Djokovic, Murray to vie for Wimbledon title

LONDON - World No.1 Novak Djokovic edged Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in a five-set thriller to set up a final showdown against local hero Andy Murray at the Wimbledon Championships here on Friday.

Second seed Murray fought back from one set down to defeat Pole Jerzy Janowicz 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours 52 minutes.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's semi-final tennis match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London July 5, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

But it was Djokovic and Del Potro's match that will surely be remembered for many years to come.

In arguably the match of the tournament, Djokovic won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (8), 6-3 in four hours and 43 minutes, the longest men's Wimbledon semifinal of all time.

"It was one of the best matches that I've been a part of," said Djokovic. "One of the most exciting. It was so close, really. I couldn't separate us. Every time he's in a tough situation he comes up with a great shot."

Djokovic, beaten by Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semifinals, has not lost a set in his previous matches. Del Potro, who missed the French Open due to injury, also entered this semifinal without having dropped a set.

The Serb now joins tennis legends John McEnroe, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg, who was in the crowd, in making it to 11 Grand Slam finals.

The roof of the Center Court was closed at 8.40pm in the repeated request of Janowicz, who blamed weak light. But Murray, who argued the match should be finished without the roof, finally took the win and reached his second successive Wimbledon final and extending his grass court winning streak to 17.

"It's unfair, it's an outdoor tournament," Murray said. "You're only doing it because he's been complaining about it for 45 minutes."

"It was a very tough match and completely different to any other match I've had here this year," Murray said. "He's talented and unpredictable, he has huge serves, which give you very little rhythm to come back at him."