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Right, that’s it from us for today. Many thanks for your company. I’ll be back tomorrow for the women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, while Daniel will return on Sunday for Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz part XIII. Make sure you join us then. Bye!
Updated at 15.03 EDT
Tumaini Carayol
Here’s Tumaini’s match report:
When Novak Djokovic strode on to Centre Court for a second contest with Jannik Sinner in barely over a month, the narrative had long been set. This was surely one of the 24-time grand slam champion’s last chances for a potential major victory, a challenge that will only become more difficult as he ages even further away from his physical peak while Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz move closer to their own.
For the ensuing two hours on court, Sinner made it clear just how punishing that challenge already is as he completely dismantled a weakened Djokovic, the sixth seed, with his nuclear weight of shot and unimpeachable defence as he reached the Wimbledon final for the first time in his career with a dominant 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win.
A month after suffering the most devastating loss of his career, holding triple championship point against Alcaraz in the French Open final before losing in five crushing sets, Sinner has shown off his mental fortitude and resilience by picking himself back up and immediately making his way through to yet another final. Sinner, the world No 1, will have a chance to avenge that defeat at the earliest possible moment as he faces Alcaraz once again after the Spaniard defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6).
As their combined grip on men’s tennis continues to strengthen, Alcaraz and Sinner will be the second pair of players in the open era to contest the men’s finals at the French Open and Wimbledon in back to back years, which Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer achieved for three consecutive years between 2006 and 2008. Sinner also extends his run of dominance over Djokovic to five straight wins and he has not lost to the 24-time grand slam champion since 2023.
He is the sixth player in the open era to reach four consecutive men’s singles grand slam finals, joining a distinguished list of all-time greats: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi and Rod Laver. Every new grand slam tournament underlines his desperation to become a legend of the game in his own right.
Before the match, Djokovic said he felt confident about his tennis level after their tight three set match in the French Open semi-finals. At 38 years old, his physical preparedness for a best of five set battle with the No 1 was less certain. While Sinner’s bandaged elbow looked in great shape after his freakish fourth round match against Grigor Dimitrov, Djokovic had skipped practice on Thursday after suffering a heavy fall on match point in his quarter-final win against Flavio Cobolli.
You can read the rest here.
Updated at 14.53 EDT
And this from the press room, where Djokovic has come in much sooner than expected: he says he doesn’t want to call it a day, and hopes to return to Wimbledon “at least one more time … I’m just trying to make the maximum out of what I have left … when I’m fit I can still play good tennis”. Huge props to him if he manages that, he’ll be 39 by next year’s tournament, but let’s see if his body holds up. Playing the generation game when the odds are stacked against him is only going to get harder, even if his heart wants to carry on.
Updated at 15.01 EDT
Another result for you: Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko are into the women’s doubles final after defeating the defending champions Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend 7-5, 6-4. They’ll play Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens for the title on Sunday.
As for Djokovic, he now has to deal with the cruel reality of time catching up with him. He said this Wimbledon represented his greatest chance to ever claim slam No 25, but the truth is he hasn’t won a slam since 2023 when he was 36. Federer and Nadal were also 36 when they won their last major titles. Having ruled at the top of the game together, it now looks as if they’ll end up going out in the same way too.
Updated at 14.20 EDT
So the Italian dreaming of his first Wimbledon title has ruthlessly seen off the man who so desperately wanted that eighth. Sinner now has the chance to win his first grand slam away from hard courts. It’s a fourth major final in a row for the Australian Open and US Open champion. And a fifth win on the spin against Djokovic. Perhaps Sinner will still be a little wounded from that French Open final against Alcaraz – how could he not be – but on the other hand Sunday’s final does offer him a very swift chance for redemption.
Updated at 14.28 EDT
“I could never imagine I’d play here in the finals,” says Sinner. “It shows I’m growing as a player in all surfaces. I struggled a lot five years ago when I started on this surface. Now I’m moving much better. Me and my team are trying to work every day with a good purpose. It’s amazing.”
And what about facing Alcaraz again, in a repeat of that almost neverending French Open final, when Sinner was two sets to love up and had three championship points but lost? “We saw the last final – you never know [what will happen],” he says, smiling. “It’s an honour to share the court with Carlos again. We try to push ourselves to the limit. Hopefully it’s going to be a good match like the last one, but I don’t know if it can be better because I don’t think it’s possible!”
