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There is a long shadow over the Wimbledon Central and it is that of Novak Djokovic. Jannik Sinner knows it well: the two have already faced each other three times on the London lawns in the last four years, with the blue capable of imposing himself only once, just twelve months ago, on the path that led him to his first historic triumph at the Championships.
Tomorrow the two will face each other again for a place in Sunday’s final. There is another page of history up for grabs: Sinner is chasing his fifth career Slam, Djokovic his 25th, his first after his success at the 2023 US Open.
The precedents and the numbers in service
The result of the direct clashes smiles on the world number one, ahead 6-5 and winner of five of the last six matches. The South Tyrolean arrives at the event with impressive service statistics: 63% of first serves, an even 85% of points won with first serves and already 97 aces scored in the tournament.
«We worked a lot on it – explained Sinner -. It’s not a question of power, but of finding the right serve at the right time.”
Djokovic, however, remains a special opponent. The Serbian responded to his first opponents in 68% of cases in the first five rounds and knows how to manage big events. «Jannik is an extraordinary and complete player – said the former world number one -. I prefer not to think about him and concentrate on myself.”
The blue, for his part, does not go too far: «With Novak every match is a story in itself. I’m happy to be in the semi-finals again and to be able to fight for every point.”
The memory of Djokovic and the free-to-air semifinal
The Serbian, who in this edition surpassed Roger Federer in terms of number of matches won at Wimbledon (106 against 105), while remaining behind the Swiss in terms of titles (eight against seven), recalled his first training sessions with Sinner.
«He was 13 years old and already hit the ball incredibly well. The work done with his team was exceptional: service, movements, precision.”
The semi-final between Sinner and Djokovic, which will also be broadcast free-to-air on TV8, will be played as the second match of the day, allowing the two protagonists to benefit from a few more hours of rest and avoid the higher temperatures.
Zverev-Fery and the women’s final
In the other semi-final of the men’s draw, scheduled from 1.30pm London time, Alexander Zverev and the home surprise Arthur Fery will compete. The German, refreshed by his recent success at Roland Garros, has reached the Wimbledon semi-final for the first time.
“Maybe it’s a surprise to see Arthur at this point in the tournament, but he deserves this result,” said Zverev, aware that he will also have to face the support of the British public.
In the women’s draw, however, the first finalist has already been defined. This is the Czech Karolina Muchova, who overcame Coco Gauff at the end of a marathon with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (10), also canceling a match point. For Muchova it is the second Slam final of her career after the one she reached at Roland Garros in 2023. She now awaits the winner of the match between Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova.