Alex De Minaur sets up blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic

Alex De Minaur is through to the fourth round of Wimbledon, where he will face a record-chasing Novak Djokovic, while yet another big gun crashed out at the All England Club.

Alex De Minaur celebrates winning match point against August Holmgren. Picture: Getty Images

Australian ace Alex De Minaur has set up a blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic after winning through to the fourth round of Wimbledon.

De Minaur, the 11th seed, beat Denmark’s August Holmgren in three sets before setting his sights on the “ultimate challenge” of facing 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic.

“Novak has completed the game, right?,” De Minaur said.

“He’s broken all the records. It’s amazing for him to still be showing up and still showing that fire and desire to win more ... So it’s going to be the ultimate challenge, and I’m excited for it.”

Djokovic, meanwhile, recorded his 100th win at Wimbledon with a dominant victory over Serbian Davis Cup team-mate Miomir Kecmanovic to remain on course for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Alex De Minaur is through to the fourth round at Wimbledon after a straight sets win over Denmark’s August Holmgren. Picture: Getty Images

Djokovic said before a ball was struck at the All England Club this year that Wimbledon presented his best chance to surpass the 24 majors won by the long-retired Australian Margaret Court.

A seven-time champion in south-west London, Djokovic is showing he is a credible contender for his first Slam victory since 2023.

The 38-year-old has dropped just 12 games in his last two matches after romping to a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 victory in just under two hours on court.

Djokovic’s 100 wins puts him behind only Roger Federer’s 105 victories in the men’s game and nine-time winner Martina Navratilova’s all-time record of 120.

“Wimbledon is the dream tournament of most of the players. I’ve been blessed to win here many times and any history I make here at my favourite tournament, I am blessed,” said Djokovic, who won his first match at the All England Club 20 years ago.

“I try not to take anything for granted, particularly at this age. Still going strong trying to compete with the young players, trying to do some slides and splits and push myself to the limit.”

Novak Djokovic recorded his 100th win at Wimbledon with a dominant victory over Miomir Kecmanovic. Picture: Getty Images

Wimbledon champion Krejcikova crashes out in tears

Barbora Krejcikova made a tearful Wimbledon exit as the defending champion crashed to a three-set defeat against Emma Navarro, while Novak Djokovic powered to his 100th All England Club victory.

Men’s top seed Jannik Sinner crushed Pedro Martinez to reach the last 16, but it was the contrasting fortunes of Krejcikova and Djokovic that took the spotlight.

Krejcikova appeared to be struggling with injury as she wept in the closing stages of the third-round clash on Court One.

Navarro took advantage to cause the latest upset in the women’s tournament following the exits of five of the top six seeds.

Krejcikova had to fight back from a set down to beat rising star Alexandra Eala in the first round before another tense three-set win over Caroline Dolehide in the second round.

There would be no dramatic escape for Krejcikova this time, with the 17th seed’s fitness problems finally catching up with her against American 10th seed Navarro.

Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam champion, has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final last year.

She was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the French Open.

Krejcikova also pulled out of the recent Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem.

“I was definitely enjoying myself and I was feeling quite well. Suddenly out of nowhere I just lost all my energy and I couldn’t really gain it back,” Krejcikova said.

“I was actually feeling worse and worse with time. It’s very sad for me and very unfortunate.”

Sinner, who could face Djokovic in the semi-finals, took just one hour and 55 minutes to rout 52nd-ranked Martinez 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 in a Centre Court masterclass.

The 23-year-old Italian next plays Bulgarian 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov, a straight-sets winner over Austria’s Sebastian Ofner.

Sinner has lost just 17 games across his first three matches at this year’s tournament, equalling the previous lowest Open era total of games dropped to reach the last 16 in the men’s event set by Jan Kodes in 1972.

“About the games lost, this is whatever. I’m not looking at these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other,” said Sinner, who has never made the Wimbledon final.

Croatian world number 83 Marin Cilic followed his shock win over British fourth seed Jack Draper by making the fourth round for the first time since his run to the final in 2017.

Hampered by injuries in the twilight of his career, the 36-year-old former US Open winner defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

American 10th seed Ben Shelton beat Hungarian lucky loser Marton Fucsovics in straight sets.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina made a surprise exit, losing to Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6 (8/6), 6-3.

Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, reached the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-3 rout of American Danielle Collins.

Teenage Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva thrashed American world number 55 Hailey Baptiste 6-1, 6-3 in just 78 minutes

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Originally published as Alex De Minaur sets up blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic