For the first time at Wimbledon 2023, reigning champion Novak Djokovic trailed in a match, falling in the first set to Andrey Rublev late Tuesday night on Centre Court. However, just as Rublev was about to deliver a first-ever act at the Championships, Djokovic replied in a ruthless way. On any other day, against any other opponent, the Russian could have easily won. But for a guy who has been synonymous with the tournament over the last several years, he required much more. Djokovic finally won 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to go to the semi-finals.
With the victory, Djokovic is one step closer to going level with Roger Federer’s record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title, his fifth in a straight and an Open Era record-equaling 24th Grand Slam. It also pushed him to the top of the ATP Live Rankings, despite Carlos Alcaraz’s quarterfinal game against Holger Rune on Wednesday, who could reclaim his position with a win.
However, Djokovic’s triumph on Tuesday was significant because it equalled Federer’s tally of 46 men’s singles Grand Slam semi-final appearances in the Open Era. Rafael Nadal comes in second with 38 appearances. Only Federer (13) is above him with 12 of those coming at Wimbledon.
It was also his 66th Grand Slam victory over a top-10 player, two more than Federer, and the best ever by a player in men’s singles since the ATP Rankings were first published in 1973.