Yahoo Sports Djokovic vs Rublev LIVE! Wimbledon 2023 result and latest updates from Centre Court
Rublev vs Djokovic LIVE!
Novak Djokovic is back in action on Centre Court at Wimbledon today with a meeting against Andrey Rublev. Hubert Hurkacz pushed the Serbian and his record at Wimbledon all the way earlier this week but Djokovic managed to return after the curfew in order to make it into the final eight.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner has since hit out at the curfew in SW19 but will be confident of seeing this one done before the close of play. Rublev is something of a familiar foe having met four times before in their careers, with Djokovic boasting three wins to the Russian’s one thus far.
Still, Rublev almost denied the Serbian on home soil last year in dramatic fashion and does have fresher legs after Djokovic’s two-day battle. His forehand has been pointed out by Djokovic and it looks the most dangerous weapon. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport!
Djokovic vs Rublev latest news
MATCH: Djokovic does it with a 6-3 fourth-set win!
SET: Djokovic in charge now, taking the third 6-4
SET: Djokovic roars back 6-1.
SET: Rublev takes the first set 6-4!
Thanks for joining us
20:16 , Dom Smith
Thank you for tuning in to The Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of Novak Djokovic’s ultimately successful bid to reach the semi-finals here at SW19 by beating Andrey Rublev.
He dropped a set but did just that. We’ll see you again soon for more Wimbledon coverage.
Next up for Djokovic
20:08 , Dom Smith
Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner of Italy in the semi-final on Friday. He is eyeing an eighth Wimbledon title, while Sinner has never reached the final.
Match report
19:52 , Dom Smith
What a win for Djokovic, who was pushed all the way by the exceptional Rublev.
GAME, SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC
19:48 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 Rublev
What a ridiculous player.
Djokovic is judged to have conceded an ace when 0-30 up but challenges and is absolutely right. Rublev’s serve was out.
Rublev fires into the corner and Djokovic spins to put a masterful return back onto the court. He gets his luck, winning the point.
And with three match points, on Rublev’s serve, he isn’t hanging around. He bursts up to the net and wins the match with a gorgeous drop shot. A fitting end to an exceptionally high-level match.
Djokovic edging closer
19:44 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 5-3 Rublev
Rublev challenges one of Djokovic’s shots but it was indeed in as first called. Soon enough it’s 40-15 and Djokovic takes it from there.
He would reach the semi-finals now if he can break Rublev’s serve next.
What fire from Rublev!
19:39 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 , 4-3 Rublev
Rublev shows class to go 30-15 up and has Centre Court on its feet when he pushes Djokovic into the tramlines and puts a winner the other side.
The Russian No 7 seed takes the game with a stellar ace down the T.
Djokovic just two games away now
19:36 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 4-2 Rublev
The Serb is up to the net sharply to take the first point, and he has the second from smart serving and soon enough the third by thwacking a winner cross-court which Rublev is nowhere near to.
Some inside Centre Court think he then aces for the game, but his first serve was out.
But soon he fires he winner down the line and is now just two games away from a passage into the semi-finals.
Rublev holds firm
19:33 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 , 3-2 Rublev
Excellent winner twisted into the far-left corner of the court by Rublev for the first point of the game, but he follows it up by netting in disappointing circumstances.
Rublev moves ahead and takes the game, but is still a break down in this fourth set.
Djokovic holds
19:30 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 3-1 Rublev
Djokovic solidifies after his break by serving out an ace to take the game. He now leads 3-1.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS
19:25 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 2-1 Rublev
Rublev loops up a horrible shot at 15-15 which allows Djokovic to come towards the net and pounce.
And then he narrowly misses, challenges but the ball is indeed out and suddenly Djokovic has two break points.
The first is saved excellently by Rublev, but Djokovic takes it on the second. He has his eyes firmly fixed on the prize now.
Djokovic holds
19:22 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 1-1 Rublev
Djokovic shows off his superior serving with a comfortable hold.
Rublev holds
19:21 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 0-1 Rublev
Rublev has been excellent in this match and takes the first game of the fourth set. He’ll be hoping he can win this set and take the match to a fifth!
DJOKOVIC TAKES THE THIRD SET
19:11 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 Rublev
The world No2 is ahead in the match on sets for the first time as he goes 2-1 in front by taking the third set. He had to EARN that.
He is down 15-30 in this service game but then his delivery is fired long by Rublev for 30-30.
Djokovic has just one set point to play with, but it is not enough as he nets for deuce and then goes long to bring up a surprising break point for Rublev.
Rublev slips as Djokovic puts away a winner for deuce again, before Djokovic takes the lead with a smash.
