LONDON: Just when Novak Djokovic's troubling year looked like hitting another low he salvaged his bid for a fourth successive Wimbledon title by coming back from two sets down to beat Italian Jannik Sinner in the last eight on Tuesday.
The Serbian top seed had looked in all kinds of trouble against the inspired 20-year-old after being outplayed for two sets but stormed back to win 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 and set up a clash with Britain's surprise semi-finalist Cameron Norrie.
In the end there was an air of inevitability about the outcome as the battle-hardened 35-year-old seized control to reach his 43rd Grand Slam semi-final and 11th at Wimbledon.
He also extended an unbeaten run at Wimbledon that goes back to 2017 and now stands at 26 matches.
Djokovic has not added to his 20 major titles this year after being deported before the Australian Open following a COVID-19 standoff and then losing to old adversary Rafa Nadal in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
He might even be barred from the U.S. Open over his decision to shun a COVID vaccine but kept alive the prospect of facing Spaniard Nadal in Sunday's Wimbledon final with a seventh career comeback from two sets down.
After taking the acclaim of the crowd on Centre Court, Djokovic explained how he had turned it around.
"The first two sets compared to the last three was like two different matches," Djokovic, who is now joint second all-time with Jimmy Connors on 83 Wimbledon match wins, said.
"He (Sinner) was the better player for two sets, then I went out and had a toilet break and had a little pep talk with myself in the mirror, it's actually true.
"I broke early in the third set and that gave me a confidence boost and I saw a little doubt in him."
DJOKOVIC ONSLAUGHT
Sinner, the 10th seed, looked primed for the biggest win of his career to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Matteo Berrettini who reached last year's showpiece match.
But he wilted under a Djokovic onslaught.
When Djokovic produced a miraculous winner on the slide to earn a break point for a double break in the seventh game of the fifth set, ending up on his belly in a superman pose, Sinner knew he was facing mission impossible.
The Italian belted a volley long on the next point and then Djokovic held to love to seal victory.
Sinner began his third Grand Slam quarter-final anxiously, losing the first seven points and then trailing 4-1.
But he then produced an astonishing level of tennis to give the world number three the run-around.
He sent a forehand whistling past an outstretched Djokovic to break serve at 5-5 and took the opener after a drop shot gave him a second set point.
Oozing confidence, Sinner dominated the second set as Djokovic seemed at a loss about how to keep the Italian at bay.
The Serbian's team, including wife Jelena and former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, looked pensive.
But they need not have worried as, after Djokovic's face-to-face in the mirror, their man came back in defiant mood.
A superb volley helped him break serve for a 3-1 lead in the third set and after shovelling up a drop shot to win a point at 30-30 in the next game, Djokovic conducted the fans' cheers.
Two Sinner double faults in the first game of the fourth set were a gift for Djokovic who raced into a 4-0 lead.
Sinner clenched his fist when he held serve at the start of the decider but Djokovic was relentless and once he got his nose in front he was unstoppable.
Reuters
Wed Jul 06 2022
![Tennis - Defiant Djokovic storms back to beat Sinner and reach semi-finals Tennis - Defiant Djokovic storms back to beat Sinner and reach semi-finals](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/41657082302_NovakDjokovic.jpg)
When Djokovic produced a miraculous winner on the slide to earn a break point for a double break in the seventh game of the fifth set, ending up on his belly in a superman pose, Sinner knew he was facing mission impossible. - REUTERS
![Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/51482503138_budaksekolahmotor.jpg)
Melaka tingkatkan penganjuran program advokasi, kurangkan isu sosial pelajar sekolah
Program Advokasi Kanak-Kanak dengan kerjasama JKM Melaka dianjur bagi mendidik ibu bapa dan pelajar tentang isu semasa melibatkan generasi muda.
