Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic stretched in Round 1

Novak Djokovic returns to Jack Draper during their men’s singles first round match at Wimbledon in London yesterday. Pic/AFP

Novak Djokovic overcame an early scare before getting his bid for a sixth Wimbledon and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title off to a winning start on Monday while rain brought havoc to the schedule, one year after the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Slippery surface

Defending champion and World No. 1 Djokovic, looking to become just the third man in history to complete a calendar Grand Slam, claimed a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Britain's 253rd-ranked Jack Draper.

However, the Serb, 34, struggled on the slippery Centre Court surface with the roof closed above it due to the rain. Left-handed Draper, playing just his fifth match on the main tour, saved seven of seven breakpoints in the opener to stun the top seed.

But Djokovic soon snuffed out any danger of him becoming only the third defending champion to lose in the first round, by sweeping through the remainder of the tie.

Tsitsipas ousted

Meanwhile, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first big name to exit Wimbledon on the first day of play Monday, losing 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to Frances Tiafoe of the United States.

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