Super-confident Novak Djokovic 'dismantles' David Goffin in straight sets to reach Wimbledon semi-final

At some point in our worst nightmares, we’ve all been David Goffin on Wednesday. That feeling of something slipping away, of everything falling apart, of nowhere to hide.

Unfortunately for Goffin, this was his reality - and it happened in front of nearly 15,000 spectators on Centre Court. When he led Novak Djokovic by a break and 30-0 on his serve at 4-3 in their Wimbledon quarter-final it was all going so beautifully. Goffin then missed a serve by an inch, double faulted and proceeded to lose the next 10 games.

By the time he finally got back on the scoreboard a full 57 minutes later, Goffin was a broken man - his boyish appearance replaced by the haggard look of someone staggering towards the finishing line of a marathon. Shortly afterwards, Goffin was ruefully shaking Djokovic's hand, having lost 15 of the final 17 games. Djokovic appeared almost embarrassed after a 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 thumping that continued his serene progress into a ninth Wimbledon semi-final.

"You have to play the perfect point to win it against him," Goffin said afterwards. "Then he's returning in your feet all the time. He puts you under pressure all the time."

Djokovic reflected that "I felt like I managed to dismantle his game and find always the right shots. I'm very pleased with the performance."

Djokovic's self-satisfaction was entirely merited. Up until that eighth game of the first set, Goffin had been the better player - employing all of the variety and touch that has seen him ranked as high as No 7 in the world. Djokovic knew he had to raise his level, and he did so with devastating effect - forcing Goffin into errors by continually making him hit an extra ball. In the second set he even chased down a "Hot Dog" through-the-legs shot with one his own.

With no big serve to call upon, even winning points, let alone games, felt like a Sisyphean task for the 5ft 11in Goffin. Early in the third set, he had to hit three smashes before finally wrestling a precious point away from Djokovic. Goffin celebrated by raising his hands to the sky, as if asking for divine inspiration.

"Even if you play well, it's not enough because he continues to play deep, deep, close from the line, left, right," Goffin said afterwards. "He was everywhere."

The disbelieving look on Goffin's face suggested he will be dreaming about Djokovic chasing down his shots for the next few weeks. Djokovic meanwhile will now focus on Friday's semi-final against the Spanish 23rd seed Roberto Bautista Agut. As is the case with just about every player in the world's top 100, Djokovic has a winning head-to-head record against him, though Bautista Agut has won their two most recent meetings.

"He's got amazing consistency," Djokovic said of his next opponent, who like him has lost just one set in reaching the last four. "An ability to stay in the point even when it seems like he's on the back foot.

"He's been definitely playing some very high-quality tennis this tournament. He has won twice against me so far this year. That's certainly going to give him confidence coming into the match."

Djokovic then added a warning: "Obviously playing on grass, it's different. Semi-finals of a grand slam, I'm going to try to use my experience. Hopefully I can execute everything I intend to do."

Given Djokovic's focus at the moment, it would be a huge surprise if he did anything but execute his plan to perfection. He joked after beating Goffin that like a fine wine he is getting better with age - and as he aims for a 16th major title at the age of 32, it was difficult to disagree.

3:12PM

Djokovic interview

3:07PM

GAME, SET, MATCH DJOKOVIC!

And that's it! Goffin was great for about two thirds of the first set but Djokovic is some sort of cheat tennis character, every attribute set to 99 and with the backing of the crowd. Goffin gave it a decent try but what are you supposed to do when up against that?

3:05PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 5-2 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin serving to stay in the match now but I just can't see anything mad happening here. 15-0 from first serve, his fourth Ace of the match. The ball seems to sit up a bit strangely and Goffin hits the net for 15-15, Goffin hits long for 15-30... the crowd seem to know this one is done.

A great forehand for 30-30 though, just like the shots he was pulling off in the first set, and he nearly catches Djokovic out with a subtle little dink over the net. Djokovic reads it early though and his halfway towards the ball before it even bounces. 30-40 - match point.

3:01PM

Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 5-2 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic goes 15-0 up. I wonder when they're bouncing the ball all these times before they serve it if they're thinking 'pleeeeease don't f*** this up.... SMASH' because that's basically what I've always thought, in between 'I don't really know how to do this but this is how I think they do it on the TV' and suddenly it's 40-0 Djokovic.

