Marathon man Djokovic sets up Murray title clash

Serbian Novak Djokovic whips a backhand to Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro during their semifinal match at Wimbledon yesterday. rIGHT Andy Murray exults after winning a point against Jerzy Janowicz yesterday.

AFP/Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 in the longest Wimbledon semi-final in history to set up a title clash with Britain’s Andy Murray who ended rising Polish star Jerzy Janowicz’s dream run in the tournament.

In a titanic struggle played out over four hours and 43 minutes, world number one Djokovic squandered two match points in the fourth set tiebreak before going on to seal a final clash with the world number 2 Briton.

Murray prevailed 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 after Janowicz was inspired in the first set tiebreak and powered through it easily.

Murray broke the giant Pole in the first game of the second set and he clung on to his own serve to level the match.

Janowicz broke early in the third set and led 4-1 but Murray drew inspiration from the home crowd and won five games in a row to take it 6-4.

The roof on Centre Court was closed, halting Murray’s momentum to his obvious displeasure, but the Briton broke for a 2-1 lead in the fourth and he took Janowicz’s serve again to reach his second successive Wimbledon final.

Earlier, Djokovic, bidding for a seventh Grand Slam crown, fired 22 aces and 80 winners against the luckless Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion.

“It was one of the best matches I’ve been part of, certainly one of the most exciting. It was so close and nothing could separate us,” said Djokovic.

“But that’s why he is a Grand Slam champion, every time he was in a tough situation he comes up with unbelievable shots.

“I’m very proud to go through. When I lost the fourth set of course it was disappointing because I was close to winning and didn’t capitalise. He came up with some big forehands. It was a very high level of tennis.

“I was ready to go five sets. I was able to stay tough and get through in the end.” Del Potro said he had played his best match on a grass court.

“I was so close. I played really good tennis for four and a half hours but he hits the ball so hard. I am sad because I lost,” said Del Potro.

“It was just a couple of points, it was my best tennis on grass but against the world number one it’s not enough.

“Novak runs like he’s playing on a clay court or hard court. Always the ball comes back. He deserved to win.” Del Potro, who had defeated the Serb for the Olympic bronze medal at Wimbledon last year, matched Djokovic blow for blow in the first set but had to bat back a break point in the sixth game to stay on level terms.

At 6-5, Djokovic stepped it up, a backhand from off his toes landing in the corner before a backhand off-balance from the Argentine sailed long. The Serb, playing in his fourth successive Wimbledon semi-final, sensed blood and a wide forehand from the suddenly besieged Del Potro gave the world number one the opener.

Del Potro called for the doctor after slipping down 3-2 in the second set, but the consultation didn’t remedy his problems against the top seed as he immediately had to fend off four break points.

However, buoyed by his defiance, Del Potro broke for a 4-3 edge, the second point of the game clinched by chasing down a Djokovic drop shot which he dinked over cross-court.

Del Potro just about backed it up for 5-3 before he went on to level the tie, a picture-perfect drop shot followed by an unreturned serve.

It was the first set that the Serb had dropped in the tournament.

Djokovic fought off a break point in the fifth game of the third set and two more in the seventh before the Argentine had to save three set points in the 12th, the last courtesy of a 90mph winner.

RESULTS 

Men’s singles (semifinals): Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x8) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3; Andy Murray (GBR x2) beat Jerzy Janowicz (POL x24) 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3                   

Women’s doubles (semifinals): Hsieh Su-Wei/Shuai Peng (TPE/CHN x8) bt Shuko Aoyama/Chanelle Scheepers (JPN/RSA) 6-4, 6-3; Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS/AUS x12) bt Anna-Lena Groenfeld/Kveta Peschke (GER/CZE x7) 7-6 (8/6), 6-2

Today’s order of play

Women’s singles final (1300GMT): Sabine Lisicki (GER x23) v Marion Bartoli (FRA x15)

 Followed by

Men’s doubles final:  Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan (USA/USA x1) v Ivan Dodig/Marcelo Melo (CRO/BRA x12)

Followed by

Women’s doubles final: Su-Wei Hsieh/Peng Shuai (TPE/CHN x8) v Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS/AUS x12)