There will be Brits all over the two main courts on Day 4 but it is a debut on Centre for Jacob Fearnley, who has the unenvious task of taking on Novak Djokovic. The seven-time champion will be looking to match Roger Federer’s eight although it does seem like time is running out.
Djokovic had an easy time in round one, easing past Vit Kopriva in straight sets. He was all over the Czech’s serve in the 6-1 6-2 6-2 victory, breaking six times overall. He wasn’t really tested enough to see if his knee injury would cause him problems, although that may come to pass in the latter rounds. “I tried to really focus on the game and not really think too much about the knee,” said Djokovic. “Everything I could possibly do, I have done, along with my team, in the past three and a half weeks in order to give myself a chance to be able to play. I think if it was for any other tournament, I probably wouldn’t risk it or rush it as much, but I just love Wimbledon.”
Fearnley is finally making moves at the Challenger level following his time at Texas Christian University, following in the footsteps of Cameron Norrie. He was rewarded with a wildcard thanks to his Nottingham Challenger win, where he defeated Juncheng Shang and Mark Lajal amongst others. He made the most of a kind draw in round one, beating Spanish qualifier Alejandro Moro Canos in straight sets.
While Fearnley appears to be a solid enough player on grass at Challenger level, it is obviously going to be a totally different matter against Djokovic. Serving big and keeping things tight may get him to a tiebreak but keeping it up against the Serbian’s return for three sets is going to be a very tough ask.
Prediction – Novak Djokovic in straight sets
