Novak Djokovic continued his campaign at Wimbledon this evening with a Centre Court match against American qualifier Bobby Reynolds.
The top seed was pushed all the way in a hard-fought first set, eventually prevailing after staying strong in a tie breaker.
Reynolds kept fighting but eventually wilted against the former champion, with Djokovic coming through his second-round test in straight sets.
Look back at an efficient display from the Serb with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening Wimbledon fans! A packed first week of action at SW19 shows no sign of slowing down as we march on with a clash between Novak Djokovic and Bobby Reynolds on Centre Court.
With the roof firmly on a heavy shower will have no effect on our feature match this evening, giving us a chance to watch top seed Djokovic in full flow. The Serb has a strong chance of repeating his Wimbledon success this year but must be on his guard against Reynolds, particularly after the shock exit of Roger Federer around this time last night.
Both players are out and warming up on Centre, which just gives me time to give you a quick lowdown on Djokovic's opponent. American Reynolds is ranked 156th in the world, and is coming off his first Grand Slam victory since 2008. The pressure is off for the 30-year-old today, he has absolutely nothing to lose.
Djokovic will be playing just his second match since that epic semi-final loss at the French Open to Rafael Nadal last month. The top seed should still be in supreme condition, but will perhaps just be looking to find touch and form on grass, adapting to his new conditions with tougher tests ahead.
We are just about ready to get this second-round match underway, with Djokovic to serve first after winning the coin toss. Reynolds has admitted to nerves ahead of this match, but should take inspiration from the likes of Steve Darcis as he looks to register a famous shock victory.
The American gets a welcome point on the board but cannot prevent a routine hold from Djokovic in the opening game. Time for Reynolds to serve, with the pressure on to deliver a competitive match for this expectant Centre Court crowd.
A welcome show of strength from Reynolds on serve, with the underdog bouncing back from losing successive points to claim his first service game.
One for the cameras doesn't pay off for Djokovic, with a nonchalant effort at the net just dropping short. The Serb can afford a smile as he takes another comfortable game on serve, with Reynolds electing to stay deep and slug it out at the baseline to no avail.
BREAK POINTS! The first signs of pressure for Reynolds on serve, with a sloppy unforced error sending the American 0-30 behind. Djokovic then whips a forehand long after stepping in aggressively, but another quick mistake from Reynolds gifts his opponent two break points.
Djokovic is perhaps too eager at break point and lets two chances fade, sending a sloppy forehand crashing into the net under little pressure. Reynolds cannot take advantage though, slamming a forehand pass of his own long and we are back to deuce.
Strong first serves from Reynolds keep this match on serve. Surviving those break-point chances should be enough to ease early nerves for the 30-year-old, but he must cut those unforced errors out at the baseline as a matter of urgency.
Pretty casual stuff on serve proves enough for Djokovic to earn his first hold to love. A pair of forehand's slapped down the line were fairly impressive there from the top seed, who looks completely at home out on Centre Court.
A lengthy baseline exchange starts Reynolds's third effort on serve, but again his keen approach is marred by a sloppy backhand error. Djokovic is then able to draw another baseline error from his opponent, quickly building a 0-30 lead as a result.
More gutsy defence from Reynolds at the baseline helps him respond, levelling this game up at deuce. Djokovic then produces another untimely error at the net, still looking a touch rusty here in the early exchanges.
Reynolds is really digging deep to respond here, saving two break points with a fierce effort at the baseline. A well placed serve helps the American claim advantage, but a double fault soon follows and the pressure is right back on at deuce.
Strong variety from Reynolds sees the 30-year-old use serve-volley to fight his way out of trouble. Djokovic is clearly caught by surprise with the change in tactics, allowing his opponent to keep this first set on serve under pressure.
Another rapid hold of serve from Djokovic, who is breezing through these service games with minimum fuss. Reynolds has had precious little to look for at the other end of the court, but looks up for the fight and is yet to be broken in the first set.
