Novak Djokovic thumps David Goffin in straight sets to cruise through to Wimbledon semi-final

NOVAK DJOKOVIC eased through to his ninth Wimbledon semi-final as he demolished Belgium’s David Goffin on Centre Court.

The Serb, four times a winner on the hallowed lawns, including last year, was simply too good for the 21st seed.

After a slightly sticky start, Djokovic recovered from a break down in the first to reel off a run of 10 straight games and take an iron grip.

Goffin, who had started so well, had no answer as he succumbed 6-4 6-0 6-2 in just an hour and 57 minutes.

It was a shame for the Belgian, enjoying the best Wimbledon run of his career, and for the crowd who initially thought they might be witnessing a classic.

Goffin, all movement and athleticism, made the brighter opening and the break of service in the seventh game, when Djokovic blazed a forehand wide, was overdue.

But it was a wake-up call for the defending champion, who promptly broke back with a guided volley at the net, held his own serve and then forced a poor backhand out of Goffin on his first set point.

Suddenly, all the wind looked to have gone out of Goffin’s sails, errors infiltrating his game as Djokovic’s relentless power took command.

The Belgian won just 13 points as he was whitewashed in a set that lasted barely half an hour, Djokovic playing with a beautiful fusion of precision and finesse.

And a double fault in his second service game of the third proved the killer for Goffin, Djokovic seizing the opportunity and finishing it off on his first match point by forcing a backhand down the line that went into the tramlines.