Novak Djokovic piled on fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 to claim 24th consecutive win on grass and a spot in the Wimbledon fourth round on Friday.
The world No. 1 who has won the last three editions at the All England Club joined all-time great Rod Laver in third place on the Open Era list for longest men’s grass court win streaks.
Djokovic was last defeated on grass four years ago at Queen’s Club by Marin Cilic.
He will face a surprise packet in the next round as he takes on Tim Van Rijthoven after winning his 330th Grand Slam match..
The Dutchman continued his remarkable success on grass as the player ranked outside the top 200 three weeks ago reached the fourth round.
.The No. 104 posted the best result of his Grand Slam career through a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Djokovic, a six-time Wimbledon champion,was broken while serving for victory as his outclassed opponent climbed to 3-5 in the third set.
The top seed steadied the ship on his second opportunity to wrap up in just under two hours.
“I started very well, with good intensity and focus,” Djokovic said. “I’m very pleased to be competing at this level at the events which matter the most in our sport.
“I’m proud of my consistency at this level. I’ve been playing better with each match this week, That is what you wish for.
“So far, so good; I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
Van Rijthoven began his unexpected breakthrough just week ago with a title in his only ATP pre-Wimbledon event on grass, winning the home ‘s-Hertogenbosch event.
“For me, the serve I think is working fantastic,” the winner said. “I like to play aggressive, hit a lot of forehands and also use my slice.
“All of these things are very nice to have on grass.”
The outsider said his game is starting to come good after an unfortunate run of injuries.
“There were three major injuries. I had a wrist surgery. I had an artery surgery. The other one wasn’t a surgery, but it just took nine months to heal. That was an elbow.
“They call it a golfer’s elbow – I got it while playing tennis.”
Frances Tiafoe broke through for his best Wimbledon performance to date with a fourth-round spot after beating Alexander Bublik 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(3), 6-4.
The win in just under three hours. came despite 71 winners from the American’s Kazakh opponent.
US journeyman Jack Sock, a qualifier, sprang a surprise on French-born American compatriot Maxime Cressy 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(1), with the 103-ranked winner playing his first Grand Slam match in 10 months.
Tommy Paul put another American through with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Czech Jiri Vesely.
Australian Jason Kubler, who next plays Sock, won a battle of qualifiers over Austria’s Denis Novak 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, with all but the last few moments of the match played on Thursday evening.
