Novak Djokovic has cemented his place in his 55th Grand Slam singles semi-final with an incredible display of endurance and skill. In an exhausting battle against Felix Auger-Aliassime that lasted over five hours, the veteran star fought through a five-set thriller to set up a massive semi-final clash against the reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Overcoming the injury hurdle
Seeking a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic faced a moment of deep uncertainty when he suffered a lower left leg injury while leading 4-4 in the opening set. The 39-year-old was forced to call for a trainer, but after receiving medical treatment and a massage, he returned to the court to continue his fight against the fourth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime. The resilience he showed over the remaining four sets proved pivotal in a match that kept the capacity crowd on Centre Court engaged for five hours and 15 minutes.
Ultimately, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious with a final score of 7-6 (12-10) 3-6 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-4). Reflecting on the physical toll, an exhausted Djokovic remarked that he won the encounter with his racquet and a lot of heart. He noted that these are the specific moments he continues to play tennis for. While he expressed a wish that it had been the final, so as not to worry about his physical recovery for the next day, he remained pleased with the outcome.
Setting up a high-stakes semi-final
Novak Djokovic is now just two wins away from claiming the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history. Standing in his way is world number one Jannik Sinner, who advanced after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff earlier on Tuesday. Last year, Jannik Sinner dismantled the seven-time champion on Centre Court in straight sets, a loss that led Novak Djokovic to speak candidly about the impact of aging on his body. However, having already gained revenge against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals this past January, Novak Djokovic proved once again that he remains a formidable contender by outlasting an opponent 14 years his junior.
A battle of wills
The match was marked by high tension and fluctuating momentum. Despite his physical discomfort, Novak Djokovic maintained his composure through a grueling 22-point tie-break in the first set, eventually winning the opener after a loose volley from Felix Auger-Aliassime. Although the Canadian forced a shift in momentum by leveling the score in the second set, which saw the roof closed despite player protests, the veteran showed his tactical depth by breaking early in the third set. After a dramatic fourth set where Felix Auger-Aliassime fought back to force a decider, Novak Djokovic dominated the final match tie-break to seal his 15th Wimbledon semi-final appearance, marking the victory with a celebratory dance for his daughter.
Jannik Sinner continues his strong run
Jannik Sinner moved closer to defending his title with a composed 7-5 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win against the 74th-ranked Jan-Lennard Struff. Following a difficult period during the Roland Garros tournament, Jannik Sinner emphasized that he and his team had worked extensively to ensure his physical readiness. Having not dropped a set in his previous four matches, the top seed displayed solid serving, hitting 16 aces and winning 84% of his first-serve points. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev returned from a Monday night stoppage due to the 23:00 BST curfew to eventually defeat Jiri Lehecka 6-4 7-5 3-6 7-6 (8-6), setting up a quarter-final match against the American sixth seed Taylor Fritz.
