Novak Djokovic overcame a shaky start to defeat Australia’s Alex de Minaur in four sets on Monday, booking a place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and keeping his pursuit of history alive.
The seven-time champion recovered from a disastrous first set to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court, setting up a potential blockbuster semi-final clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Coming off his milestone 100th Wimbledon victory on Saturday, Djokovic added a 101st win at the All England Club, joining an elite group alongside Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer as the only players to surpass 100 wins at the prestigious tournament.
At 38, the Serbian great is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown, which would see him equal Federer’s men’s record and become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era.
“It wasn’t a great start for me; it was a great start for Alex de Minaur,” Djokovic said post-match. “I kind of reset myself in the second set. I was very pleased to hang in tough in the right moments and win this one.”
Djokovic’s win came in front of an attentive Roger Federer, who watched from the Royal Box. “It’s probably the first time he’s watching me and I’ve actually won the match,” Djokovic joked. “The last couple I lost, so it’s good to break the curse.”
Djokovic, seeded sixth, continues to defy age and expectations as he eyes another title at SW19, cementing his place among tennis’s all-time greats.
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