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On Saturday, former world number one Novak Djokovic stuns the reigning world number one Rafael Nadal to book a place in his fifth Wimbledon final. The 31-year old Serb got the better of his closest and oldest rival Nadal in an epic five-set match by 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11/9), 3-6, 10-8 on the Centre Court of All England Club.
This was also the second longest semi-final ever played at the prestigious tournament. The three-time Wimbledon champion will now face Kevin Anderson, the first South African in the final in 97 years, for the title after a 5-hour 15-minute marathon against Nadal.
A victory for Djokovic on Sunday will take his career slam tally to 13, four behind Nadal (17) and seven back from Roger Federer (20). This was the second epic semi-final on the trot at the All England Club after the gladiatorial contest between Kevin Anderson and John Isner which was played for a record 6 hours and 36 minutes to beat John Isner on Friday.
You and us both, @DjokerNole #Wimbledon #TakeOnHistory pic.twitter.com/Wuu3jii7BH
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2018
The matchup between Anderson and Isner set the record for the longest semi-final at the SW19 and became the second-longest singles match ever played at a grand slam event.
“It’s hard to pick the words. I’m just going through things, flashbacks to the last 15 months, everything I’ve been through to get here,” said world number 21 Djokovic, the lowest ranked finalist in 15 years.
“To win against the best player in the world, in one of the longest matches I ever played, I’m just overwhelmed.
“It’s very special. It really could have gone either way. It was clear very few things separated us.” Djokovic finished with 23 aces and 73 winners and triumphed despite only converting four of 19 break points.
“Novak Djokovic is in the #Wimbledon final again”
Welcome back, @DjokerNole… pic.twitter.com/rY37ARgsT9
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2018
“Until the last shot I didn’t know if I would win. These are matches you live for and work for,” he added.
Former world number one Djokovic will take a 5-1 career lead over eight-seed Anderson into the final. The South African won his only match against the Serb in 2008 while Djokovic has beaten him twice at Wimbledon.
“Hopefully we can first of all play!” an exhausted Djokovic said of his fellow marathon man. Anderson, who knocked out Federer in the quarter-finals, has been on court for 21 hours at the tournament.
“He had a day off which means a lot. I wish I could have one, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said.
“I’m in the final of Wimbledon. That’s an incredible achievement.” Djokovic had been in control on Friday, leading two sets to one when the match was halted due to the 11 pm (2200GMT) curfew.
(With Agency Inputs)
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