He is making a bit of a meal of the game and loses the advantage, before a ridiculous point full of drop-shots, volleys and completed with a standing ovasion for Rublev ensues.
Rublev belts long — twice — but Djokovic loses his advantage AGAIN by netting. Both players, by the way, look shattered.
Djokovic then finds the tramlines with a horrid unforced error, bringing up break point, before Rublev nets. On it goes.
MASSIVE pump of the fists from Djokovic as he escapes a MARATHON game and wins the set.
Rublev still in the set
18:54 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 5-4 Rublev
Rublev finds the corner with the first point but then can’t sort his feet out and scoops into the net.
Poor backhand slice from Djokovic which drops long, followed by a full-pelt serve from Rublev.
The second serve does it for Rublev, who takes the game and remains in this third set on Centre Court.
Djokovic 5-3 up now
18:52 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 5-3 Rublev
Stunning winner from Djokovic down the line when Rublev puts him under pressure with the first point of the game. He drops the next point but wins the third when Rublev winds up a powerful swing but hits the net.
Djokovic serves well and takes the game. He’s 5-3 up in the third now and would take it if he can break his opponent in the next game.
Rublev holds
18:46 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 4-3 Rublev
Djokovic earns himself a set point when he fires into Rublev — who is at the net — numerous times but then squeezes the ball round him.
It’s ridiculous tennis that follows, really, as Rublev wins a stunning rally with a winner down the line.
He takes the game.
Djokovic two ahead in the set now
18:41 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 4-2 Rublev
Djokovic is heading for a simple hold, it appears, until he finds himself way out wide and allows net-based Rublev to smash away a winner down the centre of the court.
Wonderful Rublev shot for 40-30 Djokovic, yet the Serb takes the game and leads 4-2 now.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS
18:35 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 3-2 Rublev
Rublev is at full stretch on the second point but can only find the net. The same is true on the third when Djokovic ups the tempo a little with a crashing cross-court backhand.
But Rublev gets back level when Djokovic slips and can’t get the ball over.
The net from a Rublev shot drops it in but that helps Djokovic, who earns a break point, which he takes when Rublev nets with an unforced error.
Djokovic with a comfortable hold
18:32 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 2-2 Rublev
There have been a succession of easy holds in the last few games and this is the simplest of the lot.
In double-quick time, Djokovic is through it and back level 2-2 in the third set when the Russian jars a reply into the sky.
Hold to love
18:27 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 1-2 Rublev
Djokovic misses a succession of shots and finds himself 40-0 down with the Russian serving, and Rublev’s blistering final delivery wins him the game.
Djokovic holds
18:24 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 1-1 Rublev
At 15-15 it looks safe enough for Djokovic on serve, but when Rublev bends a line winner for 15-30, the Serb is in a little trouble.
More so when Rublev pushes Djokovic wide and the No 2 seed nets.
Rublev finds the net himself with the first of his break points, and then the tramlines on the stretch with the second. Djokovic has found his way to deuce and closes the game out with an unreturned serve and then a Rublev miss.
Rublev holds the first game of the third set
18:19 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1, 0-1 Rublev
It took until the sixth game before Rublev won his first game of the second set, but he starts early in the third. He crowns it off with a thunderous serve which Djokovic is powerless to prevent flying right past him.
1-0 Rublev in the third.
SECOND SET DJOKOVIC
18:12 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 6-1 Rublev
Djokovic arrows the ball past a stranded Rublev as he asserts his intention at the beginning of the game, but then there are murmurs as he nets under no real pressure.
Rublev goes long. Two set points then as Djokovic aces onto the dust.
But he loses both with two long shots and it’s deuce.
Searing cross-court winner from Djokovic to get him another crack at closing out the set. He does.
Rublev off the mark in the second set
18:08 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 5-1 Rublev
Wow. Gorgeous winner from Rublev for 15-0, and then a rocketed ace for 30-0.
Djokovic wins the next point with a similarly stonking winner, but soon it’s 40-15.
Rublev wins the game and is finally off the mark in the second set.
Djokovic holds
18:05 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 5-0 Rublev
Into the corner from Djokovic with a lovely serve, and then Rublev skews it horribly for 30-0.
Djokovic with the same perfect serve. Monstrous second serve from Djokovic who wins the game to love. He’s reaching a scarily high level here.
BREAK TO LOVE FOR DJOKOVIC
18:03 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 4-0 Rublev
Rublev is in trouble and it’s because he keeps finding the net at the moment. He does so again to bring up 0-30 Djokovic, and then does so again and is in real peril in the second set.
“Novak, I love you”, cries one woman in the crowd.
It inspires him to find the line with an angled winner. A break to love. Crikey.
