Novak Djokovic scripted a fine comeback in his Wimbledon quarter-final against Janik Sinner. Down two sets and looking out of sorts, the top-seed gathered himself before the third. Finding his range from there on, the Italian tyro began to fold bit-by-bit. Breaking the Sinner serve early in the third, the Djoker exposed his brittle underbelly. The rest of the tie was a procession for the Serb, as he served out to win 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Amidst all this, he found time to squeeze a magnificent cross-court winner past Sinner’s wiry frame. Pulled wide by the Italian’s angled serve, Nole stretched to make the return. Sinner skipped mid-court to laser a forehand on the opposite side, but Djokovic sprinted across the baseline, draining a backhand winner, doing a split to reach the passing ball.

Also Read: Eighty’s not plenty: Novak Djokovic aims for a hundred after first-round win at Wimbledon

Speaking after his match, Novak, tongue-in-cheek as ever- pointed to the crucial toilet break after the second set was the turning point in the match. A few fiery words in front of the mirror later, the Djoker was back in the mood:

“I went out, had a little bit of a refreshment, toilet break and a little pep talk in the mirror – it’s actually true. Sometimes in this sort of circumstance, where nothing is happening positively for you on court, and the other guy is dominating the play, sometimes these things are necessary, quotes the Express.

“As negative and down you feel on yourself in those moments, even though as fake as it looks or sounds to you, it really gives you an effect and support. A little break and a little pep talk and try to recuperate and regather the thoughts, and reassemble everything that you have, and come at your opponent with the best possible game. I was fortunate to start the third set very well. I broke his serve early in the set and I think that has given me a confidence boost. I saw a little bit of doubt in his game, in his movement, and I guess the experience of playing on this stage for many matches helped me a little bit to deal and cope with the pressure,” he continued.

Also Read: From unknown to Norrie Knoll, Wimbledon basks in home boy’s semi-final run

With home favourite Cameron Norrie on his radar, the Serbian will have no qualms about breaking Centre Court hearts in the coming semi-final. Chasing a seventh Wimbledon and 21st Major, the Belgrade boy will look to channel his own Partizan spirit.