Novak Djokovic v Alexei Popyrin Euros cheer stoppage, penalty dive, results highlights

Novak Djokovic is through to yet another Wimbledon fourth round after downing Aussie Alexei Popyrin on centre court.

But he didn't have it all his own way – Popyrin stole the first set from the Serbian superstar, before Djokovic steadied and showed his class to rattle off the next two.

The fourth set was a great battle, the Aussie taking Djokovic to a tiebreaker, but the 24-time grand slam champion was too good and eventually emerged with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory.

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There was a hilarious moment in the second set. Popyrin was serving down 1-4 when a huge cheer went up around the All-England Club.

Alexei Popyrin saved a Novak Djokovic 'penalty' in their third round Wimbledon match. Nine

It was the moment England booked its spot in the Euros semi-final after defeating Switzerland on penalties.

Despite being locked into their own battle, the players clearly knew what the commotion was all about. Djokovic mimicked kicking a penalty across the net, and Popyrin pretended to save it.

"It felt like for a set and a half that the crowd really wanted to understand what the score was," Djokovic joked later.

"I tried to shoot a penalty. I'm left-footed, but Alexei defended it well."

Popyrin took Djokovic to four sets at the Australian Open earlier this season.

"It was another tough match. I didn't expect anything less than what we saw on the court with Alexei," Djokovic said after the match.

"He was close to winning the match we played in Australian earlier this year. With that serve and that forehand, he is dangerous on any surface.

"I watched him play the first couple of rounds and knew he was in form and he was going to come out on the court believing he could win.

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"That's how he started, he was the better player for the first set, and then I stepped it up.

"I think I played a really good second and third, and the fourth really was anybody's game.

"It was just a very challenging match today mentally to hang in there. I was not allowed to have too big of a concentration lapse and I think I did well in that regard. And in the tie-breaker, it was one of the best tiebreakers I have played this year, for sure."

Djokovic will now face Holger Rune in the fourth round.

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