Novak Djokovic turns on the style to beat Kei Nishikori and reach Wimbledon semi-finals

ByEurosport

Updated 11/07/2018 at 15:41 GMT

Novak Djokovic produced a performance reminiscent of his peak years to beat Kei Nishikori and reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning a point against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their Men's Singles Quarter-Finals match on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Clu

Image credit: Getty Images

The Serbian fired early in the match to take the first set 6-3, but his smooth progress was halted by a strong Nishikori fightback in the second set.

However Djokovic seems to have rediscovered the old fire that powered him to 12 Grand Slam titles and responded well to being pulled back to level sets, tearing through the last two high-quality sets to take the match 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-2.

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The 12th-seeded Serb was warned by umpire Carlos Ramos for bouncing his racquet off the baseline early in the second set, with words exchanged at the change of ends as his frustration began to show. Following the incident, Nishikor - the 24th seed who saved three break points to hold serve at 2-1 in the second set - promptly broke and then held to go 4-1 up.

But that was as good as it got for the Japanese star, who was playing Djokovic on grass for the first time and seeking to end a 12-match losing streak against the Serb.

Speaking after the match a clearly frustrated Djokovic said:

I thought it was unnecessary to get the warning. I didn’t harm the grass. I know how I threw the racquet. He even threw the racquet in the fourth set and the chair umpire says he didn’t see him. I get the warning, he doesn’t – it’s not fair. But it is the way it is in the midst of emotions and tough matches it happens.

Djokovic will play the winner of the Juan-Martin del Potro vs Rafael Nadal match in the semi-finals.

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