Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach Wimbledon final

Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic in straight sets to reach Wimbledon final Last updated 10 July 2026 7:48pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Jannik Sinner remains on track to defend his men’s singles title at SW19 Credit: Mike Egerton/PA Eugene Allen live updates. Tom Cary Senior Sports Correspondent, at Wimbledon Last updated 10 July 2026 7:48pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th grand slam – and eighth Wimbledon crown – came to a juddering halt as he went down in straight sets to world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the second of Friday’s men’s semi-finals. After coming through the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history on Tuesday night, a 5hr 15min epic against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, which finally ended six minutes before the 11pm curfew, there were hopes that Djokovic, one of the game’s greats, might be able to go on and reach Sunday’s final. But the Centre Court crowd, already deflated after watching Britain’s Arthur Fery lose in straight sets to Alexander Zverev, had to watch another one-sided affair, with Italian Sinner proving to be much the stronger player in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Sinner also dispatched Djokovic in straight sets in last year’s semis. At 39 years and 38 days, Djokovic was already the oldest player to reach a men’s singles semi-final at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall (39 years and 234 days) in 1974. Asked whether he will be back for another go next year at the age of 40, he said: “I would like to, at least one more time. Let’s see.” More to follow… Latest updates Eugene Allen live updates. Tom Cary Senior Sports Correspondent, at Wimbledon 7:30PM Djokovic plans to be back next year Link copied to clipboard Novak Djokovic came to press immediately after his semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner. Read on for some of the key lines: On doing anything tactically different: “No, not really. Was a good old blowout [smiling]. Nothing much I could do.” Coming back to SW19 next year at the age of 40: “I would like to, at least one more time. Let’s see.” Winning grand slams at this stage of his career: “Last year I reached four semi-finals. This year, out of three slams, I reached one final and one semi-final. I guess for 99% of the players, that would be a very good grand slam result. For me, it’s good but not good enough, because I’m blessed and cursed to be used to something of a highest degree in terms of results and achievements. “Look, this is amazing that you’re still able to, as people around me are telling me, able to play at such a high level and push the youngsters to the limit for grand slam titles, which is true. But at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself.” Novak Djokovic speaking to press immediately after his semi-final defeat Credit: Ben Whitley/PA Photo 7:10PM Sinner leads the head-to-head against Zverev Link copied to clipboard It will be the No 1 seed against the No 2 seed in Sunday’s final, as Sinner takes on Alexander Zverev. Sinner leads the head-to-head 10-4 and has won the last nine times they have played. Both men are on 13-match winning streaks – Sinner is 13-0 at Wimbledon since last year and Zverev is 13-0 at grand slams following his run to the French Open title last month. Something has got to give this weekend! 6:57PM Sinner speaking to Annabel Croft on court Link copied to clipboard “Amazing. The atmosphere has always been amazing since the first day and it means a lot to me to play one more final here. “It’s the most special tournament we have. It means a lot to me. Of course, playing against Novak, what he is showing is a huge inspiration – not only for you guys but for the new generation, what he is still doing is amazing. Incredible. “We always have very, very tough matches. The last one, he won in the semis in Australia. I tried to make a couple of adjustments, but it’s difficult here on grass. “He had a very tough match against Félix [Auger-Aliassime], which we will remember forever here in this arena. I tried to stay aggressive, serving well helped me today. He is the best returner we have in our game so I tried to mix it up. “I’m very happy with this performance.” 6:55PM The match point Link copied to clipboard Flawless from Jannik Sinner. What a performance. pic.twitter.com/0LijKmAjUd — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2026 6:43PM Sinner makes it back-to-back finals at SW19 Link copied to clipboard Spectacular. 👏 Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to reach back-to-back Wimbledon finals#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/igecCWj8u6 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2026 6:42PM Sinner wins 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Link copied to clipboard Sinner throws down ace No 15 to get things started. More attacking play sees the Italian move to 30-0. T-serve ace brings up three match points. Djokovic goes wide with a lob on the stretch and Sinner seals the game and the match, holding to love. Too good from the world No 1! 6:39PM Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic wins the opening point after guessing right but then goes long with a forehand before drawing an error from Sinner. 30-15. A brilliant return takes Djokovic away from the court, Sinner puts away the short ball into the open court. Djokovic wins the next point after drawing an error from Sinner. A good T-serve is returned long at deuce. Djokovic holds. Sinner will serve for the match after the sitdown. 