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Defending champion Novak Djokovic started his quest for a fourth successive Wimbledon title with a hard-fought four-set win over South Korean Kwon Soon-woo underneath the Centre Court roof.
Djokovic is aiming to win a seventh title at SW19, which might take him one behind Roger Federer’s men’s document.
Serbia’s prime seed prevailed 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 over the world quantity 81.
The win takes the previous world primary’s victory streak at Wimbledon to 22 matches.
It additionally means Djokovic turns into the primary participant, man or girl, to document 80 singles wins in any respect 4 Grand Slam tournaments.
“I’ve mentioned this earlier than however this courtroom is really particular, for me it has all the time been the courtroom I dreamed of enjoying and profitable and all my childhood desires got here true right here so it is an honour and pleasure to be again on Centre Court,” mentioned Djokovic.
On profitable 80 matches at Wimbledon, he added: “This sport has given me all the things, I owe so much to the game and I adore it nonetheless with all my coronary heart.
“I’m as devoted as anybody on the market, I’m not one of many children anymore however the love for this sport nonetheless burns in me and I attempt to all the time play my greatest tennis on the Grand Slams and ship my greatest tennis at the most effective courts. Now that we’re at 80, let’s get to 100.”
Djokovic pulls by means of as Kwon rises to Centre Court event
As custom dictates, defending men’s singles champion Djokovic was elected to start proceedings on Centre Court because the Championships returned with full capability crowds on Monday.
The 35-year-old world quantity three is the favorite to retain the title as soon as once more in the absence of top-ranked Daniil Medvedev – banned following Wimbledon’s choice to disclaim entry to Russian and Belarusian gamers – and the injured Alexander Zverev.
He overcame a spirited opponent to again up that billing and arrange a second-round assembly with Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis or Pole Kamil Majchrzak.
It was 24-year-old Kwon who landed the primary blow to the delight of an excitable Centre Court crowd, beautiful the highest seed with a break to fifteen and once more surrendering only a single level as he employed spectacular selection to consolidate a 3-1 benefit.
But Djokovic settled in, breaking again earlier than one other allowed him to serve out the opening set with a five-game streak.
Undeterred, Kwon, who received his sole ATP title to this point in Astana final September, responded with a break for 3-1 in the second set and impressively noticed off three break factors from a 0-40 deficit to carry in the next sport on his approach to levelling the competition.
Encouraged by the group as he continued to use stress in the third, the South Korean was unable to clinch a break level in the fifth sport – permitting Djokovic to strike late on and retake the lead.
They proved essential moments, as Djokovic, having saved a break level in the opening sport, ultimately asserted himself in the fourth set.
A single break proved sufficient for him to earn a record-breaking win at SW19 and are available by means of this difficult first-round encounter.
