Novak Djokovic vs. Marin Cilic: Score and Reaction from 2015 Wimbledon

Top-seed Novak Djokovic sealed his place in the last four at Wimbledon on Wednesday as he overcame Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in his quarter-final on Centre Court.

The Serb will face Richard Gasquet in Friday's semi-final as he bids to retain the title he won in 2014.

U.S. Open champion Cilic put in a spirited performance, but he simply could not handle Djokovic's immense returning game.

Without giving up a single break of serve, Djokovic beat Cilic in under two hours to confirm his place in the semi-finals, as reported by ESPN Tennis:

"

650th Tour-level match-win, 50th at #Wimbledon. World No.1 #Djokovic thru to 27th Major SF w/64 64 64 win over Cilic. pic.twitter.com/1locM2S6AT

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) July 8, 2015"

Having come through a marathon last-16 encounter against Kevin Anderson, Djokovic was pleased with his performance in beating Cilic, per BBC Sport's Aimee Lewis and Mike Henson:

"

I didn't know how my body was going to feel but I was hoping I would play well, which I have done. I try not to take it for granted. The top players are expected to reach the final stages but you have to earn it.

"

World No. 9 Cilic made a strong start to the match as he held his first service game with ease before pressuring Djokovic before he levelled up for 1-1.

However, Cilic gave up a break point in the third game of the match, which Djokovic duly took with a forehand winner down the line after a lengthy rally.

He consolidated with ease to move 3-1 in front and produced unspectacular but largely error-free tennis as he moved inevitably toward a first-set victory.

Serving for the set at 5-4 Djokovic squandered two set points to move to deuce, but while Cilic was impressive, the world No. 1 eventually went 1-0 up.

BBC Sport relayed the first set stats:

Things became even tougher for Cilic in the second set as Djokovic's returning game saw him force his opponent to work incredibly hard for every service hold.

The Croat's second serve was being particularly punished as Djokovic whipped through his own service games with relative ease.

The crucial break of serve for Djokovic seemed inevitable, and it came in the ninth game of the second set. A slice of luck with a net cord took the Serb to 0-30, and Cilic's errors handed him the break.

With royalty watching on, per BBC Tennis, Djokovic served out the second set, and there looked to be no way back for Cilic:

It was a clinical performance from the title favourite, and it continued in the third set. Djokovic and Cilic exchanged service games for 3-3, neither player being particularly threatened.

However, Djokovic went up a gear to break for 4-3, and held for 5-3, before Cilic showed great courage to force the No. 1 seed to serve for a place in the last four.

Djokovic held to 15 to confirm the victory, and on the evidence of Wednesday's showing, it is going to take some performance to prevent him from winning a third title in SW19.