LONDON -- LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic began expressing a heartfelt thought about returning to the semifinals at the All England Club — “It means the world to me,” he was saying, “that I’m still able, at 38, to play (in the) final stages of Wimbledon” — when the Centre Court crowd interrupted with yelling and applause.

He passed Roger Federer, who has made the final four of Wimbledon 13 times. Jimmy Connors has 11 appearances followed by Boris Becker with 9. It's another key record that adds to Djokovic's case as the best player to ever grace Wimbledon Centre Court.

The 38-year-old overcomes spirited challenge of Flavio Cobolli to set up a semi-final blockbuster against another Italian on Friday.