Novak Djokovic battles past Andrey Rublev to equal impressive Roger Federer record

Ewan West
Novak Djokovic Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic celebrates victory

Novak Djokovic came through a tough Wimbledon quarter-final clash with Andrey Rublev to equal an impressive record held by his former rival Roger Federer.

The victory saw the 23-time Grand Slam champion reach his 46th major semi-final to match the Swiss for the all-time men’s record.

The current world No 2 overcame his 25-year-old Russian opponent 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in an entertaining and high-quality last eight encounter.

Rublev saved three break points – the first of the match – to hold for 3-3 in the opening set, before converting his first break point to lead 5-4. He then held to 30 in the following game to close out the set.

The four-time defending champion hit back strongly in the second set as he stormed to a 5-0 lead – a run which included three love games. After Rublev held to avoid being bageled, the Serbian converted a third set point to level the match.

Djokovic saved two break points to hold for 1-1 in the third set, before striking at 30-40 to break the world No 7 for a 3-2 lead. He could not convert a chance for a double break at 4-3 and came under serious pressure when serving for the set at 5-4.

The 36-year-old saved three break points and ultimately got over the line on his fourth set point in a thrilling 17-point game.

In the fourth set, it was more comfortable for Djokovic, who broke Rublev to take a 2-1 lead. Having not faced a break point in the set, the Serbian earned a second break to seal victory when leading 5-3, converting his second match point with a fine backhand volley.

Djokovic is through to the last four at the All England Club for the 12th time in his career and he remains on course to tie another Federer record. Winning the title would see him join Federer, who retired in 2022, on a men’s record of eight Wimbledon singles crowns.

While Rublev now holds an 0-8 record in Grand Slam quarter-final matches, this was arguably his most impressive performance in those defeats.

Djokovic will face world No 8 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the tournament on Friday. The 36-year-old came from two sets down to defeat the Italian in five sets in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year.

Sinner ended the surprise run of world No 92 Roman Safiullin with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph to reach his first major semi-final. Djokovic holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against the 21-year-old.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune compared to Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon clash

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