Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals by completing victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz when the pair returned to finish on Monday.

The Serb, going for a record-equalling eighth men’s title, dropped the third but won 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-4.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev reached the last eight for the first time as Czech opponent Jiri Lehecka retired.

Medvedev will face Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas – a player with who he has developed a spicy rivalry – or unseeded American Christopher Eubanks in the last eight.

Djokovic through despite ‘feeling miserable’

Djokovic, 36, has been unbeatable at the All England Club in recent years, winning the men’s title at the past four Championships and not losing a completed match here since 2016.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s progress this year had been smooth until facing Hurkacz, not dropping a set in his opening three matches.

A below-par start from the Serb on Monday changed that.

Both players had again dominated serve in a third set which looked likely to go to another tie-break – until 17th seed Hurkacz, who famously beat Roger Federer in the Swiss great’s final match at Wimbledon in 2021, broke to reduce the deficit.

Djokovic looked slightly rattled at the end of the set, gesturing to his team as he searched for answers.

Like he has done so many times in his glittering career, Djokovic found them in the fourth.

When the huge-serving Hurkacz began misfiring in the seventh game, Djokovic swarmed over his second serve and converted a third break point.

Now back in the groove, he twice held to love to seal victory and will face Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev in his 14th quarter-final at Wimbledon.

“I don’t recall the last time I felt this miserable in returning games thanks to Hubert’s powerful and accurate serves,” said Djokovic.

“It is one of the best serves in the word and is hard to read.

“It was not really an enjoyable match for me, this match could have gone either way.”

More to follow.