DJOKOVIC CRUISES AGAIN AT WIMBLEDON, CILIC AND VERDASCO SURVIVE IN FIVE BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 1st July 2015

DJOKOVIC CRUISES AGAIN AT WIMBLEDON, CILIC AND VERDASCO SURVIVE IN FIVE BY RICKY DIMON

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in their second round match during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 01 July 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Djokovic cruises again at Wimbledon, Cilic and Verdasco survive in five

By Ricky Dimon

Two days after ending Lleyton Hewitt’s Wimbledon career in a dramatic five-setter, Jarkko Nieminen played his final match at the All-England Club. The 33-year-old Finn faced Novak Djokovic and got off to a strong start before eventually bowing out 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Nieminen broke to open the match and took a 3-1 advantage in the first set, but Djokovic had no trouble restoring order to the proceedings. The top-ranked Serb earned two breaks of his own before serving out the opener at 5-4. Routine second and third sets–during which Djokovic did not face a single break point–allowed the defending champion to get the job done in a quick one hour and 31 minutes.

“I would rate [the match] probably around 7 or 8 (out of 10),” Djokovic assessed. “I think it was a very solid performance. I’ve done just enough to win in straight sets. [Nieminen] started off very well, very aggressive, (with) winners in the first couple games. I managed to stay calm and believed that I could come back.”

Among those enduring a much tougher day at the office were Fernando Verdasco and Marin Cilic. Verdasco won a second consecutive five-setter by coming back from two sets to one down and seeing off Dominic Thiem. The Spaniard had previously outlasted Martin Klizan 13-11 in the fifth during first-round action. Cilic survived a scary final frame of play to hold off Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6), 4-6, 7-5.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain in action against Dominic Thiem of Austria during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 01 July 2015. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Marin Cilic of Croatia in action against Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 01 July 2015. EPA/ANDY RAIN

The reigning U.S. Open winner battled out of 15-40 hole at 5-5 in the decider before clinching victory with a break in the 12th game. Berankis double-faulted off the net cord to end it.

“The match was very, very high-quality,” Cilic reflected. “I think Ricardas was playing extremely well. Even after I broke him in the first set, I think he was playing really, really good. I’m just really glad that I won.”

Marcos Baghdatis joined the third-round group by getting the job done in a five-setter of his own, 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over underdog Aussie John Millman. Next up for the Cypriot is David Goffin, who ended the short but sweet run of Great Britain’s own Liam Broady.

Briefs

* Nishikori withdraws, but still has a chance of passing Wawrinka for No. 4.

* Isner beats Ebden, can reach the top 15 with one more win and a Dimitrov loss.

* Gasquet destroys De Schepper, improves chance to remain top 20.

* Tomic gets the best of Herbert, likely assures top 25 position.

* Verdasco wins in five again, gives himself a shot at top 40.

* Baghdatis recovers from two sets down to make a return trip to top 50.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, All England Club, Atp World Tour, Fernando Verdasco, Jarkko Nieminen, Marin Cilic, Nova Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Tennis News, Wimbledon 2015

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10sBalls_com says:

July 1, 2015 at 7:53 pm

-@DjokerNole CRUISES AGAIN AT @Wimbledon, @cilic_marin AND @FerVerdasco SURVIVE IN FIVE BY @Dimonator- http://t.co/l1LzLB9uPj #Wimbledon2015
Dimonator says:

July 1, 2015 at 7:55 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@DjokerNole CRUISES AGAIN AT @Wimbledon, @cilic_marin AND @FerVerdasco SURVIVE IN FIVE BY @Dimonator- http://t.co/l1LzLB…