Tennis-big waitress Anderson enjoys the Wimbledon rematch with Djokovic

(Reuters) – South African Kevin Anderson hopes to get revenge on Novak Djokovic and end Serbia’s bid for the record-breaking 20th Grand Slam when they face Wimbledon in the second round on Wednesday.

Djokovic played Anderson three years ago in the title race when he spent 11 hours on the field in the previous two matches.

The 35-year-old knows he has to produce his best tennis to compete with Djokovic, who has been unbeaten at the All England Club since the 2017 semifinals.

“Of course, in the big moments and in the central fields, he’s been there so many times. He has a lot of self-confidence and comfort in those situations,” Anderson said.

“And of course he’s a fighter. I’ve played some matches with him where it’s been really close and he’s not giving anything away (away). It’s not going to be easy, but I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.”

Former World No. 5 Anderson has seen his ranking drop to 102 as he has battled injuries over the past couple of years, including two knee surgeries between September 2019 and February 2020.

Unable to influence lawn warm-up events in Nottingham and Eastbourne, Anderson found relief to find rhythm in the opening round’s four-round victory at Wimbledon over Chilean Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera.

While Djokovic has lost just three of his 31 matches this season, a big serving right-handed South African walks out of midfield with new confidence.

“I think towards the end of the day we will approach it like another tennis. We will only focus on what you can do, what you can manage,” Anderson added.

Twin champion Andy Murray, who has survived the first round, will face German Oscar Otte, who needed a fifth-round tiebreak to see qualifier Arthur Rinderknech.

In the women’s raffle, another seed from Belarus, Aryna Sabalenka, continues her bid for the maiden Grand Slam title against local hope Katie Boulter.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who became the first Arab to raise a WTA award in Birmingham this month, will have to test his lawn power against 41-year-old five-time champion Venus Williams at an early stage.

(Reported by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; editor Ken Ferris)