6:35PM *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner starts the game with an unreturned T-serve. The Italian then comes out on top after some more relentless hitting from the back of the court. 30-0. Djokovic is unable to get a return into play. 40-0. Sinner holds to love, closing out the game with an ace. One more game will do it for the defending champ. 6:31PM Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic comes up with a nice serve-volley play to draw level at 15-15. The Serbian then goes long with a forehand. 15-30. Sinner, on the run, then sees a forehand-cross land wide. 30-30.  Djokovic goes long with an attempted backhand volley-lob but saves break point with a 126mph ace. Deuce. Another good first delivery is unreturned by Sinner and Djokovic holds, sealing the game with another ace. 6:26PM *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 4-2 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Djokovic goes long on the backhand wing off a second-serve return. Sinner then nets from the baseline as the score moves to 15-15. Second serve out wide, draws another error from the Serbian. Djokovic exhibits his defensive capabilities to move to 30-30. Sinner drops his 13th ace to move to advantage before closing out the game to 30. 6:21PM Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-2 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard At 15-0, Sinner comes up with a massive forehand winner. Djokovic then throws down an unreturned first serve for 30-15 before seeing a rally ball land plumb on Sinner’s baseline, causing the Italian to sky his next shot. Djokovic holds to stay in touch in set three. 6:19PM *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-1 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner throws down a big serve out wide at 15-15 that sees Djokovic go wide with his return. The Serbian is rewarded after a good return in the next point before Sinner extends his lead to 40-30 with a bounce-smash.  Djokovic gets to deuce with a forehand-cross winner. Forehand drop shot Djokovic brings up his first break point on the Sinner serve. Sinner throws down an ace to move back to deuce and then puts away another bounce-smash for advantage. Sinner holds! 6:11PM Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 2-1 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard After trading the opening couple of points, Sinner moves 15-30 ahead with an arrowed backhand-down-the-line winner.  A superb return from the Italian is handeled well by Djokovic who flips the point to draw level at 30-30 before delivering a good first serve out wide for 40-30.  Sinner then draws an error from Djokovic on the forehand wing to move to deuce. Djokovic sprays a forehand wide. Break point Sinner. The Italian nets a return. Deuce. Another serve is unreturned by Sinner. Advantage Djokovic. And the Serbian holds, putting away a short forehand into the open court. 6:04PM *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner consolidates with a hold to 15 to move 2-0 in this third set.  6:03PM Writing appears to be on the wall now Link copied to clipboard Feels as if the writing is on the wall now for Djokovic. If anyone can come back from two sets and a break down, it is the superhuman 24-time grand slam winner. But against Sinner? Three days after the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history? We might be witnessing Djokovic’s last ever set at Wimbledon. 6:02PM Van Djik in the Royal Box Link copied to clipboard Virgil van Djik is in the Royal Box, dressed in a dazzling cream suit which looks very like the sort worn by his Liverpool predecessors to the 1996 FA Cup final. How the defensive titan must be feeling Novak Djokovic’s pain. A once invincible presence struggling with the depravations of time: he knows precisely how that feels. 6:01PM Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 1-0 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic falls 0-30 behind before getting on the board at 15-30 after putting away an overhead. Sinner then gets the better of the Italian in a long baseline exchange to set up two break points. A big second serve out wide is unreturned by Sinner. 30-40.  Djokovic comes up with a huge forehand to move to deuce. Sinner passes the Italian to get a look at another break point. Djokovic saves it with a forehand winner. A good T-serve is returned long. Advantage Djokovic. A deep return catches Djokovic on his baseline. Deuce. Sinner slides his way back to advantage and seals the break after seeing Djokovic net a forehand volley. 5:51PM Sinner wins the second set 6-4 Link copied to clipboard Sinner, serving for the second set, wins the opening point after getting Djokovic on the run. Djokovic then sees a forehand land wide. 30-0. A tentative-looking shot from the same wing finds the net from Djokovic and Sinner holds to love to seal set two. In full control 👏 Jannik Sinner moves to within one set of back-to-back Wimbledon finals 🌱#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/hEy692ycjE — ATP Tour (@atptour) July 10, 2026 5:47PM Sinner 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Sinner nets from the baseline before seeing Djokovic go 30-0 up with a nice serve-volley play. 40-0 down, Sinner comes up with a forehand lob on the run but Djokovic eventually holds to 15. 5:45PM *Sinner 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner, looking to consolidate the break, races to a 30-0 lead. Another ace from the Italian moves the score to 40-0. And another, at 125mph, seals the game for the Italian. 5:41PM Sinner 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic double-faults to start. 0-15. The Serbian then goes wide with a backhand. 0-30. A big forehand-cross from Djokovic sees Sinner net his return ball on the same wing. The top seed then finds an angle with backhand for a clean winner. 