MX23RW : Friday, December 13 23:15:37| >> :600:266685903:266685903:

Novak Djokovic overcomes James Ward test at Wimbledon

Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcomes a gutsy challenge from Great Britain's James Ward to reach the Wimbledon second round.

Novak Djokovic has opened his 2016 Wimbledon campaign with a straight-sets victory over Great Britain's James Ward.

The defending champion had to work hard to see off the world number 177 but he sealed his place in the second round with a 6-0 7-6 6-4 win.

Djokovic did not play a warm-up event before the third Grand Slam of the year but he capitalised on Ward making his Centre Court debut to take the opening nine games.

However, an inspired run of games from Ward saw him not only break Djokovic's serve, but save break points on his own delivery to reach a second-set tie-break.

Djokovic used his greater experience to come through the breaker 7-3 and an early break of serve in the third enabled the world number one to remain in control.

Ward continued to fight against the three-time winner at SW19 but he was unable to break back as Djokovic set up a clash with Adrian Mannarino, who had defeated Kyle Edmund earlier on Monday.

ID:275605: cacheID:275605:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2123:
Written by
Darren Plant
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Britain's James Ward celebrates beating Czech Republic's Jiri Vesely during their men's singles second round match on day four of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2015
Read Next:
Ward to face Djokovic in Wimbledon opener
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Rams
12-6
49ers


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!