Novak Djokovic became a serious Wimbledon title contender as he made his first semi-final since 2015 with a 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-2 win over Kei Nishikori.
It was performance of resilience and resolve from the former number one, reminiscent of the player who held all four Grand Slam titles two years ago.
After Djokovic took the first set, his Japanese opponent saved four break points before levelling.
The Serb took the next and fought from a break down in the fourth to win.
Djokovic told BBC Sport: “It feels great to be in the last four of a Slam. I’ve been building in the past couple of weeks. The level of tennis has been going up in the past couple of months and tournaments.
“This is not the first time I have been in the semi-finals here but I will try to enjoy this victory.
“I am very grateful to play on the court I love [Centre Court] and to be competing at a high level. I am trying to get in the best possible shape for the biggest possible events and it doesn’t come much bigger that Wimbledon.”
