Djokovic Joins Federer, Nadal in Wimbledon Quarterfinals

Whatever Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer can do, so too can Novak Djokovic. After watching his old rivals comfortably book their place in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon on Monday, Djokovic made it clear he remains a force to be reckoned with after beating Karen Khachanov 6-4 6-2 6-2 on Court One to reach the last eight of the tournament in London.

The Serbian withdrew from last year’s quarterfinal against Tomas Berdych due to injury but now has the chance to make amends as he targets a first Wimbledon title since 2015, media outlets reported.

In beating Khachanov in straight sets, Djokovic showed he still possesses all the qualities required to compete at the top level of the game. Despite the ferocity and power of the Russian’s baseline strokes, the former world No. 1 more than held his own as he called upon his experience and composure to dispatch of the youngster.

Khachanov, a big-hitting Russian, threw everything he had at Djokovic but the Serbian’s fabled defensive skills were in full working order and he moves through to a clash with Kei Nishikori on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson advanced to his first Wimbledon quarterfinal after edging past Gael Monfils 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 5-7, 7-6 (4).

The eighth-seeded Anderson hit 20 aces on his way to setting up a last-eight meeting with defending champion Federer, who had earlier in the day brushed past Adrian Mannarino of Switzerland.

Anderson, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2017 US Open, had lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon on three previous occasions.

Nishikori joined Anderson in reaching his first Wimbledon quarterfinal on Monday after beating Ernests Gulbis 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (12/10) 6-1 in their marathon encounter.

It was a clash that saw both players troubled by injury. Japan’s Nishikori, seeded 24th at Wimbledon, was hampered by an elbow issue during the first set, which he lost after being broken in the fifth game, while Gulbis, a former world No. 10, hurt his knee in the third-set tiebreak. Both players soldiered on regardless, with the final two sets serving up a treat as Nishikori and Gulbis fought tooth and nail for each point. It was the Japanese who claimed victory, though, after Gulbis, limping badly by this point, hit a return long on the second match point. American John Isner advanced with a 6-4 7-6(8) 7-6(4) win over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Joining him was Milos Raonic who downed Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2.