Top seed Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance on Centre Court to end Novak Djokovic’s remarkable Wimbledon run, ensuring the Serbian great will miss the men’s singles final for the first time in eight years.
The 23-year-old Italian, beaten by Djokovic in their previous two meetings at SW19, turned the tables in devastating fashion with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Sinner’s power, precision, and near-flawless serving proved too much for the 38-year-old, who looked every bit his age in a match that may mark the end of an era.
Sinner becomes just the third Italian to reach a Wimbledon singles final and will face Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in a mouth-watering rematch of their epic French Open semi-final, which Alcaraz won after more than five hours of drama.
“It’s a huge honour to share the court with Carlos,” Sinner said afterwards. “We try to push each other to the limit. I love watching him. Hopefully it will be a good match like the last one – I don’t know about better, I don’t think that’s possible.”
Alcaraz, aiming for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown, overcame American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(6) in the day’s second semi-final. He saved two set points in the fourth-set tiebreak to avoid a decider and keep his title defence alive.
Friday’s earlier match was billed as a heavyweight showdown, but it quickly became a one-sided affair as Sinner outclassed Djokovic from the outset. The seven-time champion had not lost a semi-final at the All England Club since 2012 – when Roger Federer defeated him – but this time there was no escape.
Sinner, who lost just six points on serve in the first two sets, raced to a one-set, one-break lead within 41 minutes. Djokovic appeared physically hampered and received treatment after the second set. Though he briefly rallied to go 3-0 up in the third, Sinner extinguished any hopes of a comeback, completing victory in under two hours.
The Italian joined the applause as Djokovic departed Centre Court, with the crowd giving the 24-time Grand Slam champion a warm send-off that may well have been a farewell to his Wimbledon glory days.
Djokovic, who was chasing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and an unprecedented 25th major, admitted afterwards that the physical toll is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
“When I’m fresh and fit I can still play really good tennis,” he said. “But playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a struggle physically. I go into these matches with the tank half empty.”
He added: “It’s just one of those things I need to embrace and deal with the reality.”
Sinner’s blend of aggressive baseline hitting and clinical serving was reminiscent of Djokovic at his peak – but on this occasion, the torch was clearly passed. With victories over Djokovic at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, the Italian has firmly established himself as a leading force in the new era of men’s tennis.
The final on Sunday promises a blockbuster showdown between two of the sport’s most exciting young stars. “Just going to be a great day, a great final,” said Alcaraz. “I’m just excited about it.”
With both players at the peak of their powers, Centre Court is set for another classic.