Djokovic, Swiatek, Raducanu scale to third round at Wimbledon

The 2024 Wimbledon Championships is currently underway and while it is still too early to tell who will make it to the final round, the event has been quite interesting so far with the usual upbeat action you expect from the third grand slam of the year. As usual, we have some of the top-ranked players participating and we would also witness some rookies level up by having an upset win against a player with a higher rank. 

Serbian Novak Djokovic, competing for his eighth Wimbledon title, has scaled to the third round of the event after winning a fierce battle against world number 277 Jacob Fearnley. The four-set match, which lasted three hours, saw the 22-year old come back after losing the first two sets, to set up a fourth set that kept the former world number one on his toes. Djokovic eventually won the match 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 and would now face Alexei Popyrin in the third round. 

Just like Djokovic, Cameron Norrie has also advanced to the third round after beating compatriot Jack Draper in three sets. The more experienced Norrie put up a strong performance against Draper to secure a 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory, and even commented it was not easy for him coming out to face his opponent, who he’s friends with off the court. 

Jannik Sinner trumped Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) 2-6 7-6 (7-4) to make it through to the third round. The world number one survived a scare in the third round and came back in the fourth to finish the job and send the older Italian back home. He will now face Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round. 

Other men to make it through to the third round include Carlos Alcaraz, Alex De Minaur, and Arthur Fils. 

Women number one, Iga Swiatek, is chasing her first win at Wimbledon and has currently moved up to the third round after making light work of Petra Martic to win 6-4 6-3. Just like Swiatek, Ons Jabeur is also aiming for her first Wimbledon title after being a finalist in the last two events, and she will meet Elina Svitolina in the third round. 

Emma Raducanu has made it to the third round of a grand slam event for the first time since she won the US Open in 2021 after a two-set victory over Elise Mertens. Raducanu, who had a wildcard entry into the event, will now have to face Coco Gauff to advance further in the event.