Time Marches On. So Does Djokovic at Wimbledon

Time marches on at the Grand Slams. An ever-changing cast of characters fills the space left by ancient warriors who’ve finally hung up their racquets.

And then there is Novak Djokovic. At 39, more than two decades after his Wimbledon debut, the Serbian icon continues to chug along, writing fresh chapters into the sport’s annals with stunning regularity.

He did it again today, producing yet another epic victory over third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime, 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), in five hours and 15 minutes to book a semifinal clash with defending champion Jannik Sinner on Friday.

“What can I say? These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for,” he said after the match, which ended just before the 11 p.m. Wimbledon curfew.

Djokovic, who broke Roger Federer’s record for men’s singles match wins at Wimbledon earlier in the tournament, is now two victories from tying the Swiss for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles in history. He took control of a contest that had been tense and dramatic through two sets, running away with the third before settling in for two more hours of trench warfare with the Canadian, a battle that ultimately ended in his third career 10-point match tiebreak at the majors (he has won all three).

At 39 years, 51 days, Djokovic becomes just the second player in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles semifinals at age 39 or older, joining Ken Rosewall, who reached the semifinals here in 1974 at 39 years, 246 days.

He reaches his fifth Wimbledon semifinal since turning 35 and extends his Open Era record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles semifinals reached after age 35. No other player has done it more than twice.

Auger-Aliassime, playing in his second Wimbledon quarterfinal, is known as one of the best indoor players in men’s tennis, but it was Djokovic who dominated under the roof—at least in the third set. He converted his first break of the match—on his ninth break-point opportunity—to lead 4-2 and produced two uncomplicated service holds to take the set at the three-hour, three-minute mark.

After dropping serve in the opening game of the fourth set, a frustrated Auger-Aliassime slammed his racquet into his equipment bag—a sign of the constant pressure he found himself under.

“He’s playing video games right now,” Andy Roddick said at that moment.

“He’s a marvel to watch, he really is,” chimed in John McEnroe.

Auger-Aliassime, bidding to equal the Canadian record for most Grand Slam singles semifinal appearances, currently held by Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic, wasn’t done pushing. He had won 81 percent of his first-serve points in the opening set and held three set points but couldn’t convert.

In the second, he was even better, winning 90 percent of his first-serve points as he claimed the set with a late break. But he won just 67 percent of his first-serve points in the third and claimed only five of 14 second-serve points.

In the fourth, the Canadian redoubled his efforts, powering his serve down the T with great effect. He eventually recovered the break and took control of the tiebreak to force a fifth set.

The Montreal native saved three break points in the deciding set, and both players held serve throughout as they marched to a deciding match tiebreak.

That was Djokovic’s time to shine.

He won seven of the final nine points to clinch the epic victory.

Djokovic reaches a record eighth consecutive Wimbledon semifinal, extending the longest streak of men’s singles semifinal appearances in tournament history.

“That’s great, but it’s just another semifinal for me,” Djokovic said when informed of the milestone. “I’m gonna look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career. Right now, it’s all business. I still have to recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days’ time.”

He is now 11-2 in five-set matches at Wimbledon and owns 45 career Top-5 victories at the majors.

Auger-Aliassime, who also lost in the Roland Garros quarterfinals, was a picture of dejection after the match. His spirits, however, should be lifted by the tremendous ovation he received from the Centre Court crowd as he departed.

“Towards the end it was really anybody’s game,” Djokovic said. “I think the scoreline was pretty much even all the way through. It was really anybody’s game in the fifth-set match tiebreak.

“What can I say? These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for.”