Djokovic saves set points to take 3-0 lead in second set
18:00 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 3-0 Rublev
Rublev has to put his hands up after a fluke winner lands right where Djokovic can’t get to.
But the Serb is back level when Rublev winds up a stinging forehand but only nets.
Rublev angles a wonderful winner to earn a break point, but Djokovic then serves too well.
Silly error from Djokovic to serve up another break up for Rublev, who this time goes long.
Djokovic inevitably holds and has command of the third set 3-0 now.
DJOKOVIC BREAKS
17:53 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 2-0 Rublev
Disappointed groans across Centre Court as a rare double fault from Rublev makes it 15-40 and brings up two break points early in the second-set for Djokovic.
Rublev saves one but despite pushing Djokovic to the ABSOLUTE LIMITS in the next point, Djokovic wins it with a lovely, deft drop shot which the Russian gets to but slips over while missing. Break of serve.
Djokovic with a hold to love.
17:48 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6, 1-0 Rublev
There is no messing around from world No2 Djokovic in the first game of the second set. He rushes into a 40-0 lead on serve, and confirms a comfortable hold to love when Rublev’s return of serve lands long.
Rublev takes the first set. Who saw that coming
17:44 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-6 Rublev
Rublev is ahead when Djokovic nets his rocket serve, but then Rublev can’t get a simple shot over from the next rally.
Now Rublev serves himself back in front. Then 30-30.
Rublev finds the baseline and Djokovic can’t readjust his feet so nets. Then nets again.
So it is the Russian who takes the first set. Who saw that coming?!
RUBLEV BREAKS!
17:40 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-5 Rublev
Djokovic benefits from a mis-hit by Rublev as he slams a winner across the court for 15-15. But he then clips the net cord with a drop shot and so Rublev senses his moment.
Brilliant point by both players but won by Djokovic as he goes 40-30 in front, but then he nets.
Deuce.
Djokovic slips, nets, and hands a break point to Rublev — who gains a few cheers from around Centre Court, And Rublev’s cross-court shot is so accurate he is able to break with the next shot.
Okay then...
Rublev with a comfortable hold
17:34 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-4 Rublev
Just when Djokovic is starting to get into his stride and so nearly broke Rublev last time out, the Russian comes out swinging and propels himself 40-0 ahead.
He drops a point when he can only find the net but wins the game with a power serve that Djokovic can only just return, allowing Rublev to tuck into the corner and level at four games all.
Hold to love for Djokovic
17:30 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 4-3 Rublev
Not nearly as remarkable or entertaining a game as the last, but that’s how Djokovic wants it on his serve.
He approaches the net decisively for a winner. Hold to love.
Stunning tennis all round
17:27 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 3-3 Rublev
Rublev looks to have earned himself a well-crafted point as he gets Djokovic dancing all over the place, but then the Russian nets and is 0-30 down.
Two shots into the direction from whence Rublev came leaves him stranding and threatening to do the splits. Two break points down now.
That jeopardy dissipates as Djokovic returns serve long twice in a row.
Advantage Rublev when his smash winner is somehow returned by Djokovic but narrowly, narrowly misses.
And then STUNNING. The best point of this match by a country mile. Djokovic returns about five shots he has no right to make, and forces deuce again when Rublev goes long.
Strong serve Rublev nudges him advantage ahead again, and an exceptional wide winner sees the Russian secure a crucial hold.
On serve still
17:19 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 3-2 Rublev
The world No 2 doesn’t even move a muscle there as Rublev nestled a crashing winner down the line and onto the line.
Lovely drop shot from the well-advanced Djokovic when Rublev’s backhand return is just a little short.
Two game points for Djokovic as Rublev nets — and then it is game when the Russian seventh seed can only find the tramlines.
Rublev holds again
17:16 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 2-2 Rublev
Those in the crowd entering and leaving the court in the match’s first break took an age to get settled there, meaning there was still a lot of noise when Rublev got the game underway with a cracking ace.
30-0.
40-0.
40-15.
Game.
Djokovic holds — and what a point to seal it
17:12 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 2-1 Rublev
Djokovic pushes Rublev into the tramlines with the first point and forces the Russian to net, before he misses again but this time by shanking the ball too high and long.
Remarkable point to finish this game, with Rublev thinking he has fired round Djokovic’s net approach but the Serb showcases his agility to get down and scoop over into the unguarded court. On serve.
On serve after Rublev wins his first service game
17:08 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 1-1 Rublev
Rublev nets with a power-forehand to make it 15-15, and Djokovic starts to sense the chance of an early break as he edges 15-30 ahead.
But the Serb picks out a poor drop shot and allows Rublev to smack away the very next shot to level.
Rocket ace from Rublev and he wins it from there.
