Stan Wawrinka turned into one-way traffic on Centre Court for much of Friday evening.
Djokovic avoided the possibility of the match carrying over to Saturday by defeating the Swiss star 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(5) at just past 10:45 p.m.
Djokovic, chasing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and 24th career Grand Slam crown, came through 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) against the 38-year-old Wawrinka.
World number two Djokovic will face Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, who he has defeated five times in as many meetings, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Friday's win was Djokovic's 21st in 27 meetings with Wawrinka, a three-time major champion who famously defeated the Serb in the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open finals.
Djokovic’s last loss on Centre Court came to Andy Murray on July 7, 2013, which was the final that year. Since then he’s won 42 matches in a row on the world’s most famous tennis court, his victory over Wawrinka coming today, on July 7, 2023.
It’s the longest winning streak for any player, male or female, since Centre Court opened in 1922.
Wimbledon has been by some distance his weakest slam and he cheerfully wrote off his chances completely ahead of a first grass-court meeting with Djokovic
Both were some years ago now, though, and it has been a long road back to the top 100 for 38-year-old Wawrinka after knee and foot surgeries.
The Serb raised the crowd to their feet with a sublime forehand, but Wawrinka hung onto his coattail to force a tiebreaker. But there was no stopping Djokovic, who sealed the job with a smash.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion struggled in the second set and was two points away from losing it until rallying back to win the tiebreaker with an ace. He pointed at his head and swaggered off the court in celebration.
"I need to focus all my attention into the next match, get the most out of the recovery day and work on some things with my team," Djokovic continued.
"Let's see - we're going into the second week and the matches are only going to get tougher. Hubert Hurkacz knows how to play on the big occasions and my thoughts are directed on the next challenge."
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