In terms of major upsets at Wimbledon on Thursday. there weren’t any on the men’s side but one on the women’s as the tournament rolled into its fourth day.
Both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic seemed to be in a hurry as they progressed to the third round without breaking a sweat..
Third seed Federer, seeking a record eighth title, beat Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (7-0), 6-3, 6-2 on a hot evening on Centre Court in London.
Djokovic, the No 2 seed eased past Adam Pavlasek 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 on Court One.
The No 6 seed Milos Raonic, No8 seed Dominic Thiem and 10th seed Alexander Zverev also all won.
Three-time champion Djokovic needed just over 90 minutes to see off Czech Pavlasek, the wor136 making his debut at the Championships.
Djokovic will play Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis, after the world No 589 beat Argentine Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).
‘Overall I managed to impose my own rhythm and play the game I intended to play,’ Djokovic said. ‘It was very warm and hot and not easy to play point after point in some of the long rallies.
Elsewhere, 23rd seed John Isner lost in five sets to Israel’s Dudi Sela.
The world No 90 beat the American 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 and will face 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the next round.
Bulgaria’s Dimitrov beat former Wimbledon semi-finalist Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, with the 26-year-old securing a comprehensive victory over the Cypriot with a stunning diving forehand volley.
Spain’s David Ferrer reached the third round after his opponent Steve Darcis was forced to withdraw with a back problem, the ninth retirement of the singles tournament so far.
The big upset of the day was the elimination of the women’s No 3 seed, Karolina Pliskova, who lost in three sets to world No 87 Magdalena Rybarikova.
Pliskova, who won the Aegon International at Eastbourne, was beaten 6-3, 5-7, 2-6 and is the highest-ranked player to exit the women’s draw.
Top seed Angelique Kerber went through after beating Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 7-5.
‘I am speechless right now,’ said Slovakia’s Rybarikova, 28, who only returned to the tour in February after a seven-month lay-off with injuries.
Photo: Ashley Western/Getty Images
