Djokovic beats Wawrinka immediate before closing time

Stan Wawrinka said he stood no chance of beating Novak Djokovic in their Wimbledon third-round clash on Friday (Jul 7) and the Swiss's prediction proved spot on as he was outplayed on Centre Court.

Stan Wawrinka said he stood no chance of beating Novak Djokovic in their Wimbledon third-round clash on Friday (Jul 7) and the Swiss's prediction proved spot on as he was outplayed on Centre Court.

Walking out little more than two hours before Wimbledon's 11pm curfew, seven-time champion Djokovic was a man in a hurry as he rattled through the opening two sets and although he met more resistance after that he sealed a 6-3 6-1 7-6(5) win.

His 31st consecutive match win at Wimbledon sent him into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the 61st time in which he will face Poland's 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka, two years older than Djokovic at 38, was reduced to the roll of spectator at times as his opponent's laser-guided ground strokes located lines with relentless accuracy in their first meeting on grass.