Novak Djokovic advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals by beating Andrey Rublev in a tough, gritty clash that stretched over four sets. He recovered from a slow start, dropping the first set 4-6 before turning the tide with steady baseline play and timely serves, then sealing the win 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. The win moved Djokovic one step closer to a fifth straight final at the All England Club, a run that would extend his already remarkable record at London’s marquee tournament.
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Djokovic, the veteran champion with seven Wimbledon titles, delivered a performance that underscored his readiness to chase a new milestone in London. While Rublev staged a bold resistance, defending three break points in the early exchanges and taking momentum with a fierce service game, Djokovic stayed calm under pressure and found bite on return games that changed the shapes of the rallies. The Serb has repeatedly shown a knack for raising his level when it matters most in this event, a pattern that keeps him squarely in the conversation for another deep run on center court.
The day’s drama also highlighted the persistent, urgent questions about Rublev’s form on grass. He battled to steady his serve and generate momentum, but Djokovic’s adjustment in the pivotal moments tilted the match in the later sets. In the end, Djokovic’s defense reined in the exchanges, and his aggression when it counted tipped the balance in his favor. This quarterfinal exit for Rublev marks another solid showing at a major, yet also a reminder that the road to Wimbledon glory runs through the sport’s most tried-and-true veterans.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will confront Jannik Sinner in the semifinals after Sinner defeated Roman Safiullin in four sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, on Tuesday. The quarterfinals from last season’s Wimbledon run echo in this pairing, as the Italian prodigy and the Serbian champion previously tangled in a tight finish. The 20-year-old from Italy came into this match with impressive form, and his win over Safiullin sets up a fresh chapter in their evolving rivalry on the grass courts of London. Sinner’s blend of power and precision has pushed Djokovic to raise his game in recent meetings, making this semifinal a compelling duel of contrasting styles and shared hunger for a title that has long defined both players.
Djokovic’s path to the semifinal included a careful balance of serve discipline, shot selection, and endurance. On the big points, he showed the mental clarity that has become his trademark in major tournaments. Sinner, meanwhile, arrives with a recent history of late-stage breakthroughs on big stages, a factor that adds extra intrigue to the matchup. The semifinal is shaping up as a test of experience versus youth, steadiness against aggressive risk-taking, and a battle to control the tempo of rallies on a surface that rewards both resilience and smart shot-making.