"There were two games: in the first two sets he was better. I took a break to go to the bathroom at the end of the second set and took the opportunity to talk to myself in the mirror to cheer myself up morale", explained the world N.3.

"On the return, I had the chance to break quickly in the third set, it gave me confidence and I felt that he had started to doubt", continued the Serb, who is 26 wins. in a row at Wimbledon, where he has not lost since his retirement in the quarter-finals in 2017.

"I always think I can come back two sets down. Maybe it's experience, the bathroom break, or a combination of the two..." he joked.

He will face the Briton Cameron Norrie (12th) or the Belgian David Goffin (58th) on Friday to try to climb for the 8th time in the final of the Major on grass where he is seeking a seventh title.

Djokovic celebrates his 26th victory in a row at Wimbledon, after beating Sinner in the quarter-finals on July 5, 2022 in London SEBASTIEN BOZON AFP

His victory against Sinner, who at 20 was playing his second Wimbledon after being eliminated in the first round last year, is Djokovic's 84th in the London Major.

He thus equals Jimmy Connors in second place among the players who have won the most victories there, behind Roger Federer (105).

Djokovic on his stomach

Early in the game, Djokovic looked set to quietly pocket the first set when he quickly went 4-1.

But the game was then balanced, the Serb committed a few unforced errors and the Italian came back to 4-4 before making the decisive break to lead 6-5.

He did not miss his chance, on his serve, to win this first set.

More solid (3 aces to 0, 100% success after his first serve) and without the slightest trace of emotion, Sinner dominated the second set.

But Djokovic therefore returned from his restroom break re-motivated.

He increased his first serve rate and dominated the set after breaking to lead 3-1.

He then did not concede a single break point and took his opponent's serve twice in the fourth set.

In the final game of that fourth set, Sinner fell in a run to recover a drop shot and twisted his left ankle.

He stayed on the ground for a moment then got up with the help of Djokovic and resumed the game.

Jannik Sinner on the ground after hurting his ankle in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon on July 5, 2022 in London SEBASTIEN BOZON AFP

He didn't appear injured, saved two set points but lost the game and the set.

Everything had to be redone, but Djokovic continued on steamroller mode.

He made the break to lead 2-1: on the break point, Sinner led the exchange but his drop shot stopped in the band of the net.

Djokovic then managed the double break to lead 5-2: he first placed a cross-passing backhand at the end of the race - and found himself on his stomach -, thus offering himself a break point on which Sinner completely missed a forehand volley.

A few minutes later, Djokovic concluded with a shutout on his serve.

© 2022 AFP