Djokovic Breaks Auger-Aliassime at Love for 4-2 Third-Set Lead at Wimbledon

Q: Can Karolína Muchová's inventive style finally overcome Coco Gauff's power in their high-stakes Wimbledon semifinal rematch?

Yes—but only if Muchová can keep the match on her terms, because the broader evidence still favors Gauff. Muchová arrives with a game well suited to grass and to disrupting rhythm. Against Naomi Osaka, she showed exactly why she is dangerous at Wimbledon: she mixed pace, served efficiently, used variety, and finished with authority. Her backhand slice, changes of height and tempo, and willingness to come forward can blunt Gauff’s athletic baseline power. She also has proof this matchup is playable, having beaten Gauff before, and she comes in with confidence after a strong grass swing. The problem for Muchová is that Gauff has usually solved her. Gauff has won six of their seven meetings, including the 2023 US Open semifinal and two WTA 1000 finals. That record suggests Gauff’s speed, defensive coverage, and improved ability to turn defense into attack have consistently limited Muchová’s creativity over time. Gauff also looks increasingly comfortable on grass. Her quarterfinal win over Jessica Pegula was a resilient, high-level comeback, and it underlined a key edge: when rallies get physical or the match becomes a test of nerve, Gauff often raises her level. As a two-time major champion and world No. 2, she brings more proven big-match weight. So Muchová absolutely can win this semifinal, especially if she serves well and keeps points varied and short. But based on form, experience, and the head-to-head, Gauff remains the more likely winner.

Q: With Sinner and Zverev in the semis, is this the year a new men's champion is finally crowned at Wimbledon?

Not necessarily. A new men’s champion at Wimbledon is possible, but not guaranteed. The key point is that Jannik Sinner is not a “new” champion if he wins. The additional reporting indicates Sinner is the defending Wimbledon champion from 2025, so another title for the world No. 1 would be a repeat, not a first-time winner. His form makes that a very real possibility: he has reached the semifinals after beating Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets and has looked composed throughout the event. Alexander Zverev, by contrast, would be a new Wimbledon champion if he goes all the way. He has never won the title and has now reached the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time after defeating Jiri Lehecka. His serve has been a major weapon, and his 2026 French Open title suggests he is carrying genuine Grand Slam momentum. The wider draw also matters. Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is still alive and was in progress against Félix Auger-Aliassime. If Djokovic wins the tournament, that also would not produce a new champion. On the other hand, players such as Taylor Fritz or Auger-Aliassime would be first-time Wimbledon winners if they lift the trophy. So the answer is that Wimbledon 2026 could produce a new men’s champion, but Sinner’s presence means it is not “finally” assured. Right now, Zverev represents the clearest path to a new name on the men’s trophy, while Sinner remains the strongest obstacle to that outcome.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 7

4-2 in the third set, Novak Djokovic seized control by breaking Félix Auger-Aliassime at love after the Canadian made four errors in one service game.
That break put Djokovic two games from a two-sets-to-one lead in a quarterfinal that had been tight throughout, with both players largely dominant on serve.
Auger-Aliassime had earlier leveled the match at one set all, taking the second set 6-3 after earning the first break of that set on a Djokovic double fault.
Djokovic won the opening set 7-6(10) in a marathon tiebreak and had briefly needed a trainer for his calf before play resumed under the closed Centre Court roof.