Novak Djokovic advanced one step closer to winning a historic 25th Grand Slam title by setting up a tantalizing Wimbledon semi-final matchup with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
In front of Britain’s Queen Camilla, the Serb defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday to go to the Wimbledon last four for the record 14th time in the men’s division.
Earlier, in a stunning performance, three-time major champion Sinner allayed pre-match concerns about injury by defeating US 10th seed Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4.
Despite being pushed hard by Italian 22nd seed Cobolli, seven-time champion Djokovic ultimately outplayed the 23-year-old in terms of skill and strategy. He remarked on the court, “It means the world to me that I’m still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon,”
“Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It’s beautiful. Makes me feel very young. “And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters like Cobolli today.”
When the Serbian slipped and fell awkwardly while serving for win, everyone gasped, but he downplayed concerns about getting hurt. He remarked, “I had a nasty slip, but that’s what happens when you play on the grass,” I’m going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I’ll be well in two days.”
The Serb has now surpassed eight-time winner Roger Federer, who made it to the final four 13 times, by one to take the record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles semifinal appearances. Additionally, he extended his all-time record in the men’s game by making it to his 52nd Grand Slam semifinal.
In terms of the most Grand Slam singles titles won by any player, male or female, Djokovic is now just two victories away from tying Margaret Court.
Sinner, however, will present a new degree of difficulty. The top seed defeated Djokovic in straight sets in the last French Open semi-final, and he has won his last four meetings with the top seed.
Sinner’s early loss to Grigor Dimitrov in his fourth-round match on Monday raised concerns that he would have to withdraw from the competition. When the Bulgarian strained a pectoral muscle while serving and forced to withdraw, he was two sets behind and about to make a shocking departure.
After his practice was cut short on Tuesday, Sinner claimed his injury had “improved a lot” and wore a protective sleeve on his right arm against Shelton.
In Friday’s other Wimbledon semi-final, Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic in the previous two finals, faces US fifth seed Taylor Fritz.
