Day Nine at Wimbledon delivered the semi-final everyone had been waiting for, as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both booked their spots in the final four.
Sinner continued his title defence with a straight-sets win over Jan-Lennard Struff, but the German made him work harder than the scoreline suggests, bringing his usual first-strike grass-court tennis before the world number one found another gear when it mattered.
Djokovic had a much tougher route, surviving a five-hour-plus battle against Felix Auger-Aliassime that finished just minutes before the 11 pm curfew. The Canadian threw everything at him, but the Serb once again showed why he’s been almost impossible to put away throughout his career.
The match also featured the slightly strange decision to close the Centre Court roof at 7:40 pm despite both players apparently preferring to continue outdoors, adding more to the inconsistent approach to scheduling, conditions and wild card allocation this year.
Earlier in the day, Alexander Zverev returned to complete his suspended fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka, setting up a quarter-final clash with Taylor Fritz.
Full recap below.
Day Nine Wimbledon 2026 Quarter-Final Results
| Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner [1] | Jan-Lennard Struff | 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3 |
| Novak Djokovic [7] | Felix Auger-Aliassime [3] | 7-6(10), 3-6 6-3 4-7(4) 7-6(10-4) |
Key Match Recap
Jannik Sinner [1] def. Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3
Jannik Sinner moved into his third Wimbledon semi-final, seeing off Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets to keep his title defence alive.
The scoreline looks comfortable, but this was far from a routine afternoon for the world number one.
Struff hasn’t been much of a factor since his Madrid final run a few years back, but his game is tailor-made for grass: huge serving, heavy forehands, taking returns early and constantly looking to move forward.
The German has never been someone who needs rhythm to play well, and for large parts of the opening two sets, he prevented Sinner from settling into his usual baseline patterns.
Sinner found the late break to steal the opener, and although he let an early break advantage slip in the second, he saved a set point at 4-5 with some clutch serving before raising his level in the tie-break.
Once he moved two sets clear, the third was more of a formality. Struff’s first-serve percentage dropped, the free points dried up, and I don’t think he really had the belief he could win in fice sets as Sinner started controlling more of the baseline exchanges.
The numbers show it was closer than the scoreline suggests:
Sinner: 16 aces, 32 winners, 26 unforced errors, 84% first-serve points won
Struff: 12 aces, 28 winners, 38 unforced errors, 80% first-serve points won
The second set could have ended in a different way. Tie-breaks are always 50/50. If you are one set all or two sets up, it’s a big [difference]. So in the third set, I was a little bit more relaxed, for sure. His percentage of first serves dropped a little bit, which helped me feel slightly more comfortable. I’m very happy to finish in three sets, but he’s a very tough player to play against. So I’m pleased. Sinner in his on court interview.
Struff actually did a lot right, and I think he’s fun to watch. He attacked the net well, kept points short and forced Sinner to come up with answers.
But 38 unforced errors against Sinner is always going to be a problem against the player with the best hold game on tour, and while Jannik hasn’t looked imperious, he’s now won 12 consecutive sets since his first-round wobble against Kecmanovic.
Match Stats
| Stat | Jannik Sinner | Jan-Lennard Struff |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | 32 | 28 |
| Unforced Errors | 26 | 38 |
| Aces | 16 | 12 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 3 |
| 1st Serve % | 65% (70/108) | 50% (50/101) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 84% (59/70) | 80% (40/50) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 50% (19/38) | 49% (25/51) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (1/2) | 67% (6/9) |
| Service Games | 94% (16/17) | 81% (13/16) |
| Average 1st serve speed | 200 km/h | 212 km/h |
| Average 2nd serve speed | 164 km/h | 165 km/h |
| 1st Return Points Won | 20% (10/50) | 16% (11/70) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 51% (26/51) | 50% (19/38) |
| Break Points Won | 33% (3/9) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return Games | 19% (3/16) | 6% (1/17) |
| Pressure Points | 36% (4/11) | 64% (7/11) |
| Service Points | 72% (78/108) | 64% (65/101) |
| Return Points | 36% (36/101) | 28% (30/108) |
| Net Points | 59% (10/17) | 71% (27/38) |
| Total Points | 55% (114/209) | 45% (95/209) |
| Max Points In A Row | 7 | 5 |
| Distance covered | 1,663 m | 1,656 m |
| Service Games | 94% (16/17) | 81% (13/16) |
| Return Games | 19% (3/16) | 6% (1/17) |
| Total Games | 58% (19/33) | 42% (14/33) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 2 |
Highlights
Novak Djokovic [7] def. Felix Auger-Aliassime [3] 7-6(10), 3-6 6-3 4-7(4) 7-6(10-4)
Novak Djokovic booked yet another Wimbledon semi-final, surviving a five-set battle against Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up a blockbuster clash with Jannik Sinner.
At 39 years old, Djokovic continues to defy logic, and while this was far from a vintage performance, it was another example of his ability to navigate the biggest moments better than anyone.
