Novak Djokovic Rallies from Two Sets Down to Defeat Jannik Sinner in Five-Set Thriller, Reaches Wimbledon Semis

 

The world’s No. 1 player, Novak Djokovic, went down two sets to start his quarterfinal match against No. 10 Jannik Sinner before rallying back to win a five-set thriller (5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2). Djokovic reaches the semifinals with the victory.

“I have been blessed to play professional tennis for 20 years but nevertheless I have the same doubts as everyone else,” Djokovic said of winning the mental battle within the match. “Winning the internal fight is the big challenge. If I can win the internal fight., the external fight follows. Whether it’s the experience, the toilet break, winning the internal fight.”

He is a Wimbledon semi-finalist for the 11th time.

Djokovic has now won 26 consecutive matches at Wimbledon, the fourth-longest streak in the Open Era. He will now face either ninth-seeded Cam Norrie or David Goffin in the next round.

“I think I can be proud of what I have done here and hopefully it can give me a lot of confidence,” Sinner said after the tough loss.

Sinner, just 20 years old and from Italy, appeared in his first Wimbledon quarterfinal. He became the youngest male to reach slam quarterfinals on every surface.

This could have been Sinner’s first victory over a top-five player in his thirteenth try.

Tuesday marked Djokovic’s 84th win at Wimbledon, tying him for the most with Jimmy Connors.

The turning point came in the fourth set when Djokovic broke Sinner’s serve twice in the first three games before racing into a 4-0 lead unanswered in the set. All the pressure was back on Sinner.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of opportunities for him in the big stage,” Djokovic said of Sinner after the match. “He’s so mature for his age. He’s got plenty of time and it was unfortunate for him today but a very good tournament and I wish him best of luck for rest of the year.”

Djokovic hasn’t lost a match on Centre Court at Wimbledon in nine years. His last loss was in 2013 against Andy Murray.

“I kind of see a little bit of myself in his game, from back of the court, playing flat backhands, constantly staying on the back of the line, trying to put pressure on opponents,” Djokovic added, referring to Sinner.

At 35-years-old, Djokovic remains the favorite to win the tournament.

“I feel happiness, fulfillment, pride,” Djokovic said of Wimbledon, and potentially winning the title again. “I love this court. I adore it. It’s the biggest tennis tournament in the history of our game. It’s the most important one in my life. It inspired me to take the racket in my hand at the age of five. It has always inspired me, this court.”