SEMI-FINAL AT WIMBLEDON: Novak Djokovic beats Andrey Rublev

When Novak Djokovic stepped on to Centre Court on Tuesday afternoon, he had not lost on its grass in just over 10 years; 43 consecutive matches, 3,655 days. That’s 13 consecutive pregnancies. It’s the average life span of a goat. It’s almost as long as Rafa Nadal takes between points. It is, frankly, absurd and one of the greatest achievements in sport.

Well, make that 3,656 days. Because, by the time the seven-time Wimbledon winner was returning the crowd’s applause and shaking the umpire’s hand, his record stood intact. He beat the No 7 seed, Andrey Rublev, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in an extremely high‑quality match of multiple extended rallies and showmanship.

Rublev won the first set, but Djokovic battled back for a four-set victory for a place in the semi-finals.

“I feel like he's playing better and better comparing our matches. I think today I was, for the first time, ready enough to play [a] good match against him,” The previous matches mentally I was not ready at all. Even the match that I beat him in Serbia, I was just lucky. I don't know, he was just not playing [well]. On top of that, he was tired in [the] end of the match. It's not because of my game or something.”

Rublev hadn’t won a set in his last two meetings with Djokovic and was under pressure on serve in the sixth game as he fended off three break points.

But just as it looked like Djokovic might assert control, it was Rublev who broke.

Djokovic slipped and hit into the net on deuce, and Rublev took his chance with a forehand winner.

It is quite remarkable that Djokovic still consistently manages to find some of the best tennis of his career at the age of 36 and he has solidified his place as the overwhelming favorite to win Wimbledon with each passing round.

All eyes were on Djokovic to see how the 23-time Grand Slam champion would respond, and the answer was an emphatic one as he stormed the second set 6-1. It was effectively one-way traffic from then on as Djokovic notched crucial breaks in the third and fourth sets to leave Rublev reeling.

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Sarah H

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