WIMBLEDON, UK — Novak Djokovic continues to chase records and he knows his opponents would love to hold him back.
“I know they would like to win. But that’s not going to happen,” Djokovic told the crowd Tuesday at Wimbledon after he equaled Roger Federer’s record by reaching the semifinals of a major tournament for the 46th time.
After hearing the strong reaction from the crowd, Djokovic laughed a little and said derisively, “Very humbled.”
He beat Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday, winning a 33rd straight game at the All England Club and one step closer to a fifth title in a row , and an eighth in all, on the legendary English lawn. Either way, he would tie two other Federer records.
“I think he keeps playing better and better,” Rublev said of Djokovic.
The 36-year-old Serbian is also on the hunt for a 24th Grand Slam title.
He has already set the mark on the men’s side by securing his 23rd major title last month at the French Open, moving ahead of Rafael Nadal. Federer is next on the list at 20.
Djokovic’s only misstep on center court on Tuesday came when seventh-seeded Rublev robbed him of his serve with a forehand winner to take the lead 5-4 in the first set, before clinching it. to the next game.
After that, Djokovic saved seven break points and flew away, taking the Russian’s career record in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament to 0-8.
“Whenever he has the slightest opening, he finds it. He finds them all,” insisted Rublev.
This is not entirely true. Djokovic didn’t take advantage of the three break points he got in the first set. After that? He was 5-for-9.
Djokovic will find in the semi-finals the eighth seed, Jannik Sinner, who will participate in the semifinals of a major tournament for the first time in his career after beating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 6- 2 and 6-2.
“It’s very important to me,” said Sinner. We’ve worked very hard — we’ve spent many, many hours training, and made many sacrifices — to get through this moment.”
Djokovic has won his two previous duels against Sinner, a 21-year-old Italian.
The other two quarter-finals of the men’s draw will be played on Wednesday. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will face Holger Rune, No. 6, while Daniil Medvedev, No. 3, will cross swords with Chris Eubanks.
Then on Friday, Sinner will be next in line to try to rein in Djokovic, who is two wins away from heading to the U.S. Open with the chance to become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the grand slam at the same time. year.
“As a tennis player, you want to be in that position where everyone wants to beat you on the court. The pressure comes with what we do. It is part of the sport. It never goes away, no matter how many major tournaments you win or how many games in a row you win or how many years you spend on the professional circuit,” Djokovic said.
“The pressure is paramount every time I step onto the court, especially here on center court at Wimbledon. But at the same time, she brings out the best emotions in me and she motivates me to go even further than I could have imagined. She inspires me to play my best tennis,” he concluded.
2023-07-12 00:16:29
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