Djokovic survives record Wimbledon thriller as Sinner, Gauff and Muchova reach semi-finals

Novak Djokovic produced another late-night Wimbledon escape on Tuesday, beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set quarter-final that became the longest men’s quarter-final in Championships history.

Djokovic came through 7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (10-4) after five hours and 15 minutes, closing out the deciding match tie-break shortly before 11pm. It was not just long by this year’s standards: it was the longest Wimbledon quarter-final of the Open era, turning a place in the last four into another piece of Championships history for Djokovic. The win moved him into a 55th Grand Slam semi-final and kept alive his latest push for another title at the All England Club.

The result also sets up one of the biggest matches of the tournament so far: Djokovic against defending champion Jannik Sinner. The world No. 1 had earlier beaten Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3 on No. 1 Court, handling the German’s heavy serving and front-foot tennis without dropping a set.

Sinner’s route through the fortnight has grown steadier since his five-set scare in the first round, and his win over Struff was another composed step through a draw that is now into its sharpest stage. Djokovic, by contrast, had to survive a full physical and mental examination from Auger-Aliassime, who pushed him to a final-set shootout before the seven-time Wimbledon champion found the cleaner finish.

In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff reached her first Wimbledon singles semi-final by coming from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The all-American quarter-final had opened with Pegula in control, but Gauff lifted her level through the final two sets to extend her best run at SW19.

Gauff will face Karolina Muchova, who ended Naomi Osaka’s strongest Wimbledon campaign with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 win. Muchova, seeded 10th, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time and continued a run built on variety, timing and calm under pressure.

Alexander Zverev also completed his delayed fourth-round match against Jiri Lehecka, winning 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (6) after the match had been suspended on Monday night because of the Wimbledon curfew.

With Sinner and Djokovic now set to meet, and Gauff and Muchova both chasing a first Wimbledon final, the Championships have reached the stage where every remaining match carries title-level consequence.