TENNIS: Djokovic shines in longest Wimbledon quarterfinal as Gauff, Zverev break new ground

LONDON — Novak Djokovic defeated third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon quarterfinal in history on Tuesday, winning 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) after five hours and 15 minutes to advance to the semifinals.

The victory keeps Djokovic's bid alive for a record-tying eighth Wimbledon singles title and a record 25th Grand Slam championship. The 39-year-old will face defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals after the top seed defeated Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3.

Djokovic described the match as one of the best he has played at Wimbledon, praising Auger-Aliassime's performance and the atmosphere on Centre Court.

"It was one of the best matches I was part of in Wimbledon," Djokovic said. "It was really super even. Anyone's game. Felix played on a high level. I used all my opportunities and played the right shots when it mattered."

In the women's draw, seventh-seeded American Coco Gauff reached her first Wimbledon semifinal after rallying past fourth-seeded compatriot Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Gauff had never advanced beyond the fourth round at the All England Club before this year's tournament.

Gauff said she was pleased with her progress on grass after struggling on the surface in recent seasons.

"Considering how I hadn't won a match on grass in two years before this tournament, I'm definitely just really happy with how I played today," she said.

Tenth-seeded Karolina Muchova also reached her first Wimbledon semifinal by defeating Japan's Naomi Osaka 7-6(4), 6-4, ending Osaka's hopes of winning a fifth Grand Slam title.

On the men's side, second-seeded Alexander Zverev advanced to his first Wimbledon quarterfinal after completing a 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(6) victory over Czech player Jiri Lehecka. Zverev will face sixth-seeded American Taylor Fritz in the next round.

Muchova will take on Gauff in one women's semifinal, while Czech player Linda Noskova and Belgium's Elise Mertens will compete for the remaining semifinal spot. -Reporting by Martyn Herman, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Lovell and Alan Baldwin; Editing by Alison Williams and Ken Ferris/Reuters