It’s a maiden #Wimbledon final for Jannik Sinner 💥
The Italian defeats Novak Djokovic with a dazzling 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory to line up a Sunday afternoon meeting with Carlos Alcaraz 🤝
Just world No.1 doing world No.1 things 😅 pic.twitter.com/jObVzUdMqA
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
Updated at 14.30 EDT
Sinner wins 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
The umpire calls time. Could this be time on Djokovic’s Wimbledon career too? If does feel like a definitive changing of the guard; the ailing former champion no longer able to keep up with the world No 1. Yes, he’s clearly injured today, but it’ll only get harder for him to drag his body back for more. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, three match points. Sinner blinks and nets his forehand. It’s only the briefest of blips, though, because Sinner then sends his serve out wide and Djokovic seems ready to shake hands before Sinner’s winner even lands in the open court! Now the crowd are finally giving Sinner the applause he deserves; he’s into his first Wimbledon final. And we’ve got ourselves a repeat of that French Open final against Alcaraz. But it’s not long before they’re cheering Djokovic again, as he departs to a standing ovation and warm applause from Sinner; perhaps his final exit on the court where he reigned supreme seven times.
Jannik Sinner celebrates making it through to the Wimbledon final. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianNovak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd’s applause. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare
Updated at 14.39 EDT
Third set: Sinner* 6-3, 6-3, 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The only victory for Djokovic today, perhaps, is that ironically he’s got the love he always craved from the Centre Court crowd; they’re cheering his every point (of which admittedly there haven’t been too many). They’re urging him on with all their force when Djokovic slips 30-40, match point, down. It works: Djokovic saves it with a gutsy serve. And then a second match point with an ace! And the 38-year-old lives to fight another day (or most likely one more game). Because Sinner now gets the chance to serve this out.
Third set: Sinner 6-3, 6-3, 5-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Apart from that break at the start of this set, it’s been unrelenting from Sinner. And from 40-15, he closes out the game with a backhand winner, and Djokovic doesn’t even chase it down. He knows he’s beaten. That’s fifth game in a row for Sinner.
Updated at 14.42 EDT
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 6-3, 6-3, 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A classic one-two punch straight from the coach’s textbook rounds off a comfortable hold for Sinner. And an email from Paul Griffin: “Agassi is the tennis’s greatest raconteur isn’t he? ‘The greatest problem was not breaking Boris Becker’s serve. The greatest problem was hiding from Boris Becker that I knew how to break his serve.’”
I remember being absolutely blown away by Agassi at the first overseas slam I covered, back at the 2004 US Open (I’m showing my age now). I’d never seen anyone able to command a room of the hacks in the way he did. Hopefully his turn in the BBC commentary box today won’t be his last. Let’s get him back for the final. That would make an Alcaraz v Sinner final even more of an occasion, and it looks as if that’s what we’re getting when Sinner steps it up and breaks to 15.
Updated at 14.43 EDT
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 6-3, 6-3, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
My wifi, much like Sinner’s serve, has given up on me. So apologies, I can’t tell you all of what happened, but Sinner breaks to 15. It was loose from Djokovic, though, and there was a missed overhead and another shot into the net. Djokovic is cursing in Serbian as he sits down at the changeover. Johnny Mac pleads for some AI translation. We’ve got AI line calls now, so why not? He must be furious with himself (Djokovic I mean, not JM): he worked so hard to get back into this and he’s handed his third-set advantage back.
Third set: Sinner 6-3, 6-3, 1-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic even has the chance for a double break here, at 0-30, as Sinner’s first serve deserts him. How quickly a tennis match can change. And 0-30 turns into 30-40. Djokovic took his only other break point in this match – what about this? Sinner works his way to the net on the break point, ramping up the pressure … and finally dispatching the winning smash. Deuce. And from there Sinner survives.
Third set: Sinner* 6-3, 6-3, 0-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Stupid us: we should know from Djokovic’s career that it’s foolish to write him off. And he backs up the break by holding to 15. If Djokovic can maintain this momentum, will Sinner’s scar tissue from last month’s French Open final, when he was two sets and then three championship points up against Alcaraz, start to show? Sinner did also, by the way, lead Djokovic by two sets to love at Wimbledon in 2022 before losing. Sinner, of course, is an entirely different opponent now, but if Djokovic keeps asking the questions, perhaps some fault lines will appear.
