers to build the connection privately before sharing further details with the public. Liv stated, 'I am seeing someone, but it's early days. If it all goes well, you all will find out, but until then, pray and wish it the best.' Known for her appearance on Love Island USA Season 6 in 2024, Liv Walker became a fan favourite for her personality and friendships within the villa. She later appeared on the spinoff series Love Island: Beyond the Villa, where she continued her journey on reality television. Liv Walker was born on February 23 2002. Originally from Sydney, Australia, she is currently based in Los Angeles. Liv was raised by parents who were high school sweethearts and has two older brothers, often crediting her family for providing a supportive upbringing. Alongside her reality television work, Liv Walker is a professional model, influencer, and public speaker, with a background in psychology and communications. Liv Walker has confirmed her Australian nationality, maintaining strong ties to her home city of Sydney while pursuing her career in entertainment in the United States.


Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Sinner downs Alcaraz to win first Wimbledon
LONDON: Jannik Sinner downed Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his first Wimbledon title, gaining sweet revenge for his painful defeat in the French Open final. The world number one is the first Italian to win at the All England Club and now has four Grand Slams to his name at the age of 23. The tennis world has been captivated by the emergence of the new rivalry to follow the storied 'Big Three' era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Sinner and two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz have now shared the past seven Grand Slam titles between them, with the Italian winning four of those. Defeat in Paris last month was a bitter blow for Sinner, who led by two sets and squandered three match points in the final. Prior to Sunday's victory, he had lost five consecutive times against Alcaraz, including the final of the Italian Open in the first tournament he played after returning from a three-month doping ban. But this time he turned the tables in impressive fashion. Both players were solid on serve until the fifth game, when Alcaraz sprayed a forehand long to hand Sinner the first break of the match. But the Spaniard levelled at 4-4 to the delight of the Centre Court crowd, which included Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. Sinner double-faulted to hand Alcaraz a second set point.