It will be Djokovic and Gasquet in the semis after the Frenchman prevails 11-9 in the fifth. That’s all for now. Thanks for following along with us!
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Djokovic is still awaiting an opponent in Friday’s semi-final. Moments ago on No1 Court, Richard Gasquet was serving for the match and two points from victory when Stan Wawrinka held strong for the break. They’re currently on serve in the fifth set with Wawrinka serving at 4-5.
Incredibly, Djokovic has now reached the semi-final stage at 20 of the last 21 major tournaments. Here’s a look at the nitty gritty.
Rare air for Novak. Djokovic’s 27th appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final is more than any men’s player in the Open era save for Federer (37, as of today), Jimmy Connors (31) and Ivan Lendl (28).
Only Connors (11), Federer (10), Boris Becker (nine), John McEnroe and Pete Sampras (eight apiece) have made more Wimbledon semi-final appearances than Djokovic’s seven.
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What a performance by Djokovic, who didn’t face a break point in earning passage to his seventh Wimbledon semi-final. He’s not lost before the semis at Wimbledon since 2009, when he bowed to Tommy Haas in the last eight.
“A very solid performance after a very tough five-set fourth-round match against Kevin,” Djokovic says in the tunnel. “Didn’t know how my body was going to feel. I was confident and hoping I was going to play well and that’s what I’ve done.”
Novak Djokovic wins 6-4, 6-4, 6-4!
Third set: Djokovic 6-4 Cilic
Cilic with a wonderful touch volley, but Djokovic retrieves it and delivers an easy winner down the line. Powerful angled forehand winner moves Djokovic within two points of the match. Framed return by Cilic sprayed wide gives Djokovic triple match point for a spot in the semis. Cilic saves the first with a passing shot to make it 40-15, but he sends a forehand way long and Djokovic prevails.
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Third set: *Djokovic 5-4 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Backhand return winner by Djokovic on a Cilic second serve makes it 0-15, then a brilliantly placed forehand winner into the corner moves him to within two points of the break and the match. Cilic serves into the body and jams Djokovic, who errs to move it to 15-30. Cilic forces Djokovic into two more errors and brings it to 40-30, then Djokovic hits a forehand long to give Cilic the hold. He’ll serve for the match after the chnageover.
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Third set: Djokovic 5-3 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
At 15-0, Djokovic flummoxes Cilic with a high overhand volley. Another error by the forlorn Cilic makes it 40-0. He then pushes a forehand well beyond the baseline and Djokovic holds at love to move within a game of the semi-finals.
Djokovic breaks!
Third set: *Djokovic 4-3 Cilic (*denotes next server)
A pair of quick errors and Cilic finds himself in a 0-30 hole. The crowd buzzes, knowing this could prove decisive. A wildly mishit volley makes it 0-40 and gives Djokovic three break points. A 93mph second serve manages to move Djokovic far wide and Cilic wins the point on a forehand into the corner, but another mishit from the baseline gives Djokovic the critical break of serve.
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Third set: Djokovic 3-3 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Service winner by Djokovic, but he overcooks a backhand on the following point for make it 15-15. Another service winner off a 123mph offering down the middle followed by a Cilic unforced error make it 40-15, but a pair of Djokovic errors brings it to deuce – a situation he’s not see often during his service games today. Djokovic comes forward and Cilic attempts to pass, but a brilliantly struck volley into the corner gives Djokovic a game point. Cilic error seals the hold for Djokovic and they’re still on serve.
Third set: *Djokovic 2-3 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Two quick errors from Djokovic to give Cilic a 30-0 lead. Then Cilic with a drop shot that falls just short, but he makes it 40-15 with a nicely struck backhand winner on the run. Another Djokovic error gives Cilic another easy hold.
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Third set: Djokovic 2-2 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Three quick points for Djokovic capped by a blistering cross-court backhand winner. Another hold at love. Shadows lengthening over Centre Court but the sun is out.
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Third set: *Djokovic 1-2 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Wonderful hitting from Cilic here, who moves ahead 40-0 with a trio of winners. He caps the hold at love with a backhand winner down the line.
Third set: Djokovic 1-1 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
High-quality backhand pass from Cilic puts Djokovic in a quick 0-15 hole, but he deposits a forehand winner into the corner to make it 15-15. Service winner followed by a 121mph ace (which strikes a linesperson squarely on the arm) makes it 40-15, followed by a winner to secure the hold.
Third set: *Djokovic 0-1 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Well-struck inside-out forehand winner by Cilic paints the line to give him a 15-0 edge, but Djokovic responds by returning a Cilic drop shot for an easy pass. Cilic’s 16th unforced error of the match makes it 15-30, but he responds with a 122mph ace to level the score. Service winner sets up game point, then Djokovic frames a forehand from the baseline to give Cilic the game.
