‘Flawless’ champion Novak Djokovic stays on course for 20th grand slam title

World No 1 totally focused against Kevin Anderson
Serb progresses to round three with 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win

If Novak Djokovic’s rivals for the Wimbledon title thought the world No 1 might have taken his eye off the ball after winning the French Open for the second time this month, then they would appear to be mistaken. The five-time champion produced a near-flawless performance to dismiss Kevin Anderson, the South African he defeated in the 2018 final, in straight sets to cruise into the third round.

The Serb’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory was an exercise in efficiency, one break in the first set, two in the second and one in the third enough to take him through. His serve was precise, his returns sharp and his mind, arguably his biggest strength, unwavering. Unforced errors are always subjective but Djokovic hit only six in three sets, a stat that even impressed him. “That was something I wanted to do but I did it better than I expected. “I mean, I believe in myself but it was really a flawless performance today.”