The three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic gave up a set to the surprising Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven (104th in the world) before dominating him 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the evening on the Center Court which is celebrating this its centenary year.

On this occasion, the All England Lawn Tennis Club organized a ceremony in the presence of 23 winners of the tournament.

The host Roger Federer, who has not appeared at a tournament since his defeat last year in the quarter-finals on this same court due to a knee injury, had made the trip to come and share his memories.

The Swiss, who won eight of his twenty Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon, said he hoped "to be able to come back once again" to play this tournament next year.

Born on August 8, 1981, he will be nearly 42 years old.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer at Wimbledon on July 3, 2022 on the occasion of a ceremony for the 100th anniversary of Center Court Adrian DENNIS AFP

On the ground, Caroline Garcia (55th) no longer had the physical resources to progress to the quarter-finals and improve her best result on the London lawn since she had already reached the 8th in 2017. She gave in to the Czech Marie Bouzkova (66th) 7-5, 6-2.

"Positive"

Despite this defeat, the 28-year-old Lyonnaise said she was "in a positive state of mind" because her series of victories started in Bad Homburg and ended at Wimbledon proves that the game put in place in recent months, turned towards the forward and aggressiveness, "is a game that works".

"I enjoy playing like that, so it's encouraging," insisted Garcia, who was the player with the most winning shots (103) in the first three rounds of the tournament.

"The level was good, the identity of the game and the attitude were positive. We will see how to continue to progress", added the former world No.4, who fell to 76th place last February and who should find the Top 50 Monday.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur after her victory over Belgian Elise Mertens in the round of 16 at Wimbledon on July 3, 2022 SEBASTIEN BOZON AFP

For her part, Bouzkova was amazed to have reached the quarters.

"It's a dream," said the 23-year-old, who will play the first Grand Slam quarter-final of her career.

She will face the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (2nd) who dismissed the Belgian Elise Mertens (31st) 7-6 (11/9), 6-4.

"I had to find the resources deep inside me during the tie-break because I couldn't imagine playing three sets against her," admitted Jabeur, still undefeated on grass this season.

Sinner tames Alcaraz

Two other French women will try to climb into the quarters on Monday: Alizé Cornet (37th) will face Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (44th) after ending the invincibility of world No.1 Iga Swiatek for 37 matches, and Harmony Tan ( 115th) will be opposed to the American Amanda Anisimova (25th).

In the men's draw, Sunday was marked by the domination of Jannik Sinner (13th), who had never won a match on grass before the start of the tournament, over the phenomenon Alcaraz (7th).

In a duel of great intensity, Alcaraz played very well, but Sinner even better.

Italian Jannik Sinner after his victory over Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 at Wimbledon on July 3, 2022 Adrian DENNIS AFP

"It's one of my best results. I didn't expect it because I had never played very well on grass," commented the 20-year-old Italian, who is taking part in his second Wimbledon after his elimination in the first round last year.

Sinner had already reached the Grand Slam quarter-finals twice (Roland-Garros 2020 and Australian Open this year), without managing to go further.

His next opponent will be Djokovic.

For his part, the 19-year-old Spaniard, a phenomenon of the first half of the season, was also playing his second Wimbledon - the third grass tournament of his career - after an elimination in the second round last year.

© 2022 AFP