Jannik Sinner reaches semi-finals; Cruz Hewitt into third round of boys’ singles
Updated ,first published
London: Long live the king, the king Negative dead.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic added another chapter to his legendary story; He outlasted Felix Auger-Aliassime in center court for more than five hours to set up a semi-final rematch with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, 39, is 14 years older than Auger-Aliassime but hopes of extending his record 25th grand slam trophy remain alive after a thrilling 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4) victory.
The extraordinary contest broke the record for the longest quarter-final in the tournament’s history at 5 hours and 15 minutes, and was completed within six minutes of the tournament’s 11pm curfew.
Djokovic faced defeat with scores of 4-4 and 0-30 in the final set, but he birdied the next four points to take the lead, then played a superb super tiebreak and refused to miss, eventually defeating Auger-Aliassime.
So how did he do it again?
“With the shuttlecock, with a lot of courage, with good management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these types of matches,” Djokovic said.
“Towards the end, it really was anyone’s game. The score line was almost even the whole way… These are the kind of moments I still play tennis for. I wish it was the final, so I don’t have to worry about how the body is going to feel tomorrow, but I’m happy to win.”
“I was telling the kids to sleep after the fourth hour. [set]but they didn’t want to listen. “I’m happy they stayed because it was one of the best matches I’ve played on this pitch in my career.”
The upcoming clash with Sinner will be their first meeting since Djokovic ended the Italian team’s hopes of a three-peat at the Australian Open in January, winning a midnight classic in five sets to reach the final at Melbourne Park.
Wimbledon champion Sinner had a much easier performance in the quarter-finals, defeating the big-serving German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in two and a half hours without any problems.
Djokovic, who said this was his eighth consecutive semi-final in SW19 and 15th overall, said: “It’s great, but it’s just another semi-final for me. When I finish my career, I’ll look at all the numbers. At the moment it’s still a job. I need to get myself together and [to play] “The best player in the world in two days.”
The first set between Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime took 82 minutes to complete and contained enough drama for the match. Little did everyone know that there was still so much to do.
Auger-Aliassime parried away the break point to make it 4-4 before suffering a left calf scare in the next game that left Djokovic grimacing for a few points and prompted him to call for a trainer.
Despite that concern, the former world No. 1 brought back-to-back set points to cut Auger-Aliassime to 15-40, but the Canadian managed to get out of trouble and then had his own break chance at 5-5.
But despite Djokovic’s best efforts to attack Auger-Aliassime’s questionable backhand, neither player gave up.
A series of set points came and went for both men in the tiebreaker; Auger-Aliassime was twice lucky on balls narrowly in and out, but eventually blinked. Serving at 10-11 points, the third seed hit a big serve and volleyed wildly with a forehand.
On the fifth set point, Djokovic finally took a one-set lead.
However, the competition changed again when Djokovic double-faulted to give Auger-Aliassime a 5-3 lead in the second set. Even then, Auger-Aliassime had to dive deep to complete the set.
Djokovic twice touched off return points and would come to regret the latter in particular, when he cautiously guided a header into the court and then watched as his opponent penetrated his defense with a sizzling forehand.
A 198km/h ace pocketed Auger-Aliassime’s set and tournament referee Denise Parnell seized the opportunity to put the roof on early, much to Djokovic’s chagrin.
Perhaps his frustration continued in the opening game of the third set, but he fended off another break point to gain a crucial position.
An even longer game followed Auger-Aliassime’s serve, but he too escaped despite facing three break points. Soon the dam wall collapsed.
Auger-Aliassime, who had only been broken once in his first four matches, conceded to serve to love on Djokovic’s ninth opportunity to take the lead at 2-3.
Djokovic stormed through the third set, then broke Auger-Aliassime to start the fourth, dragging the Canadian from side to side before expertly slotting a forehand winner into the net.
By that stage the form lines were heading in opposite directions, but another change was to come.
Djokovic inexplicably served a loose serve game for 2-1, and Auger-Aliassime found the sideline on a cross-court backhand to equalize.
It was this kind of endurance that propelled the new and improved Auger-Aliassime into the world’s top four.
The sixth point was the deciding tiebreaker. Auger-Aliassime showed off all his athleticism in a long rally to stick with Djokovic, then raced around his forehand and sent a searing ball onto his opponent’s backhand that didn’t come back.
This left Auger-Aliassime 4-2 ahead and he was able to run with this advantage to equalize a fascinating fight and appropriately force the deciding set.
But he soon learned that Djokovic was still a tough nut to crack.
The other men’s winner, German second seed Alexander Zverev, survived some tense moments, including losing the third set, as he continued his match from Monday with a 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) win over the tough Czech Jiri Lehecka.
“It’s nice to complete the quarter final set [the four] Majors, but of course I want to go further,” Zverev said.
Double grand slam champion Coco Gauff and 10th-ranked Czech Carolina Muchova took first place in the women’s semifinals.
Seventh seed Gauff is now the highest-seeded player remaining in the draw after starting from a straight set to defeat No. 4 seed American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. This was already the best Wimbledon of her career for Gauff, who had not won a match on grass court for two years until this tournament.
“Given the results I’ve had recently, especially on this surface, it’s a really special feeling,” Gauff said.
“I think I’ve been able to relax a little bit because no matter how the rest of the tournament goes, I feel like: [that] I found some progress on the grass. I’m proud of myself. Frankly, I’m not satisfied – I want to go all the way – [but] At the same time, I’m just looking at the game in front of me.”
Muchova has long been regarded as one of the most talented players on the tour, but injuries have prevented her from realizing her potential until now. That may be about to change after Naomi Osaka completed her breakthrough win at Wimbledon in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
Meanwhile, Cruz Hewitt reached the third round of the men’s singles and, together with Roger Federer’s twin daughters Myla and Charlene, eliminated the 14th-seeded Frenchman Mathys Domenc with scores of 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 and cheered him on from the field.
Hewitt’s power play impressed once again, including winning 86 percent of her first serve points and posting 13 strikeouts. Domenc took a medical timeout after the fifth game of the second set due to a problem with his left ankle and could not win another match afterwards.
The 17-year-old Australian player will face second-seeded German Jamie Mackenzie, who grew up in New Zealand, in the quarter-finals.
Australian Storm Hunter and Marc Polmans will compete in the mixed doubles final by defeating Fanny Stollar and Mate Pavic with sets of 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. They will face second seeds Jelena Ostapenko and Marcelo Arevalo for the title.
Marc McGowan traveled to London with the support of Tennis Australia.
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