A thudded forehand makes it 40-15 but Djokovic, obviously, wins.

2:58PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 4-2 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

The crowd are pretty much on Goffin's side now, a bit like they're looking after their nephew for the day, and he goes 30-0 up pretty quickly. I love that the ball boys and girls (ball people sounds too weird) sprint as though running away from a helicopter crash every time a ball goes astray. 30-15 becomes 30-30. McEnroe says "when you get down yourself you lose some energy, don't move as well" and that seems to be what's happening. Djokovic hits one down the line, pauses a second and then challenges as it's called out. It is juuuuust out. 40-30.

Game as Djokovic hits the net. Big roar from the crowd! Come on wee David! We can go to McDonalds after! Other burger outlets are available.

2:54PM

Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 4-1 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin wins the first point. You know when you play games like Zelda and you end up in a part of the map you're not supposed to be in yet but you go ahead and wander through, eventually reaching the boss before realising you're hopelessly underpowered? You don't have enough hearts, your sword is rubbish, might as well not even have that shield but you're damn good at the game so you're able to hold on for a bit. But then the boss does this mad special move and takes all your health away, you think 'if I just had more hearts and a potion or something I'd be alright' but the boss keeps going and suddenly you're dead again.

Well, Goffin is 30-15 up and then Djokovic is able to reach a shot miles away, hits it with his back hand while sliding across the court and still manages to win the point. Then Goffin gets a chance to break serve and looks all excited at 40-30 until Djokovic drains half his health with a monster serve. 40-40.

Goffin gets the crowd involved (drinking a potion) as he survives a couple of Djokovic lobs by smashing volleys back across court for Advantage. He's pumped! But Djokovic is too powerful and just great at tennis, sending him running everywhere before winning the next point for 40-40 again.

A clever drop shot for Advantage Djokovic, Djokovic loses a call but gets to replay the point, let first service, enormous next serve and that's it. 4-1 up. Goffin needs to go and do a few more levels before he can take on the last boss. Get a better sword and shield. And definitely more hearts.

2:46PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 3-1 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin's not hitting shots he was winning points from earlier and he's 15-0 down straight away. Djokovic's shot placement is next level and he's easily able to go 30-0 up but a welcome win on the next rally makes it 30-15.

Djokovic is caught a little short as Goffin goes for risky shots right on the lines but wins for 30-30. Djokovic keeps returning shots over the net like a tennis robot to reach break point, Goffin hits the net on first and then misses for second. Game!

2:41PM

Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 2-1 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic goes 15-0 up then makes a mess of a return and is 15-15. A laser guided forehand sends Goffin one way, the return goes the other and he's 30-15 up. Too much power on the next serve for 40-15, Goffin shoots too long and it's game. That was quick as well.

2:39PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 1-1 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin is up 30-0, serving with power and looking a little more energetic than the last set. And it's 40-0! That'll make him feel better. And game! That was quick. ARE THE TIDES TURNING? Is it tide? It's just one tide, isn't it? All the answers coming up in my next post.

2:37PM

Djokovic 6-4, 6-0, 1-0 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin challenges a call as it looks like Djokovic has gone long but of course he hasn't and it's 15-0. And it's 30-0. And it's 40-0... but Goffin offers a better return for 40-15 and then an even better forehand across the court for 40-30. And what have we here? Goffin returns by just whacking the ball up in the air, Djokovic tries to send it through the floor and into the core of the earth but by hitting it so hard ends up smashing into the net for 40-40.

Goffin is back on it now. He's running for all the shots he was leaving in the last set and has advantage. This could change the match. But he's shanked it, back to 40-40. Djokovic's serve was too good and Djokovic is in control of the rally on the next point, sending Goffin fleeing about the the back of the court until he wins. Advantage Djokovic... game Djokovic. That'll knock the remaining stuffing out of Goffin.

2:28PM

Djokovic 6-4, 6-0 Goffin - DJOKOVIC WINS SET

Goffin isn't chasing shots he was early in the first set. Djokovic nails one down the line and Goffin just watches it fly past him. A superb Ace makes it 30-15 but a double fault brings things back to 30-30.

"He's just not the same guy who stepped out on this court", says McEnroe, pointing out that if you give up mentally against the Big Three, you're done.

