Djokovic Knocks Out SA's Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2021 Serbia'a Novak Djokovic celebrate winning his first round match against South Africa's Kevin Anderson REUTERS/Toby Melville

Home » Djokovic Knocks Out SA’s Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon, But Lloyd Harris Still Standing

Djokovic Knocks Out SA’s Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon, But Lloyd Harris Still Standing

LONDON (Reuters) – Top seed Novak Djokovic clinically dispatched South Africa’s big-serving Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-3 on Wednesday to glide ominously into the Wimbledon third round. South Africans can still pin their hopes on Lloyd Harris. Defending champion Djokovic is bidding for a sixth Wimbledon and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title. Today he was […]

30-06-21 20:35
Djokovic Knocks Out SA's Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2021 Serbia'a Novak Djokovic celebrate winning his first round match against South Africa's Kevin Anderson REUTERS/Toby Melville

LONDON (Reuters) – Top seed Novak Djokovic clinically dispatched South Africa’s big-serving Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-3 on Wednesday to glide ominously into the Wimbledon third round. South Africans can still pin their hopes on Lloyd Harris.

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2021 Serbia'a Novak Djokovic shakes hands with South Africa's Kevin Anderson after winning their first round match REUTERS/Toby Melville
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 Serbia’a Novak Djokovic shakes hands with South Africa’s Kevin Anderson after winning their first round match REUTERS/Toby Melville

Defending champion Djokovic is bidding for a sixth Wimbledon and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title. Today he was imperious during a grasscourt masterclass on Centre Court at the All England.

In a repeat of the 2018 final between the two mates, the Serbian broke Anderson’s serve once in each set and offered up only five unforced errors. His only minor concern were a couple of tumbles to the turf on the lush grass, but he remained unruffled. (Djokovic also won in 2011 and 2015 when the two faced each other on court.)

Djokovic Knocks Out SA's Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in action during his first round match against Serbia’a Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Toby Melville

Twice Grand Slam runner-up Anderson, who is battling back after knee problems, did not play a bad match but Djokovic was at his ruthless best as he won in an hour and 41 minutes.

“It was almost flawless today, I hope my coach agrees with that,” 34-year-old Djokovic said on court.

Djokovic Knocks Out SA's Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 Serbia’a Novak Djokovic in action during his first round match against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson REUTERS/Toby Melville

Few would disagree. Fans have wished 35-year-old Kevin well as he continues on his road to recovery.

Djokovic Knocks Out SA's Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 South Africa’s Kevin Anderson leaves the court after losing his first round match against Serbia’a Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Toby Melville

Lloyd Harris advances to second round at Wimbledon

Fortunately South African tennis star Lloyd Harris is still in with a chance at Wimbledon. He advanced this week to the second round after beating Lithuanian Ričardas Berankis 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6) in a match on Tuesday which was carried over from Monday.

The 24-year-old (51 seed) will next face Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman/Reuters and Jenni Baxter/SAPeople, editing by Ed Osmond and Jenni Baxter)