Novak Djokovic edges Felix Auger-Aliassime after 5 hours to set up showdown with Sinner

Novak Djokovic survived the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history to edge past Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set contest that stretched to a deciding-set tiebreak and pushed both players to the brink. The 39-year-old, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, came through 7-6 (12-10) 3-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (10-4) to book a semi-final against defending champion Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic required a medical timeout early in the opening set after clutching his calf, but despite struggling to find rhythm on return, he held firm through an extended tiebreak to take the opener. Auger-Aliassime responded immediately, breaking early in the second set and maintaining control to level the match.

The roof closure at the end of the second set prompted visible frustration from Djokovic, who argued that there was still enough light to continue with the court open. Once play resumed indoors, he steadied himself, tightened his baseline patterns and moved ahead two sets to one.

Djokovic forced to dig deep

Djokovic looked set to close out the match in four when he broke early in the fourth set. But Auger-Aliassime, who had already shrugged off a series of errors, found renewed accuracy on serve and forehand. He broke back, forced another tiebreak and levelled the match with composed hitting under pressure.

The fifth set unfolded with both players holding serve consistently, neither able to create sustained scoreboard pressure. Rallies grew longer, tension increased and the looming tournament curfew added another layer of urgency. Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime traded heavy blows from the baseline, each producing clutch serving to stay level.

In the deciding tiebreak, Djokovic’s experience told. He managed the exchanges with cleaner patterns, drawing the Canadian into defensive positions and capitalising when Auger-Aliassime finally faltered. Djokovic closed out the match with a final surge, sealing a victory built on nerve management and endurance.

The Serbian looked like he had no energy left after the contest but his focus must immediately shift to preparing for the next round against the world No 1.

Defending champion tested

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner advanced to the semi-finals with a straight-sets win over Jan-Lennard Struff, beating the 36-year-old German 7-5 7-6 (4) 6-3. Struff, ranked 74 and making his first Grand Slam quarter-final, had already defeated Daniil Medvedev and come through three five-set matches to reach this stage.

Struff’s power and net presence troubled Sinner early. The Italian made 26 unforced errors and had to save a set point in the second set, relying on a fortunate mis-hit forehand that dropped inside the baseline to avoid falling behind. His serve helped him escape further danger at 5-4, and he steadied in the third set to close out the match.

Sinner said Struff “started better” and that he “was struggling a bit” in the opening stages. He highlighted improvements in his serving and mental focus as key to turning the match around. The defending champion expressed satisfaction at returning to the semi-finals and noted the difficulty of facing an opponent with Struff’s power and variety.

Rematch of last year’s final

Djokovic’s win sets up a semi-final against Sinner, who defeated him in last year’s Wimbledon final. Sinner enters as world No 1 and defending champion, while Djokovic continues his pursuit of a 25th major.

Both players arrive with contrasting quarter-final experiences: Sinner in straight sets, Djokovic after a five-set marathon. The semi-final promises a clash of styles and a test of Djokovic’s recovery after the longest quarter-final ever played at the Championships.

Former world no 1 falls in straight sets

Elsewhere, Naomi Osaka’s Wimbledon campaign ended in the quarter-finals with a straight-sets defeat to Karolina Muchova, who won 7-6 (4) 6-4. Osaka had reached the last eight at SW19 for the first time after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round, but Muchova’s consistency and experience at this stage proved decisive.

Muchova, a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, capitalised on key moments in both sets. Osaka, who has won the Australian Open and US Open twice each, remains without a Grand Slam title since 2021 following her lengthy break from the sport.

Gauff reaches first Wimbledon semi-final

The American overcomes serving issues to beat Pegula in three sets. Coco Gauff reached her first Wimbledon semi-final with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 win over fellow American Jessica Pegula. Gauff struggled early, serving six double faults in her first seven service games, but recovered with improved rhythm and seven aces across the final two sets.

The world No 7 had not previously gone beyond the last 16 at Wimbledon despite her breakout run as a 15-year-old in 2019. 

Featured image via the Canary