Defending champion Djokovic advances to 4th round at Wimbledon

Defending champion Novak Djokovic advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon with a 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Miomir Kecmanovic on Centre Court on Friday.

The six-time Wimbledon champion has won the past three men's singles titles at the All England Club. The top-seeded Serb will next face Tim van Rijthoven of the Netherlands.

"I think I've been playing better and better as the tournament progresses," Djokovic said in an on-court interview following the match. "That's obviously something that you always wish for as a player, that every match that you play you raise the level of tennis up a notch at least, and I think that is what is happening at the moment.

"I know I can always do better. I always expect the highest from myself, but I think so far, so good, and looking forward to the next challenge."

Van Rijthoven, a wild card who beat No. 22 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, will make his main draw debut against Djokovic.

"Before the tournament started, it was a dream for me to play him basically," van Rijthoven said. "So to be able to have that chance and to maybe even play on Centre Court or Court 1 is beautiful and magical.

"I go into every match thinking I can win the match. Also against Djokovic I'll go into that match thinking I can win that match."

Canada's Dabrowski advances in doubles

In women's doubles, Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski and Mexican partner Giuliana Olmos, seeded third, advanced to the third round with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic.

Venus returns, wins in mixed doubles

Inspired by her sister's comeback, Venus Williams made one of her own.

Williams and partner Jamie Murray won a mixed doubles that was the first in any tennis discipline for the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion in more than 10 months.

They defeated Alicja Rosolska and Michael Venus 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 in a first-round match on No. 1 Court.

"[Entering] it was definitely super last minute. Just inspired by Serena," the 42-year-old Williams said.

Serena Williams played her first match in a year on Tuesday night on Centre Court, losing to Harmony Tan.

Jamie Murray, who also has a famous tennis sibling, said that Venus' camp texted him asking to play.

"I think you played great," Murray said at their joint news conference. "Like, she hasn't played for a long time. First match, big court, a lot of people. It's not easy. It was a great experience (to) play with Venus Williams. When am I going to get the chance to do that?"

The new pair's siblings — Serena Williams and Andy Murray — joined forces in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2019 and reached the third round.

Five of Williams' major singles titles came at Wimbledon. She has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with sister Serena, including six at the All England Club. In addition, she has two major titles in mixed doubles.

In Grand Slam tournaments, Jamie Murray has won two doubles titles and five mixed doubles titles.

Venus echoed her sister's post-match comments when asked what's in her future.

"You never know where I'll pop up," she said.

Alcaraz, Sinner set-up 4th round battle

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, the fifth seed, defeated Oscar Otte of Germany, and ninth seed Cameron Norrie of Great Britain knocked out American Steve Johnson.

Tenth-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy eliminated John Isner, although the 6-foot-10 American set the record for most aces in ATP Tour history during the match. His fifth ace of the match was No. 13,729 of his career, eclipsing the mark previously held by Croatia's Ivo Karlovic.

Isner, 37, recorded 24 aces in Friday's 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 setback to raise his career total to 13,748.

Sinner and Alcaraz will meet in the fourth round in what will be a highly anticipated match.

Also moving on Friday were Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul, along with David Goffin of Belgium.

Sakkari upset by Maria

Fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari is out of Wimbledon in the third round after a 6-3, 7-5 loss to Tatjana Maria.

It's the first time that the 34-year-old Maria has reached the fourth round at any Grand Slam.

"The first time in the last 16, so that's already amazing," Maria said in her post-match press conference. "To win against Sakkari today, it's pretty awesome. I think I played a good match from the beginning to the end."

Sakkari is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist but the 26-year-old Greek player made 30 unforced errors against her German opponent on No. 2 Court.

Maria will next face 12th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion.

Jabeur also advances

Third-seeded Ons Jabeur advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Diane Parry of France.

The Tunisian will next face either former champion Angelique Kerber or Elise Mertens for a shot at the quarter-finals.

Jabeur reached the quarter-finals a year ago at the All England Club.

Also, Heather Watson reached the fourth round for the first time with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over Kaja Juvan of Slovenia. The 30-year-old Briton is making her 12th singles appearance at the All England Club.

In other women's results, Elise Mertens eliminated 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber 6-4, 7-5 in the third round at the All England Club.

The 34-year-old Kerber has won three Grand Slam titles and was a semifinalist a year ago at Wimbledon. The German was seeded 15th.

The 24th-seeded Mertens of Belgium has reached the fourth round at four consecutive Grand Slam tournaments.

WATCH | Canada's Shapovalov falls in 2nd round:

Shapovalov upset in Wimbledon 2nd round

2 years ago

Duration 2:11

56th-ranked American Brandon Nakashima upset 13 seed Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(6) to advance to the third round at Wimbledon.