The number 1 played a great match against a Djokovic far from his best version: the Italian is in the final at the Championships for the first time and on Sunday he will challenge the Spaniard

Sinner defeats Djokovic: dream final with Alcaraz at Wimbledon

(Gaia Piccardi) Bowed by age, aches and pains, and a certain Jannik Sinner back to full fitness, albeit with his right arm still bandaged, Novak Djokovic is the aging champion who sees the dream of his 25th Grand Slam title slipping another step away. Perhaps the definitive one. Thirty-eight years and all the tennis records are too much for the hero of Belgrade to carry, weakened by the slip on match point in the quarterfinal against Cobolli, the after-effects of the injury that prevents the Djoker from trusting his injured left leg. And then the shots come out short, the stability on the grass is compromised, the splendor is tarnished.

Three sets like in the semifinals in Paris, but far less packed with situations and emotions (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) , handled with the coolness of the veteran against the true veteran who bids farewell to the Wimbledon centre court crowd without knowing if they will see him again next year, deliver the number one to his first Church Road final of his career, the fourth consecutive Slam. In the first set he conceded two points on his serve to the Djoker (one was a double fault), in the second four. In the second game of the third, allowing himself a brief moment of relaxation that makes him lose focus for a moment, Jannik offers the first break point of the match with a kind gift: he puts a forehand into the net, sending his opponent 2-0 up, with the centre court exploding in a roar. Djokovic, who is half-serving, can't believe it: he goes up 3-0, has the chance to make it 4-0 but doesn't take it. But it's a flash in the pan. The Serbian doesn't have the energy to organize a very complicated comeback, nor the ability to win a set (like in the Melbourne 2024 semifinal), which would needlessly prolong the affair. In the fifth game, Sinner takes control: the exhausted Djoker throws away a drop shot out of exhaustion, Jannik is once again breathing down his neck (3-2, 5-3), the surrender is only a matter of minutes (6-4).

Perhaps the epic on the green of the best player ends here, as he misses out on his eighth Wimbledon title, which would have brought him level with King Federer. Tennis continues to be a matter for young players, which Sinner manages masterfully. Wow, I can't believe it. This was the tournament I watched on TV as a child,” he says. My father and brother also arrived, and that makes everything more special. I served well, I moved well, Novak was struggling, but I tried to stay calm and play my best tennis. On Sunday, on center court (5 p.m. Italian time, free-to-air on TV8), he'll meet his nemesis, Carlos Alcaraz killer of the eager Fritz, the magical boy who defeated him a month ago in Paris, saving three consecutive match points, in his third Wimbledon final in a row, and as the defending champion at that. The mountain can be high, it's there to climb. Jannik smiles at the thought: You saw what happened at Roland Garros... Let's see what happens here. I love watching Carlos in action, it will be an honor to share the court with him again. I don't know if he'll be able to play better than in Paris, I hope to have fun. Us, without a doubt.

7:52 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4: Jannik in the final

The number 1 player closes out the deal and reaches the Wimbledon final, defeating Djokovic in three sets in a virtually one-sided match. This is Sinner's first final at the Championships: it will be another super match against Alcaraz, just like at Roland Garros.

7:49 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 5-4: Jannik fails to capitalize on two match points

The Serbian stayed in the match by saving two match points on serve. Now the number 1 has a chance to close out the match with his serve.

7:44 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 5-3: Jannik extends

The world number 1 has rediscovered his ease in serving, holding his serve at 15: now Nole is serving to stay in the match

7:42 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 4-3: break by Jannik

The number 1 once again breaks the Serbian's serve and is now ahead in the third set as well: the Italian is close to closing the match

7:33 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 2-3: break from Jannik

Nole makes a blunder at the net at 15-15: Jannik takes a 15-40 lead, earning two break points. The Serbian misses a drop shot, and the Italian breaks the serve.

7:28 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 1-3: Jannik cancels another break point

Nole takes a 0-30 lead, misses a simple backhand: 30-30. Jannik misses a drop shot: 30-40 and another break point for the Serbian. The Italian cancels with a smash on the bounce and closes the game.

