Day three of The Boodles 2014
Top seed at The Championships, Novak Djokovic arrived at Stoke Park in a HR Owen silver Bentley intent on playing his first match on grass this year against the Dutchman, Robin Haase. However following some sponsor commitments on site, after some consideration the world number two decided, as a precaution, not to play the match.
Day Three of The Boodles 2014
The Wimbledon top seed, Novak Djokovic paid his 8th visit to The Boodles and immediately praised the facilities that he has grown to know so well.
"I am always glad to be back at The Boodles and Stoke Park, the place where I love to play and love to perform. It combines tennis with entertainment and fun. I look forward to playing well at Wimbledon."
Top seed at The Championships, Novak Djokovic arrived at Stoke Park in a HR Owen silver Bentley intent on playing his first match on grass this year against the Dutchman, Robin Haase. However following some sponsor commitments on site, after some consideration the world number two decided, as a precaution, not to play the match.
Djokovic has had a slight niggling wrist injury since Monte Carlo, which forced him to pull out of the ATP Masters tournament in Madrid. He recovered to play Roland Garros but said that whilst there is nothing to worry about he felt the best decision was to take the precaution not to play and chose to give the wrist a rest before The Championships start on Monday.
John Isner stepped in as a worthy replacement to face Haase who entertained the crowd with a magic show mid-match. Haase emerged the winner of the contest in straight sets 64 76 in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Fabio Fognini then took the court against the French Open semi-finalist, Ernests Gulbis. The Italian barely had time to find his feet on the grass before Gulbis wrapped up the match in just over an hour, the scoreline 75 63 in 63 minutes.
"I'm in a hurry I need to watch the football. I'm feeling good, really good, I started slow but I finished fast," Gulbis said.
In the final match of day three, Jack Sock from the United States defeated Dominic Thiem - one of the rising stars of the men's tour. Sock has proved to be a crowd favourite this week and has made the most appearances at The Boodles this year so far. The American won in a match tie-break 61 67 10-7.
"I'm beginning to like the grass. I guess last year was my first time ever playing on grass so still a little new to it but definitely liking it," said Sock.
Dominic Thiem says his two matches at The Boodles have helped build his confidence for the first round at The Championships.
"It's been very good preparation for Wimbledon and I'm happy that I had two good practices in a match situation. I lost two times so I'm hoping I can win the first time in Wimbledon next week. This is my first year on grass, I like it but still a lot to improve because I'm still very inexperienced on it, but I like it, it's a nice surface so I think if I have some more matches it will be also better," said Thiem.
Order of Play on Day 4: Friday 20th June - 2.30pm
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)
followed by
Philipp Kohlscreiber (GER) v John Isner (USA)
followed by (not before 5pm)
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) v Jack Sock (USA)