World No1 Jannik Sinner inflicted a devastating performance against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in Friday afternoon’s Wimbledon semi-final, describing the victory as “even more special” than his previous wins.
The Italian appeared to be cruising through the tournament, not even dropping a game on serve, until he met Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, who posed a significant challenge.
With the Sinner two sets down and almost out, the Bulgarian tore his pectoral muscle, meaning he could not continue, giving the fortunate 23-year-old a walkover. After beating Ben Shelton in the last eight, he then locked horns with Djokovic on Friday.
Sinner was at his scintillating best, inflicting the Serb’s fastest ever Wimbledon defeat in under two hours.
Novak Djokovic was outclassed by Jannik Sinner during Friday's Wimbledon semi-final clashPAThe 24-time Grand Slam winner has also never won fewer than the 10 games he managed in Friday’s semi-final, truly demonstrating Sinner’s superiority on the day.
After his stunning victory that now sets up another clash against rival Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final, Sinner said: "It's amazing, I can't believe it. It's a tournament I always watched when I was young, and I would have never imagined I could play in the final.
"I know how much work me and my team are putting in, my dad and brother arrived today so it's even more special, and playing here in front of you guys is amazing."
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Jannik Sinner will now take on Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday PA After the second set, Djokovic required medical attention, with Sinner adding that his opponent was not moving as well.
“I served very well and was moving much better today,” the three-time Grand Slam winner continued. “We all saw, especially in the third set, he was a bit injured.
“He's been in a difficult situation, but I tried to stay calm, play the best tennis I can in the important moments, and let's see what's coming now in the final."
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The victory marked another impressive milestone for the Italian, who has now reached the final of all four Grand Slams.
Wimbledon’s grass surface has often been difficult for Sinner to conquer in tournaments gone by, with the Italian only making the semi-final on one occasion prior to this year.
Speaking on the achievement, Sinner added: “It's amazing, it shows I'm growing as a player on all surfaces, which is important, trying to keep going and working.
"I struggled a lot five years ago when I started on this surface, I couldn't really move very well, but now I'm moving much better.
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Jannik Sinner has looked supreme throughout the majority of the tournament this year
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"It's all part of the process, we are trying to work every day with a good purpose. It means a lot to achieve these kinds of things, but we try to keep going and have a smile on our face, which is more important on this journey."
The final sets up a thrilling rematch of the French Open, in which Sinner lost to Alcaraz in an all-time classic five-set battle last month.
After his agonising defeat, despite being two sets up against the Spaniard, Sinner claimed he “looks up to” his counterpart, as he hailed it as an “honour” to share the court with him.
He concluded: "We saw the last final - you never know [what will happen]! It's a huge honour for me to share the court with Carlos. We try to push ourselves to the limit. He is one of the players I look up to and I love watching him.
"Hopefully it's going to be a good match like the last one, I don't know if it can be better because I don't think it's possible!
"But we will try to do our best, hopefully it will be an enjoyable match to play and for you all to enjoy."