Djokovic just warming up; Murray kisses hopes goodbye

LONDON – World number one Novak Djokovic clinched his 75th Wimbledon match win on Friday as Andy Murray slipped to his earliest exit since 2005, casting doubts over his future by pleading: “Is it worth it?”

Defending champion Djokovic survived a nervy third set to defeat 114th-ranked American qualifier Denis Kudla, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), to book a place in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 55th time.

Djokovic, chasing a record-equalling 20th major, cruised through the first two sets but then had to fight back from 1-4 down and also 1/4 in the tiebreaker on Court One, saving a set point in the process.

“It’s the trademark of every pro athlete that you never give up,” said Djokovic who is halfway to becoming only the third man in history – and first since Rod Laver in 1969 – to complete the calendar Slam.

Next up for Djokovic is Chilean 17th seed Christian Garin who defeated Spain’s Pedro Martinez, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Murray, who has been locked in a lengthy battle against hip and groin injuries, and is now ranked at 118, went down, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, to Canada’s world number 12 Denis Shapovalov.

It was the first time the 2013 and 2016 champion had lost in the third round since his debut as an 18-year-old in 2005.

“There is a part of me that feels a bit like I have put in so much work the last three months and ultimately didn’t play how I would want and expect, and it’s like is it worth it?,” said 34-year-old Murray.

World number 24 Ons Jabeur became the first Tunisian woman to make the last 16 when she defeated 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, on the back of 44 winners.