Djokovic defeats impressive Cobolli to reach 14th Wimbledon semi-final
The seven-time champion edged out Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4. He will take on world No 1 Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster semi-final on Friday
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon, 2025 © Chryslène Caillaud / Psnewz
Novak Djokovic moved one step closer to a history-defining 25th Grand Slam title by coming through against an excellent performance from Flavio Cobolli, overcoming the young Italian 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to return, once again, to the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
It is the Serb’s 14th appearance in the last four at SW19. By this point in his career, the numbers often cease to have much meaning anymore, such are the astronomical statistics that he has imprinted across every corner of this sport.
It will also be his 52nd Grand Slam semi-final, as the former world No 1 takes yet another step towards a record-breaking 25th major title.
But this contest was very much a story of two players – Cobolli more than played his part in a wonderful match. The Italian has announced himself to both casual British fans and to the wider tennis community as a superb young talent with a game tailor-made for grass-court tennis. He pushed Djokovic in four highly competitive sets with moments of some breathtaking shotmaking.
cobolli impresses in excellent display
The first set appeared to heading the Serb’s way as Cobolli was broken in the eighth game to leave Djokovic serving for the set at 5-3.
But the Italian struck back to love in the very next game before saving a set point on serve in the tenth to force an eventual tiebreak. Cobolli’s level in the breaker was remarkable as he stood toe-to-toe with one of the best tiebreak winners in history to move into a one-set lead.
A more comfortable second set went Djokovic’s way courtesy of two breaks without reply, before Cobolli wiped out an early break in the third to keep the match highly competitive.
A gripping end to that third set saw Djokovic break again in the eleventh game before serving out for a 2-1 advantage.
The final set was, again, very tight. It remained on serve until 4-4, when the 24-time Grand Slam champion made his move to strike a sixth and final break before serving out another fine win against younger opposition.
Despite a concerning moment in that final game when Djokovic appeared to injure himself after a nasty fall, the Serb was able to finish the match looking as sharp as he ever has to send Cobolli out of what has been a significant breakthrough tournament for the Italian.
jannik sinner awaits in seismic wimbledon semi-final
Djokovic was clearly impressed by what he had seen from the world No 24, as was evident in his post-match interview.
“First I have to say huge congratulations to Flavio for an amazing tournament and also a great battle today,” he said.
“I saw him play here and I knew he was playing well. He was serving at a really fast pace, going for his shots. He’s such a talented and skilful player, definitely one of the guys we will be seeing more in the future so I wish him all the best and his team.
“Wimbledon will always be the most special tournament we have in our sport, in my opinion and many other players’ opinions. It means the world to me that at 38 I am able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.”
Next up for the seven-time champion will be another mouth-watering inter-generational meeting with world No 1 Jannik Sinner in what is a truly compelling prospect.
If Djokovic is to clinch that elusive 25th major at what he himself has admitted is his best chance of doing so, then he will first need to knock out the world’s leading player.
Whichever way that match goes, it will likely define Djokovic’s final legacy in a sport across which he has conquered all.
