Defending champion Novak Djokovic has put on another impressive performance at the All England Club.
The world no.1 reached his 17th Grand Slam singles final on Friday, and fourth at Wimbledon, after defeating no.21 seed Richard Gasquet of France in convincing fashion 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 in semi-final that lasted two hours and 21 minutes.
Novak took a 2-0 lead, but Gasquet broke back immediately. The 2011 and 2014 winner withstood some great tennis from the Frenchman before Gasquet’s level dropped during the first set tie-breaker, which the Serbian won 7-2.
Djokovic broke early in the second and third sets and never looked in trouble till the end of the match. The 28-year-old Belgrade native improved to a 47-3 W/L record on the season.
“It was a very good performance, considering the occasion,” Novak said. “The semi-final is always tough, whoever I play against. Richard had a great tournament.”
Match statistics: aces (12-6), double faults (2-6), winners (46-36), unforced errors (22-19), total points won (114-97).
Novak will be looking to win his third crown at The Championships on Sunday (14:00 local time / 15:00 CET), when he faces seven-time winner Roger Federer (19-20 H2H record) in a rematch of last year’s title match.
The Swiss outplayed 2013 champion Briton Andy Murray in straight sets 7-5, 7-5, 6-4.
“I am definitely living the dream right now, playing on the most famous tennis court in the world,” Djokovic said. “I have a great responsibility to play well here, because if you look at the names of the legends who won Wimbledon it is a great honour and privilege to be out there. The final of Wimbledon is the most watched tennis match in the world. There will be a lot at stake and I will be ready for it.”
It will be Nole’s third Major final this season having won the Australian Open and finished runner-up at Roland Garros.
Photo: Getty Images