Set point. Goffin bursts to life and whips a forehand into space beyond Djokovic for deuce.

Djokovic hits a shot so good down the line it feels a bit unfair and gets Advantage but Goffin recovers from a weirdly bouncing ball off a spin return to launch into the far corner. Deuce.

Advantage Goffin, the crowd get a bit excited... and double fault. Djokovic slices into the net for Advantage Goffin but is great on the next rally to return to deuce.

Goffin tries to pull Djokovic in with a drop shot but he's way too fast and zips in to return so it's Advantage again, and honestly it just seems like they should cancel this game. I'm not sure what Goffin gets from this even if he wins it, which he doesn't.

2:21PM

Djokovic 6-4, 5-0 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

A point for Goffin! 15-15. And he does really well to bring a confident Djokovic to the net before catching him with a stretching backhand to cut across the net. 15-30. Djokovic is quickly back to 30-30, and then 40-30 and the crowd are looking at this one thinking 'is this it? is this all we have?' questioning the nature of time, what constitutes fairness, what any of our destinies are - are we free to choose or is it predetermined? Does Goffin - did Goffin - really have a chance of beating Djokovic? Does Djokovic provide evidence we live inside a computer simulation, one where the AI has accidentally built a character so strong that it proves how average everyone else is?

Anyway Djokovic has won that game. This one was really interesting for about 25 minutes too.

2:16PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 4-0 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin looks like he's starting to realise that he's started this career mode on too high a level. He went for Legend when 'Regular' might have given him more of a chance of beating the game.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is 0-30 up in two quick rallies as Goffin's serve game stops working for him. And that's 0-40. Time to delete this save and start again, mate. Use the manual.

Game. Djokovic is currently the human embodiment of the Water Temple level from Ocarina of Time. Goffin's just given up.

2:12PM

Djokovic 6-4, 3-0 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Another line judge calls 'out' by shouting 'OIIIII' in the same way someone drinking a pint outside the pub would when realising another person is stealing their bike. It should be more like 'OUT' for me. Maybe they're yelling something else, I just don't know.

Anyway, you're here for tennis. It's 40-0 to Djokovic because this match is going exactly the way you predicted it would... aaaaaaaaaand that's game.

2:10PM

*Djokovic 6-4, 2-0 Goffin (*denotes next to serve)

The way this umpire says "love" like llllllllluuuhv is quite sexy but meanwhile, in the tennis, Goffin is 30-0 up quite quickly before hacking a backhand out for 30-15. That graphic above shows Djokovic is aiming for Goffin's backhand an awful lot at the moment and he does exactly that a few times until Goffin can get back on his forehand but is then out of position to run to return the next... and it's out for 30-30.

DJOKOVIC HITS THE POST. I've not seen that before either. Djokovic hits the metal thing holding up the net, which means he loses the point but does win a brand new Citroen Saxo!!!

It's 40-40 and the crowd are very quiet. Someone shouts 'OUT' by yelling the word 'BLAAAAH' and Goffin looks to be getting run down. Advantage Djokovic, big backhand down the line, Goffin tries to go to the net and Djokovic easily volleys back to break serve.

2:05PM

Djokovic 6-4, 1-0 Goffin* (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic starts with his cap back on. It'd be nice if Goffin can get back to the level he was at in the first set but he might be a little deflated after seeing his absolute best tennis beaten fairly easily in the end.

And then for one of my favourite ever tennis rallies. Both Goffin and Djokovic pull off through the leg reverse lob shots, aka what I used to do every time I'd play tennis with my sisters up at the 'Big Park' (aka the pleasure park).

Goffin is back on form to get to 30-30 but makes a sort of 'oooooh nooooooo' noise as he gives up 40-30 then looks a bit annoyed with himself as he hits the net for game.

2:00PM

Can Goffin really challenge?

Feels a bit like Man City vs Brighton right after City have scored the first goal just now.

1:57PM

Djokovic 6 Goffin 4 - DJOKOVIC WINS SET

I'm not sure why or what that is but it looks nice.

Back in the tennis, Djokovic is still in Good At Tennis mode but is on his least favourite side of the court, that which is nearer to the camera view. The cap is gone because Mr Sun has put his hat on, or taken it off, or gone inside to hang it on a rack (whichever means it's not shining directly in his face) and it's coincided with Djokovic playing some really nice shots. However, Goffin has some skills and is able to match everything hit at him to get things back to 15-15.

