Novak Djokovic makes gesture to rowdy Wimbledon crowd as Brit Jacob Fearnley threatened upset
Novak Djokovic silenced the Wimbledon crowd
BBC
Novak Djokovic played up to his role as pantomime villain on Centre Court against Jacob Fearnley and shushed the crowd during his win over Jacob Fearnley.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion raced to victory in his first-round match earlier this week.
But he was always going to have to contend with a much more difficult challenge when Fearnley, who was ranked 525th in the world just weeks ago, set up a second-round match with Djokovic.
The duo kicked things off on Centre Court with Djokovic showcasing his title credentials early on to take a two-set lead.
Novak Djokovic silenced the Wimbledon crowd
BBC
However, Fearnley showed signs that he was causing Djokovic problems and got the Centre Court crowd on their feet when he won the third set.
The momentum was with Fearnley in the fourth set and he threatened to break Djokovic's serve in the sixth game.
The British star opened up two break-point opportunities and missed his first by sending a wild forehand into the net.
Both players were sent scrambling on the next point, but Djokovic did just enough to save the second with a smash to the side of the court.
Djokovic smiled as he walked back to his corner and raised a finger to his mouth, seemingly to shush the noise around him.
The world No 2 showed his class with some exceptional tennis to hold serve in the next two points with the Centre Court crowd showing their appreciation.
Fearnley was still sticking with Djokovic as he threatened to force a deciding set.
But he opened the door for the 24-time Grand Slam champion with his first break-point opportunity in the fourth set and Fearnley gave it away with a double fault.
Novak Djokovic embraced Jacob Fearnley at the net
REUTERS
That left Djokovic serving for the set and Fearnley was unable to recompose himself to pull off a break of serve and prolong the match.
Djokovic got the job done with a forehand winner and shared a warm embrace with the British wildcard at the net.
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Novak Djokovic is bidding for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title
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Djokovic will now face Australian star Alexei Popyrin in the next round as he continues his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title.
If the 37-year-old manages to go all the way then he will also sit along with the most Grand Slam singles titles in the sport's history.
He's currently joint with Australian Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles.