Djokovic wins five-set epic to set up Sinner semi-final

Djokovic wins five-set epic to set up Sinner semi-final

Novak Djokovic advanced to his 15th Wimbledon semi-final on Tuesday, July 7, after surviving the longest quarter-final in the tournament's history. In a marathon battle lasting five hours and 15 minutes, the 39-year-old defeated Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4).

The victory puts Djokovic into his 55th Grand Slam singles semi-final. He has now reached the final four at Wimbledon for an eighth consecutive time, a new record that moves him ahead of Roger Federer.

Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title — having been tied with Margaret Court since the 2023 US Open — nearly derailed in the first set. At 4-4, the Serb suffered a left calf injury and called for a trainer. He held his service game to love before receiving a medical time-out and a massage. Throughout the opening set, he was seen stretching his leg by pulling back the tip of his sneaker and leaning against the back wall.

Despite the injury, Djokovic secured the first set in a 22-point tie-break. However, Auger-Aliassime, the 25-year-old third seed, leveled the match in the second. The conclusion of that set prompted Wimbledon officials to close the Centre Court roof at 7:40pm, leading to a confrontation between Djokovic and tournament referee Denise Parnell.

"You are so proud of your rules and you're not sticking to any kind of rule. We have no idea what the rule is,"

Novak Djokovic, via bbc.com

Djokovic further argued that the event is an outdoor tournament and questioned the consistency of the timing, noting that in the first round, the roof was not closed until 8:20 or 8:30.

The match remained volatile. Djokovic took the third set, becoming only the second player to break Auger-Aliassime's serve during this year's tournament. After starting the fourth set with two quick games, Djokovic surrendered the lead, and the Canadian forced a decider. The fifth set culminated in a match tie-break where Djokovic dominated the closing points to seal the win just before the All England Club's 11pm curfew.

"I won that match with a racquet and a lot of heart,"

Novak Djokovic, via bbc.com

Following the match, Djokovic performed an elbows-to-knees dance in tribute to his daughter. He admitted he has no energy left and expressed a wish that the match had been the final so he would not have to worry about his physical recovery before facing the world number one.

The victory sets up a semi-final on Friday, July 10, against defending champion Jannik Sinner. The two have faced each other 11 times, with Djokovic winning five. Their recent history is marked by contrast: Sinner defeated Djokovic in the 2025 Wimbledon semi-finals, but Djokovic took revenge in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January.

Sinner reached the final four on Tuesday by defeating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, ranked 74, in straight sets: 7-5, 7-6 (4) 6-3. Sinner, who struggled with heat during a second-round exit at the French Open this year, said he felt comfortable physically in the 30C temperatures on Centre Court.

Other quarter-final action on Tuesday included Alexander Zverev, the second seed, who defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) to reach his first Wimbledon quarter-final. The match had been suspended on Monday night due to the curfew.

In the women's draw, Karolina Muchova reached her first Wimbledon semi-final by beating Naomi Osaka 7-6 (4) 6-4. Muchova produced 21 unforced errors compared to Osaka's 42. Muchova will face Coco Gauff in the semi-finals. Gauff also reached her first Wimbledon semi-final, defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.