Clinical Sinner outclasses Djokovic as he books Wimbledon final place

Novak Djokovic's dreams of a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title at the age of 39 were firmly snuffed out by defending champion Jannik Sinner at the semi-final stage on Friday, as the Italian won 6-4 6-4 6-4. 

Djokovic, who was seeking to go level with Roger Federer in terms of Wimbledon crowns, has struggled with fatigue during his last three Centre Court contests this year, digging deep to come through each one despite visibly fading in the closing stages.

Friday's contest proved an altogether different matter, however, as a ruthless and clinical Sinner dispatched of the Serb in straight sets - the match time totalling two hours and 20 minutes.

Sinner, who arrived at Wimbledon this year under a cloud of his shock French Open second-round exit in May - having collapsed from 6-3 6-2 5-1 in front vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and with main rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured - has built in terms of form through the tournament, peaking with this semi-final performance.

Indeed, the 24-year-old produced one of the finest serving displays of his career - consistently producing aces and unreturnable efforts - while his powerful, attacking groundstrokes repeatedly punished Djokovic, and his defence was again at a level to marvel at.

Sinner will face Germany's Alexander Zverev in Sunday's Wimbledon final, after the latter knocked out unlikely British hope Arthur Fery 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 6-4 earlier on Friday.

• Latest Wimbledon scores and results 🎾
• Men's singles draw I Women's singles draw I Order of Play📝
• Download Sky Sports app for analysis, news and video 📺
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract 📱

How Sinner ended Djokovic's Wimbledon dream

A tightly contested opening set was highlighted by Sinner's exceptional serving, with the Italian losing just four points on serve throughout the entire set while winning seven of the eight points in which he charged to the net.

At 2-2 in the opening set, Djokovic saved the first break point he faced by wrongfooting Sinner with a forehand winner before firing down an ace, but he was unable to hold off the inevitable.

Four games later, with the set level at 4-4, Sinner produced a brilliant retrieval to move 15-30 ahead before earning two break points with a vicious crosscourt backhand. Although he squandered the first with a missed smash volley, he converted the second with a sensational backhand winner down the line.

Sinner served out the set with little drama, and the start to the second saw Djokovic literally get pushed back by the power and accuracy of Sinner's forehand striking.

Sinner came under early pressure at 15-30 in the third game but responded with a 133mph ace, celebrating towards his box in recognition of the moment's significance.

Again, as in the first set, Sinner brought up break point chances at 2-2 - two this time at 15-40 - but for what would prove the only time in the contest, the Italian failed to ruthlessly exploit a situation: Djokovic battling to and through deuce for what felt a vital hold.

The next time the Serb has serving, however - with Sinner having held from 0-30 down just prior - Djokovic was broken again as a blistering Sinner backhand strike set up two chances, with the latter taking the second courtesy of a gorgeously-disguised drop shot.

Sinner underlined the quality of his serving with three consecutive aces in a love hold to consolidate the break.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Sinner sealed it with his fourth love hold of the match, moving two sets ahead and leaving Djokovic needing something extraordinary to turn the contest around given the Italian's relentless level.

The third set then saw Sinner begin in ideal fashion, breaking Djokovic in the very first game.

Sinner won a bruising baseline exchange with a blistering backhand into the corner that even Djokovic could not reach, earning himself two break points.

Djokovic saved them both to take things to deuce, and then saved a third via a pacy first serve, but a relentless Sinner struck at the fourth attempt, forcing Djokovic to net.

Sinner quickly consolidated the break, and threatened to move 3-0 up in the third when 15-30 in front, but Djokovic battled back to get onto the board in the set.

At 2-1 in the third set, Sinner faced his only break point of the match, with Centre Court urging Djokovic back into the contest. The Italian responded in champion-like fashion, calmly firing an ace under maximum pressure.

That crucial hold moved Sinner 3-1 ahead and, although Djokovic avoided being broken again, the Italian never offered another opening, serving out a 6-4 third set with a nerveless love hold to seal his place in another Grand Slam final.

Djokovic: Sinner was a level or more above me

Djokovic, speaking at his post-match press conference, told media:

"It was a good old blowout. Nothing much I could do.

"I was just half a step late basically on any shot, it's as simple as that. He was just a level or more better than I was.

"I was just not sharp enough, not reactive enough, not balanced enough to play him. That's it. There's not much I could do on the court.

"I was okay, feeling physically fine, maybe not the freshest, obviously, like at the beginning of the tournament, but I was physically all right. He was much better player on the court and was the dominant force.

"You just have to hand it to him and say: Congrats, well done.

"Of course, I'm disappointed. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon. That's the reason why I'm still pushing myself so hard. But I just lost to a better player. I have to accept it.

"I mean, he was playing so solid from all ends. His serve is very difficult to read. It's become an incredible weapon over the last couple years since he changed his technique.

"He's as solid as anyone really from back of the court. That's it."

Sinner: I knew I had to raise my level today

Sinner, speaking courtside after victory, said:

"Playing against Novak we always have very tough matches, and the last one he won in the semis in Australia. I tried to make make some adjustments, even though here on grass it's very difficult.

"I tried to stick to being aggressive, serving very well which helped me today.

"From my point of view, he's the best returner we have in the game, so I tried to mix it up and I'm very happy about today's performance.

"I think mentally I knew that I needed to level up. I've done it today. It helped me, for sure.

"I worked very hard in the past couple of days having a good rhythm. Also, thanks to my team to put also the body and the mind in the position to be as competitive as possible.

"Against Novak, if you want to play even, you need to play your best tennis. Things could have gone in a very tough way if he breaks me in the third set, because that's how tennis is. But I'm happy that I handled the situations as good as I could.

"Novak is so, so tough to play against because you always feel the pressure."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.