Jannik Sinner delivered a stunning performance to defeat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday, winning 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a match that showcased the Italian's power and precision. The victory ended Djokovic's 34-match winning streak at the All England Club, where he had not lost since 2017.
Sinner's aggressive game plan
Sinner, seeded eighth, dictated play from the baseline with heavy groundstrokes that pushed Djokovic onto the defensive. He broke Djokovic's serve in the fourth game of the first set, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors from the Serbian. The Italian won 82% of his first-serve points and fired 12 aces, keeping Djokovic off balance throughout the match.
According to match statistics, Sinner hit 45 winners to Djokovic's 28, while committing only 18 unforced errors. The 24-year-old also excelled at the net, winning 11 of 14 net points. Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, struggled to find his rhythm, particularly on the return, where he won just 33% of points on Sinner's first serve.
Djokovic's struggles
Djokovic, who had been chasing a record eighth Wimbledon title, appeared frustrated by Sinner's relentless pace. The 37-year-old dropped his serve twice in the second set, allowing Sinner to take a commanding two-set lead. In the third set, Djokovic fought off three break points in the seventh game, but could not force a tiebreak, which Sinner dominated 7-5.
“I just tried to stay aggressive and focused on my game,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “Novak is a champion, so you have to play your best tennis to beat him. I am very happy with how I handled the pressure.”
Looking ahead to the final
Sinner will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final, seeking his first Wimbledon title. The Italian has now won 14 of his last 15 matches on grass, including a title at Halle earlier this month. Djokovic, meanwhile, will drop to No. 3 in the world rankings after the tournament, his lowest position since 2018.
