Djokovic defeats del Potro in semi-final thriller

It finished 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 - numbers that cannot do justice to an enthralling, extraordinary and gruelling Wimbledon men's semi-final between top seed Novak Djokovic and number eight seed Juan Martin del Potro.

Both players produced some scintillating tennis, del Potro finding remarkable reserves of strength despite carrying a knee injury that required a heavy strapping. Each time Djokovic seemed to be edging towards some kind of control, del Potro would produce something spectacular to deny the Serb the ascendancy.

After three tight sets that had put Djokovic in front, del Potro faced two match points against him in the fourth set tie break, but recovered brilliantly to win the set.

The Serb broke the Argentinian in the fifth and this time, there was no way back for del Potro.

It may go down as one of the greatest matches in Wimbledon history. It was ceratinly the longest men's semi-final in Wimbledon history. Neither man deserved to lose but it is Novak Djokovic who will meet Andy Murray or Jerzy Janowicz in Sunday's final.