Djokovic breaks: Sinner 6-3, 6-3, 0-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Agreed Simon. Assuming Djokovic loses this from here, will he still have the energy to get his body ready for another tilt at the title in 12 months? I’m not so sure. And will he want to come back if he doesn’t think he has a genuine chance of winning an eighth Wimbledon? Time catches up with all of us in the end, even the GOAT. Which I think he still will be, even if he doesn’t get to that elusive slam No 25; he’s won more than Nadal and Federer, after all, and will hopefully get the credit he deserves, whenever he does call it a day, for what he did to not only upset but then outdo the established order. But just as I’m writing his Wimbledon eulogy, Djokovic holds and then has a break point, when Sinner misses with a wild shot! Sinner then nets! Perhaps there’s life in the old champion yet.
He ain’t dead yet, Novak breaks. Photograph: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 15.16 EDT
Despite being totally outplayed so far, Djokovic hasn’t been in visible pain during the points, though, of course, it’s impossible to know how he’s feeling. And an email from Simon McMahon. “Hi Katy. I think we could be watching Djokovic’s last match at Wimbledon. This really does feel like the end of an era, a changing of the guard. If it is, I’m sure he can look forward to receiving a heroes welcome when he returns to SW19, which sadly is not something I think he ever received when he was battling Federer, Nadal and Murray. It’s not his fault he was the greatest in an era of greats. But he truly was great. Though I think even he knows the game is up. Oh, and I agree about Agassi on comms during the previous semi. He was sensational.”
Updated at 14.44 EDT
Sinner wins the second set 6-3
Sinner shows he can sometimes be human by opening the game with a double fault. But a 15-shot rally, predictably, ends in Sinner’s favour, as Djokovic, keen to get it over with, puts too much into his backhand. 15-all. 30-15. 40-15. And Sinner brutally settles it with an ace. Djokovic has called for the trainer. With Sinner scorching through the sets in this Wimbledon sauna, a dizzied Djokovic is probably seeing stars in his eyes. But the timeout seems to be for the thigh adductor injury he suffered in that nasty slip in the closing stages of his quarter-final on Wednesday.
Updated at 14.46 EDT
Second set: Sinner* 6-3, 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
0-15. 0-30. Sinner just isn’t missing. He’s giving Djokovic a taste of his 2015 medicine. Djokovic’s 11-year-old son Stefan winces in the box. Djokovic recovers to 30-all. But a vicious forehand pass down the line from Sinner leaves Djokovic rooted on the spot. 30-40, set point Sinner, which would leave the Italian serving first in the third set. As if he needs any more help right now. Djokovic belligerently sends down an ace. Deuce. And then another. Sinner doesn’t get another set point from there – but Djokovic does need another four deuces to hold. Such is the effort Djokovic has to make to get anything from Sinner right now.
And some news on Alfie Hewett:
Alfie Hewett closes it out in style 😮💨
The defending champion cruises through to a fourth consecutive final with a 6-0, 7-5 win over the 2024 runner-up Martin De La Puente 👊
Sealed with his fifth ace of the match 🃏 pic.twitter.com/yY62n22LuC
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
Second set: Sinner 6-3, 5-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic wins the opening point on Sinner’s serve – and the crowd celebrate as if the Serb’s taken the set. Sinner silences them with the next three points. Though there is a loud gasp when Djokovic rams the ball into the net at 40-15. Sinner’s won 92% of points on his first serve so far. He’s untouchable. And Djokovic must now hold serve to stay in the second set. They haven’t even been playing for an hour yet.
Novak Djokovic is right up against it in this second set. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare
Updated at 13.06 EDT
Second set: Sinner* 6-3, 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic decides to change tactics and goes for the serve-volley. It works. He’s 40-0 up. Unlike his approach in his heyday, Djokovic could do with shortening the points here, because Sinner’s metronomic brilliance >>>>> 38-year-old Djokovic’s. But Djokovic gets involved in a longer rally on the next point, and hits long. 40-15. Though he does manage to hold from there.
Second set: Sinner 6-3, 4-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Another green shoot for Djokovic (perhaps): he lost the first sets against Alex de Minaur and Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round and quarter-finals respectively, before coming back strongly. But De Minaur and Cobolli, fine players as they are, aren’t of Sinner’s calibre. Another ace from Sinner, his ninth of the match, and there’s another authoritative hold. Djokovic just isn’t getting a look-in on the world No 1’s serve.
