Novak Djokovic, 37, reaches 37th Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, and will face Carlos Alcaraz

Many, but not all, call Novak Djokovic the Greatest of All Time. But there should be no debate about this moniker: Novak Djokovic is tennis’ Great Eliminator.

The Serbian earns that distinction for two reasons. In the big picture, he has eliminated reams of players en route to 24 Grand Slam singles titles and 98 overall championships. But within each of those matches are countless examples of Djokovic snuffing out opponent’s surges, quelling positive momentum and otherwise demoralizing his challengers.

Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic’s challenger in Friday’s Wimbledon semifinals, experienced both in one Centre Court afternoon.

The first set appeared to be Djokovic’s without much drama. But when the 25^th-seeded Italian held from 0-30 at 2-5, and then broke Djokovic after saving two set points to get back on serve, Musetti and the Centre Court patrons justifiably believed.

What did Djokovic do? He sat down on the changeover, and then proceeded to enter Eliminator Mode, breaking Musetti for the set. All of that spirited comeback for naught.

(Djokovic, by the way, came into this match 81-2 at Wimbledon after winning the first set.)

Musetti’s belief was warranted, though—he was playing quite well, using his complete array of shot-making to force some signature Djokovic responses. Over the first two sets, Musetti hit more winners than Djokovic (22 to 20) and had fewer unforced errors (14 to 23). But he was down two sets.

How did Djokovic eliminate Musetti in the second set? By playing his best when he had to most. After the 22-year-old Queen’s Club finalist hit a jaw-dropping running cross-court backhand winner for a 3-1 lead, Djokovic steadied, held serve and broke at love for 3-3.

Unflustered, Musetti continued to apply pressure on Djokovic, the two trading holds to 5-5. Then, another Musetti push: He reached 0-30 while returning.

Eliminator Mode engaged.

Djokovic didn’t hit a single groundstroke the rest of the game:

• Unreturned serve
• Ace
• Ace
• Ace

“Pressure back on Musetti,” noted ESPN’s Chris Fowler.

Djokovic won the eventual tiebreaker, 7-2, and eventually the match, 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-4—though not before he erased Musetti's one final chance.

Musetti held serve from 0-40 down in the seventh game, and Djokovic snuffed out both 0-30, and a 30-40 break point, for the Italian before finishing the match off.

The 37-year-old is now into his 37^th Grand Slam singles final.

“It has been an incredible journey, so I try not to take it for granted,” said Djokovic, who will compete in his 10th Wimbledon final. “I don’t want to stop here—hopefully I’ll get my hands on that trophy on Sunday.”

Carlos Alcaraz awaits, and we can’t wait. Neither can Novak.

“He’s one of the greatest 21-year-olds we’ve ever seen in this sport,” said the elder champion. “He’s going to win many more Grand Slams. But maybe hopefully in two days, not this one.

“He already beat me here in Wimbledon finals last year, in a thrilling five-setter. I don’t expect anything less than that, honestly.”