Six-time champion Novak Djokovic Friday came from one set down to edge British No.1 Cameron Norrie, advancing to the men’s singles final at the Wimbledon Championships for the eighth time.
Djokovic suffered a slow start as the 20-time Grand Slam champion lost the opening set 6-2 to the ninth seed, who previously has never gone past the third round at a Grand Slam.
But the 35-year-old Serbian retrieved his dominance on court soon, winning the next three sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, only one victory away from his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title.
“I didn’t start well today. It was very hot. I was a bit tight and not swinging through the ball as I would like,” admitted Djokovic.
After one day off, Djokovic will lock horn with Australian Nick Kyrgios who got a walkover from the semifinals as Rafael Nadal pulled out with an abdominal injury.
“I guess it’s going to be a game of small margins,” said Djokovic. “I hope I can be at the desired level, then really it’s a mental game in the end, who stays tougher and calmer in the decisive moments.”
Chinese player Zhang Shuai and her Belgian partner Elise Mertens followed Djokovic’s victory to reach the women’s doubles final.
The pair with five doubles Grand Slam titles between them started well, winning the opening set 6-2 against American duo Danielle Collins and Desirae Krawczyk.
Although Collins and Krawczyk fought back to take the second set 6-3, Zhang and Mertens played much better to wrap it up 6-3.
“I’m looking forward to the final,” said two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Zhang. “I won’t think too much about the result. I just want to enjoy every moment of the final.”
Zhang and Mertens will face Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic on Sunday.
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