World number one Novak Djokovic is now just a win away from winning his second career Wimbledon title after he defeated Argentine Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 6-3 in the semifinal held at the Centre Court on Friday.
The match took 4 hours and 43 minutes, now tagged as the longest Wimbledon semifinal match in history. The previous record holder was the Ivan Lendl vs Boris Becker semifinal in 1989 which took 4 hours and a minute.
“It was one of the best matches that I’ve been a part of, one of the most exciting definitely,” Djokovic said in a BBC interview.
“I’m privileged to be a winner of this match. It was so close, they couldn’t separate us. When I was two sets to one and a break up, and I dropped that serve, well… But that’s why he’s a Grand Slam champion and right at the top,” he added.
The Serbian had the chance to close out the match via the fourth set tiebreak where he led 6-4 but managed to close it out on the fifth.
“Every time he was in tough situations he came up with unbelievable shots,” said Djokovic. “I didn’t think I played wrong when I was match points up. Maybe I should have been more aggressive, but credit to him for fighting and I’m very proud to go through.
“When I lost the fourth set it was disappointing because I was close to winning and had two match points. I didn’t capitalise. Credit to him, for fighting and coming up with big, big forehands [and] big shots. It was a very high level of tennis today. I expected it. I was ready to play five sets. I was solid at the end.”
Djokovic will next face world number two Andy Murray for the title. The men’s singles final will take place on Sunday, July 7. Djokovic is aiming for his seventh Grand Slam singles title.
As for Del Potro, the Argentine said: “I was so close to be at the finals here in Wimbledon.
“I think I played really good tennis for four hours and a half… He hit the ball so hard. I think it was unbelievable to watch, but, of course, I’m sad because I lost and I was close to beating him.”
The last time an Argentine reached the final at Wimbledon was David Nalbandian in 2002 where he ended up being the runner-up.
