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Novak Djokovic survived a scare to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a tense four-set victory over Alex de Minaur on Monday, staying on course for a blockbuster clash with world number one Jannik Sinner.
Seven-time champion Djokovic endured a nightmare start to his last-16 match against the Australian 11th seed on Centre Court but eventually battled back to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Fresh from his 100th win at Wimbledon on Saturday — making him the third player to achieve that feat after Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer — Novak Djokovic reached his 16th quarter-final at the tournament.
Aged 38, Djokovic is aiming to win a record 25th major title, breaking a tie with the long-retired Margaret Court, and a record-equalling eighth men’s crown at the All England Club.
That would make him the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era.
“It wasn’t a great start for me, it was a great start for Alex de Minaur obviously. I kind of reset myself in the second set,” Novak Djokovic said.
“I was very pleased to hang in tough in the right moments and win this one.”
Sixth-seeded Djokovic’s 101st victory at Wimbledon came under the gaze of Federer, who was sitting in the front row of the royal box alongside his wife Mirka.
“It’s probably the first time he’s watching me and I’ve won the match,” said Djokovic. “The last couple I lost, so good to break the curse.
“No, it’s great, obviously, great to have Roger, a huge champion and someone that I admired and respected a lot.
“We shared the stage for so many years, and it’s great to have him back.”
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