Wimbledon semi-finals 2026: Novak Djokovic and Janic Ciner meet again in history

Djokovic may be 15 years older than Sinner but his movement and shot-making ability against Auger-Aliassim, even into the fifth set, was astounding.

He always had amazing stamina. At the 2012 Australian Open, he defeated Andy Murray in a semi-final lasting four hours and 50 minutes on Friday, with a day off, and then defeated Rafael Nadal in five hours and 50 minutes on Sunday – the longest men’s singles final in history.

Fourteen years have passed since then, and Djokovic went into last year’s semi-finals with a “tank half empty” against Ciner.

“I think grass is the least physically demanding surface,” said former British number one Tim Henman on BBC TV.

“Those best-of-five sets matches are inevitably going to take it out of anybody but, when you’re 39, it’s really important to be able to determine those energy levels.”

Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points against Ciner in the semi-finals in Melbourne in January and his serve was strong at the championships.

Sinner, who leads the head-to-head 6-5, has also served exceptionally well. A change in his technique – shortening his ball toss and taking more time with his speed – has reaped rewards.

He’s made 16 double faults in his five matches so far with 97 – and won 84% of his first-serve points, against big-server Jan-Lennard Struff in the quarter-finals.

After a real scare in the first round, where he came back in five sets against Miomir Kekmanovic, Italy’s Cena has grown in the tournament.

Cena also coped well in the heat against the strophes, battling the hot and humid temperatures of Paris last month.

The Italian bowed out in the second round of the French Open in sweltering heat, admitting he was “lucky” when the heat rule was enforced at the Australian Open when temperatures hit 40C in his third-round match.

He cut more comfortable figures as the tournament went on – and like Djokovic will benefit from a two-day rest after their quarter-final on Wednesday.

“I think every match is different (against Novak),” Ciner said.

“Even when I had this short streak with him, I felt like every match really had its own story.

“Especially when you play on a surface like this, if you’re having a bad day serving or not feeling the ball very well, it’s going to be very, very difficult.”