Novak Djokovic, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Soonwoo Kwon on Monday to advance to the second round of Wimbledon.
Djokovic won 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 against his world No. 81 opponent, giving him his 22nd consecutive victory at SW19.
The defending champion, vying for his fourth Wimbledon title in a row and seventh overall, appeared out of sorts at times against Kwon, who brought a lively mix of tennis to Centre Court, from booming forehands to delicate drop-shots. Djokovic had not participated in a grasscourt warm-up tournament, which he admitted hurt his game against a tough opponent 11 years his junior.
“I didn't have any lead-up or preparation tournaments prior to this so you're always going to feel a bit less comfortable than you would like, particularly if you're playing against someone as talented as Kwon who stays close to the line and hits really clean," he said. "It wasn't easy. I had to put some variety in the game. The serve helped but at this level one or two shots decide a winner.”
In the fourth game of the second set, the 24-year-old Korean broke Djokovic's serve and went on to win it with a drop-shot and a big serve. However, the Serb, who is aiming for his 21st Grand Slam title, recovered enough of his trademark consistency to hold off the challenge.
The Serb, who won three Grand Slams last year, missed out the Australian Open in January after being deported because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He lost in the French Open quarter-finals to eventual champion Rafa Nadal who is seeded second at Wimbledon.
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