Novak Djokovic Through To Wimbledon Semi-Final, Opponent Forced To Withdraw

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals on Wednesday when "devastated" Alex de Minaur withdrew from their last-eight clash with a hip injury. Australian ninth seed De Minaur suffered the injury in his fourth-round win over Arthur Fils and admitted Wednesday: "I am devastated to pull out due to a hip injury". "It's no secret that this would have been the biggest match of my career but it's a unique injury," said the 25-year-old. "I woke up this morning wanting to feel some sort of miracle, but there was a high risk of making the injury worse if I stepped on court."

"One stretch, one slide could take this from a three to six weeks' injury to four months out. It's just too much to risk."

Djokovic will be playing in his 13th Wimbledon semi-final, equalling the mark of eight-time All England Club champion Roger Federer, and 49th at the Grand Slams.

He will face either Taylor Fritz of the United States or Italy's Lorenzo Musetti for a place in Sunday's championship match.

De Minaur suffered the injury in the closing stages of his four-set win against Fils on Court 1 on Monday. He said he had felt a "loud crack".

As he sat down, he shook his head towards his box, where 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, a fellow Australian, and tennis-playing girlfriend Katie Boulter looked on with concern.

De Minaur defeated 24-time Grand Slam title winner Djokovic at the United Cup in Australia earlier this year.

He arrived at Wimbledon having made the quarter-finals at the French Open and with a grass-court title at 's-Hertogenbosh under his belt.

Djokovic becomes only the third man in the Open Era to reach the semi-finals at Wimbledon aged 37 or older after Ken Rosewall and Federer.

The Serb has also been