Djokovic eases to 9th Wimbledon semifinal

LONDON, United Kingdom – Four-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semifinal for the ninth time on Wednesday, July 10, racking up his 70th career win at the All England Club in the process.

The top seed and world No. 1 hit back from a break down in the first set to carve out a commanding 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 win over 21st seed David Goffin of Belgium.

In a ruthless display, the defending champion reeled off 15 of the last 17 games to secure a place in the semifinal of the majors for the 36th time.

Next up is Spanish 23rd seed Roberto Bautista Agut, who made his first Grand Slam semifinal with a 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 over Argentina’s Guido Pella.

“He started well and was dictating play from the baseline,” 32-year-old Djokovic said of Goffin.

“Things could have gone a different way if I had lost the 1st set but I was very pleased with the 2nd and 3rd.

He added: “I had a tough match in the third round (against Hubert Hurkacz). Other than that, I’ve won in straight sets and played really well throughout the tournament.

“It’s exactly what I wanted and hopefully I can go in the right direction in the semis as well.”

Goffin was on top in the early stages as he sensed the opportunity to become the first Belgian man to make the semifinal at a Slam since Xavier Malisse at Wimbledon in 2002.

The 28-year-old broke for a 4-3 lead but 16-time Slam winner Djokovic then reeled off the next 9 games, taking the 1st set, and the 2nd in which he allowed the Belgian just 4 points on his serve. 

The contest was over by the time Djokovic broke for a 3-1 lead in the 3rd set.

Bautista Agut, 31, booked his first appearance in a Slam last 4 at the 27th attempt by seeing off Pella, who had never previously reached a quarterfinal at the majors.

“Novak is the No. 1 in the world and he’s playing really well on grass,” said Bautista Agut, who has a 3-7 record against the Serb.

However, two of those wins came this year in Doha and Miami. – Rappler.com