Djokovic mounts stirring comeback to keep Wimbledon hopes alive
Novak Djokovic is into the Wimbledon semifinals after staging a comeback against Jannik Sinner in a five-set Centre Court battle
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The defending champion battled back from two sets down to defeat Italian youngster Jannik Sinner
Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a fourth successive Wimbledon title is still alive after he fought back superbly from two sets down to see off the challenge of young Italian Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic hauled himself back from the brink on Centre Court to win 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2, after looking uncharacteristically sloppy for much of the first stages of the match.
Ultimately, the grit and determination upon which the Serb has called so many times down the years came to the fore again as he outlasted Sinner in a match spanning just over three-and-a-half hours.
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 had praised the up-and-coming Sinner ahead of their clash, saying he saw some of his own qualities in the 20-year-old Italian, who continues to mature among the game’s elite.
Appearing in a first Wimbledon quarterfinal, Sinner did not make an auspicious start when Djokovic broke his serve at the first time of asking as the Serb seemed to set out his stall early.
But after Djokovic opened up a 4-1 lead, Sinner was far from overawed, battling back to break the defending champion twice on the way to taking the first set 7-5.
An uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Djokovic continued in the second set as he suffered double breaks of serve against the young number 10 seed, who continued to dominate the key exchanges.
Djokovic, however, has long allied his talent with a brilliant knack of dragging himself off the ropes even when far from his best.
So that proved as the pendulum swung his way in set three, with Djokovic securing a crucial break to love in Game 4 before taking the set 6-3.
The momentum was firmly back in the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s favor as he wrestled control of set four with consecutive breaks of serve, although Sinner showed belated resistance in making Djokovic fight hard in a lengthy game to conclude the set.
There was also sportsmanship on display amid an intense Centre Court battle as Djokovic crossed the net to come to Sinner’s aid at one stage after the Italian had slipped when chasing down a drop-volley.
Jannik Sinner goes down chasing after a ball and rolls over clutching his left ankle.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 5, 2022
Djokovic is quick to climb over the net and help him to his feet.
Play is continuing with Djokovic close to taking the fourth set. pic.twitter.com/vgqOWd2tVY
Sinner dusted himself down for the decider, holding serve to start the fifth set, but Djokovic ratcheted up the pressure in Game 3, setting up two break points – one of which Sinner saved before succumbing to what felt like the decisive blow.
Djokovic did not look back as he broke the Sinner serve again, before a service game to love sealed the set and the match – which was a 26th consecutive victory on the grass of the All England Club for the Serb.
Aiming for seventh Wimbledon crown and fourth on the spin, Djokovic next meets the winner of the match between Belgium’s David Goffin and UK ninth seed Cameron Norrie, who contested their quarterfinal on Court 1 on Tuesday.
Never write off Novak Djokovic. Ever.#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/W79hRF6KV3
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2022
Djokovic, 35, will be heavily fancied to reach another final at Wimbledon, with the other half of the draw at SW19 boasting generational rival Rafael Nadal, who is in pursuit of a third Grand Slam title of the year and record-extending 23rd in total.
The Spaniard takes on American number 11 seed Taylor Fritz in their quarterfinal on Wednesday as Nadal targets what would be a third Wimbledon crown in total but a first since 2010.
In the same half of the draw, Australian firebrand Nick Kyrgios continues to show why he has the talent to trouble anyone on his day, and plays fellow unseeded rival Cristian Garin of Chile in their quarterfinal on Court 1, also on Wednesday.