(July 3, 2013) Four the fourth straight year Novak Djokovic has made his way to the Wimbledon semifinals 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-3 over No. 7 Tomas Berdych. The world No. 1 overcame a double break blip, 0-3 in the second set to move past his Czech opponent. The win earned the Serb his 13 straight Grand Slam semifinal berth.
Djokovic will face Juan Martin del Potro for a spot in the final on Friday. Del Potro who dismissed No. 4 David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), gave spectators a scare just 5 points into the match. The Argentine fell going after an overhead with his already injured knee bending backwards and the forward as he tumbled on the grass. Some feared that Del Potro would not be able to able to continue, but he recovered.
Del Potro’s victory ended less than five seconds after Djokovic’s.
“It’s really, really painful,” Del Potro said of the injury. “I don’t try to be a spectacular fall, but was really painful for me. I was scared because I did the same thing four days ago. I know how tough is play with some pains on the knee.”
“I will need to be 100% or 110% against him,” Del Potro said of his match against Djokovic. “He’s the No. 1. He’s a former champion here. It’s going to be more difficult match for me like today.
”But if I’m okay, if I do everything good to be ready for my next match, I will be exciting to play against him. I remember the match during the Olympic last year on the same surface.”
Djokovic lost to Del Potro in the Bronze medal match at last year’s Olympic games, the tennis was held on the courts of Wimbledon.
“Now I’m in the semifinals. Hopefully I can get a step further,” Djokovic said. You know, I’m really going to try to step out on the court in two days and give my best to be in another final of Wimbledon.
“I believe I can make it. Now, of course I have a quality opponent. As I said, there is no really clear favorites now in the later stages of the event.
“But inspiration is out there, you know. Of course you always want to do your best in the Grand Slams.”
Both men go into Friday’s semifinal without dropping a set during the Wimbledon fortnight.