15-40.  A well-placed second serve sets up the point nicely for Djokovic who wins the point with a backhand-cross. But Sinner seals the break with a delicious drop shot. 5:35PM *Sinner 6-4, 3-3 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner falls 0-30, with Djokovic upping his intensity. A good T-serve then sees Sinner put away the short return for 15-30. Djokovic then goes wide from the baseline on a rally ball. 30-30. A 121mph ace brings up game point. Djokovic goes long with a forehand and Sinner holds to 30. 5:32PM Interesting numbers from set one Link copied to clipboard Crunching the numbers from the first set, Djokovic won only 14 per cent of points on second serve (1/7). He has upped that a bit in this second set, to 25 per cent (4/16). But it’s clear that Sinner is ready to pounce if Djokovic misses with his first. The Serb just about clung on in that last service game, landing a couple of big ones when it mattered. 5:31PM Sinner 6-4, 2-3 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard A great first serve out wide by Djokovic is unreturned by Sinner. 15-0. Djokovic then nets from the baseline. 15-15. Relentless ball striking from Sinner causes Djokovic to miss on the forehand wing. 15-30. The Italian then draws another error from the Serbian to get a look at two break points. Sinner sprays a forehand as one break point passes him by. 30-40. A huge first serve out wide is unreturned by the Italian. Deuce. Backhand-cross winner gets Djokovic to advantage. Sinner goes big on the same wing to get back to deuce. A big serve plus-one play, finished on the forehand wing, Djokovic back to advantage and the Serbian holds as Sinner goes long with a forehand. Brilliant hold from Djokovic who was on the brink in that service game. 5:22PM *Sinner 6-4, 2-2 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Djokovic keeps himself in the point at 15-0, drawing an error from the Italian to move to 15-15. Sinner then goes long with a rally ball from the baseline on the backhand wing.  An 131mph ace out wide moves the score to 30-30. A forehand drop shot is reached by Djokovic, but the Serbian nets an attempted one of his own on the backhand wing. Sinner holds as Djokovic goes long with backhand. 5:16PM Sinner 6-4, 1-2 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Two aces sees Djokovic get to 30-0. Sinner then gets a return in play causing Djokovic to go wide with a forehand. 30-15. A backhand drop shot is reached by Sinner, but Djokovic wins the point after putting away an overhead. The Serbian then sprays a forehand wide. 40-30. A good T-serve is returned long and Djokovic holds. 5:12PM *Sinner 6-4, 1-1 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard At 15-0, Sinner throws down an ace to move to 30-0. Djokovic then takes on forehand and is rewarded, as the score moves to 30-15. A nice backhand down the line sees Sinner stretching. 30-30. Serve plus-one is finished by the Italian, who swats away a forehand drive-volley. Sinner holds! 5:09PM Second set: Sinner 6-4, 0-1 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic holds to 30. A very important hold from the seven-time champion as Sinner was looking dangerous in that opening game of this second set. 5:06PM Sinner’s cohort in all white today Link copied to clipboard Sinner’s cohort of coaches enjoyed that. They are all in white today. Though with blue caps as the man himself has an aversion to white headgear. And they seem to move in strict choreographed routines. That last one was all stand together and shake your fists in triumph. Sinner’s team rise to applaud their charge Credit: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images 5:02PM Sinner wins the opening set 6-4 Link copied to clipboard Sinner, serving for the set, wins the opening point before a deep Djokovic return moves the score to 15-15. The Italian then quickly gets to 40-15. Djokovic crushes a backhand down the line for 40-30 to leave Sinner with one more set point. A forehand-cross seals it for Sinner as Djokovic nets from the same wing. Clean first set from the world No 1. Jannik Sinner celebrates after taking the first set Credit: Brian Inganga/AP 4:58PM Rare outing for Azzurri attire Link copied to clipboard There are two Sinner fans sitting on the front row wearing Italian football shirts to signal their affiliation. A rare outing for Azzurri attire in a summer in which virtually everyone else has been in World Cup action apart from them.  4:57PM Sinner 5-4 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic nets a forehand on the back foot to fall 0-15 behind. A good first serve out wide is returned long by Sinner. The Italian then pounces on a short ball to go 15-30 ahead. A superb backhand-cross sees Sinner move to 15-40. Two break points for the defending champion. With the whole court to aim at, Sinner nets an overhead. 30-40. But the Italian does get the break, sealing the game with an arrowing backhand winner down the line. 4:51PM *Sinner 4-4 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner races to a 30-0 lead then gets Djokovic moving from side to side before closing out the point at the net with a volley. The top seed then throws down an unreturned serve to hold. 4:47PM Sinner 3-4 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic goes 15-0 after staying patient and then moves to 30-0 after drawing an error from Sinner. The Italian then goes long with a return. 40-0. Djokovic then double-fault but quickly regroups, closing out the game with an ace. 4:44PM *Sinner 3-3 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner shows off his defensive capabilities to extend his lead to 30-0 before throwing down an ace for 40-0. Djokovic goes long with a return and Sinner holds to love. 4:40PM Sinner 2-3 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic starts his third service game with an ace down the T. Another T-serve is unreturned by Sinner. 