Djokovic challenges a call at the baseline but sees his appeal just proven wrong, allowing Reynolds to edge ahead 30-15 on serve. Both players then attack with powerful groundstrokes and the American is first to buckle, sending a stray forehand well past the sideline.
Once again Reynolds has enough to keep the first set on serve, keeping the ball in play consistently behind a strong forehand pass. Djokovic you sense is just easing his way into the match, regularly making unforced errors we do not expect to see from the top seed.
A pair of precise wide serves keep Djokovic out of reach on serve, helping put Reynolds straight back under pressure. During a quick break there is a notable face sitting with the Djokovic camp, former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.
Well how about that, a hold to love from Reynolds keeps this first set firmly in the balance. Djokovic slipped deep at the baseline during that game, but thankfully looks fine to continue as he prepares to serve.
The top seed is forced to work hard but still earns a hold that edges him back ahead. Reynolds continues to chase down every single point and that has to admired, but I do expect him to tire if he continues to set that pace.
Reynolds needs a hold of serve here to force a first-set tie break, but starts with an awful double fault. He recovers well to force a mistake from Djokovic at 15-15, but is found wanting by a fierce forehand and quickly falls behind. Real pressure on these next few points now.
Back to deuce for the third time in this vital game, with Djokovic stepping inside to smash a winner down the baseline. His efforts in the next point are not good enough though, with a clever forehand effort just drifting beyond the sideline.
Djokovic somehow affords a wry smile as he is unable to meet a low forehand at the net, with Reynolds following up by claiming the hold he needs with a powerful first serve. That effort is enough to force a first-set tie breaker, where anything can happen as we've seen already this week.
The top seed's quality comes to the fore early in this tie breaker, with Djokovic winning three successive points by hanging tough at the baseline. A change of tact soon makes it 4-0 as the Serb dashes to smash home at the net, leaving Reynolds looking bewildered at the other side of the court.
A change of ends and Djokovic leads 5-1 in the breaker, leaving Reynolds with it all to do. His decision to challenge the previous point was a curious one, leaving a point he should have won dormant with an overrule proving correct from the line judge.
SET! Djokovic earns four set points but only needs one chance to take the lead, using width on a precise serve to wrap up the opening set. A gutsy effort from Reynolds but ultimately it wasn't enough to turn the first set his way. A shame for the American, who has given a worthy account of himself so far this evening.
There is no let-up for Reynolds as he starts on serve in the second set, quickly conceding two cheap points with unforced errors. An aggressive play at the net reduces the deficit to 15-30 but nervy times for the American already.
BREAK! Reynolds misses a chance after failing to follow up a backhand slice, but Djokovic fails to capitalise after smashing a backhand of his own into the net at break point. Another chance quickly comes through, with Reynolds firing wide at the baseline for yet another unforced error.
More resistance from Reynolds just about holds off Djokovic, with the Serb making rare mistakes at the baseline to spurn two break-point chances. Against stronger opposition the top seed must be at his ruthless best to take chances like that.
A rare chance for Reynolds to put pressure on his opponent's serve, darting into the and earning a 0-30 lead for his bold effort. A trusty wide kick-serve quickly brings Djokovic level though, with the top seed following up with a forehand pass aimed down the line to perfection.
In the end Djokovic survives a rare scare on serve, but Reynolds is definitely attempting to make a fight of this second set. The challenge for the American now is to make some of his service games a little easier, allowing the 30-year-old to give more when the chance comes to apply pressure.
BREAK! At the eighth time of asking Djokovic is unable to claim a break-point chance, failing to find a winner after chasing a deft chip to the baseline. Reynolds soon gives away chance number nine though and this time the top seed takes it, forcing a backhand error that might just prove to the turning point in this second set.
A seventh ace helps Djokovic swiftly claim a hold to love, consolidating the break to put the top seed in complete control of the second set. Reynolds will really have to dig deep now, a set and a break down and struggling slightly to maintain his intensity on Centre Court.
