Novak Djokovic edges Felix Auger-Aliassime in longest-ever Wimbledon quarterfinal

The former world number one needed five hours and 15 minutes to eventually prevail 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) on Centre Court.

The match ebbed and flowed, with Auger-Aliassime making a notable comeback in the fourth set, where he lost the first six points of the set to go a break down.

The Canadian star then fought off three break points in the fifth set as each held serve to go into a ten-point tiebreak. Djokovic was better in the big moments as he ground out the win over a player 14 years his junior.

"It's exciting to be part of such an epic match that was played over five hours," Djokovic said in his post-match press conference after his 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) victory over the 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime.

"Just one of the best matches I was honestly part of in Wimbledon," reflected the 36-year-old.

"I don't recall playing this long any match. Maybe [the] Roger final 2019 comes close in terms of the time and length.

"But it was really super even. Anyone's game. Felix really played [at] a high level. He dropped his level a little bit in that super tie-break. I used all my opportunities and hung in there, played the right shots. That was enough."

But it's out of the frying pan and into the fire for Djokovic, as the win earns him a semifinal date with the red-hot Jannik Sinner on Friday. The indomitable Serb is hunting a record-extending 25th grand slam title.

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