Novak Djokovic returned to a grand slam semi-final for the first time since 2016 after recording a hard-fought win over Kei Nishikori at Wimbledon.

The former world number one has struggled for both form and fitness during the past two seasons, with an elbow injury hindering the Serbian, while he was stunned by Marco Cecchinato at the French Open this year.

But Djokovic appears to be building towards somewhere near his best again and, while made to work hard by Nishikori, he was good value for a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph.

Having reached the last four of 22 of the 24 majors between 2011 and 2016, Djokovic is now closing in on a first final appearance at a slam since losing to Stan Wawrinka at the US Open two years ago.

Either Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin Del Potro will provide the next hurdle on Friday.