Novak Djokovic beat Jordan Thompson 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 in the second round of Wimbledon to claim his 350th win in a Grand Slam match.
Thompson, the world No. 70, served brilliantly, sending down 21 aces overall, but he was faced with a champion who did not make a single unforced error over the course of the opening nine games.
The Australian's serve-volley tactics largely worked well but a couple of misjudgements at the net were all Djokovic needed to break for 4-2 before serving out with the minimum of fuss.
That did not dissuade Thompson from his bold tactics of serve volleying against one of the greatest returners the game has seen and he forced the second set to a tie-break.
Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, he picked a dreadful time for his first double-fault of the match, the only mini-break that allowed Djokovic to prevail 7-4.
Thompson's imperious serve was a fine weapon in his first career meeting with Djokovic, but it began to falter slightly down the stretch.
He still pushed the reigning champion to the brink of a second tie-break before the Serbian great found an extra gear to take the third 7-5.
Djokovic will face the winner of the match between Tomás Martín Etcheverry and his old foe Stanislas Wawrinka in round three.
MORE: Tennis' top grand slam winners of all-time: Who has won the most titles?
Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson final score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic (2) | 6 | 6 (7) | 7 |
| Jordan Thompson | 3 | 6 (4) | 5 |
Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson live updates, highlights from Wimbledon 2023
*Denotes server
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 7-5 Jordan Thompson*
First blood to Djokovic but Thompson sees his next return sail long. 15-15 before Djokovic hits the front again. He drives a brilliant return, only for Thompson to jab a lovely backhand to make it 30-30. Djokovic gets on a passing shot, though, his bread and butter. After two-and-a-half hours, he has a match point. And what a point to finish. Thompson thinks he has the point but Djokovic get the overhead back. Now he's in Novak's hour and a backhand falls into the net. Game, set and match Novak Djokovic! Many people will have predicted a straight-sets win for the champion here but the scoreline does not do justice to Thompson's efforts. He was brilliant, which is both a credit to the Australian and a frightening situation for the rest of the draw. Thanks for joining us!
Achievement unlocked 🔓
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2023
Novak Djokovic's 350th Grand Slam match win! 👏#Wimbledon | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/Qv0yilhPUm
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 6-5 Jordan Thompson
Thompson climbs into a forehand return on a second serve to try and avert a hold to love. He goes long and must serve to earn the tie-break.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 5-5 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson's previously immaculate second serve looks to have finally deserted him. He gets lucky to make it 30-15 when he clatters the net cord and the ball falls on Djokovic's side. The champion gets one to clip the line for 30-30 and offers a hand of apology to Thompson. A mishit, perhaps, but he's two points away. Another Thompson second serve, they exchange wonderful work at the net and Djokovic is just fractionally long with an incredible attempt at a backhand lob. Serve-volley works like a charm as Thompson completes a brilliantly gutsy hold.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 5-4 Jordan Thompson
Djokovic takes everything off a second serve that plonks in at 72 mph and Thompson has the first point of the game. The Aussie is fuming with himself as his next return goes long. Djokovic holds to 15. Another occasion where not even a chance but the chance of a chance of a suggestion of a chance passes Thompson by.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 4-4 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson's 20th ace - that's five games worth - get him to 30-15. Another big one and Djokovic still isn't getting a great read on a man he's only broken once in more than two hours on court. There's a doozy of a passing shot, though, as Djokovic capitalises on the second serve. Another supreme backhand cross-court gets us to deuce. Is this where Djokovic all-but ends the argument? Fault from Thompson but it's a scruffy return from Djokovic and a challenge can't save him. Double fault! Not quite as damaging as his tie break one but hardly useful from Thompson. Another first serve into the net but Djokovic limply nets his return on the second. Thompson holds but has to do so with his latest second serve, which lands on the line and the Djokovic backhand is wide. It feels like an uncharacteristic let-off from the champion.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 4-3 Jordan Thompson
