Mother Nature made it a prolonged match however Novak Djokovic made fast work of his opponent as he started his title protection Monday at Wimbledon.
Djokovic earned a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) first-round win over Argentina’s Pedro Cachin in two hours and 12 minutes. But he was pressured to attend out a 90-minute rain delay earlier than advancing.
The second-seeded Serbian is vying for a fifth straight Wimbledon championship and eighth total.
“It doesn’t get much better than Wimbledon, really, in terms of history and tradition,” mentioned Djokovic afterward. “I’ve said it many times throughout my career. Coming to Wimbledon was always the dream, to win it. A childhood dream came true in 2011 and each year I come back I kind of relive those memories and just kind of connect with that young boy that was dreaming in Serbia.
“I attempt to not take any match, any minute that I spend on the court docket right here as a right. I’m undoubtedly blessed, so it is a fantastic feeling to be right here.”
The win marked Djokovic’s 29th straight on grass.
Djokovic next plays Australian Jordan Thompson, who needed 3 1/2 hours to rally and defeat Brandon Nakashima 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Fourth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway posted a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over Laurent Lokoli of France.
No. 7 Andrey Rublev of Russia needed just 93 minutes to oust Aussie Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in his return to Wimbledon. Rublev was among the Russian and Belarusian players who were banned from the 2022 tournament over the war in Ukraine.
“I’m actually completely happy to be again. You at all times wish to win in straight units, however it’s by no means easy,” Rublev said. “To play right here with full stadiums at 11 a.m., that could be a particular feeling.”
No. 14 Lorenzo Musetti of Italy and No. 17 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland additionally superior with straight-set victories.
Other first-round winners included Belgium’s David Goffin, France’s Corentin Moutet, Germany’s Maximilian Marterer, Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera, Russia’s Aslan Karatsev, J.J. Wolf, Britain’s Liam Broady and Spain’s Jaume Munar.
–Field Level Media
(Photo credit score: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports)