Novak Djokovic has overcome an early scare to continue his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon trophy.

Djokovic, chasing a 25th major singles title, defeated Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6/8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the semifinals, where he will play world number one Jannik Sinner.

Sinner shrugged off any fears about his injured elbow with a clinical defeat of powerful 10th seed Ben Shelton, winning 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4.

Should he progress to Sunday's final and emerge triumphant, Djokovic will equal Roger Federer's record of eight men's Wimbledon singles titles.

"Wimbledon … is and always will be the most special tournament that we have in our sport, at least in my opinion, and I think in many players' opinion," Djokovic said.

"It means the world to me that I'm still able at 38 to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.

"Another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters. Cobolli today … I enjoy sliding and running around the court with him and all the other guys.

"I'm going to have Sinner next, so I look forward to that. It's going to be a great match."

Cobolli, the 22nd seed, showed tremendous mental fortitude to recover a break after going 3-5 down in the first set.

He edged ahead in the tiebreak by letting rip blistering winners from his orange-framed racquet to draw loud cheers on Centre Court.

But Djokovic dusted himself off to win the next three sets and reach a record-extending 52nd major semifinal.

"I had a nasty slip. But that's what happens when you play on grass," Djokovic said.

"It did come at an awkward moment, but I managed to find a good serve and close it out."

Sinner's injury concerns fade

Sinner, who wore a long white sleeve to protect his right arm, lost only two points in his opening six service games.

But he could not dent Shelton's booming delivery either, before reeling off seven consecutive points to storm through the first-set tiebreak.

Shelton, trying to reach his third major singles semifinal, kept swinging in fearless fashion but could not land a telling blow on Sinner.

The American faltered at 4-5 in the second set as Sinner converted just his second break point opportunity of the contest to take a stranglehold of the quarterfinal.

It was a repeat script in the third set. Sinner applied pressure in the 10th game and Shelton cracked, double-faulting before bashing a forehand long after two hours and 19 minutes.

"When you are in a match with a lot of tension, you try to not think about it," Sinner said about his injury.

The second semifinal will be contested between reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and fifth seed Taylor Fritz.

Reuters