Novak Djokovic’s relentless quest for more tennis history rolled on at Wimbledon as he battled back from a set down to defeat Italy’s Flavio Cobolli and reach a record 14th semi-final at the All England Club.
The 38-year-old Serb eventually prevailed 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to book a blockbuster clash with world number one Jannik Sinner on Wednesday. Victory would move Djokovic one step closer to a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown, equalling Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record.
“It means the world to me that at 38 I am able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon,” said Djokovic, who slipped awkwardly on match point but appeared unharmed. “Competing with youngsters makes me feel young. I enjoy running and sliding around the court. Speaking of the young guys, I will have Sinner in the next round – that’s going to be a great match-up.”
Djokovic has now reached a record-extending 52nd Grand Slam semi-final and has won 44 of his last 46 matches at Wimbledon, underlining his remarkable dominance on grass.
His next opponent, Sinner, quelled concerns over a recent elbow injury to ease past America’s Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 and reach his second Wimbledon semi-final. The Italian top seed, wearing a protective sleeve, was clinical throughout, winning seven straight points in the opening set tiebreak and pouncing at the business end of the next two sets.
“I had good feelings in the warm-up,” said Sinner. “It was just a matter of what my percentage is. Today was very high, so I’m happy.”
In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek finally cracked the Wimbledon code to reach her first semi-final at SW19. The world number one, more comfortable on clay, beat Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5.
The four-time French Open champion was visibly emotional after sealing the win. “Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win,” said the Pole. “I’m super happy and super proud of myself. I worked really hard to progress here on this surface.”
Swiatek will face Swiss star Belinda Bencic in the last four after the unseeded 28-year-old edged out teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva 7-6(3), 7-6(2).
A former Olympic champion and now a mother, Bencic became the first Swiss woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since Martina Hingis in 1998. “It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I’m just speechless.”
The other women’s semi-final will see top seed Aryna Sabalenka take on American Amanda Anisimova, the 13th seed, with both matches scheduled for Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Centre Court will host the mixed doubles final, where Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani face Dutchman Sem Verbeek and Czech Katerina Siniakova.