Sinner Shines, Sending Djokovic into Shadows at Wimbledon

In the fading light of an idyllic Friday evening at Wimbledon, the sun set on Novak Djokovic’s title hopes.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner ended Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th major title on Friday, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, to become the third active player to reach back-to-back Wimbledon finals.

He will bid for the crown on Sunday against Alexander Zverev, who defeated British wild card Arthur Fery, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4.

“Amazing,” Sinner said. “It means a lot that I can play one more final here.”

The Italian took time to praise Djokovic moments after the seven-time champion had left Centre Court to a standing ovation.

“Of course playing against Novak, what he is still showing is true inspiration, not only for you guys but also for the new generation. What he’s still doing is amazing.”

In the pair’s 12th career meeting, it was all Sinner from start to finish.

The World No.1 was ruthless behind his serve, not facing a break point until he led by two sets and a break, as he produced arguably his best performance of the tournament.

At a critical juncture on the second set, Sinner used his variety to break open the match. With Djokovic shading to his forehand side and preparing for a heavy blast from the Italian, Sinner perfectly disguised a drop shot into the opposite side of the forecourt for the critical break.

Into his seventh major final and bidding for a fifth Grand Slam title, Sinner has yet to lift a major trophy in 2026. He was stopped by Djokovic in an epic Australian Open semifinal, then watched his 30-match winning streak come to a stunning end at Roland Garros when Juan Manuel Cerundolo upset him in the second round.

Though he found himself trailing two sets to one in his opening-round match at Wimbledon, the 24-year-old has gathered momentum ever since.

Sinner has now won his last 17 sets at Wimbledon and will carry a nine-match winning streak into Sunday’s final against this year’s Roland Garros champion, Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic, who spent five hours and 15 minutes on court in his quarterfinal victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, showed his trademark resilience early in the contest, but he simply could not live with Sinner’s firepower.

The Serbian, bidding to become the oldest Wimbledon finalist since Ken Rosewall in 1974, struggled behind his second serve as Sinner relentlessly attacked, winning 66 percent of the points played on Djokovic’s second serve while generating 13 break points and converting one in each set.

He encountered no such problems on his own delivery.

Sinner blasted 16 aces and surrendered just 17 service points during the two-hour, 20-minute contest. It was a suffocating display, as he saved the lone break point he faced, won 17 of 20 points at the net and struck 40 winners to Djokovic’s 26.

More to follow…