TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – Novak Djokovic did not play any warm up grass tournaments coming into this year’s Wimbledon unlike most of the other men on tour. However, judging by his 1st round performance, one can safely say that it certainly does not matter. The Serbian was simply blistering as he dismantled his opponent Andrey Golubev in near 90 minutes 6-0 6-1 6-4. Cordell Hackshaw
Results, Order of Play, Draws and Interviews from The Championships
Novak Djokovic (1) did not play any warm up grass tournaments coming into this year’s Wimbledon unlike most of the other men on tour. However, judging by his 1st round performance, one can safely say that it certainly does not matter. “Coming into Wimbledon with no official matches, it always gives you an extra reason to get that commitment and focus from the start and try to play as best as you can,” Djokovic said after the match. He was beyond focus for at times he looked to be in a state of zen where he was seeing the tennis ball like a coconut and swatting at it like a fly. The Serbian was simply blistering as he dismantled his opponent Andrey Golubev in near 90 minutes 6-0 6-1 6-4. Golubev was a mere spectator for most of the match as he was unable to provide any response to the onslaught that was the Djokovic game.
Golubev tried hard to avoid the early break in the 1st set but he missed an easy volley and was down 0-2. Djokovic held serve with ease and continued to hammer away at Golubev’s service games. Golubev was scrambling to win points and in 24 minutes, he was down a set 0-6. The 2nd set almost ended as the first for Djokovic raced out to a 5-0 lead. However, the crowd was cheering on Golubev as he finally got on the scoreboard for 1-5. Djokovic sealed the set with an ace for 6-1. It was not even an hour, 47 minutes to be exact and the Serbian was up 2-0 sets.
One would have figured that Golubev would have given up at this point but he held serve to open the 3rd set to lead in the match for the first time. He held serve through to 4-4 saving double break points twice to stop Djokovic from running away with the match. However, serving for up a 5-4 lead and up 40-15, things got complicated. Golubev rushed the net too early only to be lobbed by Djokovic and then double faulted for deuce. Djokovic sensing the moment was right for his 6th break of the match, produced two monster returns to break Golubev. Djokovic closed out the match when Golubev’s backhand floated wide, 6-0 6-1 6-4.
Djokovic’s numbers were impressive as he had 34 winners to 14 errors compared to his opponent who has 15 winners and 22 errors. Djokovic won 80% of his 1st serve and a staggering 71% on his 2nd serve. He had 7 aces and no double faults. The 2011 champion and last year’s finalist is definitely looking in peak form to make another run to the finals. He will face the always tricky opponent Radek Stepanek in the 2nd round.
