LONDON: The walk from Wimbledon's Court No. 12, at the far end of SW19, is a long one. The flower-decked pathway is almost always lined by spectators. Tim van Rijthoven made his way across slowly, taking in the scenery, stopping for autograph hunters, fans reaching out for a photograph or a selfie. He's living the fairytale.
The Dutchman, ranked outside the top-200 three weeks ago, had never won a Tour-level match or a Challenger title until his first serve kicked into the collective cognizance of the tennis world at his home tournament - an ATP 250 Series in s'Hertoge nbosch. The 25-year-old blasted his way to the title with wins over Taylor Fritz, Felix AugerAliassime and Daniil Medvedev.
On a windy Friday afternoon, Van Rijthoven, who is enjoying a dream Grand Slam debut tournament, put out the No. 22 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 for his eighth successive win on grass. The world No. 104 had failed to qualify for the main draw of the season's first two majors and was given a wildcard into Wimbledon.
"The ATP title came out of nowhere, I didn't even win a Challenger title before that. I have played some (Challenger) finals," he said.
The Dutchman won 88 percent (37/42) of points on his first delivery against the Georgian, the shot setting him up nicely to call the shots against a player who can blitz his way out of trouble. Van Rijthoven will go up against the top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the round-of-16 next. "Before the tournament started, it was a dream for me to play him," Van Rijthoven said of going up against the 35-year-old Serb.
Djokovic comfortably reached the last 16 while Maria Sakkari became the sixth top-10 women's seed to crash out in the first week.
Three-time defending champion Djokovic demolished Serbian compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. Friday's win was the 330th of Djokovic's Grand Slam career. "I'm proud of the consistency at this level," said the 35-year-old top seed.
In an upset result, Maria Sakkari, the fifth-seeded Greek, went down 3-6, 5-7 to Germany's Tatjana Maria. World No. 2 Ons Jabeur beat French teenager Diane Parry 6-2, 6-3 to cruise through to the fourth round at Wimbledon.
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