Novak Djokovic still on course for record-levelling eighth Wimbledon title after thumping Jannik Sinner to reach final
NOVAK DJOKOVIC was the big noise on Centre Court as he stormed into a record 35th Grand Slam singles final with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 victory over Jannik Sinner.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion extended his winning streak at the All England Club to 34 matches - despite being penalised for a loud, late grunt during a rally.
British umpire Richard Haigh called Djokovic for an extremely rare ‘hindrance’ infringement, when the Serb was deemed to have put off his opponent early in the second seat.
Djokovic, 36, was also called for a time violation in the same game but still kept his cool and held his serve, as his Italian opponent consistently struggled to keep his footing on a slippery Centre Court.
Nobody in the history of this sport has managed to pepper white lines with fluffy yellow balls at such velocity and such consistency as this machine-line man from Belgrade.
The ultra-consistent Serb has won four Wimbledon titles in a row since 2017 and has now surpassed Chris Evert for the most major singles final appearances for men or women.
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Sinner, the skinny red-headed youngster who blew a two-set lead against Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon quarter-final, was unable to capitalise on a string of chances.
And his Bambi legs continually collapsed on the threadbare baselines on a court on which Djokovic has now won 45 consecutive matches since his 2013 final defeat by Andy Murray.
The Serb can now tie up a 24th Grand Slam title in Sunday’s final, which would equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.
The talented 21-year-old Italian will be back for sure. As Oscar Wilde said: “Every saint has a past and every Sinner has a future.”
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But the relentless Djokovic was simply too strong for him here.
Sinner slipped on the very first point of the match and surrendered two break points in that opening game before a couple of wide backhands saw Djokovic break immediately.
Sinner nailed a winner down the line to force another break point but Djokovic eventually held with an ace.
The crowd were roaring on the eighth-seeded underdog but he slipped again and complained about the state of the surface as Djokovic held for 5-2 and then held comfortably to take the opening set.
Djokovic seized the third of three break points to take a 2-1 lead but then came the epic game which brought two umpire’s calls against the second seed.
Sinner had won a sensational exchange at the net before Haigh hit Djokovic with that ‘hindrance call’ which Djokovic protested to no avail.
But Djokovic stayed calm to win the next two points before Sinner’s backhand winner down the line forced deuce.
When Djokovic went long to concede a break-point, he made a magnificent save from beyond the baseline to stay in the game.
Then came Djokovic’s time violation on his first serve but still the Serbian held on and clinched the game.
Sinner saved a couple of break-points but could not prevent Djokovic taking the set, sealing the deal with a thumping ace.
Early in the third, Sinner - still slipping and sliding - conceded three break points but managed to hold.
And at 5-4, Sinner forced two set-points on the Djokovic serve, only for the champion to save them both and eventually force a tie-break.
Djokovic was visibly struggling with dust in his eyes as Sinner pulled ahead in the breaker - but the Italian double-faulted to lose his advantage and the Serb roared home.
After the game, Djokovic said: "The hindrance could have changed the course of the match.
"I felt really nervous after that call from the umpire but I managed to regroup. It was the first time this happened to me in my career - I don't usually have an extended grunt, maybe it was an echo from the roof.
"I didn't feel I was causing a hindrance but it was a call I have to respect.
"Jannik has proven why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world.
"It's great to be part of this new generation, I love it!
"I'd like to believe I'm playing some of the best tennis of my career.
"I try not to let age be a hindarance - 36 is the new 26 and it feels good!
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"I am inspired to play the game I truly love and I'm eternallly grateful and try to be honest and return the favour to this sport and play as much as I possibly can.
"Semi-finals are always going to be tense matches, they were three very close sets and the scoreline doesn't give the reality, it was super-close."