SERB LIME ΤΟ THE RIDICULOUS

Grunting, taunting Djokovič powers his way into final

- ANDY DUNN

AT one point it looked as though Novak Djokovic’s toughest opponent in his 12th Wimbledon semi-final might be a Yorkshireman in a high chair.

At another it looked like it might be a lippy punter in the crowd.

But we all know the fate of Djokovic’s opponents on Centre Court and, once again, it was no different than it has been ever since Andy Murray beat him in the 2013 final.

This is an athlete made of pure steel, a tennis player like no other.

So when umpire Richard Haigh penalised Djokovic for an ill-timed, off-putting grunt early in the second set, it simply inspired the Serb.

So when one spectator led some anti-Novak raucousness, it simply inspired the Serb.

And his real – albeit hapless – opponent, Jannik Sinner, must have despaired.