Djokovic takes the first game
17:03 , Dom Smith
Djokovic 1-0 Rublev
Djokovic with the first point of the game serves out a lovely ace, but Rublev screams a cross-court winner for 15-15 with the second,
Then a ferocious serve down the T from Djokovic to edge back ahead.
Magnificent rally to finish. Game Djokovic.
Here we go
16:57 , Dom Smith
The match begins!
The players are out
16:49 , Dom Smith
Out come Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev to Centre Court, met with a very warm welcome from the crowd.
The second seed facing the seventh seed. This is serious stuff now. Welcome to the business end of the tournament.
GAME, SET AND MATCH SVITOLINA
16:31 , Dom Smith
The Ukrainian has done it! There’s a really warm embrace at the net with top seed Iga Swiatek who will no doubt be gutted to crash out.
But world No76 Svitolina has played the tennis of her life here and is through to the Wimbledon semi-finals for only the second time. Amazing.
Djokovic versus Rublev to follow next!
Getting closer
16:22 , Dom Smith
Elina Svitolina is now 5-1 up in the deciding set against world No1 Iga Swiatek and appears to be close to a major scalp.
Swiatek serving to stay in the Championships!
Grand Slam meeting
16:09 , Dom Smith
The pair have only previously met at a Grand Slam once, and it was at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Eventual champion Djokovic cruised past Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in a one-sided quarter-final before being crowned the champion and, with it, sealing his outright-record 23rd Grand Slam title.
Head to head
15:59 , Dom Smith
Djokovic comes out on top in his head-to-head with Rublev over the years, with the Serb having won three of their four previous encounters.
Yet Rublev spoiled the party in 2022 when he beat Djokovic in the final of the Belgrade Open — the ATP event in Djokovic’s homeland which he is always desperate to win.
The wait goes on...
15:52 , Dom Smith
After Elina Svitolina took the first set in the thrilling first women’s quarter-final this afternoon on Centre Court, No 1 seed Iga Swiatek has just navigated another below-par set from her perspective but won it on a tiebreak.
That means we’re now at the beginning of a deciding set... and that Novak and Andrey will have to wait a little longer to enter the fray.
How they got here: Rublev
15:45 , Dom Smith
Seventh seed Andrey Rublev of Russia beat Max Purcell in straight sets in the first round, before beating compatriot Aslan Karatsev 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
He then beat David Goffin of Belgium in four sets and finally Alexander Bublik in a marathon 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 match on Sunday.
How they got here: Djokovic
15:34 , Dom Smith
Novak Djokovic has only dropped one set on his way to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
He beat Pedro Cachin and Jordan Thompson in the first and second rounds, before easing past his old foe Wawrinka in the third.
He played 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 in the fourth round on Sunday.
How to beat Djokovic
15:23 , Dom Smith
Asked how you beat Novak Djokovic after losing to him in the last round, Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka said: “Someone can beat him… but I would be astonished to see it here”.
Our sports correspondent Matt Majendie has tried to answer the all-important question of how you beat potentially the greatest tennis player in history.
You can read his article here.
Currently on Centre Court
15:11 , Dom Smith
Djokovic vs Rublev is second on Centre Court today. The first match is currently in progress and it’s becoming a bit of a cracker.
No 1 seed Iga Swiatek lost the first set of her first-ever Wimbledon quarter-final 7-5 to Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. But Swiatek appears to be turning it around and is serving to go 4-2 up in the second set.
It’s a near-full house in here right now.
Prediction
14:55 , Alex Young
Novak Djokovic may have dropped a set, uncharacteristically, in his fourth-round win over big-serving Pole Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday, but make no mistake: the Serb is in imperious form.
Djokovic won both of the first two sets of that match on tiebreaks, and it means that he has now won all of his last 15 tiebreaks in Grand Slams.
If he is not the man for the big occasion, no one in this sport is. Seventh seed Andrey Rublev has been impressive at Wimbledon this year, but only his first-round win over Max Purcell was completed in straight sets — and he was certainly pushed all the way by Kazakhstan’s enigmatic Alexander Bublik in a thrilling five-setter last time out.
I can only see a Djokovic win here. And I think it’ll be in straight sets.
How to watch
14:48 , Alex Young
TV channel: This clash is up second on Centre Court. BBC One will cover the match, with their Championships broadcast beginning earlier on the day.
Live stream: The action will also be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Highlights: Today at Wimbledon presented by Qasa Alom will round up the best of the action each night at 9pm on BBC Two.
Welcome
14:38 , Alex Young
Hello and welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Wimbledon quarter-final between Novak Djokovic and Andrey Rublev.
This big-hitting clash is up second on Centre Court, with an estimated start time of not before 3.30pm.
Stick with us.
