By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) -Top seed Jannik Sinner ensured Novak Djokovic will be absent from a Wimbledon men's singles final for the first time in eight years after handing the Serbian great a brutal Centre Court battering on Friday.

Twice defending champion Carlos Alcaraz tamed the towering Taylor Fritz to reach his third straight Wimbledon final, rediscovering his A-game when it mattered most to battle past the American in a 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6 (6) victory on Friday.

Alcaraz tie paused after fans require medical attention, plus Djokovic vs Sinner injury latest - Seven-time champion Djokovic is due to play world No 1 Sinner, and reigning champ Carlos Alcaraz faces

The Wimbledon men's singles semi-finals take place at the All England Club on Friday. If ever a Grand Slam semi-final involving Spain's Carlos Alcaraz could be described as a warm-up act that could be a fair description of his clash with American Taylor Fritz in the opening match on Centre Court.

Taylor Fritz is still awaiting his first win over Carlos Alcaraz, and the American didn't hold back from snubbing the Spaniard once before during Wimbledon.

Eight players remain in tennis' grandest tournament. Who will emerge victorious on both the men's and women's sides? Check out the odds heading into the semifinals.

If Carlos Alcaraz is to claim a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles by taking this year’s Championships, he will have to do something few before him have achieved.

Alcaraz sets up a last-eight clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.