35-year-old Novak Djokovic produced an epic comeback from two set down to defeat 20-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
The six-time champion will now the winner of David Goffin and Cameron Norrie. That match is currently one set a piece with Goffin leading 4-1 in the third set.
Comeback complete 👑@DjokerNole is a Wimbledon semi-finalist for the 11th time, sealing a sublime 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory against Jannik Sinner#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/xdkN5os2H2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2022
Djokovic a first set that was defined by the grit and maturity of the young Italian, but also by the amount of unforced errors from Serbian legend Djokovic.
Having gone 4-1 ahead, Djokovic looked dead set on securing the first set, but handed Sinner some easy points to allow the Italian to break back.
With the crowd on his side, Sinner managed to peg Djokovic back the 4-4 and then to 5-5. From there he showed impressive mettle, in what is his first Wimbledon quarter-final, to win 7-5.
Commentating for BBC Sport, Tim Henman summed up Djokovic's play. "It just goes to show that even the very best can make poor decisions and poor execution, Sinner has done well but he's really been gifted these opportunities."
We've seen Djokovic go a set down on numerous occasions against weaker players on the biggest stage only for his class and endurance to win out comfortably in the end. Given this, there was still no real sense that an upset might be afoot.
However, Sinner quickly displayed that the first set was no fluke as he continued to up his game and raced into a 5-2 lead.
Djokovic looked like he would get a break back when he went 30-0 up in the 7th game of the set, but Sinner produced a couple of excellent first serves to come back and take the second set 6-2.
The third set saw Djokovic cut out some of the uncharacteristic error of the first set and take a 5-2 lead. Sinner, however was still pressuring the world no. 3 and did manage to take another game before succumbing 6-3.
It was the fourth set where Djokovic began to truly reach his highest levels and he breezed into a 4-0 lead.
At 5-2 Sinner's tournament looked like it might be over after slipping and clutching his ankle in pain, and had to be helped up by Djokovic. However, the Italian showed his impressive mental strength to get up and continue the match.
Sinner takes a tumble, and Djokovic is quick to help the Italian back on his feet 🤝#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/NKHENd6PRB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2022
Djokovic would take the set 6-2 and was the overwhelming favourite after Sinner's slip, and the length of the match began to play into Djokovic's hands.
And so it would come to pass with Djokovic taking the final set 6-2 and beginning to show the elite form which has seen him unbeaten at Wimbledon for five years.
The two men received a standing ovation following the five set thriller. The crowd, on Sinner's side the entire match, showing their admiration for the youngsters play, but also their respect for the man in hot pursuit of his seventh Wimbledon title.
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