The world number one defeated Alex de Minaur 7-5 6-4 to overtake Rafael Nadal’s record of 76 ATP 1000 semi-final appearances in Monte Carlo.
The two-time winner progressed through a tricky quarter-final encounter in the sun, winning 73 of the 135 points in the two hour match, conceding 26 unforced errors in the match while de Minaur gave away 28.
Edging past the Australian 7-5 in the first set, Djokovic, pipped de Minaur in a messy second set which saw a remarkable seven breaks of server to earn his semi-final place.
De Minaur upped the pressure on Djokovic, breaking his serve in the second set to 4-3 and amounting a comeback to 4-4, but the Serb’s experience and quality in the big moments halted the Australian a chance to fight back.
Djokovic, 36, will now contest against either Frenchman Ugo Humbert or Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud in his first semi-final in the Monte Carlo masters since his last title victory back in 2015.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion — who turns 37 in May — has now become the tournament’s oldest ever semi-finalist, and is yet to lose a set in the competition.
Speaking after the game, Djokovic said:
“It was tough for both of us. [de Minaur] One of the quickest players, gets back 99% of shots others don’t.
There were a lot of unforced errors, but a win is a win.
I’m very happy to be back in the semis. I love this tournament, the last seven or eight years have been tough to win consecutive matches, but here we are!”
Meanwhile, Italian second seed Jannik Sinner defeated Holger Rune 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 to set up a mouth-watering semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Sinner, 22, is the reigning Australian Open champion and is the only player this season to reach the semi-final stages in all three of the ATP Masters 1000 events. Sinner was beaten in the semi-final of the Indian Wells by Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz after being crowned Miami Open champion.
Greek international Tsitsipas — a two-time Monte Carlo champion seeded as world number 12 — comfortably defeated Russian Karen Khachanov in straight sets (6-4 6-2).
