Novak Djokovic is set to play Jannik Sinner for the 12th time.
Djokovic, who is seeking to win a 25th major title, defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 on Tuesday evening in what was the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history [five hours and 15 minutes].
Meanwhile, Sinner came through his quarter-final match in straight sets, beating Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 on Court One.
Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic – Who reaches the Wimbledon final?
The best in the world takes on the G.O.A.T.
Djokovic and Sinner’s game styles have often been likened to one another, largely due to the robotic, almost metronomic play.
Ahead of their first match at Wimbledon in 2022, Djokovic compared one specific element of his play to Sinner’s.
Novak Djokovic likened his backhand and baseline game to Jannik Sinner’s
Novak Djokovic set up a first meeting with Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon when he defeated wildcard Tim van Rijthoven in the fourth round.
Djokovic had won his one previous match against the Italian at the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters.
Ahead of his contest against Sinner, Djokovic discussed the young star’s game before drawing comparisons to his own style of play.
“I have only superlatives and positive things to talk about Sinner’s game,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference after beating van Rijthoven in straight sets. “We all know he’s very talented. He’s already now an established top player.
“I’ve seen him play many different surfaces in the last few years. He’s maturing a lot on the big stage. I think he doesn’t feel too much pressure on the big stage because he can get you sometimes when you’re younger.
“He’s very confident. He believes he can win against anybody, any stadium, which is important for a young player like him. He’s already now experienced, even though he’s still young, because he has had big matches, top-10 player.
“I saw him play today. I thought it was a dominant performance from him in the first two sets. After that, it was a close one, it was a fight. But he was always somehow in control of the match.
Sinner had defeated Carlos Alcaraz the very same day, triumphing 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
“He’s very solid,” Djokovic continued. “Every shot, he has every shot in his game: serve, return, forehand, backhand. He’s constantly putting pressure on opponents.
“I kind of see a little bit of myself in his game, as well, from back of the court, playing flat backhand, constantly staying on the back of the line, trying to put pressure on opponents.
“I know it going to be a very challenging match for both of us. He’s playing fast. He likes that rhythm.
“We practiced here a couple of times. I know what’s expecting me. I’ll make sure I’m ready for that one.”
Djokovic and Sinner went on to contest quite possibly the best match of the entire tournament.
Sinner looked destined to end Djokovic’s four-year stranglehold on the event when he established a two-set lead.
Djokovic refused to be denied, eventually triumphing 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Centre Court.
Djokovic went on to win the title, beating Nick Kyrgios in the final.
Can Novak Djokovic emulate his Australian Open heroics?
Earlier this year, then-38-year-old Novak Djokovic produced one of his greatest-ever performances to defeat Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Djokovic, a 10-time champion in Melbourne, beat Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 inside the Rod Laver Arena.
The result ended Djokovic’s five-match losing streak against the Italian.
“I’m lost for words right now. It feels surreal to be honest,” an emotional Djokovic said after the match. “Playing over four hours, almost 2am.
“The level of intensity and the quality of tennis was extremely high. I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win tonight.
“He beat me the last five times. He had my mobile number so I had to change my number for tonight.
“I told him at the net thanks for allowing me at least one.”
With Sinner not playing his best tennis throughout this year’s Wimbledon Championships, Djokovic’s chances of causing another surprise result have increased exponentially.
Of course, Sinner could dominate the contest – as he did against Djokovic in the semi-finals of last year’s Championships.
However, the Serbian is playing the better tennis in this current moment, and one would not be surprised to see Djokovic lift the Wimbledon title later this week.
