Djokovic into semis
Three-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semifinals after seeing off Kei Nishikori in four sets yesterday.
Djokovic overcame a series of rows with the chair umpire to record a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-2 victory over Japan’s former US Open finalist.
The Serb will play world No 1 Rafa Nadal tomorrow in his first grand slam semifinal since the 2016 US Open.
‘‘It’s feels great to be in the last four of a slam,’’ Djokovic said.‘‘I’ve been building the last couple of weeks on the level of tennis that I’ve played the last couple of month, the last couple of clay-court tournaments and Queen’s.’’ But the 31-year-old wasn’t happy with Carlos Ramos, accusing the the Spanish official of ‘‘double standards’’ during an ongoing battle in the 2hr 35min encounter.
Djokovic copped a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct after flinging his racket into the grass behind the baseline in a show of frustration early in the third set.
He then let rip at Ramos for failing to sanction Nishikori for a similar act in the fourth set.
‘‘To be honest, I thought it was unnecessary to get a warning. I didn’t harm the grass. I knew how I threw the racket,’’ he said. American John Isner also made the last four, beating Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-3.