Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic, to play for 2nd Wimbledon title - ESPN

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner will play for his second consecutive Wimbledon title after defeating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals Friday.

Since being down two sets to one in the first round against Miomir Kecmanovic, Sinner has won 17 consecutive sets this fortnight. He joined Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as the only players to beat Djokovic three times in straight sets at majors, excluding retirements.

«I knew mentally,» Sinner said, «that today I had to raise my level, which I've done.»

It was another warm day in southwest London, with the temperature rising to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It was also breezy and a bit cloudier than in recent days.

Still, it felt nothing like the suffocating heat and humidity at the French Open in Paris, when Sinner wasted a big lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who was ranked No. 56, and had his 30-match winning streak ended in dramatically unexpected fashion.

If there were any lingering questions over Sinner's physical status after that shocking second-round defeat, they should be answered now. Sinner advances to his first major final in 2026 after playing all four last year.

Djokovic, the 39-year-old 24-time major champion, was coming off the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, when he outlasted Felix Auger-Aliassime after 5 hours, 15 minutes on Tuesday. He has now been eliminated at Wimbledon by either Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz each of the past four years. He is 1-4 vs. Sinner/Alcaraz and 20-0 against all others over that span.

«Playing against Novak,» Sinner said, «what he's still showing is true inspiration.»

It was a measure of revenge for Sinner after Djokovic won their previous meeting in five sets in this year's Australian Open