Djokovic wins second set!
Second set: Djokovic 6-4 Cilic
Encouraging start for Cilic with a return winner, but Djokovic with a service winner on the following point to make it 15-15. Djokovic forced into an error on the forehand side when he misses the line wide, bringing it to 15-30. But he levels the score with a serve that Cilic can’t return, then hits a clean forehand winner to give him set point at 40-30. Mid-length rally ends when Cilic nets a forehand from the baseline. Cilic will need to make a fifth career comeback from two sets down if he’s to extend his Wimbledon run. Perhaps even more damningly, William and Kate are just now leaving the Royal Box.
Djokovic breaks!
Second set: *Djokovic 5-4 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Mishit backhand from the baseline puts Cilic in a 0-15 hole. They trade backhands from the baseline before Djokovic turns to his forehand side and hits a flat shot that nicks the netcord and drops in for a winner. Unlucky. Danger zone for Cilic at 4-4, 0-30. A critical unforced error by Cilic makes it 0-40 and sets up triple break point. Feels like the entire match could hang in the balance here. Cilic saves the first with a booming 124mph ace, but he puts a backhand into the net after a lengthy rally on the next point to give Djokovic a break that could prove fatal. He’ll serve for a commanding two-sets-to-none lead after the changeover.
Second set: Djokovic 4-4 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Well-disguised drop-shot winner by Djokovic, followed by a forehand winner to make it 30-0. Service winner sets up three game points. He nets a forehand on the first and a backhand on the second to make it 40-30, but a Cilic error gives him the game.
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Second set: *Djokovic 3-4 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Service winner by Cilic, but Djokovic levels it at 15-15 when Cilic nets a volley. Consecutive aces of 131mph and 129mph make it 40-15, then closes it out with a winner. They’re still on serve in the second.
Second set: Djokovic 3-3 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Another clinical hold at love. Djokovic simply dominant on his serve.
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Second set: *Djokovic 2-3 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Another error by Cilic puts him in a quick 0-15 hole. Djokovic with the sudden net approach and nearly wins the point with a backhand volley that just misses the line: 15-15. Another backhand volley by Djokovic, but this time Cilic is there in time and responds with a forehand winner down the line struck with furious pace. Cilic slices a forehand return from Djokovic into the net and it’s 30-30. More pressure on the Croat. Another mistake by Djokovic on the backhand side makes it 40-30, and Cilic gets the hold when Djokovic puts another shot into the net.
Second set: Djokovic 2-2 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Cilic passed again on a premature net approach, then Djokovic delivers an eye-popping forehand winner down the line. Cillic with a pair of unforced errors and Djokovic has the hold at love in the blink of an eye.
Second set: *Djokovic 1-2 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Exquisitely struck backhand volley winner on the run by Cilic, but Djokovic next catches the Croat off balance to level it at 15-15. Cilic sets up Djokovic with a booming serve then rushes the net to close the point with a forehand volley, but Djokovic makes it 30-30 when Cilic hastily approaches the net and the world No1 easily passes him. Powerful backhand winner down the line by Cilic makes it 40-30, while Djokovic misses a cross-court backhand on the run to hand Cilic the hold.
Second set: Djokovic 1-1 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Cilic hammers back a Djokovic second serve and puts the Serb on the run, but Cilic attempts a backhand drop-shot winner and winds up dumping it into the net. A Djokovic winner makes it 30-0, but Cilic responds with a pair of points on a backhand winner and Djokovic unforced error to make it 30-30. Could this be the chance he needs? It’s not to be: Djokovic with a winner to make it 40-30, then a 118mph ace to close out the hold.
Second set: *Djokovic 0-1 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Half-volley winner on a well-timed net approach by Cilic, who’s now won 90% of net points (9 of 10) today. At 30-15, Djokovic nets a forehand to give Cilic a game point. Djokovic brings it to deuce with a Cilic error and a forehand winner, putting further pressure on the Croat. Djokovic pushes a forehand long, looking up to Boris Becker in his box to determine whether to challenge. (He doesn’t.) That gives Cilic a third game point and he promptly closes it out with a 125mph ace.
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Djokovic wins first set!
First set: Djokovic 6-4 Cilic
Djokovic with a double fault for the first time today – and only his eighth of the tournament. Service winner by Djokovic followed by a netted forehand by Cilic to make it 30-15. Djokovic with a backhand half-volley winner on the run sets up a set point, which he squanders with a backhand pushed long to bring it to 40-30. That’s only the fifth point he’s lost on his serve today. And another error makes it six and brings it to deuce. But just when it looks like Cilic has a glimmer of hope, he sprays a backhand way off target to give Djokovic a third set point. And then arguably the point of the set: Djokovic with a touch volley off a blistering cross-court backhand from Cilic, but the Croat somehow retrieves it using every inch of his 6ft 6in frame and dinks it across the court for a winner. Deuce. A service winner by Djokovic sets up a fourth set point and this time the world No1 doesn’t squader it: Cilic nets a backhand and Djokovic escapes with the first set.
