LONDON – Novak Djokovic demolished Holger Rune on Monday to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, staying on course for a record 25th Grand Slam, while Taylor Fritz upset fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina wore a black ribbon and burst into tears as she made her way hours after a barrage of Russian missiles killed dozens of people and destroyed a children’s hospital in kyiv.
Seven-time defending champion Djokovic, who dropped sets in the second and third rounds, was expected to be tested by Rune but instead he gave the young Dane a tough lesson, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just over two hours.
The 37-year-old Serb, who still wears a knee brace on his right knee after surgery last month, did not drop a point in the first three games against his disconcerted opponent.
He earned just one break in the second set before two more breaks in the third set sealed a quarter-final against ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur.
But despite his easy victory, the Serb launched an angry tirade at sections of the Centre Court crowd, whom he accused of disrespecting him.
“To all the fans who showed respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate that,” said a frustrated Djokovic after reaching his 60th Grand Slam quarter-final.
“And to all those who chose to disrespect the player – in this case me – good night,” he added, mocking his tormentors.
Djokovic, who is seeking to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles, is also aiming to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.
