TOP seed and 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic produced an epic comeback overnight to defeat Italian Jannik Sinner in five sets in the Wimbledon quarter finals. The Serbian star made hard work for himself by going down two sets to love, credit to the 10th seed’s ability to start strongly. Unfortunately for the Italian, experience won out and Djokovic went to another level in the final three sets to win them without too much fuss, and record a 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory.

Sinner did everything right in the first two sets of the match, breaking at a crucial point to go ahead after being 5-5 in the opening set. From that point on, Sinner won eight of the next 10 games to go ahead 7-5 6-2 and it looked like and upset was brewing. As expected though, Djokovic hit back, breaking in the fourth game of the third set and holding to go 4-1 up, which was enough for the world number two to secure the 6-3 set. From there, things started to unravel for Sinner, with Djokovic breaking the Italian in his first two service games to race out to a 4-0 lead and all of a sudden, the match was squared at two sets apiece.

Sinner was able to hold serve in his first game of the fifth set, but soon Djokovic got on top, dominating his serve, then breaking the Italian to go 3-1 up in the decider. Sinner held to love to give himself a chance, but that was the last game the 10th seed won in the match, as Djokovic broke again in the seventh game and then served out the match to love in the eighth game to secure the five-set victory. The victory meant Djokovic is just two wins away from claiming a seventh Wimbledon title, having won the last three, and five of the last six. His Wimbledon winning streak extended to 26 with the victory.

“Happiness, love, fulfilment, pride, [I feel] everything on this court,” Djokovic said post-match of the streak. “I love it. I think the majority of the players would agree this is the biggest tennis tournament in the history of our game, so this court is the most important one, definitely in my career and my life.

“This court inspired me to take the tennis racquet in my hand for the first time when I was five. “Every single time I step on this court, the love affair keeps growing, so hopefully I can maintain that run.”

Djokovic also congratulated Sinner on a terrific tournament, with the Italian having not won a grass court ATP Tour match prior to Wimbledon, and reached the quarter finals in 2022.

“I must say huge congratulations for a big fight today to Jannik,” Djokovic said. “I’m sure there are going to be a lot of opportunities on the big stage. “He is so mature for his age, he has been established now as a Top 10, Top 15 player for the past few years.

“He’s got plenty of time, it was unfortunate for him today but [he had] a very good tournament and I wish him the best of luck for the rest of the year.”

OTHER RESULTS:

British ninth seed Cameron Norrie booked his place in the semi-final by defeating Belgian David Goffin in a come-from-behind victory. Trailing two sets to one, Norrie dug deep to come away with the victory, 3-6 7-5 2-6 6-3 7-5 in three hours and 28 minutes. Meanwhile in the ladies’ singles, Tunisian Ons Jabeur got past Czech Marie Bouzkova in three sets, 3-6 6-1 6-1 to secure a final four spot up against German Tatjana Maria who defeated compatriot Jule Niemeier 4-6 6-2 7-5 to face Jabeur for a spot in the Wimbledon final.