30-0. Djokovic throws in his first double fault. 30-15. Sinner then gets the better of Djokovic in an extended baseline exchange for 30-all and then puts away an overhead, after another well constructed point.  Break point Sinner. Djokovic saves it with a huge backhand down the line. The Serbian then goes back behind Sinner for advantage and seals the game with an ace. Huge hold after saving a break point. 4:35PM *Sinner 2-2 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard After trading the opening two points, Sinner goes 30-15 ahead before finishing off at the net with a nice volley for 40-15. The Italian closes out with an ace. 4:33PM Djokovic fan attire Link copied to clipboard There’s a Djokovic fan sitting just in front of the press seats wearing a shirt celebrating his hero. The player’s extraordinary career is displayed in numbers printed on the back, from grand slams to tour wins to Olympic titles.  Let’s just say there are an awful lot of numbers.  4:31PM Sinner 1-2 Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Brilliant serve plus-one play sees Djokovic win the point with a backhand winner. An ace moves the score to 30-0. Sinner goes big with backhand return winner for 30-15 before a shot that wing lets the Italian down as Djokovic moves to 40-15.  Djokovic holds to 15 after staying firm from the baseline. 4:28PM *Sinner 1-1 Djokovic Link copied to clipboard Sinner starts well with two big first serves for 30-0. Djokovic then gets some luck with a backhand on the stretch that hits the net cord for 30-15. Another huge first serve down the T gets Sinner to 40-15. And the defending champion holds to 15. 4:25PM First set: Jannik Sinner 0-1 Novak Djokovic* Link copied to clipboard Djokovic wins the opening point with a forehand winner off a second serve. Sinner makes contact with a wide serve but it fails to go over. Djokovic nets a forehand but then throws down another huge first serve on the ad-side before holding to 15. Solid start from the seventh seed. 4:18PM Coin toss Link copied to clipboard Novak Djokovic won the toss and has elected to serve. 4:18PM Crowd, like the players, yet to warm up Link copied to clipboard A smattering of applause for the players as they walk on, although Centre Court is still half empty following Fery’s sinking. Royal Box completely deserted. There’s a half-hearted round of “Let’s go, Novak. Let’s go…” But the crowd, like the players, yet to warm up. 3:56PM Zverev awaits in the final Link copied to clipboard Alexander Zverev, the No 2 seed, is through to Sunday’s final after beating British wild card Arthur Fery in straight sets. A first Wimbledon final awaits 👏@AlexZverev defeats Arthur Fery 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 and is one win away from back-to-back Grand Slam titles#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/4uNPB17tls — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2026 3:49PM Heavyweight match-up Link copied to clipboard Good afternoon and welcome to semi-final coverage of Jannik Sinner versus Novak Djokovic on day 12 at Wimbledon. This match-up has been billed as a heavyweight clash, as the pair meet for an 11th time. Sinner, the current world No 1, leads the head-to-head 6-5. However, in their most recent meeting, Novak Djokovic came out on top, winning in five sets in the semi-finals at this year’s Australian Open. Before that meeting in Melbourne, Sinner had beaten Djokovic five times in a row, including last year at SW19 en route to winning the title. That was Sinner’s first grass-court victory over the seven-time champion – Sinner had lost the previous two both at Wimbledon in the semi-finals in 2023 and the quarters in 2022. Djokovic leads the head-to-head on grass 2-1. Barring his first-round match, Sinner has enjoyed a pretty seamless run to the last four. Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic took the Italian to five sets in the first round, but Sinner cruised to straight-set victories in his four matches after. Djokovic’s path to the semis has been less smooth. The 39-year-old Serb, chasing a record-breaking 25th grand slam, has come through three four-setters. His quarter-final against Félix Auger-Aliassime went the distance and broke the record for the longest quarter-final match in tournament history at five hours and 15 minutes – Djokovic more than earning his two days off after that epic. Speaking ahead of the semi-final, Sinner said: “With Novak, I feel like every match is different. Even when I had this small streak with him, I felt like every match really has its own story. Especially when you play on a surface like this, if you have a bad serving day or [you’re] not feeling the ball very well, it’s going to be very, very tough. “He has won this tournament so many times and he knows exactly how to approach it. I’m looking forward to it. In any case, I’m happy to be back in the semis. I’m happy to fight for every ball, then we’ll see.” Djokovic, just as enthused to be in another Wimbledon semi-final, is also looking forward to the prospect of facing Sinner again. “I had a very long semis against Sinner. This is the quarters. Now I have to play Sinner in the semis. Obviously that was the first big tournament of the year for me [Australian Open final], coming fresher from several months of break and preparation. It’s a bit different now. But nevertheless, another great, historic run for me at the Grand Slams. This is what counts the most, honestly. “I still try to prove to myself and others that I’m able to compete with the best players in the world and beat them in the biggest stage. That’s what I’ve done in Australia. It’s what I’ve done here.”