The 17th seed Hurkacz lost to Djokovic 6-7(6), 6-7(6), 7-5, 4-6 in a hard-contested, three-hour match that began on Sunday night and was completed on Monday afternoon, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
And so Djokovic stays on course for a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, and his 24th Grand Slam, according to the Wimbledon Championships website.
But Polish big-hitter Hurkacz produced an eye-catching performance, coming close to winning the first two sets in tight tie-breaks, and having as many as three set-balls in the first of them, news outlets reported.
Hurkacz then went on to win the third set 7-5 when play resumed on Monday, before Djokovic clinched the match by prevailing 6-4 in the fourth set, the PAP news agency reported.
Afterwards, the Serb paid tribute to his Polish opponent, telling reporters: “Big credit to Hubert for playing an amazing match - tough luck for him today but he put up a great performance.”
Meanwhile, Poland’s World No. 1 Iga Świątek will face Ukraine’s Elena Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the women’s tournament on Tuesday, according to news outlets.
The Polish star, who is seeded one at the All England Club, is eyeing her first-ever spot in the Wimbledon semifinals, the Women’s Tennis Association noted.
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Source: PAP, TVP Sport, Wimbledon, BBC, WTA