WIMBLEDON, England, July 11: Defending champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner produced another commanding display to end Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon campaign for the second successive year, while Alexander Zverev brushed aside Britain’s Arthur Fery to reach his maiden final at the All England Club on Friday.
Sinner defeated seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a one-sided semifinal, underlining his dominance over the Serbian great and moving within one win of retaining the title.
The 24-year-old Italian controlled the contest from start to finish, excelling in every department and denying Djokovic a single service break. It was only the third completed Grand Slam match in Djokovic’s career in which he failed to break his opponent’s serve.
For Djokovic, the defeat raised fresh questions about his future at Wimbledon. The 39-year-old, who was playing in his eighth consecutive semifinal at the Championships, acknowledged after the match that he hopes to return but stopped short of making any firm commitment.
“I would like to, at least one more time. Let’s see,” Djokovic said.
The Serbian admitted Sinner had simply been too good on the day.
“Of course I’m disappointed. I wanted to win Wimbledon, that’s why I keep pushing myself so hard. But I just lost to a better player. I have to accept it,” Djokovic said.
“I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong. I was just a level or two below him.
“Despite reaching another Grand Slam semifinal at the age of 39, Djokovic conceded that matching his own lofty standards has become increasingly difficult.
“For me, it’s good but not good enough. I’m blessed and cursed to be used to the highest degree of results and achievements,” he said.
Sinner’s relentless serving, movement and baseline consistency left Djokovic with few opportunities. The Serbian managed only one break point, which Sinner erased with an ace before comfortably closing out the match.
The victory also extended Sinner’s recent dominance over Djokovic, having beaten him at the same stage of Wimbledon last year.
In the other semifinal, Germany’s Alexander Zverev overwhelmed British wildcard Arthur Fery to book his first Wimbledon final. Fery’s dream run came to an emphatic end as Zverev’s powerful serving and aggressive baseline game proved too much for the home hope.
While Fery’s impressive campaign delighted British fans, it was Zverev who marched into his maiden title match at the All England Club, setting up a blockbuster final against Sinner.
As Djokovic left Centre Court, he paused to wave to the crowd before placing a hand over his heart in appreciation of the ovation. Whether it was simply another farewell for the year or the final chapter of his storied Wimbledon career remains uncertain.
For now, however, Sinner stands firmly at the summit of men’s tennis, one victory away from another Wimbledon crown.
