By Ben Phillips
Novak Djokovic produced a clinical and commanding performance on Centre Court as he breezed past Britain’s Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 to reach the third round of Wimbledon 2025.
From the first ball, the seven-time Wimbledon champion was locked in, dictating play with immaculate precision and showing no signs of discomfort despite recent injury concerns coming into the tournament. He was dominant behind serve, landing 78% of his first serves and winning an astonishing 89% of those points. Even when forced to play behind his second serve, Djokovic remained nearly untouchable, winning 82% of those points too.
Evans, backed by a hopeful home crowd, struggled to find any foothold. He was broken six times from 16 break points and never managed to break himself. His serving stats told the story: just 58% of first serve points were won, and he had a 31% win rate on second serve, leaving him under pressure in almost every service game.
By the third set, the match had turned into a masterclass. Djokovic moved effortlessly around the court, redirecting Evans’ slice and attacking at will, wrapping up the final set 6-0 in just over 20 minutes.
While Evans will be disappointed not to have made more of a contest on home soil, he was simply outclassed by a player operating at the peak of his powers. For Djokovic, this was not just a win; it was a statement. The 37-year-old Serb looks sharp, confident, and ready to challenge for a record-extending 8th Wimbledon crown.
As the draw begins to tighten and potential clashes with the likes of Jack Draper, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz loom on the horizon, Djokovic’s form couldn’t be more ominous for the rest of the field.
Mensik Powers Through with Big-Serving Display
15th seed Jakub Mensik continued his impressive rise in 2025 with a composed four-set win over American Marcos Giron, coming through 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in a match that highlighted his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous young players on tour.
The 19-year-old Czech, who has enjoyed a real breakthrough season and recently cracked the top 20, fired 26 aces during the contest, proof once again of how formidable his serve is on the grass. But it wasn’t just the power that stood out; Mensik also managed his service games well under pressure, especially in the crucial fourth-set tiebreak, showing maturity beyond his years.
After a minor dip in the second set where Giron took advantage of a few loose points, Mensik quickly regrouped and reasserted control with clean baseline hitting and confident net play. His ability to shift gears and win quick points on serve makes him a genuine threat in this draw.
Mensik’s raw weapons, especially his booming serve and heavy forehand, are tailor-made for the lawns of Wimbledon. As the rounds progress, few players will relish facing him; his game is built for speed and aggression, and his confidence is growing with every match.
With this win, the Czech teenager moves into the third round and continues to justify the hype surrounding his breakout season. Keep an eye on him, Mensik may still be a teenager, but he’s already playing like a man ready to go deep.
Rybakina Rolls Past Sakkari with Ruthless Efficiency
2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina delivered a commanding performance on Day 4, dismissing Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-1 in just over an hour to remind everyone why she remains one of the most dangerous players on grass.
The Kazakh star, seeded 11th this year, was in complete control from start to finish. Her powerful serve, flat groundstrokes, and ability to take time away from her opponent were all on full display. Sakkari, who was looking to build momentum after reuniting with coach Tom Hill, simply had no answers to Rybakina’s relentless pace and precision.
Since lifting the Wimbledon trophy two years ago, Rybakina has been tipped by many to dominate women’s tennis, but a combination of injuries and inconsistency has stalled her Grand Slam tally. That said, performances like this are a reminder of her ceiling; on grass, few players can match her weaponry.
If she stays healthy and locked in, Rybakina could pose a serious threat to the title favourites. Her smooth, effortless game translates perfectly to the slick Wimbledon courts, and after today’s display, she looks more than ready to challenge for a second crown.
Cilic Ends Draper’s Wimbledon Run in Four Sets
Former Wimbledon finalist Marin Čilić showed his class and experience on Day 4 as he ended British No. 1 Jack Draper’s campaign with a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win in an entertaining Centre Court clash.
Draper, riding a wave of national momentum and fresh off his impressive win over Sebastian Báez in round one, entered the match as a dark horse to go deep in the draw. But Čilić, who knows what it takes to succeed on the grass of SW19, came out with a clear game plan and executed it with trademark composure and precision.
The Croat dominated the first two sets with his flat, penetrating groundstrokes and unrelenting serving, taking full advantage of Draper’s slow start. But the third set saw a dramatic shift as Draper stormed back, breaking twice and producing his best tennis of the match to bagel Čilić 6-1, igniting the home crowd in the process.
Just when it seemed the momentum had fully swung, Čilić steadied the ship in the fourth. His serve, which had momentarily wavered, returned to its usual reliability, and a crucial break midway through the set gave him the edge. Draper fought until the last point, but ultimately, the veteran’s experience proved decisive.
It’s a tough loss for Draper, who has enjoyed a stellar grass season and risen to world No. 4 in the rankings, but he’ll take valuable lessons from a match that was just as much about tactical maturity as physical endurance. For Čilić, the win is a statement that, despite injury setbacks in recent years, he’s still a force to be reckoned with at the All England Club.
Looking Ahead to Day 5: Blockbusters and Big Names on Show
As we head into Day 5 of Wimbledon 2025, the schedule is packed with heavyweight clashes and rising-star battles, promising another electric day of action at SW19.
Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defence on Centre Court against big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff. Struff’s power and aggressive style could test the Spaniard, but Alcaraz has already battled through tricky moments this week and will be looking to raise his level once again.
Another Centre Court showdown sees Taylor Fritz, fresh off a gutsy comeback win in round two, face the unpredictable but dangerous Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Fritz, one of the tournament’s outside contenders, will have to be sharp from the first ball.
One of the most highly anticipated matches of the tournament so far will see world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka take on Britain’s own Emma Raducanu. It’s a blockbuster clash between the reigning Australian Open champion and the 2021 US Open winner. Raducanu has looked confident this week, but Sabalenka’s firepower and improved mental toughness make her a daunting opponent on any surface.
Also in action is four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who continues her return to top-level tennis. She faces experienced Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a match that could go deep. After her win on Wednesday, Osaka spoke to Quality Shot Tennis and reflected on her relationship with the surface: “Definitely this year I feel a lot more comfortable moving on grass. The last couple of years, I was really scared to move.” Her increased confidence could be key as she tries to build rhythm in the draw.
Elsewhere, Chilean No. 1 Nicolas Jarry faces teen sensation João Fonseca in a fascinating generational battle. Fonseca has already impressed this week with his fearless game and will look to test Jarry’s consistency and experience in what could be one of the day’s hidden gems.
With stars like Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Osaka, and Raducanu all in action, and matches that promise both power and drama, Friday is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining days yet. Stay tuned with Quality Shot Tennis for full coverage and exclusive insight from around the grounds.
