Wimbledon : Djokovic survives an epic marathon against Auger-Aliassime and sets up a Sinner rematch in the semis
Five hours and 14 minutes. That is how long it took Novak Djokovic to see off Felix Auger-Aliassime in one of the most brutal matches Wimbledon has seen in years (7-6 [10], 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 [4], 7-6 [4]). The 39-year-old Serb will play in his 15th semi-final at the All England Club on Friday against Jannik Sinner, his eighth in a row and his fifth since turning 35. Quite simply, it is staggering longevity.
The opening set set the tone: 1h22 on court, chances spurned at both ends, three set points saved by Djokovic in the tie-break, two of them with ace-like serves, before he finally converted his fifth chance when Auger-Aliassime dumped a high volley long at 11-10. The second set played out differently. Djokovic was flat, gifting the break at 4-4 with a double fault before Auger-Aliassime served for the set and saved two break points with a ridiculous passing shot. The Canadian, who fired down 29 aces and barely showed a flicker of emotion all match, wrapped up the set with an ace (6-3).
The third set was the turning point. After saving three more break points, Djokovic hit the afterburners. He broke the Canadian to love to move clear at 4-2 before closing it out without blinking (6-3). The fourth set nearly blew the match wide open again: all out Djokovic at the start with eight points in a row, then came a dreadful service game featuring a double fault and a forehand miss from a yard off the net. Back in the groove, Auger-Aliassime produced a flawless tie-break (7-4). In the decisive super tie-break, Djokovic turned on the gas at 7-3 before sealing victory on his first match point after a wild rally at 8-4.
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Sinner in the semis, a fitness scare and a legend that keeps rolling
There was a price to pay for the win. Djokovic called for a medical timeout late in the first set because of discomfort in his left calf, which had him wincing. His condition over the two rest days before the semi-final will be watched closely. Against Sinner, the Italian has won five of their last six meetings, though Djokovic took their most recent clash in the Australian Open semi-finals in January. Their fourth Grand Slam semi-final is shaping up as another heavyweight scrap.
What Djokovic produced on Tuesday was remarkable. At 39, with the odd flash of irritation against an opponent who never flinched, and with physical discomfort kicking in during the match, he never once let the intensity drop. Eight break points went begging, several tense patches, and still he was standing at the end of five sets. He has now lost only two of 13 matches at Wimbledon this year. Incredible.
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