It was a day of surprises at Wimbledon, but Novak Djokovic wasn’t about to join the list of fallen seeds. Despite a rough patch in the middle of his 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 win over France’s Alexandre Muller, the seven-time Wimbledon champion powered through illness and adversity to reach the next round.
Djokovic appeared in full control during the opening set, but the tide turned in the second when a sudden stomach issue sapped his energy. Muller, showing grit and composure, fended off 11 break points and managed to take the second set in a dramatic tiebreak. Djokovic admitted post-match: “I felt great for a set and a half, then suddenly I was drained. The doctor gave me something—some miracle powder—and I bounced back.”
The match marked a stark contrast to their previous meeting at the 2023 US Open, where Djokovic dropped only five games. Muller, now ranked No.41, has matured since then, winning his first ATP title earlier this year in Hong Kong.
By the third set, Djokovic was rejuvenated. He broke Muller’s serve with a double fault at 3-2 and never looked back. Muller could only claim two more games, as Djokovic surged ahead with renewed strength. He now prepares to face Britain’s Dan Evans in the next round, having proven once again that even when diminished, he’s never down and out.