Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner into third round

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in their second round men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

LONDON–Novak Djokovic produced a Wimbledon masterclass as the history-chasing star raced into the third round on Wednesday, while defending champion Jannik Sinner battled through.

Djokovic demolished Stefanos Tsitsipas in a 98-minute rout that served as a statement of intent to Sinner and the rest of his Wimbledon title rivals.

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The seven-time Wimbledon champion won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, hitting 33 winners and making just seven unforced errors.

Djokovic’s latest attempt to make history by winning a record 25th Grand Slam singles title got off to a rocky start as he laboured against unheralded Wu Yibing in the first round on Monday.

Bidding to become the oldest man to win a major title in the Open era, Djokovic — who won the most recent of his Wimbledon crowns in 2022 — has increasingly looked his age over the last two Grand Slams.

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READ: Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner survives scare, fall to reach second round

The 39-year-old Serb crashed out in the French Open third round, blowing a two-set lead against Joao Fonseca.

But Djokovic underlined his enduring class with his latest win against Greek world number 87 Tsitsipas, who has now lost their last 12 meetings.

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Djokovic’s 104th match win at Wimbledon leaves him just one behind Roger Federer’s Open era record in the men’s singles.

He plays French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in the last 32.

“I’m feeling great. I like the terminology ‘vintage’, it brings back the best days and you feel very satisfied and joyful on the court when you’re playing this way,” said Djokovic after being asked if it was a vintage performance.

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates his victory against Nuno Borges of Portugal in their second round men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Sinner wasn’t at his best again but the world number one did just enough to beat Portugual’s Nuno Borges 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

The 24-year-old Italian had narrowly avoided an embarrassing first-round exit when he fought back from two sets to one down to beat Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.

The four-time Grand Slam champion ended Carlos Alcaraz’s two-year reign as Wimbledon champion with a brilliant final victory over the Spaniard last year.

He was still some way from those lofty heights against spirited world number 48 Borges.

Next up for Sinner is a third-round tie against American world number 81 Jenson Brooksby.

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“There’s a couple of things I need to improve. I felt some moments where I still need to get back to this rhythm,” Sinner said.