My favourite thing that Djokovic does is when he's in position to return a shot he's read, he charges up his backswing like he's trying to get the guage up to 100 per cent before releasing the shot. Like pulling an elastic band as far back as it'll go. He does that a couple of times to get to 30-15 and all of a sudden it looks like Goffin has realised he's playing Djokovic and not some Wimbledon chump. Break point. Set point. 40-15.

Goffin steadies himself, breathes heavily, fault. Second serve is returned, back, Djokovic charges up the two handed backhand... and Goffin can't deal with it. He hits out and that's 1-0 to Djokovic.

1:51PM

Djokovic 5 Goffin 4* (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic goes 15-0 up, then Goffin gets to 15-15 after a mistake off a forehand, then it's 30-15 as Goffin is pushed further behind the baseline, then it's 40-15 after a big serve and it seems like Djokovic might have activated 'Good At Tennis' mode now. He's had enough of Goffin making him look normal.

Game Djokovic.

1:48PM

*Djokovic 4 Goffin 4 (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic mis-hits a forehand for 15-0. Goffin wins the next point for 30-0, Djokovic pulls one back for 30-15, then Goffin over-hits for 30-30. I'm told they are using new balls for this game which makes them zip about and makes me question whether I never liked tennis in my youth because I was practising with tennis balls that dogs would be embarrassed to carry about.

There's a line call from Djokovic who thinks he's gotten to break point. He's correct, the person who yelled out is out... and it's break point.

Goffin goes to the net and beats him with a drop shot for deuce. Mmmmm... juice.

Djokovic gets Advantage as Goffin hits into the 'rectangle of outness', as the official rules call it, and he breaks serve by remembering he's the best tennis man in the universe on the next rally.

1:42PM

Djokovic 3 Goffin 4* (*denotes next to serve)

"These are two of the quickest guys I've seen on a tennis court!" says McEnroe as both sprint about as though trapped between two springs on Green Hill Zone, drawing rising screams from the crowd as Djokovic wins a great rally by reaching a shot and managing to keep it inside.

Djokovic gets to 30-0 but Goffin is so fast he even has time to pick his shot to get to 30-15. Djokovic slices an easy looking backhand into the net for 30-30 and then Goffin gets break point with another surprise return. He's dead quick, Djokovic keeps looking at the sun as though its his or her fault.

BREAK! Djokovic doesn't have control of the rally and ends up hitting a forehand straight out. Oh me oh my.

He reacts by bursting into tears behind his towel (this is not true, he's just wiping his face) and looks a bit shocked at himself and the fact he's playing against the human version of Sonic the Hedgehog.

1:37PM

*Djokovic 3 Goffin 3 (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic is annoyed that the ball has sat up, or bounced in a weird way - I have no idea because I don't play tennis - and he misses a forehand. Djokovic has put on a baseball cap to prevent the sun blinding him and it seems to be working as he gets to 15-15... but Goffin smoothly smashes into space for 15-30.

All of a sudden it's 30-40. A decent rally follows, back and forth with Djokovic pulling Goffin one way with slice and then leaving the return because it's going out. BUT IT'S NOT GOING OUT. Goffin wins the game. What an error - he had the whole court to hit the ball into there.

1:31PM

Djokovic 3 Goffin 2* (*denotes next to serve)

The first rally goes on for ages and just as I start to zone out and become hypnotised with the back and forth of the ball, Djokovic powers up a backhand and takes it miles away from Goffin for 15-0. However, Goffin is able to control the rallies on the next two serves and gets to 15-30. Djokovic hasn't quite found his game yet.

Or has he?! Because Djokovic then dictates play on the following rally for 30-30. Djokovic is fast to get to everything Goffin returns and then goes 40-30 up with a missed drop shot. And an Ace to finish it off.

1:27PM

*Djokovic 2 Goffin 2 (*denotes next to serve)

This Goffin boy is pretty darn good at the old tennis game. He sends Djokovic all over the court with a great range of shots, winning the first point with a drop shot that Djokovic doesn't even bother sprinting for. He stays on top for the next rally and gets to 0-30, then 0-40 with a forehand... and Djokovic is long on a backhand return to make it 2-2.

