Barbara Zahlavova Strycova celebrates her victory over Li Na.Barbara Zahlavova Strycova celebrates her victory over Li Na.

Wimbledon’s grass claimed its most notable victim so far when the women’s world No.2 Li Na exited the tournament and the lush lawns almost did for top men’s seed Novak Djokovic as he took an agonising tumble.

Australian Open champion Li came up against fired-up Czech Barbara Zahlavova Strycova, who has never before advanced beyond the third round of a grand slam.

The pair fought a tight two-hour-19-minute duel that could have gone either way, but the determined Czech held firmer in two tiebreaks to win 7-6(5) 7-6(5).

China’s Li, the second seed, said she felt she had not had enough practice on grass coming in to the tournament.

“It’s not only about technique. I think sometimes I don’t know how to play the point, especially in the important moment. I think today I made a lot of mistakes.”

Djokovic was cantering towards a regulation victory against Frenchman Gilles Simon on Centre Court when, with the score at 6-4 6-2 3-2, he slipped before flinging himself at a forehand.

He fell heavily, appearing to jar his elbow, and was left wincing in pain as he rolled on the turf clutching his shoulder.

His coach Boris Becker, so demonstrative as a player, was a picture of calm inscrutability in the courtside box until Djokovic’s fall.

The German three-time champion stood up, leaned forward and watched anxiously as his charge received treatment.

After some shoulder manipulation by his chair, the Serb resumed as if nothing had happened and finished off Simon 6-4 6-2 6-4 with a characteristically athletic airborne smash.

“It was a sharp pain when I fell, an awkward fall,” Djokovic said.

“I was just hoping there is nothing going on with the joint. Luckily there is no damage and I could play.”

Djokovic will now meet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round.

Women’s third seed Simona Halep suffered a less spectacular scare, dropping a set against unheralded Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko in a delayed second-round match.

Halep, who has vaulted up the rankings over the past year and reached the French Open final this month, eventually saw off the world No.170 6-3 4-6 6-4, but not before throwing away two match points as she struggled with her nerves.

Murray strolls

Defending champion Andy Murray steamed into the last 16 with another show of force, this time outclassing Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 6-3 6-2.

The home favourite, attempting to defend the title he won last year to become the first Briton to win the men’s singles for 77 years, turned the late evening Centre Court duel into a one-sided romp.

The third seed has won his past 16 matches at the All England Club and so far at this year’s championships he has conceded a mere 19 games in three matches.

His path might become more complicated in the next round against towering South African 20th seed Kevin Anderson.

Lleyton Hewitt bowed out, but not before giving Jerzy Janowicz a tough workout as the Pole prevailed 7-5 6-4 6-7(7) 4-6 6-3 and will meet Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

Late result: Cilic bt Berdych 7-6 6-4 7-6.

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