Djokovic to face Sinner in tantalising semi-final

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

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Novak Djokovic set up a mouth-watering Wimbledon semi-final against world number one Jannik Sinner after coming through a tricky encounter against Flavio Cobolli.

Seven-time champion Djokovic manoeuvred past Italian 22nd seed Cobolli 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-5 6-4 to reach a 14th semi-final at SW19.

It came after Italy's Sinner put aside any discomfort from an elbow injury to beat American 10th seed Ben Shelton 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-4.

Djokovic, 38, bidding for a stand-alone record 25th Grand Slam title, overcame a few wobbles to beat Cobolli and book the last-four meeting many had hoped for when the draw was made.

It will be the second time Djokovic and Sinner have met in a major semi-final this year, with Sinner coming through in straight sets at the French Open in June.

Three-time major champion Sinner, who wore a sleeve to protect his right elbow after suffering a fall in his fourth-round match on Monday, has won the past four matches against Djokovic.

But Djokovic will back himself on grass against Sinner, having won both of their meetings at Wimbledon.

"I'm very happy with this performance," said Sinner, who has reached at least the semi-finals in the past four majors.

"When you are in a match with a lot of tension you try not to think about [any pain]. It has improved a lot from yesterday to today.

"It is no excuse. There is no better stage to play tennis and I showed this today."

Djokovic sets more Wimbledon records

Djokovic has now surpassed Roger Federer's all-time record for the most Wimbledon men's semi-final appearances.

But he had to work hard against a fired-up Cobolli, who said before the match that Djokovic is his "biggest idol".

In the ultimate reward for a stellar run at SW19, Cobolli made the most of his moment on Wimbledon's biggest stage, celebrating almost every point with a raised fist on his way to clinching the first set.

He matched Djokovic in the rallies, displaying some magnificent serving alongside brilliant shot range and variety.

But, after moving ahead in a nervy tie-break, the intensity that had swept Cobolli along in the opener could not be replicated, and Djokovic quickly wore him down to take the second set.

That level did, however, return in the third. Cobolli immediately responded to an early break of serve, then smiled as the crowd rose and chanted his name.

Djokovic grew frustrated when he could not take a break opportunity at 3-3, tossing his racquet in the air in frustration, but he tidied up the mistakes to break at 5-5 then served out the set.

The mistakes returned for Cobolli in the fourth as Djokovic's experience and prowess on the surface shone through to win three games in a row and secure victory.

There was cause for concern when he took a nasty slip when doing the splits on his second match point, but he said afterwards that he was OK and an occasional fall is to be expected with the way he slides around the court.

The victory was Djokovic's 102nd match win at Wimbledon - the most he has managed at a single ATP Tour event during his illustrious career.

Sinner not 100% fit but still a cut above

Sinner has been the dominant men's player for the past 18 months and this performance – when he was not 100% fit - was another example of why.

A below-par display against Dimitrov went unpunished when the luckless Bulgarian popped a pectoral muscle in the third set.

If it felt like Sinner, 23, had been given a lifeline and he certainly made the most of it against Shelton.

Sinner's serve speed dropped against Dimitrov because of his injury but it was back up to 125mph – more in tune with his tournament average – and the added pace combined with his precision spelled trouble for Shelton.

The huge-serving American, who has become a fan favourite at the All England Club over the past fortnight, won only one receiving point before the opening-set tie-break.

Then, in the tie-break, he was lured into Sinner's trap.

Unsuccessfully going for broke, the under-pressure Shelton lamped aggressive groundstrokes in a bid to break down Sinner.

Neither player created a break point in the opening set but Shelton earned two immediately in the second thanks to improvements in his return game.

While he could not take either, Shelton earned another half chance at 4-3 with more pressure being applied particularly on Sinner's second serve.

But Sinner survived and turned the tables on Shelton in the very next game. Shelton continued to hammer down serves at more than 140mph but was still broken after Sinner soaked up the pace and turned defence into attack with his relentless returning.

It was a similar pattern in the third set. Both players continued to dominate service games before Sinner upped the ante again with a decisive break as Shelton served to stay in the match.