Thompson hangs in the point wonderfully, stoops to retrieve a Djokovic volley and wins it. A brilliant serve follows but another nippy rally ends with Thompson into the net and clipping the ball into open course. Djokovic duly produces an unreturnable. God, he must be annoying to play.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 3-3 Jordan Thompson*
Djokovic has a shout and himself and, by extension, his box, as Thompson takes a 30-15 lead. There's another ace. A solitary shout of "Come on, Novak" rouses the Thompson fans in the arena. They can celebrate another tidy hold.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 3-2 Jordan Thompson
And yet, it's the holds to love for Djokovic that are killing Thompson. There's another.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 2-2 Jordan Thompson*
At several points here it would have been understandable for Thompson to lose heart but he never has. Ace No.18 is part of an emphatic hold to love.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 1-2 Jordan Thompson
Djokovic might still be cranky about that forehand at the end of the last game because he's a little off his game and it's 15-30. A chance for Thompson? This time it's Novak's turn to slam the door with a big serve. He continues to hold to 30.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 1-1 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson continues to roll back the Wimbledon years with a serve and drop-volley winner for 30-15. He botches one on the end of a second serve at the net this time though. Boom, there's another ace. Djokovic has the better of the subsequent rally but goes long.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) 1-0 Jordan Thompson
Thompson came from two sets down to beat Brandon Nakashima in round one. So there's that. But this is a different gig entirely. As if to underline the point, Djokovic holds to love. He'll want to kick for the finish line now.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (7-4) Jordan Thompson — TIE-BREAK
More excellent serving from Thompson trims it back to 5-4. Again he's making Djokovic work and gets to look at a second serve. Djokovic goes big down the middle and Thompson nets. Two set points. Wallop, an ace gets the job done.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (5-2) Jordan Thompson — TIE-BREAK
Djokovic sends a backhand long. Did he lose that in the low evening sun? He makes it 4-2 at the change of ends, at which point the sun goes in. Useful. Boom goes a Djokovic ace. He's two points away from a 2-0 lead.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 (3-1) Jordan Thompson — TIE-BREAK
The first three points go with serve. Thompson is wide and then throws in an incredibly ill-time double fault to give Djokovic the edge. His first of the match. Urgh.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-6 Jordan Thompson
Thompson nets for 30-0 and Centre Court groans. He's really won them over. Djokovic has three points for the game but his net play lets him down on the first. A minor bump in the road and we're heading to a tie break.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-6 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson's serve has held up so well to this examination. Now he sends one wide and Djokovic has not chance of getting the backhand return in. 30-0. Brutal forehand from Djokovic and he's in the game. The SW19 king goes cross court but Thompson reads it to win the point on the volley. A now trademark serve means he will have at least a tiebreak to show for his efforts.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-5 Jordan Thompson
This is a scrappy game and Thompson has a look at a couple of openings. He can't capitalise on a Djokovic net cord and the crowd groans. They're enjoying the underdog's work and he hits fine return before Djokovic goes long. 40-30 and a fault from the champion. Now Thompson hangs in the rally well, constructs the point nicely and finishes at the net. Deuce. Djokovic gets the advantage and here's another gargantuan rally. Thompson goes blow for blow before dumping is return into the tramlines. Djokovic knows that was huge.