7:21 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 0-3: Nole extends

The Serbian is at 15, consolidating his lead after the break: Djokovic tries to reverse the momentum of the match

7:18 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 0-2: surprise break from the Serbian

Nice passing shot from Nole at 30-0, the Serbian takes the lead to 30-30. Jannik then fails to get a serve: 30-40 and the first break point for Djokovic. The Serbian breaks the Italian's serve.

7:13 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 0-1: Nole holds the serve

The Serbian started well in the third set, which was love at love. Djokovic could be ahead for the first time.

7:10 PM | July 11

Djokovic calls the physiotherapist

Groin massage for Serbian after the end of the second set

7:07 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 6-3: Jannik also wins the second set

Nole has a chance at 0-15: a backhand error sends the ball into the net. Jannik closes with an ace and now leads two sets to love: a great performance from the number one against a lackluster opponent. Djokovic doesn't seem like himself.

7:04 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 5-3: Nole cancels a set point

Two aces from Nole to cancel set points and close the game on deuce: the Serbian remains attached to the set, despite many difficulties. Now the number 1 can close

6:53 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 5-2

Nole wins the first point, Jannik fixes everything with his serve

6:51 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 4-2: Nole shortens the rallies

The Serbian closes with an ace a game in which he relied on serve and volley: he tries to shorten the rallies

6:47 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 4-1: Jannilk in control

Nole takes the lead to 0-15, but Sinner responds immediately, winning the next two points with a nice backhand passing shot winner. The number 1 closes with another ace.

6:45 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 3-1: Nole reacts

Good service game by the Serbian, who stops the bleeding

6:41 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 3-0: Jannik continues his streak

Sixth, seventh, and eighth aces for Sinner, after the first winner: games at 15 and a dominance that continues...

6:38 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, 2-0: another break from Jannik

A stunning Sinner takes the lead to 0-30, Djokovic responds with a service winner, and Jannik misses with a forehand: 30-30. A backhand winner down the line from the number 1: 30-40 and break point. Nole clearly misses yet another forehand: break point.

6:34 PM | July 11

Sinner has won 10 of his last 11 sets against Djokovic

Indicative statistics...

6:31 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 6-3, Jannik wins the 1st set

Two serious forehand errors for Nole: 15-30. The Italian ends a creative rally on both sides: 15-40 and two set points. The Serbian aces the score to 30-40 and also cancels the second set point. Several advantages, Nole misses two more easy forehand errors: a third set point, which Jannik converts, forcing his opponent into a backhand error.

6:19 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 4-3

Too bad: Jannik gets a second serve at 30-30, but he misses the return. Nole gets away and stays in the mix.

6:15 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 4-2, Jannik perfect

Looseness in service and unsustainable pace: another game to love for the number 1 serving player

6:12 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 3-2, Nole rediscovers his serve

Game all to love for the Serbian, who however has to recover the break of disadvantage

6:10 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 3-1, Jannik consolidates his lead

Jannik hits an ace, then a first-serve winner and another ace: 40-0, quickly and authoritatively. Nole enters the game with a nice return on the second serve, then a double fault from the Italian. Jannik closes the game at 30.

6:06 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 2-1, break by the Italian

A great point from Jannik at 15-30 and two break points, the first of the match: the South Tyrolean breaks serve at the first opportunity, maintaining a very high pace

5:59 PM | July 11

Sinner-Djokovic 0-1

Excellent start from Nole on serve: the Serbian holds his serve to love

5:58 PM | July 11

We're off

Djokovic serving, Sinner chose to respond

5:49 PM | July 11

Sinner and Djokovic on the court

Here we are: Jannik and Nole have entered the Central, we'll be off soon

5:41 PM | July 11

Alcaraz is the first finalist

Carlos she beat Taylor Fritz in four sets, cancelling two set points in the fourth-set tiebreak: the Spaniard is still in the running for his third consecutive Wimbledon title.

4:49 PM | July 11

Sinner and the details to beat Djokovic

New shoes, running barefoot... This is how Jannik prepares himself to the super challenge against the Serbian in the semi-final

July 11, 4:47 PM - Updated July 11, 8:18 PM