Djokovic survives five-hour Wimbledon epic to set up Sinner semi-final showdown

Novak Djokovic produced another remarkable Wimbledon escape act on Tuesday night, battling past Felix Auger-Aliassime in an epic five-set contest to reach the semi-finals at the All England Club for a record-extending 15th time.

The Serbian veteran came through a dramatic encounter 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in what became the longest Wimbledon quarter-final ever played. After five hours and 15 minutes of relentless tennis, Djokovic finally sealed victory just minutes before the tournament’s 11pm curfew.

Djokovic had to overcome a physical setback after receiving treatment on a leg problem during the opening set, while Auger-Aliassime repeatedly tested him with powerful, aggressive hitting from the baseline.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion also looked on course for victory when he held a break advantage in the fourth set, only for the Canadian to fight back and force a deciding fifth. Even then, there was little to separate the pair as the contest headed into a tense match tie-break.

When the final point arrived, Djokovic threw his arms into the air in celebration before embracing a visibly exhausted Auger-Aliassime at the net following a contest that is likely to be remembered as one of the great Centre Court battles of recent years.

Asked afterwards how he managed to come through such a demanding encounter, Djokovic said:

“With a racquet and a lot of heart and management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches.

“Towards the end it was anyone’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. I think it was anyone’s game in the super tie-break in the fifth. These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for.”

The victory sets up a mouth-watering semi-final showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner on Friday.

The meeting will be the latest chapter in an increasingly compelling rivalry. Sinner ended Djokovic’s hopes of an eighth Wimbledon title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown when he defeated him in last year’s semi-final before going on to win the tournament. Djokovic, however, gained revenge earlier this season by overcoming the Italian in five sets in the Australian Open semi-finals.

Their clash at Wimbledon will be the 12th meeting between the pair, with Sinner holding a narrow 6-5 advantage in the head-to-head record.

Djokovic was also quick to acknowledge the atmosphere inside Centre Court after the marathon contest.

“I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth but they didn’t want to listen and I am glad they stayed,” Djokovic said.

“It was honestly one of the best matches I have been part of on this court in my career.”

The victory continues Djokovic’s extraordinary record at Wimbledon. He has now reached at least the semi-final stage in each of his last eight appearances at the tournament and has not been eliminated before the final four since 2017.

Djokovic now boasts 107 match victories at The Championships, having surpassed Roger Federer’s previous men’s record of 105 earlier in the tournament with his fourth-round win over Roman Safiullin.

At 39 years old, Djokovic becomes only the second man in the Open Era aged 39 or over to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals, joining Australian great Ken Rosewall.

While Djokovic has dropped five sets during his run to the last four, semi-final opponent Sinner arrives in formidable form and has not lost a set since surviving a five-set opening round battle against Miomir Kecmanovic.

For now, though, Djokovic can savour another unforgettable Wimbledon triumph after once again proving why he remains one of the sport’s most relentless competitors on the biggest stage.