5 Hours & 15 Minutes! Novak Djokovic Wins Longest Quarter-Final In Wimbledon History

Last Updated:July 08, 2026, 04:17 IST

Djokovic defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (12/10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (10/4) in a five-set thriller that lasted five hours and 15 minutes.

24-time Grand Slam Novak Djokovic survived the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history on Tuesday (July 7) to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set thriller and book a blockbuster last-four showdown with Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic was hurt in the first set, but the former champion played through the pain for the rest of a breath-taking 7-6 (12/10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (10/4) victory lasting five hours and 15 minutes in sweltering temperatures.

The indefatigable 39-year-old will meet world number one Sinner on Friday for a place in the final.

While Sinner beat German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets on Tuesday, Djokovic had to dig deeper before he subdued Canadian third seed Auger-Aliassime in one of the all-time gutsy Wimbledon performances.

The question now is whether the Serb will have anything left in the tank to beat the defending champion.

Asked how he saw off Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic said: “With racquet and a lot of heart. I have management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kind of matches.

“Towards the end, it was really anyone’s game. What can I say, these are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for, for sure.

“I was telling the kids to go to sleep, I’m glad they stayed because it was one of the best matches I was part of on this court in my career."

Bidding to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic has won five of his 11 clashes with Sinner.

Two of those victories over Sinner came at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, but he lost to the Italian in the 2025 semi-finals before avenging that defeat in the last four at the Australian Open in January.

“I wish it was the final so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow, but yeah, I’m happy," an exhausted Djokovic said.

As ever for the seven-time Wimbledon champion, each match brings another deluge of statistics that underline Djokovic’s remarkable longevity and incredible thirst for success.

He has advanced to a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semi-final and 55th at the Grand Slams.

He is into the Wimbledon last four for an eighth consecutive time, setting a new record ahead of Roger Federer for the longest streak of men’s singles semi-final appearances at the All England Club.

Djokovic is only the second player in the Open era to reach the men’s semi-finals at Wimbledon aged 39 or older after Ken Rosewall in 1974.

“It’s just another semi-final for me. I’m going to look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career," Djokovic said.

(With inputs from AFP)

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli...Read More

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