😍#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DredO1qi6V
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2023
Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-5 Jordan Thompson*
Ace to start and Thompson moves to 30-0. Djokovic finds a wonderful return to a serve that's just long and hammers the second into the net. That's got to be a bit annoying. A net cord gets the champion on the board at 40-15 but another Thompson ace means Djokovic will have to serve to stay in the set.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-4 Jordan Thompson
Chance for Thompson at the start of the Djokovic service game but he blams an overhead in the net. His esteemed opponent responds with a wry smile. A chip and charge pays off for Thompson at it's 30-15. Djokovic takes a leaf out of his foe's book and replies with an ace. Oh, that's not very Novaky and the backhand goes wide. 40-30. Thompson sets his man wide, and Djokovic can only net the backhand as he darts to the net and it's deuce. An emphatic response on the overhead from Djokovic and he howls encouragement at himself. This has been a scruffy service game he has not enjoyed but it's when he passes Thompson with a backhand down the line.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-4 Jordan Thompson*
Djokovic's backhand is in deliciously good order and it gives him 0-15. Thompson shanks a forehand out and it's 15-30. Is he just starting to wilt a little here? Ooof, an excellent serve and a fine backhand volley that came to him at chest height wins the point for 30-30. If it ain't broke, don't fix it - serve, backhand volley, 40-30. Djokovic enjoys a touch of fortune as a blocked return just drops in and Thompson thumps the forehand long. And now a break point. Ace No.11 is a reasonable response. Thompson gets the advantage and another ace brings sections of the Centre Court crowd to their feet.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-3 Jordan Thompson
Djokovic rattles his way to 40-0 before an uncharacteristically loose forehand goes long. It's a minor wrinkle on an ominously routine hold.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-3 Jordan Thompson*
Remember that overhead that Thompson botched on his way to being broken in the first? Well, he's just nailed one to get himself out of a tricky spot and make it 15-15. A 132 mph ace is his 10th of the contest. This is a lovely rally, with both men teasing the top of the net before Thompson pushes his luck too far and doesn't get a sliced backhand over. Djokovic charges in after blocking back a monster serve and here's a break point. Thompson doesn't need that, or the fault he's just thrown in for that matter. Or a let cord! Excellent from the Australian - another serve-volley on the second serve, a sliding Djokovic attempts a passing shot but Thompson repels it and the ball spins in. Now Thompson gets the better of a longer rally, spearing a backhand deep and Djokovic can only net. Now the champion's return goes just long and that's a huuuuuge hold.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-2 Jordan Thompson
Djokovic skips into the net at 30-0 and drives a backhand into it. Now Thompson passes him for 30-30. Fault from Djokovic. Thompson has to make this count. Noooooo!!! He has a very straightforward volley to win the point and nets it, howling into the sky in anguish. Thompson's next return is long and the opportunity passes.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-2 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson continues to serve impeccably, but whenever the points get long he's in Djokovic's house and a sumptuous forehand clips the tramline to make it 40-30. Pressure for Thompson but Djokovic's attempted lob in at the net is long.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Jordan Thompson
Djokovic clumps a forehand into the net to give Thompson the first point of the game. By his own lofty standards, this has been a sloppy start to the set. A serve into the body ties Thompson up and in a few blinks of an eye it's 40-15. An ace to wrap things up.
Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson played as well as anyone could reasonably expect in that first set. Djokovic responded by not making a single unforced error. Ridiculous behaviour. The first two points of the second set are shared. There's an unforced error from Djokovic, he is human! That's the in that Thompson needed and he closes out the game impressively.
*Novak Djokovic 6-3 Jordan Thompson
Another unreturnable serve from Djokovic makes it 30-0. It's hard to think of him ever serving better than he has this year. A successful challenge for a shot that clips the baseline gives the champion three set points. Let, first service and a bit of luck as Djokovic's volley plops in via the net cord. First set to the champion.
Novak Djokovic 5-3 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson won't be shaken from his old-school Wimbledon tactics, even following in on a second serve to open up a 30-0 lead. Aces number six and seven mean Djokovic will have to serve out to win the set.
*Novak Djokovic 5-2 Jordan Thompson
Any danger of Djokovic dangling any sort of a lifeline for Thompson. Nah. He holds effortlessly to love and Thompson will serve to stay in the set at the change of ends.
Spotted: David Beckham watching Centre Court action 👀@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/dq0g5gqTyB
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 5, 2023
Novak Djokovic 4-2 Jordan Thompson*
Djokovic finds a good return and Thompson volleys into the net for 15-15. Oh, and he goes long with an overhead. Horrid shot but Thompson is right back onto his game plan and serve-volleys successfully. Djokovic has been struggling to read his opponent's serve but he does with this one. Thompson plonks the volley into the middle of the course and Djokovic passes him with ease. A fault and then a rally that's ended with a deft touch at the net from the champion to fashion his second break point. Wonderful return, Thompson is reaching for the volley on the backhand side and it's long.
