2022 in Review: Novak Djokovic makes winning start at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic kicked off his Wimbledon campaign with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Soonwoo Kwon in two hours and 27 minutes on Centre Court. Djokovic did not play at his best, losing the second set but securing his 80th Wimbledon victory from 90 encounters. Both players scored four breaks, and Novak grabbed 18 points more than Soonwoo. Both players earned four breaks of serve, and Novak prevailed with a single break of serve in the fourth set. They had a similar number of winners and errors, and Djokovic played better in the crucial moments to emerge at the top.

Novak and Soonwoo held after deuce in the encounter’s opening games. The Korean built the advantage with a break in game three after a forehand winner and fired a service winner in the next one for 3-1. Djokovic raised his level after that, produced three good holds and kept the pressure on the other side. The Serb broke back in game six, closed the next one with a hold at love and delivered another break at 4-3 after the rival’s loose backhand. Novak held at 15 in game nine for 6-3 in 33 minutes, rattling off five straight games to gain a boost. Soonwoo was a better player in the second set, surviving one challenging game and keeping the pressure on the other side with good hitting, especially from his forehand.

Novak Djokovic reached the second round at Wimbledon.

The Korean broke at love in the fourth game after the Serb’s forehand mistake and fended off three break chances in the next one to cement the lead. Kwon fired a service winner at 5-3 to wrap up the set and level the overall score. In one of the pivotal moments, Novak fended off a break chance at 2-2 in the third set with a bold second serve. Kwon lost only four points in the opening four service games, and it all changed when Djokovic broke him at 4-3 to move in front. The Serb held at 15 in game nine to wrap up the set and move closer to the finish line. Novak survived three break points in the fourth set’s second game and served perfectly in the remaining games. The pressure was on Kwon, and he could not endure it. Novak broke him at love in the fifth game to build the crucial advantage and sealed the deal with a hold at love at 5-4 after an ace.