![Fungsi JKDM tidak bertindih dengan JPKK, JPKKP Fungsi JKDM tidak bertindih dengan JPKK, JPKKP](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61684818102_RubiahWang.jpg)
Fungsi JKDM tidak bertindih dengan JPKK, JPKKP
JPKK dan JPKKP berperanan mengurus dan mentadbir sesuatu kampung manakala JKDM bertindak menyelaras program sosioekonomi dan keusahawanan.
![Pelanggan digesa terus berwaspada terhadap penipuan digital - ABM Pelanggan digesa terus berwaspada terhadap penipuan digital - ABM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61683697104_CyberAttack.jpg)
Pelanggan digesa terus berwaspada terhadap penipuan digital - ABM
ABM memberi amaran bahawa penipu biasanya menggunakan taktik 'kejuruteraan sosial' untuk memanipulasi pengguna.
![Malaysia, Thailand sasar dagangan dua hala cecah AS$30 bilion menjelang 2027 Malaysia, Thailand sasar dagangan dua hala cecah AS$30 bilion menjelang 2027](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720094373_Flag.jpg)
Malaysia, Thailand sasar dagangan dua hala cecah AS$30 bilion menjelang 2027
Harapan itu disuarakan susulan berlangsungnya Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Bersama Malaysia-Thailand (JTC) kali ketiga di Kuala Lumpur, pada Khamis.
![China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720107136_OrganizationSCOs.jpg)
China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS
Pengumuman dibuat dalam satu kenyataan bersama selepas pertemuan antara Presiden Xi Jinping dan Presiden Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
![Pasaran modal perlu perluas pembangunan bakat untuk sokong pengembangan industri - Lim Pasaran modal perlu perluas pembangunan bakat untuk sokong pengembangan industri - Lim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718092295_tbLimHuiYing.jpg)
Pasaran modal perlu perluas pembangunan bakat untuk sokong pengembangan industri - Lim
Pembangunan kemahiran dan kapasiti adalah penting bagi membina asas kukuh dan memperoleh keupayaan untuk mengubah pengetahuan kepada pertumbuhan.
IOC tolak khabar angin pembatalan Sukan Olimpik Paris
Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) menolak "khabar angin" mengenai pembatalan atau penangguhan Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 berikutan situasi politik di Perancis. IOC menyatakan ia adalah sebahagian daripada kempen maklumat palsu.
Warga London berharap tapi tidak optimis
Penduduk di London mempunyai pandangan dan jangkaan yang bercampur baur dengan sebilangan berasa optimistik dengan keputusan yang bakal diterima manakala yang lain mengatakan mereka tidak akan mengundi.
Parti Buruh diramalkan tewaskan Konservatif pimpinan Sunak
Tinjauan pendapat meletakkan parti Starmer di landasan untuk mendapatkan kemenangan besar tetapi juga mencadangkan ramai pengundi hanya mahukan perubahan selepas tempoh perbalahan dan pergolakan di bawah Konservatif
Enam ditahan kes rempuhan di utara India
Insiden itu berlaku pada Selasa (2 Julai) di kampung Phulrai Mughal Garhi, di daerah Hathras, di mana kira-kira 250,000 orang berkumpul untuk mendengar ceramah seorang pendakwah terkenal.
![Djokovic tewas peringkat separuh akhir Tenis Terbuka Australia Djokovic tewas peringkat separuh akhir Tenis Terbuka Australia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41706258986_TBAustralianOpen.jpg)
Djokovic tewas peringkat separuh akhir Tenis Terbuka Australia
Novak Djokovic tumpas kepada pemain Itali Jannik Sinner di peringkat separuh akhir kejohanan Terbuka Australia.
![Tenis Terbuka Australia: Djokovic berang provokasi 'sang pengecut'! Tenis Terbuka Australia: Djokovic berang provokasi 'sang pengecut'!](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71705562654_TBDjokovicjpg.jpg)
Tenis Terbuka Australia: Djokovic berang provokasi 'sang pengecut'!
