Novak Djokovic survived a gruelling five-set battle with Felix Auger-Aliassime to book a semi-final clash with reigning Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner, Yankee Scores reports.
It went the distance, all the way to a fifth-set tiebreak in the longest Wimbledon quarter-final ever.
Djokovic, who appeared agitated at times during the contest, needed a medical time out early on but scraped past the Canadian 7-6 (12-10) 3-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (10-4), per Skysports.
In the first set he grabbed his calf and called for the trainer. He failed to break serve but eventually won an extended tiebreak.
The Serbian then coughed up a break and Auger Aliassime snatched the second set from him. Djokovic complained about the roof being closed by the officials at the end of the second set, saying there was enough light for Centre Court to remain open.
He put that behind him to take a lead of two sets to one and then was a break up in the fourth set, on the brink of victory. But Auger-Aliassime battled back from errors to win the second of three tiebreaks and take the fourth set.
In the decider they stuck together as the tension ratcheted up to new extremes. Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime played brilliant points and met in a stunning final tiebreak with the tournament curfew approaching.
The Canadian finally cracked as an almost-exhausted Djokovic closed out the win, an amazing performance at the age of 39.
By the thinnest of margins his dream of a record 25th career Grand Slam title lives on.
