Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic came from a set down to defeat Australia’s Alex de Minaur and book his place in the quarter-finals at the All England Club, as he continues his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon crown.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner responded emphatically after a slow start to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in three hours and 18 minutes on Centre Court, setting up a last-eight clash with Italy’s Flavio Cobolli.
Cobolli advanced earlier in the day with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 win over 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, who had knocked out Britain’s Jack Draper in the previous round.
Djokovic’s latest win extends his dominant record at Wimbledon and underlines his intent to reclaim the title after losing back-to-back finals to Carlos Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024. The Serbian has not lifted a Grand Slam trophy since winning three majors in 2023, but his performance against the fleet-footed De Minaur was a reminder that he remains a major threat to the younger generation led by Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner.
From Stuttering Start to Vintage Comeback
Djokovic started poorly, surrendering two early breaks and landing four double faults in a first set filled with unforced errors. De Minaur, playing with pace and confidence, needed no second invitation to capitalise, racing to a 4-1 lead and taking the opening set 6-1 after converting his second set point.
But Djokovic, ever the champion, responded with intensity and focus. He broke in the opening game of the second set, and although De Minaur leveled after finally converting his sixth break point in an extended game, Djokovic showed his grit with a superb 34-shot rally to retake the lead. He would go on to save two more break points before serving out the set.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic
With the error count dropping and his rhythm returning, Djokovic took control in the third set. He engineered two break points at 4-4 and was gifted the second when De Minaur sent a forehand long. The Serb then closed out the set with a perfectly executed volley at the end of another gruelling baseline exchange.
Late Drama and a Federer Nod
The Australian looked set to force a decider after storming to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and earning a break point for 5-1. But Djokovic, showing his trademark resilience, dug deep. He converted his third break point to reduce the deficit to 4-3, held to love to level, and then broke again to lead 5-4. Moments later, he served out the match in vintage fashion.
The match was watched from the Royal Box by tennis legend Roger Federer, a sight that Djokovic acknowledged with a smile during his on-court interview.
“I wish I had the serve and volley and the touch of the gentleman standing right there,” Djokovic joked.
“It’s probably the first time he’s watched me and I’ve won the match.”
Curse Broken; first ever win for Novak with Federer watching in the stands!
Reflecting on the encounter, he praised De Minaur’s court craft:
“There was a lot of cat and mouse play, a lot of slices. He’s one of the quickest, if not the quickest player on tour. On this surface, where the ball stays low, it’s tough if you’re not striking clean.
I’m pleased I was able to raise my level and hang tough at the right moments.”
De Minaur, who had been forced to withdraw from a scheduled Wimbledon quarter-final against Djokovic last year due to injury, came out firing but ultimately couldn’t maintain the pressure.
“Alex has been an established top 10, top 15 player the last few years. I’d never faced him on grass before, and I was slightly nervous at the start. It was a very difficult match,” Djokovic admitted.
Djokovic will now turn his attention to 22-year-old Cobolli, as he aims to take another step toward a record-tying eighth Wimbledon title and a potential 25th Grand Slam crown.