Second set: Sinner* 6-3, 3-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
From 15-all, Sinner consolidates the break with a hat-trick of aces. Wow. Not only is he dominating from the baseline, he’s serving supremely too. And Raducanu isn’t the only notable face watching on: Leonardo DiCaprio, Rami Malek and Benedict Cumberbatch are back from their tea (or tennis ball delights) and are in the Royal Box. Wonder if they could script a great escape for Djokovic here. Djokovic does, at least, hold to 15, finishing the game with a much-needed winner, a cross-court forehand. Maybe that’ll spark him into life.
If you’re just joining us:
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 6-3, 2-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
“It’s like Djokovic watching a mirror image of himself from the past,” McEnroe says of facing Sinner. And that’s the problem for Djokovic today: they’re both very similar players, but Djokovic’s metronomic consistency and ability to play that extra ball isn’t as good as Sinner’s any more. Especially when he’s nursing that injury from the quarter-finals. The Italian machine of Sinner is basically generation Z’s version of the classic cyborg from Serbia. Sinner isn’t missing anything right now, and after another swift hold, he surges to 0-30 on Djokovic’s serve, as Emma Raducanu watches on, applauding. Wonder what Carlos Alcaraz makes of her switching her loyalties. And at 30-40 Sinner gets break point; cue a wild forehand from Djokovic and another break.
Updated at 15.10 EDT
Sinner wins the first set 6-3
Sinner, armed with new balls (though none as tasty as the ones in Wimbledon’s restaurant), rattles through to love, rounding things off with an ace. With the temperature still about 30C, the Italian then turns up the heat on Djokovic’s serve. 0-15 becomes 15-30. And then 15-40, two set points, after the most absorbing rally of the match, complete with drop shots, lobs and smashes, is eventually won by Sinner. The first let-up from Sinner today, as he becomes a little tentative and fails to take either set point. After three deuces Sinner gets a third set point. Djokovic hits a messy backhand long and wearily trudges back to his chair. His task was already tough enough – but it’s now become about 1,000 times harder.
Jannik Sinner means business today. Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.42 EDT
First set: Sinner* 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is in a little danger at 30-all. But edges through from there with the next two points. And speaking of Agassi … look at this! So much for Wimbledon’s usual fare of strawberries and cream. I wonder if everyone who ordered it got given a racket too – or if only the great man did….
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First set: Sinner 4-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Sinner downed Djokovic in their past two grand slam meetings, by the way, at this year’s French Open and last year’s Australian Open, but Djokovic has got the better of Sinner twice at Wimbledon before, in 2022 and 2023. Though we should note that was before Sinner turned into the numero uno Sinner. He’s a totally different proposition now. “Sinner so far looks undeterred by the prospect of facing someone he’s looked up to,” notes John McEnroe, who’s taken over from Andre Agassi on the BBC commentary. Which, no disrespect to Johnny Mac, feels like a bit of a downgrade, for no other reason than he’s not Andre Agassi. On court meanwhile, a couple of straightforward holds and it’s 4-2.
First set: Sinner 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0 … Sinner still hasn’t dropped a point on serve. But then the world No 1 gifts the man who’s spent more time at No 1 than anyone else a couple of points by hitting long and then coughing up an early double fault. 40-30. Djokovic can’t make any further inroads in the game though, because he drills his return long. The break has been backed up.
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The first point against serve, as Sinner sends a sweet forehand winner down the line. And then it’s 15-30. The longest point of the opening exchanges plays out, it’s a real game of cat and mouse, with Sinner sprinting forward to Djokovic’s half-volley and Djokovic then scrambling to the net himself before hurtling back to attempt the tweener from Sinner’s lob, but failing. And that perhaps sums up the task facing Djokovic this afternoon: his 38-year-old legs have got far more miles on the clock than the 23-year-old Sinner’s. 15-40, two break points. And Djokovic nets. Sinner strikes early.
First set: Sinner 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Sinner, with his arm still heavily strapped after that fall in his great escape against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, replies to Djokovic’s love hold with one of his own. Djokovic has got his own injury worries too, of course, after that nasty slip when he was serving for the match against Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals. He cancelled his practice session yesterday, but looks OK in the opening exchanges. But it’s hard to truly tell given the points have been so short and sharp.