Djokovic sedikit terusik dengan kata-kata nista yang seakan cuba untuk merapuhkan semangat berkobar-kobar juara 10 kali kejohanan itu.
![Piala Davis: Jannik Sinner bantu Itali julang kejuaraan pertama sejak 1976 Piala Davis: Jannik Sinner bantu Itali julang kejuaraan pertama sejak 1976](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/61701054010_TBSpainTennisDav.jpg)
Piala Davis: Jannik Sinner bantu Itali julang kejuaraan pertama sejak 1976
Pemain nombor empat dunia itu menewaskan Djokovic dan kemudiannya Alex De Minaur pada hari Ahad untuk meraih kemenangan 2-0.
![Djokovic menang jelajah akhir ATP ketujuh di Itali Djokovic menang jelajah akhir ATP ketujuh di Itali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/51700457555_NovakDjokovic.jpg)
Djokovic menang jelajah akhir ATP ketujuh di Itali
Novak Djokovic memenangi kejuaraan Jelajah Akhir ATP ketujuhnya dengan penuh bergaya, menewaskan pemain tuan rumah Jannik Sinner.
![Sensasi gelaran Grand Slam ke-24 Djokovic Sensasi gelaran Grand Slam ke-24 Djokovic](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51694399730_USOpenTennis.jpg)
Sensasi gelaran Grand Slam ke-24 Djokovic
Pemain Serbia itu menewaskan Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
![Tenis Terbuka AS: Daniil Medvedev kejutkan Carlos Alcaraz untuk ke final Tenis Terbuka AS: Daniil Medvedev kejutkan Carlos Alcaraz untuk ke final](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/81694243637_DaniilMedvedev.jpg)
Tenis Terbuka AS: Daniil Medvedev kejutkan Carlos Alcaraz untuk ke final
Daniil Medvedev mencipta kejutan dalam Kejohanan Tenis Terbuka Amerika Syarikat apabila menumbangkan juara bertahan Carlos Alcaraz.
![Terbuka AS: Novak Djokovic ke final singkir wakil muda tuan rumah Terbuka AS: Novak Djokovic ke final singkir wakil muda tuan rumah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41694227941_NovakDjokovic.jpg)
Terbuka AS: Novak Djokovic ke final singkir wakil muda tuan rumah
Djokovic hanya dibezakan satu lagi kemenangan untuk menjulang gelaran dalam kejohanan utama buat kali ke-24.
![Tenis Terbuka Amerika Syarikat: Djokovic masih berbisa Tenis Terbuka Amerika Syarikat: Djokovic masih berbisa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41693455553_TBNovakDjokovic.jpg)
Tenis Terbuka Amerika Syarikat: Djokovic masih berbisa
Pemain sensasi, Novak Djokovic berada dalam kelas tersendiri mara ke pusingan ketiga Terbuka Amerika Syarikat (AS).
![Terbuka AS: Djokovic catat kemenangan, teratas ranking dunia Terbuka AS: Djokovic catat kemenangan, teratas ranking dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71693312618_NovakDjokovicTenn.jpg)
Terbuka AS: Djokovic catat kemenangan, teratas ranking dunia
Novak Djokovic menewaskan Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 ketika kembali ke Terbuka AS pada Isnin malam sekali gus berada di kedudukan teratas ranking dunia.
![Kejohanan Wimbledon: Djokovic didenda gara-gara hempas raket ketika tewas aksi final Kejohanan Wimbledon: Djokovic didenda gara-gara hempas raket ketika tewas aksi final](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/81689652170_NovakDjokovic.jpg)
Kejohanan Wimbledon: Djokovic didenda gara-gara hempas raket ketika tewas aksi final
Novak Djokovic didenda sebanyak AS$8,000 (RM36,280) gara-gara menghempas raketnya ke tiang jaring sewaktu perlawanan final Kejohanan Tenis Wimbledon minggu lalu.