The win keeps the 39-year-old’s dream alive for a record-equaling eighth title at the All England Club, as well as his 25th Grand Slam trophy, which would put him at the top of the all-time major champions list.
Despite being in the twilight of his illustrious career and facing questions about his diminishing powers, the seventh seed displayed immense competitiveness in a Centre Court performance that delighted fans.
“It’s thrilling to be part of such an epic match lasting over five hours, whatever the exact time is,” Djokovic told reporters.
“It ranks among the best matches I’ve experienced at Wimbledon. I can’t remember playing this long, maybe the Roger Federer final in 2019 is a close comparison in terms of duration.
“It was incredibly even. Anyone could have won. Felix played exceptionally well but dropped a bit in that super tiebreak. I capitalized on my opportunities and stayed focused, executing the right shots. That was sufficient.
“The crowd was on their feet, especially in the final 30 minutes. They recognized how special this moment was, battling against the curfew just minutes before 11 p.m.”
GAUFF, ZVEREV BREAK NEW GROUND
While Djokovic reached an unprecedented 15th Wimbledon semi-final, American Coco Gauff and Germany’s Alexander Zverev also made history, although Naomi Osaka’s title hopes came to an end on a scorching day at the All England Club.
Hot weather warnings might have concerned men’s defending champion Jannik Sinner, but he overcame German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5 7-6(4) 6-3 to advance to the semi-finals.
Seventh seed Gauff has had a mixed relationship with grass since making her Wimbledon debut as a 15-year-old in 2019, never making it past the fourth round—until now.
Her bond with grass is clearly strengthening, as demonstrated by her composed 4-6 6-3 6-3 victory over American fourth seed Jessica Pegula on Centre Court.
OSAKA’S BID FOR FIFTH MAJOR HALTED
Second seed Zverev, who had previously only reached the last 16 at Wimbledon, finished off dangerous Czech Jiri Lehecka to reach his first quarter-final at the event.
On Monday evening, he was three games from victory before being halted by Wimbledon’s curfew, but after allowing Lehecka back into the match upon resumption, he eventually secured a 6-4 7-5 3-6 7-6(6) win.
The French Open champion will return to the court on Wednesday to face sixth-seeded American Taylor Fritz in a battle of 140 mph servers.
Osaka’s outfits and tennis have both shone at this year’s Championships, and her dominant victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday led many to speculate she could clinch a fifth Grand Slam title.
The 14th seed faced inspired Czech Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, however, and lost 7-6(4) 6-4.
Muchova also achieved her best Wimbledon result after previously falling in the last eight twice, and the 10th seed will now compete against Gauff.
GAUFF’S GRASS DROUGHT ENDING
Muchova could be joined in the semi-finals by another Czech player on Wednesday when Linda Noskova faces Elise Mertens.
Gauff’s journey through this year’s Wimbledon has been far from straightforward, having dropped sets in three of her four matches.
But she is finding ways to win. Friend and doubles partner Pegula, in her first-ever match on Centre Court, was the more confident player for a set and a half on Tuesday, but Gauff managed to solve the challenge for a commendable victory.
“It’s pretty insane, honestly,” was Gauff’s immediate reaction to defeating her fellow American. “Considering I hadn’t won a match on grass in two years before this tournament, I’m really happy with how I performed today.”
Zverev lost 12 of the first 13 points as he resumed at 3-3 in the third set against Lehecka, showing signs of fatigue as his prior progress from Monday seemed to unravel.
However, he regained his composure and, despite a double-fault on match point in the fourth-set tiebreak, he managed to finish it off.
“Who would have thought it would take me 12 years to reach my first Wimbledon quarter-final? I’m incredibly happy and relieved. But I still have my sights set on playing three more matches,” he expressed on a sweltering day in London SW19.
NO SWEAT FOR SINNER
Sinner’s earlier struggles in a Parisian heatwave had raised concerns about the Italian’s ability to cope with extreme temperatures.
He struggled to find his rhythm against first-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Struff and faced pressure, especially after saving a set point in the second set.
Ultimately, his precision serving allowed the top seed to advance to his 10th Grand Slam semi-final, where he will face seven-time champion Djokovic, revisiting their match from the same round last year.
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