While Sinner beat German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets, Djokovic had to dig deeper before subduing Canadian third seed Auger-Aliassime in one of the all-time gutsiest Wimbledon performances.<\/p>\n
The question now is whether the Serb will have anything left in the tank to beat the defending champion.<\/p>\n
Asked how he saw off Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic said: \u201cWith a racquet and a lot of heart. I have management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cTowards the end, it was really anyone\u2019s game. What can I say? These are the kinds of moments that I still play tennis for, for sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was telling the kids to go to sleep. I\u2019m glad they stayed because it was one of the best matches I was part of on this court in my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bidding to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and equal Roger Federer\u2019s record of eight Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic has won five of his 11 clashes with Sinner.<\/p>\n
Two of those victories over Sinner came at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, but he lost to the Italian in the 2025 semifinals<\/a> before avenging that defeat<\/a> in the last four at the Australian Open in January.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish it was the final so I don\u2019t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow, but yeah, I\u2019m happy,\u201d an exhausted Djokovic said.<\/p>\n As ever for the seven-time Wimbledon champion, each match brings another deluge of statistics that underline Djokovic\u2019s remarkable longevity and incredible thirst for success.<\/p>\n He has advanced to a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semifinal and 55th at the Grand Slams.<\/p>\n He is into the Wimbledon last four for an eighth consecutive time, setting a new record ahead of Roger Federer for the longest streak of men\u2019s singles semifinal appearances at the All England Club.<\/p>\n Djokovic is only the second player in the Open era to reach the men\u2019s semifinals at Wimbledon aged 39 or older, after Ken Rosewall in 1974.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just another semifinal for me. I\u2019m going to look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n Karolina Muchova overcame four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 7-6(4) 6-4 in an absorbing contest of athleticism, shot variety and tight margins to set up a Wimbledon semifinal against American Gauff.<\/p>\n The evenly matched pair had a 3-3 head-to-head record coming into the tie, and both produced high-quality tennis despite sizzling temperatures on Court One.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old Czech, seeking a first Grand Slam title, proved the steadier player, producing 21 unforced errors to Osaka\u2019s 42, while the pair sent down 24 winners apiece.<\/p>\n The encounter drew roars of delight from the crowd, despite a nervous start with four successive breaks of serve.<\/p>\n Muchova countered her Japanese rival\u2019s ferocious hitting with some delicate touches at the net, using serve and volley as well as drop shots to mix up her game.<\/p>\n She said she tried to match Osaka\u2019s speed, with the 14th seed hitting hard to the lines.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce she would shorten the ball, I just tried to maybe go for the slice or go to net to change it up a little bit,\u201d Muchova said.<\/p>\n The Czech, who reached the final of the French Open on clay in 2023 but says she now loves grass, stayed in front in the tie-break, taking the set on her third set point with a forehand winner.<\/p>\n![\"Felix](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ap_6a4d80e202c7d-1783464162.jpg\")
Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada reacts after losing a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia, as the match clock reaches five hours and 13 minutes, making it the longest Wimbledon men\u2019s singles quarterfinal in history, at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 7, 2026 [Maja Smiejkowska\/AP Photo]Muchova downs Osaka to set up Gauff semifinal<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/getty_6a4d81180d-1783464216.jpg\")
Karolina Muchova of Czechia celebrates victory over Naomi Osaka of Japan during their Ladies\u2019 Singles quarterfinal match on day nine of 2026 Wimbledon championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2026, in London, England [Jan Kruger\/Getty Images]Love the grass<\/p>\n