Djokovic outlasts Auger-Aliassime to reach Wimbledon semifinal
Novak Djokovic won a five-hour quarterfinal and will face Jannik Sinner, while Karolina Muchova set up a semifinal against Coco Gauff.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Novak Djokovic reached another Wimbledon semifinal after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set quarterfinal that AFP and Reuters reported was the longest in the tournament’s history. The result sends Djokovic into a Friday meeting with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, with a place in the final at stake.
Djokovic defeated the Canadian third seed 7-6 (12/10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (10/4) on Tuesday in a match that lasted five hours and 15 minutes. AFP and Reuters reported that Djokovic was injured in the opening set but continued through high heat at the All England Club.
Sinner had a shorter path to the last four, beating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets. Djokovic, 39, now has a day to recover before facing the defending champion.
Asked afterward how he got through the match, Djokovic said: “With a racquet and a lot of heart.” He said the final stages were tense and close, adding that those moments remain a reason he continues to play.
Djokovic is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title and a Wimbledon title that would draw him level with Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight. He has won five of his 11 matches against Sinner, including Wimbledon meetings in 2022 and 2023, according to AFP and Reuters.
Sinner beat Djokovic in the 2025 Wimbledon semifinals, before Djokovic won their Australian Open semifinal in January. Djokovic said he wished the upcoming meeting were the final, given the recovery challenge after Tuesday’s match.
The win also extended Djokovic’s statistical marks at Wimbledon and the majors. AFP and Reuters reported that he has reached a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semifinal and a 55th Grand Slam semifinal.
He is in the Wimbledon semifinals for an eighth straight appearance, moving past Federer for the longest men’s singles semifinal streak at the All England Club. Djokovic is also the second man in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon semifinals at age 39 or older, after Ken Rosewall in 1974.
Muchova sets up Gauff match
Karolina Muchova advanced to her first Wimbledon semifinal by beating Naomi Osaka 7-6 (4), 6-4, according to Reuters. The Czech player will next face Coco Gauff, who beat Jessica Pegula and, according to AFP and Reuters, has now reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Muchova and Osaka entered their quarterfinal level at 3-3 in career meetings. Reuters reported that both players produced 24 winners, but Muchova made 21 unforced errors to Osaka’s 42.
The match opened with four straight service breaks before Muchova found more control. She used slices, drop shots and net approaches to disrupt Osaka’s power, and said she tried to vary the pace when Osaka left the ball short.
Osaka, who had beaten top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round, said afterward that she lacked energy and could not push off properly with her legs. Muchova served out the match with an ace.
Muchova, the 10th seed, is seeking her first Grand Slam title after reaching the French Open final in 2023. She said Gauff is one of the best athletes in the sport and noted that their grass-court head-to-head starts level, although Gauff has won six of their seven tour meetings overall.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.