Novak Djokovic will play Nick Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon men's singles final after defeating British number one Cameron Norrie 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in Friday's semi-final.
A nervy start from the 20-time Grand Slam winner earned Norrie a break in the very first game of the contest - much to the joy of the home crowd - but Djokovic got things back on serve immediately as the Brit found the net with a forehand on successive occasions.
Norrie failed to consolidate his immediate break with a hold at the start of the contest, but lightning did not strike twice for the British number one after another break, as Djokovic could only return his serve into the net to go 4-2 down.
The defending champion continued to cut a frustrated figure on Centre Court, and a catalogue of errors handed Norrie a third break and take him one game away from the first set.
A pair of double faults threatened to derail Norrie's efforts to serve for the set, but the 26-year-old also came up with a duo of aces at the perfect time to storm to claim a well-deserved early advantage against a surprisingly poor Djokovic.
The Serbian proceeded to cut out his errors as both men held well in the first few games of the second set, but a dreadful error from Norrie on the volley handed Djokovic the opportunity to break for 5-3.
Djokovic then recovered from 0-30 down to clinch the second set and broke straight away in the third, which signalled a significant change in fortunes as the defending champion looked back to his normal self.
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The previously jubilant crowd at Centre Court appeared deflated as Djokovic raced into a 2-1 lead and moved one set away from the final, and Norrie's hopes would hang by a thread when the defending champion broke in the first game of the fourth set.
Norrie would at least force Djokovic to serve to see out the match, and the Serbian would welcome the opportunity to do so, sealing the deal with a powerful hit that Norrie failed to return adequately.
"I didn't start off well. He was the better player for the first set. Cameron didn't have much to lose. He's playing probably the tournament of his life. I wish him all the best, he's a great player, I have a lot of respect for him," the 35-year-old said during his on-court interview.
Djokovic will attempt to win his 21st Grand Slam title, his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title and seventh overall in Sunday's final with Kyrgios, who received a bye into the showpiece event following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal with an abdominal problem.
Looking ahead to the final with the Australian, Djokovic added: "There's going to be a lot of fireworks! We haven't played for some time. Never won a set off him."
Prior to the men's final, Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina will do battle in a historic women's singles final on Saturday.
Ben Knapton
