London (AFP) - Novak Djokovic hopes to follow his royal appointment with a piece of Wimbledon history against Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday while Jannik Sinner must banish fears over an elbow injury with a semi-final place at stake.

In the women’s tournament, Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic both sealed their first Wimbledon semi-final appearances with victories in the early quarter-final action.

Djokovic, the seven-time champion, and world number one Sinner will book a blockbuster semi-final showdown if they win their last-eight matches.

But before that heavyweight showdown is secured, both players have pressing issues to resolve.

Djokovic will surpass Roger Federer to take sole ownership of the all-time record for most Wimbledon men’s semi-final appearances if he advances to the last four for the 14th time.

Djokovic prepared for his match by meeting Britain’s Queen Camilla, the wife of King Charles III.

After being introduced to Djokovic by All England Club chairwoman Debbie Jevans, Camilla said: “Oh what a treat, how nice to see you.”

She told Djokovic she was keeping her “fingers crossed” for his match and the Serb replied: “It will be my great honour. I appreciate it.”

Djokovic is bidding to become the second man in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals aged 38 or older after Ken Rosewall, who made that stage aged 39 in 1974.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is also aiming to reach a record-extending 52nd major semi-final.

That would take him within two wins of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles for any player, man or woman.

Djokovic, who has reached the final in every one of his Wimbledon appearances since 2018, watched his 10-year-old son Stefan take to the court against Italian 22nd seed Cobolli this week.

“They hit a few days ago. They played some points. I’ll have a conversation with my son and see what he has noticed in the game of Cobolli,” he said.

- ‘Dream come true’ -

Sinner sparked fears he may have to pull out of the tournament after injuring his right elbow in an awkward fall during his fourth-round tie against Grigor Dimitrov.

The Italian top seed was trailing by two sets and on the brink of a shock defeat when Dimitrov pulled a pectoral muscle while serving and had to retire from the match.

Sinner cancelled a scheduled practice session at the All England Club on Tuesday and had an MRI scan.

He faces American 10th seed Ben Shelton on Wednesday, when all eyes will be on the three-time Grand Slam champion’s fitness.

Sinner, who has never made the Wimbledon final, is bidding to become the first Italian player to reach the last four at the All England Club multiple times.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek said she had “goosebumps” after her 6-2, 7-5 win against Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova.

The Polish eighth seed has won four titles on the clay at the French Open, as well as the US Open in 2022, but her previous best result at Wimbledon was a run to the quarter-finals in 2023.

“It feels great. Even though I’m in the middle of the tournament I’ve already got goosebumps after this win. I’m super happy and super proud of myself and I’ll keep going,” she said.

She faces Switzerland’s Bencic for a place in the final.

The former Olympic champion advanced to her maiden All England Club semi-final with a 7-6 (⁷⁄₃), 7-6 (⁷⁄₂) win against Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva.

The 28-year-old had a daughter, Bella, in April 2024, but has already risen back up to 35 in the world since returning from maternity leave.

“It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. I tried not to think about it at the match point. I’m just speechless,” Bencic said.