Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in the second round of Wimbledon.
After a tricky opener against Wu Yibing, Djokovic had no such troubles against Tsitsipas, securing the win in straight sets.
The Serb is searching for his 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, and judging off that performance, he certainly looks like a contender.
Former American ATP star Ryan Harrison went one step further.
Ryan Harrison claims Novak Djokovic is his ‘favourite’ to win Wimbledon
During BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wimbledon coverage, Harrison delivered his verdict on Djokovic’s Wimbledon chances.
“Is he the favourite?” said Harrison.
“He’s my favourite after watching that!
“I’m not worried about [Joao Fonseca] on grass.”
Djokovic could meet Brazil’s Joao Fonseca in the fourth round over the weekend.
Some fans will remember Fonseca’s five-set win over Djokovic at the French Open earlier this year.
However, as Harrison rightly pointed out, Djokovic is likely to have the edge on grass.
After all, he has won 104 matches at Wimbledon, while Fonseca has won just four.
Also working for BBC Radio 5 Live, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli couldn’t help but marvel at Djokovic’s longevity.
“What Novak [Djokovic] has been proving over the years, and that’s why I have so much admiration for him, as well as I have admiration for Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal], is for me the longevity at the top of the game,” she said.
“It’s one thing to get there, it’s another thing to stay there.
“The air is so thin, the oxygen is so little, because you have those massive targets on your back that you’re carrying constantly, that everyone wants your spot, everyone wants to beat you, everyone goes out there playing their best tennis, because frankly, and it’s a cliché but it’s true, they have nothing to lose.
“If they lose, it’s expected; they are going to go and swing the ball, take more risks, and often, it’s not always the case, but often, they play the match of their life, and they have to face that constantly.”
Bartoli continued, commenting on the improvements Djokovic has made to his game over the years.
“What I found extraordinary is the way they have been able to evolve over the years,” she said.
“When you look at Novak 15 years ago, and how many more shots he has now in his repertoire.
“He can serve and volley, he can drop shot, he can lob you, he can read the game.
“Of course, we always knew he had that back of the court, extraordinary capability to absorb the pace and redirect, but he has so much more than that, and that’s why at 39 he can live on with the top guys.”
At 39, Djokovic is looking to become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion since the Open Era began.
Harrison believes he can do it, and he’s not the only one.
Sam Querrey believes Novak Djokovic can win Wimbledon
Sam Querrey, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s level during the BBC’s post-match coverage.
“That is the best he has played since the Australian Open this year,” he said.
“That was an impressive performance.
Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas – Match stats
| Stats | Novak Djokovic | Stefanos Tsitsipas |
| Aces | 12 | 16 |
| Double faults | 2 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 71% | 63% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 88% | 80% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 78% | 28% |
| Break points | 4/5 | 0/5 |
“If he can sustain that level for five more matches, there is no reason to think that he doesn’t have a good shot at the title.”
Another former Wimbledon semi-finalist, Tim Henman, was also keen to praise the seven-time champion.
“An extremely impressive performance from Djokovic,” he said.
“He had a struggle in the first round, but he came through that and went through the gears.
“He has demolished Tsitsipas for the 12th time in a row.”
Djokovic will now look to regroup and recover ahead of his third-round match against Arthur Rinderknech on Friday, July 3.
