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Novak Djokovic's cap causes a stir during victory over Hubert Hurkacz

Novak Djokovic's cap causes a stir during victory over Hubert Hurkacz
© Reuters
The Serb is into round four.

Novak Djokovic passed his first real test at Wimbledon, but only after he fell foul of the dress code.

The defending champion dropped a set for the first time at the Championships to big-hitting Pole Hubert Hurkacz, losing a tie-break in the second.

It proved only a minor inconvenience, though, as the four-time winner surged through 7-5 6-7 (5) 6-1 6-4.

The only problem Djokovic faced in the first set was being told he could not wear his cap by the umpire because it contravened Wimbledon's strict all-white rule.

It would be hard to find a whiter cap, frankly, and Djokovic had worn it during his second-round match, but apparently the black inner lining was against the rules.

"In the last match I was starting to unpack my hat," said Djokovic. "The chair umpire said he needs to check whether or not I'm able to play with it.

"He got a confirmation that I was able to play. So I got the permission. I played with the hat.

"The same hat I took out now, I was not able to play with it. That's why I was just questioning that call.

Novak Djokovic is safely into the fourth round
Novak Djokovic is safely into the fourth round (Victoria Jones/PA)

"I mean, no one has approached me before the match to tell me, 'well, you can't really play with the hat this match'. That's all.

"I don't play always with a hat. It depends on whether it's sunny, whether I need it, hot, angle of the sun, whatever it is."

Djokovic duly played on cap-less and Court One was a server's paradise until the Serb made the breakthrough in the 11th game, Hurkacz saving three break points but succumbing to a fourth.

Hurkacz was not going to go away quietly, though, and he fashioned two break points at 6-5 in the second, one with a Boris Becker-esque dive volley at the net.

Djokovic repelled both to force the tie-break, but another spectacular volley from Hurkacz helped him level the match.

Stung into action, 15-time grand-slam winner Djokovic broke to love twice as he raced away with the third.

A single break in the fourth was enough to wrap up proceedings, the 32-year-old coming through a decent test to safely make week two.

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Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki appeals to the umpire during her third round match against China's Zhang Shuai on July 5, 2019
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