Novak Djokovic battles inspired Jacob Fearnley in Wimbledon 2nd round

The seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic qualifies for the third round at Wimbledon. Novak faced local wild card player Jacob Fearnley and claimed a hard-earned victory 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in three hours.

Djokovic thus secured his 94th victory at Wimbledon, passing the second round 18 times in his 19 appearances at the All England Club! As in the opening match, the Serb played without problems with his knee, moving easily but losing a little rhythm in the third and fourth sets.

Fearnley took charge and attacked, winning the third set but ending his campaign after being broken in the dying minutes of the fourth. Jacob was given a wild card after conquering the Nottingham Challenger as a qualifier and used it with both hands.

The Briton claimed his first Major victory in the first round and introduced himself to the tennis world against the winner of 24 majors on Centre Court. The Briton was two points away from a deciding set before the Serb stepped up a gear and sealed the deal.

Djokovic had 15 more points than Fearnley, breaking four times and losing serve twice.

The world number 277 had more winners but also more errors, trying everything but not finding the exit door despite a valiant effort.

Novak got off to a perfect start and found the perfect game from the very first point. The Serb lost a few points in five service games, forcing his rival to follow that rhythm to stay in touch. Fearnley put the nerves aside and showed his best tennis in the first part of the set, following the rhythm of the world number.

2. Novak won the fifth game with a drop shot winner at the net, and Jacob responded with a service winner in the next game to make it 3-3. The Briton took a 30-15 lead in the eighth game before facing a break point. Fearnley made a slice error, losing his serve and giving Djokovic a 5-3 advantage.

The Serb served for the set in the ninth game and hit a forehand crosscourt winner, holding the score at 0-6 for 31 minutes.

Novak Djokovic won against Jacob Fearnley.

Jacob produced two nice holds early in the second set and created his first break chance in the fourth game after a backhand error from Novak.

Djokovic hit an ace down the T line and held at 2-2 after a forehand error from his rival. They held at 0 in the fifth and sixth games before the Serb made a push on the return to 3-3. Jacob missed a backhand and gave Novak two break points.

The world number two converted the first set, taking a 4-3 lead and consolidating his lead by winning 0-0 a few minutes later with a powerful serve. Fearnley served to stay in the set in the ninth game and held on after two games to extend the battle.

Djokovic served for the set at 5-4 and hit an ace to close out the match and make it two sets to zero after an hour and 15 minutes. They served well in the first four games of the third set, and Jacob took a 40-15 lead at 2-2.

Novak came back and collected four points, exploiting his opponent’s mistake and opening a 3-2 advantage.

The Briton remained competitive and created two break points in the sixth game.

Djokovic denied the first game with a second serve winner before Fearnley grabbed the second after a backhand error from the world number two, levelling the score at 3-3. Jacob denied a break point in the seventh game with a volley winner and hit an ace for 4-3.

Novak responded with an ace in game eight and stepped up the return gear in the next game. Djokovic created break chances with a beautiful lob and Fearnley prevented them, holding the forehand winner to open a 5-4 advantage.

Novak Djokovic squandered those chances and held on at 15 while serving to stay in the set. Playing well in those moments, Jacob hit a service winner in the 11th game, opening a 6-5 advantage and keeping the pressure on the world number 2. Djokovic wasted a point at the net, facing a set point and committing a forehand error, giving his rival the set 7-5 and suffering a backhand.

The Briton held on after a deuce early in the fourth set with a powerful serve before the Serb sealed the result at 1-1.

Fearnley closed the third game with a forehand winner and adopted a serve-and-volley two games later for a 3-2 lead.

Jacob attacked on the return in game six and created two break points after a double fault from Novak. The seven-time champion repelled them, the second with a smash winner, and held for 3-3. Fearnley made his fifth comfortable hold in game seven, hitting a service winner and keeping the pressure on Djokovic.

The Serb played a very good point in the eighth game and won the match with a service winner for a 4-4 score and more suspense. Jacob felt no pressure in the ninth game, sending a forehand winner for a hold at zero and a 5-4 lead.

Novak was two points away from losing the set in the tenth game before hitting three winners to level the score at 5-5 and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Fearnley made a forehand error in the 11th game and found himself facing a break point.

He committed a huge double fault, losing his serve and putting Djokovic ahead 6-5. Novak served for the win in the 12th game and sealed the match with a forehand winner, advancing to the third round.