WIMBLEDON is on and the world pauses anew to savor tennis’ third major unfurl on the famed grass courts of royal England.
Novak Djokovic, gunning for a rare fourth title in a row and his seventh overall, was the first star to shine as he dispatched the stubborn Korean Kwok Soon-woo, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in Monday’s first round.
There was evident rust in Djokovic’s play, as the Serbian was unable to play a warm-up tournament after bowing in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Rafael Nadal earlier in the French Open.
“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,” said Djokovic.
But after yielding the second set on the Korean’s drop-shot and big serve, Djokovic, 35, regained his trademark consistency to overpower his foe 11 years his junior and win after two-and-a-half hours at Center Court.
It was actually the third straight win for Djokovic over the 81st-ranked Korean in as many meetings, putting the Serbian on course in his bid for a 21st Slam and moving within one of Nadal’s all-time haul of 22.
Djokovic is also motivated as he is still smarting from that trauma in January when Australia deported him for not being vaccinated against the Covid-19.
In beating Kwon, Djokovic fired 14 aces against Korea’s No. 1, whose seven aces got blunted by five double faults.
The victory also made Djokovic the only man to have won 80 matches at all four Grand Slams, counting won-matches in his three major wins in 2021.
For Kwon, his loss marked the third straight time he has failed to advance into Wimbledon’s second round.
Nadal and two other fancied players—No. 1 women’s player Iga Swiatek of Poland and comebacking Serena Williams—have all drawn relatively unknown first-round opponents.
Swiatek should easily cruise past 252nd Jana Fett of Croatia and Williams against unseeded Harmony Tan.
And Nadal’s first foe is the nondescript Francisco Ceredolo, auguring well for the Spaniard’s bid to win his third major in a row after earlier pocketing in succession the Australian Open and the French Open.
Should Nadal win Wimbledon, he becomes the prohibitive favorite to capture the US Open for a coveted Grand Slam—especially if Djokovic gets banned again for dodging the Covid-19 vaccine required in the year’s concluding major.
The drama continues.
THAT’S IT Motorsports makes a big comeback this weekend (July 2) when the GTR Vios Cup roars off at the Clark International Speedway in Angeles City, Pampanga. Races are to be flagged off 9:30 a.m. in the Petron-sponsored event celebrating its eighth year, featuring some of the movie world’s celebrities, influencers, noted riders and media personalities. Sunshine Cabrera says admission is free to spectators presenting their vaccination cards. See you!