1:23PM

Djokovic 2 Goffin 1* (*denotes next to serve)

Djokovic is struggling not to see the sun as he attempts to serve on the opposite side of the court and maybe it's had an effect because Goffin spots space on the right to smash into and goes 0-15 up. Djokovic pulls out a big serve for 15-15. Apparently his serve has gone up from 117mph to 121mph in this tournament, which is giving him a better unreturned rate. Maybe he can harnass the power of the sun and charge into Super Novak mode, launching it so fast a trail of fire comes out. He should do that soon because Goffin is now 15-30 up.

Djokovic takes no chances as Goffin hits a lob out of play, slicing it across court just in case something goes wrong.

"Wow," says John McEnroe as Djokovic somehow returns a monster forehand and is then able to run to the net to get to a drop shot for 40-30. Goffin is too good on the next rally and gets to deuce, McEnroe is thoroughly impressed with his forehand which he says is "clean as a whistle". I've never understood that phrase - what makes a whistle clean? I should Google this before publishing but there's no time. Goffin has Advantage!

Djokovic takes his time, goes for the near corner with a powerful serve and is able to send the forehand away from Goffin. Fault first serve, and then Goffin smashes a few top spin forehands across the court and earns himself another Advantage.

Djokovic takes revenge by hitting a rocket serve, Goffin backhands into the net and Djokovic finishes him off on his second serve after a disappointing return from Goffin.

1:15PM

*Djokovic 1 Goffin 1 (*denotes next to serve)

Lovely tennis from Goffin, which I've just realised is pronounced in a French sort of way (Belgian) so it's Go Fan rather than Goffin like coffin. Anyway, some nice play gets him to 0-30 up but a double fault gives Djokovic a way in, so Goffin responds with a power serve to Ace him. 15-40 and a quick rally later it's game.

1:12PM

Djokovic 1 Goffin 0* (*denotes next to serve)

Goffin wins the first point of the game but Djokovic gives a big forehand that the Belgian can't get back over the net for 15-15. Goffin shanks a return off serve for 30-15, a rally at both baselines makes it 30-30 and this isn't a bad start at all for Goffin so far. The pressure's all on Djokovic after all.

And it's 40-30 after a 121mph serve, which is faster than I have ever driven a car, and then a double fault for deuce! Intriguing times.

Djokovic finds a big serve for Advantage, Goffin over hits his return and it's game.

1:08PM

Here we go!

The players are ready, Djokovic to serve first.

1:05PM

Players out on the court

The stands look fairly busy, as you'd expect, the two lads hitting serves at each other.

12:48PM

Read Paul Hayward

He's really good. This article on the Big Three's domination of tennis is worth your time. Here's a little taster:

12:33PM

Goffin's best surface is grass

The BBC pundit team are trying to talk up today's match.

"If [Goffin] knows how to beat Novak, Novak has an off day and this is where he plays his best tennis..."

12:23PM

TENNIS!

It's Wednesday which means it's time for the Wimbledon men's quarter-finals. We're starting off with Novak Djokovic, the guy who never loses, against David Goffin, who still maintains that he has no relation to David Geffen, even though his name is the Pro Evo version of it.

What an afternoon we could be in for unless, as you'd imagine will happen, Djokovic smashes his way to a quick three-set win in time to get home and watch Neighbours, if it's still on TV. I've just checked and can confirm it starts at 5:30pm but is now on Channel 5, which I can also confirm is still a real channel.

We'll be watching the action unfold on the good old BBC however, as Djokovic takes on his opponent in the hallowed enclosure of Centre Court - the most middle court.

It might not be as simple as Djokovic fans want today, especially considering he lost to Goffin on clay in Monte Carlo in 2017, which was the last time the two met for a professional tennis match. Then again, revenge is a good motivational tool.

There's a fair gap in the rankings between the two players but tennis' Big Three have dominated the sport for the last... many years and there are few signs that will change any time soon. Stick around for our liveblog of the match and marvel as I attempt to find new verbs for the act of hitting a tennis ball over the same net repeatedly. Something special might happen today and it's more likely to be a confusing use of an English language word you'd never thought could denote smashing a ball.