Novak Djokovic on fire at Wimbledon as Serb storms past Nick Kyrgios’ pal in straight sets

Game, set and match Novak Djokovic! An entertaining final game to see out an entertaining contest, but there was only ever going to be one winner.

Kokkinakas sparked laughter from the crowd by quick-wittedly offering his rear-end as a target after gifting Djokovic an easy shot.

He couldn’t convert his first break point of the match, however, and a battle at deuce ends up with Djokovic advancing to the third round by winning 6-1 6-4 6-2.

Kokkinakis holds out in what could be his final service game, providing that Djokovic completed the job as expected.

Over to you, Novak…

Kokkinakis gives Djokovic something to think about with an impressive cross-court winner to make it 30-30, before later taking it deuce.

No prizes for guessing who won the ensuing battle, with Djokovic now one game from victory.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is beginning to lose his way here in the third set. Djokovic executes the double break and is powering towards victory.

“What little hope he had left will now be extinguished,” claims John McEnroe.

Thanasi Kokkinakis grew frustrated during his tie with Novak Djokovic (Image: GETTY)

The breeze picks up which introduces an extra element for both parties to deal with, but Djokovic has tunnel vision on the third round, and he makes no mistake in holding serve.

The chips are down for Kokkinakis but he’s still fighting to reach the third round for the first time.

His service game is seen out in impressive style, bombing an ace down the centre to win to love.

Djokovic is the impenetrable wall when he moves forward to the net, and Kokkinakis simply doesn’t know what to do about it.

The Aussie puts one point on the board, but that’s all as Djokovic streaks away into the distance.

More signs that a Kokkinakis fight-back will have to be done the very, very hard way. A couple of tiring rallies and his serve is taken to deuce, where more battles ensue – one of which had the crowd in awe.

Eventually, the pendulum swings Djokovic’s way. Things are going according to plan for the Serb, who could have this match wrapped up shortly.

That sounds about right…

If the ball lands on the other side of Thames, Djokovic will still reach it and lob it in his opponent’s court. #Wimbledon2022

\u2014 Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) June 29, 2022

All that Kokkinakis work proved to be in vain as Djokovic comfortably converts on his own serve. The Aussie made a decent fist of it, but the Serb is in imperious mood and the odds never looked stacked against him.

A lengthy battle at deuce gave Kokkinakis hope of staying in the second set, and he rallied impressively to keep his hopes alive.

Pressure now on Novak to see out the job and put one set between himself and the third round.

Novak Djokovic missed the chance to sew up the second set ahead of schedule (Image: GETTY)

A service hold without reply, finished off with a deft, athletic shot that glances over the net to leave Kokkinakis helpless.

For once, the Djokovic drop shot doesn’t come off as Kokkinakis gets it back over and wins the point.

And he convincingly holds serve, too, putting his third game on the board in the second set.

Groans from the crowd as Djokovic uncharacteristically follows up an unforced error with a double fault.

That gave Kokkinakis a perfect chance to pounce, but a wayward forehand left him smacking his head with his own racket. Djokovic made him pay with a stunning winner.

The crowd roars at a point that saw Djokovic advance to the net – Kokkinakis hammered about five shots in his direction, but the Serb had an answer to every one of them.

Still, the world number 79 had the last laugh by holding serve. It’s already going better in the second than it was in the first.

A couple of confidence boosters for the Aussie as he wins a lengthy rally with an eye-catching winner.

But Djokovic is un ‘unbeatable’ mood, according to John McEnroe, and he sees out the service game in professional fashion.

Kokkinakis proving partial to wild shots that finish way off the mark, but he has enough to make a contest of it on his own serve.

Djokovic earns break point thanks to another drop shot that trickles agonisingly over the net, and the Serb prevails after a lengthy battle at deuce.

Thanasi Kokkinakis saw his serve broken in set two (Image: GETTY)

Djokovic repeats the feat, winning his own service game to love.

That’s how you remind Djokovic that he’s still in a game!

Kokkinakis wins the first game of the second set to love, thanks in part to two aces – one of which at 130mph.

Bish, bash, bosh! Djokovic racks up four points without reply, finishing it off with another perfect drop shot.

Ok, the real Novak Djokovic is at Wimbledon now.

\u2014 David Law (@DavidLawTennis) June 29, 2022

Kokkinakis was down 15-40 due to some wayward errors before bringing it back to deuce.

The pair returned to deuce three more times before an exquisite drop shot converted break point for Djokovic. He’ll now serve to see out the set in double-quick time.

Novak showboats in front of the crowd as he lures in Kokkinakis with a well-executed drop shot before flicking the next shot over his head.

A couple of mistakes offered the Aussie a glimmer of hope, but Djokovic still took the game convincingly.

Novak Djokovic made a commanding start against Thanasi Kokkinakis (Image: GETTY)

Much better from Kokkinakis as he wins two quick points but Djokovic gets him into a rally at 30-0, which the Aussie ends with a thunderous forehand

Djokovic claws two points back but Kokkinakis serves out the game with an ace out wide.

A clean sweep for Djokovic as he wins four points in a row on his own serve. Kokkinakis needs to find another gear here or he could be heading for a quick exit.

Djokovic has shot out of the blocks and gets early break with Kokkinakis only able to put one point on the board.

Kokkinakis gets off to a bright start winning the opening point with a brilliant backhand down the line but Djokovic bounces back with the next two.

The Aussie levels at 30-30 but then sends a forehand long on the next two points to gift the world No 3 the lead.

Both players are out warming up on Centre Court and play is set to get underway any minute.

The start of play was delayed at Wimbledon today, with action finally getting underway at around 12:45.

The elements won’t affect matters on Centre Court and Court 1, however, as the sliding roof could save the day if it starts trickling down again.

Djokovic and Kokkinakis are first up on Centre.

Rain delayed the start of play at Wimbledon on Wednesday (Image: GETTY)

Good afternoon and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of Novak Djokovic vs Thanasi Kokkikakis.

The stakes are high for both players on Centre Court, with the top seed aiming to put more Grand Slam titles on his CV and the latter vying to upset the odds.

There are around 15 minutes to go until this contest gets underway at 13:30 BST, and we’ll keep you informed and up to date throughout the afternoon.