*Novak Djokovic 3-2 Jordan Thompson
Another game when the man receiving doesn't really get much of a look. Impeccable serving from Djokovic, even with his second serve to seal the game. The players sit down for a drink having rattled through the opening five games.
Novak Djokovic 2-2 Jordan Thompson*
Thompson is serving handily here. At 30-0 he bangs one down the middle. It's called out but he's correct to challenge the call. Another ace for good measure? Okay then. Your move, Novak.
*Novak Djokovic 2-1 Jordan Thompson
A couple of faults from Djokovic, Thompson seizes upon both and it’s 15-30. Djokovic steers out of those choppy waters and an overhead smash seals the game.
Novak Djokovic 1-1 Jordan Thompson*
Fault from Thompson, then a serve-volley on the second swerve and he sends his volley into the net. Djokovic crunches his next return into the net at Thompson has a point. That’s a nicely disguised kick serve, the ball toss for the next one goes awry and when it’s in play Djokovic comes into the net himself with authority to make it 30-30. Big pressure on this second serve and Djokovic dominates the point to bring a first break point. Handy time for an ace. And another! Thompson serve-volleys on a second serve again, this time successfully and that’s a big hold under pressure.
*Novak Djokovic 1-0 Jordan Thompson
Here we go then. Djokovic to serve. Thompson opens up with an audacious lob that goes long. The Australian then lets a passing shot go that drops in. An unreturnable serve from Djokovic and it’s 40-0 in the blink of an eye, A walloping forehand and, as starts go, that’s fairly emphatic.
5:02 p.m GMT/3:02 a.m. AEST: The players are out. On the BBC's commentary, John McEnroe says he likes Jordan Thompson - "an impressive young man" - and fancies the Aussie to maybe pick up a set. Actually beating Djokovic, though? It feels like a bridge too far.
4:55 p.m GMT/2:55 a.m. AEST: Swiatek has indeed taken care of business, winning 6-2 6-0. Djokovic will have his eye on something similarly comprehensive as he seeks to win a 30th consecutive match at SW19.
🙏 @SabalenkaA 🤗 @DjokerNole #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/czJxnfG1Qp
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2023
4:40 p.m GMT/2:40 a.m. AEST: It won't be long until Djokovic and Thompson are with us. They're up next on Centre Court and Iga Swiatek is a set and 5-0 up against a horribly over-matched Sara Sorribes Tormo. If needed, we have the stadium roof to protect us from the rain that has played havoc matches on the outside courts over the past 24 hours.
4:15 p.m GMT/2:15 a.m. AEST: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' coverage of Novak Djokovic vs, Jordan Thompson in the second round of Wimbledon.
Can Djokovic remain on course for the calendar Grand Slam in 2023 or can Australia's world No.70 Thompson spring what would be a mammoth surprise?
How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson at Wimbledon 2023 in Australia
The 2023 edition of Wimbledon is being broadcast live and free by Nine. The action is being shown on either Channel 9 or their secondary channel 9Gem, depending on the session and time.
Every match of Wimbledon 2023 can be live-streamed in Australia on paid subscription service Stan Sport. Selected matches are available in 4K.
Fans can also stream the action for free via 9Now, which shows the standard free-to-air broadcast.
MORE: Undesirable No.1: Why Novak Djokovic is the GOAT of men's tennis, whether you like it or not
How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson at Wimbledon 2023 in USA
Wimbledon matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks in the United States. There are several ways to live stream the tournament: ESPN+, the ESPN app, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Jordan Thompson at Wimbledon 2023 in the UK
Wimbledon remains available to watch on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom. Live matches will air on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button. Viewers can also choose up to 18 courts to watch through their smart TVs and also on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
Wimbledon is also shown on Eurosport to UK viewers. Eurosport will broadcast the Championships every day on Eurosport 1 daily and then via highlights. Coverage will be available on the Discovery + streaming platform and on Eurosport online, too.