Djokovic easing into old routine as seeds hit back at Wimbledon

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LONDON - Novak Djokovic showed signs that he is easing into the old routine at Wimbledon as the seven-times champion sauntered into the third round on Thursday while Barbora Krejcikova also made it through as her title defence continued.

World number one Jannik Sinner also eased into round three as his pursuit of a first Wimbledon title gathered pace, the Italian thrashing Australias Aleksandar Vukic 6-1 6-1 6-3.

But Britains big hope, fourth seed Jack Draper, ran in to an inspired Marin Cilic and joined the exodus of seeds from the mens draw which now totals 18 in the opening two rounds.

Despite fervent home support on Court One Draper was out-gunned 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 by big-serving Croatian Cilic who produced the kind of tennis that took him to the 2017 final.

Its not the pressure, its not the whatever. I just didnt play good enough today. I lost to a better player, said Draper, who is regarded as Britains successor to two-time champion Andy Murray. I came up short.

This years Championships have been littered with big names biting the dust early and while Drapers loss sent shockwaves around the grounds, day four provided some big statements from those fancied for deep runs on the lawns.

Former womens champion Elena Rybakina arrived very much under the radar but has reached the third round for the loss of a mere seven games, the 11th seed destroying Greeces Maria Sakkari 6-3 6-1 in 62 minutes.

Five-times Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, surprisingly yet to go past the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, is another who will quietly fancy her chances and the Pole looked impressive as she hit back