Djokovic gets free pass to Wimbledon semi-finals as Rybakina eyes second title
The Peninsula
London: Novak Djokovic progressed to a record equalling 13th Wimbledon semi final without hitting a ball on Wednesday after Alex de Minaur pulled out...
London: Novak Djokovic progressed to a record-equalling 13th Wimbledon semi-final without hitting a ball on Wednesday after Alex de Minaur pulled out injured as Elena Rybakina kept her focus on a second title.
Australian ninth seed De Minaur, 25, announced shortly after midday at the All England Club that he was "devastated to pull out due to a hip injury".
It means Djokovic has now equalled Roger Federer's men's record of 13 semi-final appearances at Wimbledon as he closes on the Swiss great's mark of eight singles titles.
The 37-year-old Serbian is through to a record-extending 49th men's Grand Slam semi-final.
De Minaur, who beat Djokovic at the United Cup in January, said: "It's no secret that this would have been the biggest match of my career but it's a unique injury.