BREAK POINTS! A bright start for Reynolds seems a thing of the past as he starts to unravel on serve, conceding two quick break points in his next service game. Once again though Djokovic is slow to react, allowing the American back from the brink as he levels at deuce.
You have to say that is a gutsy effort from Reynolds, who finds another level to stay within a break in the second set. Djokovic must be slightly frustrated with letting a quite remarkable nine break points slip, but is still very much in control of this match.
A magnificent effort from both players in the next point, with Reynolds edging a quality exchange despite efforts at both ends of the court from Djokovic. The top seed still sees out another routine service game though, moving to within two games of claiming the second set.
Very strong serving from Reynolds just about keeps the American alive, earning a game to love with sublime variety, particularly at the net.
This is definitely a credible effort for the 30-year-old, who is at the very least providing Centre Court with an entertaining clash. He remain a break down in the second set, but at least looks more likely to exert pressure after seeming to find his second wind at the baseline.
The Serb comes through another service game without any problems, with Reynolds unable to return anything on his opponent's consistent first serve. After just four points the American is straight back under pressure on serve, with the top seed needing a single game to claim this second set.
SET POINTS! A tough ask now for Reynolds and he cracks under pressure, failing to beat the net three times in a row to fall 0-40 behind on serve. Those weaknesses mean that Djokovic will get three chances to take the second set.
SET! All too easy there for Djokovic, who mixed things up with aggression at the net to claim a two-set advantage. That will probably prove enough to see the Serb progress, but he will want to maintain focus and end this match with minimum effort.
Djokovic is no mood to hang around on Centre Court, slamming a 10th eighth down for a hold to love. That is nine consecutive points won on serve for the Serb, with Reynolds really struggling to keep pace now as he remains firmly rooted to the baseline on most points.
BREAK! In dire straights Reynolds decides to go bold, smashing a pair of winners before his luck runs out with an effort down the tramlines. A fourth double fault then gifts Djokovic his 10th break point, with a long forehand gifting the Serb an early breakthrough in the third set.
Another routine hold for Djokovic consolidates that break, but Reynolds does draw warm applause from the crowd after chasing down a superb shot at the net. The American was always up against it today and continues to fight hard for every point.
Reynolds will be desperate to get on the board in this third set and starts strongly, with Djokovic dropping off the intensity levels with a sloppy forehand slice aimed wide.
BREAK! Double fault number five from Reynolds proves enough to send him 15-40 down on serve, but a magnificent response on first serve saves him on both occasions as we head to deuce.
The American rattled off four successive points to get on the board in the third set. Reynolds rather curiously plays his best tennis when under genuine pressure at break point, which is simply not consistent enough to match a top player like Djokovic.
More awesome serving gives Reynolds no way back on the Djokovic serve, with a particularly ferocious second serve doing the damage at 40-15. Novak know needs just two games to complete safe passage to the third round!
Reynolds is enjoying his final few moments in the spotlight on Centre Court, and why not? The American gets the better of a lengthy baseline rally, wrong-footing Djokovic with a clever counter across court.
BREAK! Under pressure Reynolds just tires chasing down a backhand pass, conceding break point in the process. A stray forehand smashes off the net soon after for the American, giving Djokovic the chance to serve out this match in just a few moments.
MATCH POINT! A wonderful backhand pass follows an aggressive second serve from Djokovic, bringing this potentially decisive game level at 30-30. Reynolds has stepped in off the line out of desperation and is not rewarded, getting moved from side to side as the Serb earns match point.
GAME SET AND MATCH! Djokovic was not at his best today but quite frankly didn't need to be, easing through his second-round match in straight sets.
Spirited American Reynolds deserves a mention for his willingness to keep fighting against overwhelming odds, but his tournament was made simply by reaching round two. Djokovic has bigger fish to fry though, and will move forward to the third round and a potential meeting with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
That will just about bring an end to an action-packed day on Centre Court, with the top seed safely through in the men's draw. Thanks for sticking with us at Sports Mole and stay tuned for comprehensive coverage from SW19. Good evening!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
