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Benjamin Fuller

One year ago, on the lush lawns of Centre Court, a ruthless Jannik Sinner dispatched Novak Djokovic in a one-sided Wimbledon semi-final, prompting the Serbian to openly wonder if Father Time had finally caught up with him.
Fast forward to Friday, and the two heavyweights will collide in a last-four rematch at the All England Club.
Chasing a record 25th grand slam singles title, Djokovic, now 39, battled past Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday, surviving a gruelling, five-set marathon that lasted five hours and 15 minutes – the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history.
Friday’s match will be the third time in four years that Djokovic and Sinner have met at this stage, the older man the straight-sets winner in 2023.
Despite managing the physical toll of a 23-year professional career, Djokovic remains driven by the thrill of the hunt and brushed aside questions about the elusive landmark major title.

“These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for, for sure,” Djokovic said after overcoming Auger-Aliassime. “I wish it was the final so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow.
“It’s just another semi-final for me. I’m going to look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career. Right now it’s all business.”
In contrast, world No 1 Sinner, 24, has enjoyed a much smoother route to the final four. The defending champion suffered a minor scare in his opening round against Miomir Kecmanovic but has since advanced without dropping a set, beating Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 in his quarter-final.
Yet, the Italian has struggled to find his absolute peak form this season, and has yet to reach a major final. He suffered from severe dehydration and cramping in a five-set loss to Djokovic at the Australian Open in January, and was surprisingly beaten by Juan Manuel Cerundolo in round two of the French Open.
While Sinner holds a slim 6-5 career head-to-head advantage over Djokovic, he has won five of the past six encounters. A four-time grand slam champion, Sinner is fully aware, nonetheless, that past form counts for nothing when facing Djokovic on grass, a surface where the veteran boasts a staggering 107-13 record.
“With Novak, I feel like every match is different,” Sinner said. “Even when I had this small streak with him, I felt like every match really had its own story.
“Especially when you play on a surface like this – if you have a bad serving day or are not feeling the ball very well, it’s going to be very, very tough.”
British wild card Arthur Fery or No 2 seed Alexander Zverev will be waiting for the winner in Sunday’s showpiece. They play first on Centre Court.


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Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic holds off Father Time to face Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon semi-finals again

Eventual Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner shakes hands with Novak Djokovic after winning their semi-final match last year. Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history. Photo: TNS

Alexander Zverev unfazed by potential Wimbledon lion’s den for Arthur Fery clash

Alexander Zverev, here savouring his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz, is unfazed by the prospect of meeting home favourite Arthur Fery on Centre Court. Photo: Xinhua

Andy Murray celebrates after ending Great Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s Wimbledon champion in 2013. Photo: AFP

British wildcard Arthur Fery is standing in the way of Alexander Zverev and his first Wimbledon final. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa World Cup: Has Argentina’s chances of winning improved? Supercomputer says no

Lionel Messi and his Argentina side join three other European countries as the teams considered to have double-digit chances of winning the World Cup. Photo: AFP

Argentina struggled against tiny Cabo Verde in the round of 32 before winning 3-2. Photo: Xinhua

France’s Kylian Mbappe (middle) trains with his team, who are clear favourites. Photo: AP

Sport

Tennis

Friday’s match will be third time in four years the Serbian, who is chasing his 25th grand slam title, and the holder have met at this stage


Friday’s match will be third time in four years the Serbian, who is chasing his 25th grand slam title, and the holder have met at this stage.


Jannik Sinner

Novak Djokovic

Alexander Zverev

Novak Djokovic holds off Father Time to face Jannik Sinner in Wimbledon semi-finals again

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Friday’s match will be third time in four years the Serbian, who is chasing his 25th grand slam title, and the holder have met at this stage

Friday’s match will be third time in four years the Serbian, who is chasing his 25th grand slam title, and the holder have met at this stage