Jannik Sinner and his strapped arm. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.09 EDT
First set: Sinner* 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Thanks Daniel. Phew, it’s hot in this Wimbledon sauna. But no time to cool down after Alcaraz’s latest masterclass, because Sinner and Djokovic are already under way, with Djokovic sending the world No 1 a message of defiance from the off with a hold to love. Not that most of the Centre Court spectators saw it, because they’re still catching their breath after the first semi-final and have gone AWOL.
Updated at 15.06 EDT
I am in awe of that man. He’s everything I want a sportsperson to be – exciting, improvisational, attitudinous and a mensch, a total one-off who is spreads joy and love wherever he goes. I cant wait to see him on Sunday, but who will he play? Katy Murrells will be here shortly to croon you through … Jannik Sinner v Novak Djokovic! Oooh yeah! But that’s it from me for now, so thanks for your company and peace out!
It’s alway hard to face Taylor, he says, especially in this heat, and he’s really happy with everything he’s done today. it’s not easy to deal with the nerves, but he’s happy to have saved set point and he’s really proud with how he stayed calm and thought clearly; he’s happy with level today. I’ll bet, old mate, I’ll bet.
Asked how he’s able to find the joy in his tennis having won 24 matches straight, not thinking about stuff like that is his answer. he’s focused on playing on a beautiful court in the most beautiful tournament in the world and for now, he’s not thinking about Sunday, he’s enjoying the moment and today’s win. He’ll have time to play and think on Sunday, but for now he’ll watch the second semi and see. Djokovic v Sinner is one of the most exciting matches they have on tour right now, so he’ll watch as much of it as he can after doing press and so on. He’ll have to play one or other, so he’ll work out his tactics and come back on Sunday.
Real talk, we felt like we knew how it’d end, but that was so enjoyable and intense. Alcaraz is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, in any sport, a bristling bundle of goodness, and here he is.
ShareCarlos Alcaraz (2) beats Taylor Fritz (5) 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6(6)
This boy is a genius, what else do you want to know?! Fritz played what might be the match of his life, but every timer he got near Alcaraz pushed him away, his confidence and creativity like nothing we’ve ever seen before – Johnny Mac is closest, and there’s no greater compliment than that. We are privileged to be living in his time, and he’ll face Sinner or Djokovic on Sunday as he bids to win a third Wimbledon in a row. Currently, he’s 5-0 in major finals.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShare
Updated at 13.02 EDT
Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz (6-7) Tentative from Alcaraz, when a massive second serve is returned with interest. But the champ conjures a remarkable forehand pass to raise match point, genius that he is….
Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz (6-6) But he’s playing Carlos Alcaraz, who finds a big boy’s return, changes momentum with a backhand on to the baseline, and saves set point when Fritz can’t respond to a drop. shortly afterwards, we’re back level at 6-6, and both these freaks of nature of giving us everything.
Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz (4-6) A service winner takes Fritz a point away! he’s now won five in a row!
Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz (4-5) A deft +1 volley makes Alcaraz 4-1, but two holds from Fritz keep him in the hunt. Can he snatch back the mini-break? Well, he gets a look at a second serve, hits a decent return and we go backhand to backhand, corner to corner, until he switches up to coax a winner down the line! Hold tight Taylor Fritz! he’s playing as well as he can, and we’re back on serve … then a brutal forehand means he’s two hodls awa from forcing a fifth set! This is fantastic stuff!
Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz (1-3) A well-placed – and bloody fast – second serve sees Fritz’s return fly just long, but when he tries some finesse with a drop, Alcaraz fools him by responding with a lob, the slams away the resultant overhead for a mini-break at 2-1. Alcaraz is so, so good at doing whatever is necessary, and that body-serve earns him 3-1.
*Fritz 4-6 7-5 3-6 6-6 Alcaraz Alcaraz gets his first return in, but a monstrous inside-out forehand, followed by a service winner, make 30-0. Another follows, but Alcaraz then dashes in to flip a gorgeous pick-up across the face of the net, then Fritz can’t respond to a drop, and at 40-30, Fritz will be wondering. So he astonishes an ace out wide, that has Alcaraz vaulting sideways in its pursuit, and here comes our fourth-set breaker. Bring it on!