Wimbledon 2016: Novak Djokovic in trouble; Juan Martin del Potro ousts Stan Wawrinka

Djokovic could be heading out of Wimbledon

On a day when rain took the centre stage at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic’s fortunes looked equally bleak. The Serb, who completed a much-coveted Career Slam at the French Open last month, has an uphill task next as he found himself in an unfamiliar situation – down two sets to love – when his third round match got suspended on Friday.

The 29-year-old was facing Sam Querrey of the USA who is ranked 40 places below him but their roles reversed on Court 1. Djokovic was the one who looked dispirited and lacking in his usual pinpoint accuracy as he shockingly ended the day at 6(6)-7, 1-6.

The World No. 1 would not be too pleased when he looks at the stats sheet. He was broken twice and committed 13 unforced errors with an identical number of winners coming off his racquet.

With Querrey having already beaten the 12-time Major winner before, Djokovic needs to be careful when play resumes on Saturday for the American’s big serve can continue to be a potent weapon on the slick surface.

Del Potro knocks out Wawrinka

In a tale of two Swiss gentlemen, only one managed to advance to the second week. It was, of course, the seven-time champion Roger Federer who looked at ease while dispatching home hope Dan Evans 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in just 1 hour 26 minutes.

But the more important story was the ouster of the other Swiss as the fourth seed Stan Wawrinka was shown the exit door by the former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3, 3-6, 6(2)-7, 3-6.

It was the Argentine’s biggest win since his comeback this year from two wrist surgeries. This was his first appearance at the All England Club since reaching the semi-finals in 2013.

Kyrgios edges past Brown

In a duel between two entertaining players, it was the young 15th seed Nick Kyrgios who prevailed 6(3)-7, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Germany’s Dustin Brown. The World No. 85 was the aggressor in this match and had the more impressive winner count of 78 to Kyrgios’ 55. But he also had 30 errors beside his name which is 14 more than what Kyrgios did.

Also advancing to the third round were the 10th seed Tomas Berdych and the 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, both of whom won in straight sets.

Serena survives a scare, Venus fights hard for win

Both the Williams sisters were subjected to tough outings on Day 5. Defending champion Serena was given a stern test by her own compatriot Christina McHale in her second round match but the World No. 1 still managed to eke out a 6(7)-7, 6-2, 6-4 win.

This was her ninth consecutive victory on the hallowed turf. Clearly, it was Serena’s 14 aces and her amazing count of 54 winners that made the difference.

Meanwhile, five-time Wimbledon winner Venus Williams too had her hands full in her much-anticipated third round clash with Daria Kasatkina. The 19-year-old Russian showed some tremendous fighting spirit and determination to come back from a set and a break down and enforce a decider.

It was finally the vast experience of the former World No. 1 Williams which helped her to pull through, 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.