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First set: *Djokovic 5-4 Cilic (*denotes next server)
A 130mph ace to open the game, then a touch volley that Djokovic tries to return with a lob falls well past the baseline for 30-0. Cilic with a serve-and-volley for the first time today, serving out wide and closing the point easily at the net. He then closes with a service winner to hold at love. Djokovic now to serve for the first set.
First set: Djokovic 5-3 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Forehand winner from Cilic as Djokovic loses his footing along the baseline, but Djokovic makes it 15-15 when Cilic can’t handle a backhand slice and puts the return into the net. Consecutive unforced errors by Cilic make it 40-15, while a forehand winner down the line wrong-foots Cilic for the hold.
First set: *Djokovic 4-3 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Cilic quickly falls behind 0-30, but earns one back when Djokovic sprays a backhand wide. A nicely hit touch volley by Cilic brings it to 30-30. Cilic runs Djokovic ragged along the baseline with angled groundstrokes from wing to wing, coming forward at the perfect time to win it with another touch volley. He then holds after Djokovic hits a backhand from the baseline into the net.
First set: Djokovic 4-2 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic with another winner on a net approach. Cilic makes it 15-15 with a cross-court passing shot to win the point after a Djokovic touch volley is mishit. Back-to-back service winners from Djokovic, followed by another forehand winner to hold. He’s only dropped two points on his serve so far.
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First set: *Djokovic 3-2 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Another backhand error from Cilic after a short rally. Djokovic gives a point right back, but then a forehand pushed long by Cilic makes it 15-30. He levels the score with a 123mph ace, then a service winner to make it 40-30. Sharply struck cross-court passing winner by Cilic as Djokovic rushes the net to secure the hold.
First set: Djokovic 3-1 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Another net approach by Djokovic on his serve, but Cilic pushes a forehand way long. Back-to-back forehand winners by the world No1 to make it 40-0, followed by a 123mph ace to hold at love. That’s how you consolidate a break.
Djokovic breaks!
First set: *Djokovic 2-1 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Cilic, now serving from the Royal Box end, with a forehand winner down the line. Djokovic with a return winner followed by a forehand error by Cilic to make it 15-30. A 126mph second serve that Djokovic gets a good read on, but he pushes a forehand long early in the rally. An errant backhand by Cilic gives Djokovic his first break-point opportunity at 30-40. Cilic faults and Djokovic pounces on the second effort down the T. He pushes Cilic left and right along the baseline before rushing to the net and ending the point easily with a volley into the open court. Nicely done.
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First set: Djokovic 1-1 Cilic* (*denotes next server)
Service winner by Djokovic, but Cilic responds with an impressive backhand return winner to make it 15-15. Another service winner followed by the longest rally of the match so far, which ends when Cilic comes forward and nets a backhand volley. Another service winner by Djokovic to lock down the hold.
First set: *Djokovic 0-1 Cilic (*denotes next server)
Service winner by Cilic to open the match. He makes an error on the next point, but pipes in a 130mph ace to make it 30-15. A forehand winner gives him a game point, followed by a service winner that seals the hold. A strong start for the US Open champion.
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Djokovic had a brush with celebrity after surviving a five-set scare against Kevin Anderson in the quarters. Here’s a shot of the world No1 alongside Aubrey Graham, who you may remember as Wheelchair Jimmy from the long-running Canadian teen soap Degrassi: The Next Generation.
I’m told he’s since become something of a pop star. Thank me later.
Welcome to Centre Court for today’s quarter-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic. In less than a half hour Djokovic, the defending Wimbledon champion and world No1, will try to book a place in his 27th Grand Slam semi-final against the big-serving Croat.
History suggests it will be a tall ask for Cilic, the winner of last year’s US Open, who has never beaten Djokovic in 12 previous matches. He’s one of three opponents Djokovic has faced 10 or more times without defeat along with Gael Monfils (11-0) and Andreas Seppi (10-0). That said, none of their previous three Grand Slam meetings have been completed in straight sets. And Cilic never came closer to taking out Djokovic than a memorable five-setter here last year at the same stage.
They’re opening the Centre Court roof at the moment – it had been closed due to rain during Andy Murray’s quarter-final win over Vasek Pospisil – and the players will emerge from the tunnel for their warm-ups in less than 10 minutes.
