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Associated Press

Novak Djokovic hoped to be able to bring his best against Jannik Sinner after etching his name in the Wimbledon record books again.
The 38-year-old overcame the spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against Sinner on Friday.
Djokovic equalled Roger Federer’s mark of 13 men’s semi-finals at Wimbledon last year and now owns the record outright after recovering from a set down to see off Cobolli 6-7, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.
Next up, Djokovic can expect to face a lot more Italian might in the shape of world No 1 Sinner, who has beaten him four times in a row, including in the semi-finals at the Australian and French Opens.
If Djokovic can hope to end that run anywhere, it is surely on the lawns of the All England Club, where no one except Carlos Alcaraz has bested him since 2017.

No 2 Alcaraz, 22, will play No 5 Taylor Fritz, 27, in the other semi-final.
Alcaraz and Sinner – a pair Djokovic identified as “the leaders of [men’s] tennis today” – have combined to win the past six slam trophies in a row.
Djokovic suffered a nasty fall at match point against Cobolli, staying face down on the grass for several seconds before gingerly clambering to his feet and finishing off the job.
“I just try to focus on my recovery right now, getting my body in shape for a very physical battle,” he said.
“Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him for potentially five sets. It’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik. I know that.
“So that’s the only thing I’m thinking about right now: just getting myself physically and mentally in the right state so I can fight with him for as long as it’s necessary.
“It was a nasty fall. It was very awkward. That happens on the grass. I’ve had quite a few of those throughout my grass-court career.
“Obviously, the body is not the same today like it was before, so I guess the real impact or effect of what happened I will feel tomorrow. So let’s see.
“I’m hoping [over] the next 24, 48 hours that the severity of what was happening on the court and what happened is not too bad, that I’ll be able to play at my best and free of pain in two days.”

It was Cobolli’s first appearance in the last eight at a slam – just 62 short of his opponent – but he showed more than enough to indicate it will not be his last, never letting his head drop and wowing the Centre Court crowd with the power of his forehand.
“First I have to say congratulations to Flavio for an amazing tournament but also a great battle today,” said Djokovic.
“He played at a really high level. He’s such a talented and skilful player, definitely one of the guys that we’ll be seeing in the future much more.
“It means the world to me that I’m still able at 38 to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.”
Djokovic, who also becomes the oldest men’s semi-finalist since Ken Rosewall in 1974, has a good relationship with Cobolli, the young Italian even hitting with the Serbian’s 10-year-old son Stefan at the practice courts earlier this week.
Djokovic had beaten him easily in their only previous meeting in Shanghai last year, but Cobolli has been superb this fortnight, dropping only one set and two service games on his way to the last eight.
This was a big step up, though, given Cobolli had never beaten a top-10 player in a completed match before, let alone a 24-time grand slam champion.


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Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic says he will need ‘the best of me’ to beat Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon semi

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will face Italy’s Jannik Sinner in a semi-final at Wimbledon on Friday. Photo: AFP

Novak Djokovic fell at match point against Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Novak Djokovic (right) has a good relationship with young Italian Flavio Cobolli. Photo: Kyodo

Novak Djokovic, Sinner on collision course for blockbuster semi-final at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic arrives with his daughter Tara for a practice session at the All England Club in Wimbledon. Photo: DPA

Jannik Sinner faces a tricky tie against Grigor Dimitrov. Photo: DPA

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Sport

Tennis

The 38-year-old overcomes spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against another Italian on Friday


The 38-year-old overcomes spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against another Italian on Friday.


Novak Djokovic says he will need ‘the best of me’ to beat Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon semi

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 38-year-old overcomes spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against another Italian on Friday

The 38-year-old overcomes spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against another Italian on Friday