Novak Djokovic grinds through calf issue and tenacious Felix Auger-Aliassime for a Wimbledon semi-final place after a fifth-set grind on Centre Court The seven-times champion saved himself the best part of five hours and 15 minutes for an epic 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) battle to book a blockbuster last-four showdown against defending champion and world number one Jannik Sinner.
He injured his left calf midway through the first set, was on the treatment table for a long period before playing through it manfully and the 39-year-old needed all his knowhow and grit to hold off the young Canadian in the longest-ever Wimbledon quarter-final. “It’s just another semi-final for me.
Now, it’s all about business, still. I have to recover. I have the best player in the world in a couple days,” said Djokovic. He booked his 15th Wimbledon semi-final – a record – and his 55th at a Grand Slam. He is the first man to reach eight successive semi-finals at SW19.
It means defending champion Sinner is next up in Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title and a first home triumph since 2019 – and would see him draw level with Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record at SW19.
Sinner, who was a straight sets winner over Jan-Lennard Struff, also advanced to the final four at the grass-court Slam.
