Nole produced an astonishing performance to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history, earning dramatic win just six minutes before 23:00 curfew.
World no.8 and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic moved within two victories of winning his eighth Wimbledon title on Tuesday, after producing a magnificent quarter-final triumph over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Serbian star pulled through some difficult moments during the five set battle to wrap up a 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (10-4) win and reach The Championships semi-finals for the 15th time.
The match lasted five hours and 15 minutes.
The opening set was full of excitement, with the first big moment coming at 4-4 when Novak appeared to feel pain in his calf. The Serbian called for a medical timeout while leading 5-4 but quickly returned to the match. At 5-4, 15/40 on Auger-Aliassime’s serve, Djokovic earned two set points, but the Canadian managed to save them both. A thrilling tie-break followed, with both players holding three set points. At 10-9, Djokovic also had a bit of luck as his forehand clipped the line, forcing an error from his opponent. On the very next point, Novak wrapped up the opening set after Auger-Aliassime sent a forehand volley long.
Auger-Aliassime responded strongly in the second set by breaking Nole’s serve for the first time in the eighth game. At 4-3, 30/40, Novak hit a double fault to hand the Canadian the break. Auger-Aliassime then stayed calm under pressure, saving two break points – including one with a brilliant backhand winner after Djokovic’s lob – before sealing the set with another of his 20 aces.
Before the start of the third set, the Centre Court roof was closed, a change that seemed likely to suit Auger-Aliassime, who has won most of his ATP titles indoors. Instead, it was Djokovic who raised his level, played more aggressively and took control of the match. The world no.8 increased the pace, stayed fully focused and hit his forehand with much more speed than in the second set, which helped him move in front.
However, even after falling 2-0 behind in the fourth set, when it looked like Djokovic was on his way to victory, Auger-Aliassime refused to give up. The Canadian started serving better, unleashed powerful forehands and fought back to force a deciding fifth set in front of an enthusiastic Centre Court crowd.
In the deciding 10-point tie-break, Djokovic once again raised his level when it mattered most and sealed a memorable victory in one of the best matches of this year’s Wimbledon.
“Towards the end it was anyone’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. I think it was anyone’s game in the super tie-break in the fifth. These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for,” Djokovic said. “I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth but they didn’t want to listen and I am glad they stayed. It was honestly one of the best matches I have been part of on this court in my career.”
Statistics: aces (14-29), double faults (6-5), winners (43-74), unforced errors (47-61), total points won (189-185).
Novak will take on world no.1 Jannik Sinner in the last four clash on Friday.
Fotografija: Profimedia