Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic starts title defence with four-set win

LONDON: The six-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic started his title defence with a four-set win against 81st-ranked Soonwoo Kwon in the first round here on Monday.

Djokovic's 2022 Wimbledon hopes were given a stern opening test by Kwon, but the defending champion stayed resolute to hold off the South Korean and advance to the second round at the grass-court Grand Slam here.

The Serbian maintained a solid level in his 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the World No. 81, yet Kwon's aggressive tactics meant Novak Djokovic was never completely comfortable in his first tour-level match since his Roland Garros quarterfinal on May 31.

The South Korean was a break up in each of the first two sets and pumped up the Centre Court crowd after he levelled proceedings at a set apiece, but Djokovic's trademark consistency proved enough to complete a two-hour, 27-minute victory.

Menwhile Ons Jabeur made a winning start at Wimbledon 2022 with a commanding opening-round victory over Swedish qualifier Mirjam Bjorklund under the roof on No.1 Court. The Tunisian had earlier in the day become the highest-ranked African player - man or woman - in the history of the sport when she climbed up to No. 2 in the rankings, surpassing South African Amanda Coetzer, who peaked at No.3 in the late 1990s.

On Monday, her 6-1, 6-3 takedown of Bjorklund was anything but friendly though, Jabeur bringing her ruthless best to avoid an early exit like the one she suffered at Roland-Garros last month.

Jabeur struck 11 winners to the Swede's three. Jabeur was especially dominant on serve, she conceded only five points behind her first delivery and a measly two behind her second. (IANS)

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