Novak Djokovic recovered from losing the first set to Russian Andrey Rublev to extend his Wimbledon winning streak to 33 matches – and remain on course for a record-equalling eighth title. The reigning champion didn’t have everything his own way on Centre Court against the No.7 seed, but did enough to book a semifinal meeting with Jannik Sinner. And he’ll take some beating on this form, showing his trademark resilience deep in rallies to stymie the Rublev rearguard. Djokovic is a master on the All England Club’s grass courts, playing in his 14th Wimbledon quarterfinal, and eventually closed out a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory, with the 36-year-old showing little sign that age may be catching up with him. The Associated Press has the story:
Novak Djokovic advances to Wimbledon S/F
Newslooks- WIMBLEDON, England (AP)
Novak Djokovic tied Roger Federer’s record of 46 men’s Grand Slam semifinals by getting to that round at Wimbledon with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Andrey Rublev on Tuesday.
More importantly, Djokovic moved closer to a fifth consecutive championship at the All England Club and eighth overall — which would pull him even with Federer on both counts.
Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, is also pursuing a 24th career major trophy. He already set the men’s mark in that category by collecting No. 23 at the French Open last month, pulling ahead of Rafael Nadal. Federer is next on the list with 20.
The only real blip for Djokovic at Centre Court on Tuesday came when the No. 7-seeded Rublev broke him with a forehand winner to lead 5-4 in the first set, then served it out.
From there, Djokovic saved all seven break points he faced and pulled away, dropping Rublev to 0-8 in Grand Slam quarterfinals.
Next up for Djokovic is a matchup against No. 8 seed Jannik Sinner, who made it to the semifinals at a major tournament for the first time by beating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 earlier Tuesday.
Djokovic has won both previous head-to-head meetings against Sinner, a 21-year-old from Italy.
Favourite Novak Djokovic trailed for the first time at this year’s Wimbledon but responded in brutal fashion to beat Andrey Rublev 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-3 to reach the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Inspired seventh seed Rublev snatched the opening set but it was akin to poking a sleeping grizzly bear as Djokovic exacted painful punishment to stay on track for a fifth straight title.
Rublev played some brilliant tennis that would have accounted for pretty much any other player in the world.
But it was not enough to stop the 36-year-old Djokovic reaching his 46th Grand Slam semi-final, equalling the record of eight-time champion Roger Federer.
Second seed Djokovic will face Jannik Sinner in the his 12th Wimbledon semi-final after the Italian also beat a Russian opponent in Roman Safiullin earlier on Tuesday.
When Rublev broke serve in the eighth game courtesy of a couple of beefy forehands and held serve thanks to a Djokovic error to win the opening set it seemed a first win in a Grand Slam quarter-final at the eighth attempt was possible – even against a man without a Centre Court loss for a decade.
But Djokovic quickly reasserted his authority to race through a one-sided second set.
The Serbian was in control as he broke serve early in the third set but Rublev was not done and Djokovic was stretched to his elastic-limbed limits when serving at 5-4, fending off three break points and needing five set points in a sensational game to move within a set of his 33rd successive Wimbledon win.
Briefly deflated, the 25-year-old Rublev fell 3-1 behind in the fourth set and there was no coming back as Djokovic wrapped up the win in his 400th Grand Slam match, a milestone reached only be Federer and Serena Williams.