Auger-Aliassime came in with the bigger weapons, and for much of the match, he was able to dictate with his serve and forehand, but Djokovic did what he has done for nearly two decades: absorb, adjust, and find solutions.
The opening set proved crucial. Djokovic appeared to tweak his calf at 4-4 and needed treatment, but he managed the situation calmly.
Both players had chances in a marathon tie-break, with FAA holding set points of his own, but Djokovic escaped 12-10 after a couple of nervy moments from the Canadian, especially a wild drive volley on set point.
Auger-Aliassime responded well, breaking late in the second set to level the match, and after Djokovic regained control in the third and went up a break in the fourth, it looked like the finish line was approaching.
However, Felix deserves credit. He didn’t fold, started landing more first serves and unleashed the forehand to force a deciding set.
Once it reached the final-set tie-break, though, Novak’s legendary tie-break experience took over.
Djokovic tightened things up, stuck to a set plan. Felix blinked first, and the Serb closed out another ridiculous five-set victory just six minutes before the 11 pm curfew after 5 hours and 15 minutes of play.
The stats were incredibly close:
Djokovic: 14 aces, 43 winners, 47 unforced errors, 189 points won
Auger-Aliassime: 29 aces, 74 winners, 61 unforced errors, 185 points won
With a racquet and a lot of heart and management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. 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. Novak on his win.
I find him incredibly dull, but fair play to Felix, as he played one of the better Slam matches of his career, and the difference was the usual small margins: Djokovic saved 11 of 13 break points, returned better when it mattered, and just played better in the big moments.
The win gives Djokovic a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semi-final and keeps alive his bid for an eighth title at SW19.
He’ll need to recover quickly, though. Between the five-hour battle, the calf issue and Jannik Sinner waiting next, the difficulty level is going up 📈
Match Stats
| Key Stats | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Novak Djokovic |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | 74 | 43 |
| Unforced Errors | 61 | 47 |
| Aces | 29 | 14 |
| Double Faults | 5 | 6 |
| 1st Serve % | 67% (133/199) | 73% (128/175) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 79% (105/133) | 73% (94/128) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 43% (29/67) | 64% (30/47) |
| Break Points Saved | 85% (11/13) | 50% (2/4) |
| Service Games | 93% (25/27) | 93% (25/27) |
| Average 1st serve speed | 201 km/h | 191 km/h |
| Average 2nd serve speed | 165 km/h | 164 km/h |
| 1st Return Points Won | 27% (34/128) | 21% (28/133) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 36% (17/47) | 57% (38/67) |
| Break Points Won | 50% (2/4) | 15% (2/13) |
| Return Games | 7% (2/27) | 7% (2/27) |
| Pressure Points | 76% (13/17) | 24% (4/17) |
| Service Points | 67% (134/199) | 71% (124/175) |
| Return Points | 29% (51/175) | 33% (65/199) |
| Net Points | 67% (35/52) | 67% (20/30) |
| Total Points | 49% (185/374) | 51% (189/374) |
| Max Points In A Row | 6 | 9 |
| Distance covered | 4,015 m | 3,548 m |
| Games Won | Auger-Aliassime | Djokovic |
| Service Games | 93% (25/27) | 93% (25/27) |
| Return Games | 7% (2/27) | 7% (2/27) |
| Total Games | 50% (27/54) | 50% (27/54) |
| Max Games In A Row | 3 | 3 |
Highlights
Soon,
Yesterday’s Suspended Match: Alexander Zverev [2] def. Jiri Lehecka [13] 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(6)
Alexander Zverev completed a two-day victory over Jiri Lehecka to reach the quarter-finals at SW19 for the first time.
The German resumed on Tuesday with a two-set lead and the match seemingly under control, but overnight suspensions can change things, and Lehecka came out swinging.
The Czech immediately raised his level, winning 12 of 13 points to take the third set as Zverev struggled to rediscover the rhythm he had built the previous evening.
However, the second seed steadied himself in the fourth, and when his serve is firing, he is a real handful.
Lehecka continued to push, but Zverev won 27 of 31 first-serve points in the fourth set and eventually got over the line in a tense tie-break, despite failing to convert his first three match points.
The numbers were close, but Zverev was stronger in the bigger moments:
Zverev: 12 aces, 39 winners, 82% first serve points won
Lehecka: 14 aces, 47 winners, 25 unforced errors
Zverev saved seven of eight break points and won both of the tight sets on Monday evening, which ultimately proved decisive.
Next up is Taylor Fritz, who has become something of a nightmare matchup for him recently. The American has won their last seven meetings, and given how cleanly he struck the ball against Bublik, Zverev will need to find another gear if he wants to make his first Wimbledon semi-final.
Highlights
Wimbledon 2026 Day 10 Quarter-Final Matches
- Flavio Cobolli [9] vs Arthur Fery [WC]
- Taylor Fritz [6] vs Alexander Zverev [2]