More history for Novak Djokovic as he sets up mouthwatering clash with Wimbledon top seed
Novak Djokovic has once again made his mark in the Wimbledon annals, overcoming a spirited challenge from Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final showdown with Jannik Sinner. Djokovic matched Roger Federer's record of 13 men's semi-finals at SW19 last year and now holds the record outright after bouncing back from a set down to defeat Italian Cobolli 6-7 (6) 6-2 7-5 6-4. Despite it being the 23 year old's first quarter-final appearance at a slam – a mere 62 behind his opponent – he demonstrated ample promise for future tournaments, never losing heart and impressing the Centre Court crowd with his powerful forehand. “First I have to say he congratulations to Flavio for an amazing tournament but also a great battle today,” said Djokovic. “He played at a really high level. He’s such a talented and skilful player, definitely one of the guys that we’ll be seeing in the future much more. “It means the world to me that I’m still able at 38 to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.” Next up Djokovic can expect to face a lot more Italian might in the shape of world number one Sinner, who has beaten him four times in a row, including in semi-finals at the Australian and French Opens. If Djokovic can hope to end that run anywhere, it is surely on the lawns of the All England Club, where no one except Carlos Alcaraz has bested him since 2017. Djokovic, who also becomes the oldest men’s semi-finalist since Ken Rosewall in 1974, has a good relationship with Cobolli, the young Italian even hitting with the Serbian’s 10-year-old son Stefan at the practice courts earlier this week. Djokovic had beaten him easily in their only previous meeting in Shanghai last year but Cobolli has been superb this fortnight, dropping only one set and two service games on his way to the last eight. This was a big step up, though, given Cobolli had never beaten a top-10 player in a completed match before, let alone a 24-time grand slam champion. Cobolli resisted relentless pressure on his serve until the eighth game but Djokovic was unable to cement the break, his previous invincibility at the big moments one strength that father time does appear to have stolen. Djokovic saved one set point in the tie-break but Cobolli created another with a whipped forehand pass and sealed it with an unreturnable serve clocked at 137mph. It was not entertaining enough to stop actor Hugh Grant from nodding off in the Royal Box but the rest of the Centre Court crowd were thoroughly engaged. Despite losing the set, Djokovic had been the better player, and the dam appeared to have burst when he broke through again to lead 3-2 in the second set, going on a run of seven games in a row. Cobolli refused to let the match drift away, though, unleashing a huge forehand to level at 2-2. Djokovic had kept his emotions tightly under control, showing his frustration only when Cobolli held for 4-3, throwing his racket high in the air. Patience eventually paid off with breaks for 6-5 in the third set and 5-4 in the fourth. There was still time for more drama as, at match point, Djokovic slipped behind the baseline and lay for several seconds face down on the grass, prompting umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and Cobolli to check on his wellbeing. Djokovic looked a little stiff but picked himself up to book his spot in a 52nd grand slam semi-final. “It was a nasty slip but that’s what happens when you play on the grass,” he said. “It did come at an awkward moment. Obviously going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully all will be well in the coming days.” Djokovic will face Sinner in a mouthwatering quarter-final after the Italian eased injury worries with a dominant win over Ben Shelton. “Yesterday I played 20 minutes without serving and not hitting 100 per cent,” said Sinner. “But in another way, I always try to put myself in the position at least to go out there and try. I had quite good feelings in the warm-up today. “So I felt also yesterday that mentally I have to get ready. I put into my mind that I’m going to play today. “So the concerns were not that big if I would play or not. It was just a matter of what my percentage is. Today was very high, so I’m happy.”
