Novak Djokovic is through to his 13th Wimbledon semi-final without playing a point in the quarter-final. Alex de Minaur gave Novak a walkover following a hip injury against Arthur Fils in the previous duel. The Aussie beat the Frenchman in four sets but injured his hip in the closing stages of the duel.
De Minaur tried to recover for the clash against the seven-time champion but did not get the green light to compete. Alex will miss three to six weeks and likely skip the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. Thus, Djokovic received a couple of days off ahead of his next clash, facing Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti in a battle for a place in the final.
Novak arrived in London a couple of weeks after knee surgery in Paris, playing with protection on his troubled knee and passing four rounds without issues.
Novak Djokovic received a walkover from Alex de Minaur.
The veteran kicked off his 19th Wimbledon campaign against a qualifier Vit Kopriva and scored a dominant 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory in an hour and 58 minutes.
The Serb performed well in his first match after surgery, outplaying the young Czech on serve and return. Novak faced no break points, keeping the pressure on the other side and securing six breaks from 15 opportunities, two in each set.
Djokovic worked much harder against world no. 277 Jacob Fearnley in the second round, prevailing 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in three hours. Novak struggled a bit in sets three and four, with Jacob taking charge and attacking. The Briton stood two points away from forcing a decider before suffering a late break in that fourth set, propelling the favorite into the last 32.
Djokovic lost serve two times and clinched four breaks, staying composed in the pivotal stages of the fourth set and avoiding a decider.
Novak met Alexei Popyrin in the third round and claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 victory in three hours and five minutes.
Thus, the Serb reached the last 16 for the 16th time in London. Djokovic lost the opener before raising his level, breaking Popyrin two times in sets three and four to move in front. The fourth set reached a tie break, and Novak clinched it to emerge at the top and avoid spending more time on the court.
The Serb enjoyed a more relaxed day at the office versus Holger Rune in the fourth round, earning a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win in two hours and three minutes. Djokovic saved both break points and grabbed 40% of the return points, turning them into four breaks from 14 opportunities.
Instead of battling with Alex de Minaur, Novak received his first walkover at Majors since the US Open 2016, when Jiri Vesely sent him through without a battle.