Djokovic reaches record 15th Wimbledon semifinal, sets up Sinner rematch

Novak Djokovic hits a return during the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Roman Safiullin of Russia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Britain, on July 5, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

Novak Djokovic advanced to the Wimbledon men's singles semifinals for a record-extending 15th time on Tuesday after outlasting Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) in a gripping five-set quarterfinal.

The marathon contest lasted five hours and 15 minutes, making it the longest men's singles quarterfinal in Wimbledon history. Djokovic overcame a calf issue that required treatment in the opening set and recovered after surrendering a break advantage in the fourth before sealing victory just six minutes before the tournament's 11 p.m. curfew.

"I won that match with a racquet and a lot of heart," Djokovic said after the match. "I had to do a lot of nerve management and deal with the extreme tension."

"Towards the end, it was really anybody's game. These are the kind of moments I still play tennis for. It certainly carries more significance when I win matches like that. It was honestly one of the best matches I've been a part of on this court in my career," he added.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner also booked his place in the last four with a composed 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.

The defending champion said he felt physically comfortable despite the hot conditions after making adjustments following his French Open disappointment.

Djokovic and Sinner will now meet in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon semifinal, in which the Italian defeated the Serbian in straight sets before going on to lift the title.

Elsewhere, Germany's Alexander Zverev defeated Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(6) to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in his career and will next face American Taylor Fritz.

In the women's draw, Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and reach her first Wimbledon semifinal. She will face Czech Karolina Muchova, who defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka 7-6(4), 6-4 to advance to the last four.