Wimbledon 2021 Highlights, men’s singles semi-finals: Novak Djokovic beats Denis Shapovalov in straight sets
Djokovic #Djokovic
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Men’s final: Djokovic vs Berrettini
Novak Djokovic will take on Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. Djokovic has a 2-0 head-to-head over the Italian. 20th Grand Slam title, Channel Slam, one more step towards Golden Slam. But before we get there, the women’s final tomorrow features Ashleigh Barty and Karolina Pliskova. Join our coverage from Wimbledon then. Play begins at 6 PM IST. Until then, goodbye!
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One win away from Number 20.
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Shapovalov walking off the Centre Court in tears
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Shapovalov went off court in tears. Had the chances in his first Grand Slam semi-final. Didn’t win the points that mattered which is the difference between a win and a loss, a three-setter and maybe going five. Either way, Shapovalov has plenty to take from here and it has been a great tournament regardless of how things panned out today
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Djokovic: “The scoreline doesn’t say enough about this match. He was a better player in the first set. I want to applaud him for everything he’s done today and these few weeks. You can see he was emotional. We will see more of him in the future, definitely.”
“Playing at the most special tournament in the world for me. There’s no holding back once you step out on the court, especially late in the weeks. I’m trying to take out the maximum of my own abilities. Giving up is never an option.”
30th Grand Slam final. 7th final at Wimbledon. “As I’ve been saying, I wish you could travel with me as mentor, psychologist, you’ve been motivating me. For me, Grand Slams are everything at this stage. I’ve been able to make history in this sport, it fills my heart. It inspires me, motivates me, but be motivated, present and focus on what I have in front of me.”
23:58 (IST)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS INTO THE FINAL!
One step closer to the 20th Grand Slam title. Novak Djokovic wins 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 to move into his seventh Wimbledon final and a chance at his sixth title at the All England Club
23:57 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic serving for the match. Shapovalov with an errant backhand that goes long and it is 30-0. Getting closer, Goran Ivanesevic is up on his feet. Djokovic appears to have found the line on the serve. Shapovalov with a desperate challenge. And it did get the line. Three match points. ACE!
23:53 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 6-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov comes out on the losing end of a lengthy rally. Djokovic has bit of a look-in at 0-30. Shapovalov shuts the door quickly. First with a smash and then with a forehand winner down the line. And follows it up with a double fault. Expectedly. Djokovic is 0/5 on break points in this set. And saved! Shapovalov goes down the line and Djokovic;s defensive shot goes long. On deuce, Shapovalov once again tries to do too much and the ball lands wide. Another break point – seventh of the set. And this time he converts! BREAK! Rather Shapovalov hands it to him. A lazy looking forehand that goes long. Djokovic roars, has the winning line in sight. Has the final in sight.
23:48 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 5-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic holds to love. Has the court at his mercy on 40-0, Shapovalov well behind the baseline and goes for a subtle drop shot and the Canadian tries to get it up but is unable to do so
23:44 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 4-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov hits the top of the net, gets the tape, and the ball trickles over. Djokovic tries to run it down but that was very close to the net. Crowd roars, Djokovic applauds. On the next point, Shapovalov with a smash to hold serve and keep this set on serve
23:41 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 4-4 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic kicking up the chalk now. Finds the outside of the line on serve at 30-0 for an ace. And the game ends with a simple putaway smash from Djokovic for a love hold
23:38 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 3-4 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Duck or get hit sort of venom on Shapovalov’s serve now. Djokovic having to somehow duck, block himself from being smacked with the racquet. At 15-15, Djokovic slips. Stumbles. Goes down flat on the grass at the baseline. He’s done that multiple times over the fortnight. Said “grass loves him” at one point. Unfazed by it, he goes running and hits a perfect, as it can be, lob into the corner. Shapovalov attempts a tweener but it hits the net. On 30-30, Shapovalov with a fourth double fault. And it brings up seventh break point for Novak. Saved! And saved with an inch-perfect backhand winner. Shapovalov takes the ball early and pings the sideline. Djokovic can only look on in shock and awe. More shock I’d guess. But he’s staying in it as Shapovalov hits the net and hands another break point. And saves another. Djokovic with a well played block serve return but Shapovalov is good to attack on the next ball for a volley winner. At deuce, on second serve, Djokovic goes for too much and misses the sideline. Denis with a serve into Djokovic’s body and this return is wide as well. What a hold! Been three such games in this set alone.
23:31 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 3-3 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic holds after adding a double fault to his tally. Shapovalov hits the net on the forehand serve return. 3-3 in the third set
23:26 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 2-2 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov looked to cruising along in his serve. 30-0 and then makes two mistakes to see it become 30-30. Continues to persevere. Big serve and then a drive volley winner. On second serve at 40-30, Shapovalov finds the line, kicks up the chalk, and Djokovic’s backhand return goes wide
23:23 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 2-2 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic with a love hold. Just his third of the match. He could do with more of these
23:21 (IST)
What an exceptionally from the women’s doubles semi-final
23:20 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 7-5, 1-2 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov serve under the pump now. Djokovic with fantastic defensive tennis to keep the point going and wait for Shapovalov to miss and he does. At 15-30, Shapovalov with a reasonable volley to hit a drop or punch for a deep volley. He does bit of both and sees Djokovic go behind him with a backhand cross court. Two break points for Djokovic now. One saved as he is unable to get the second serve back. Another saved. 129mph down the T and hard to get such back. On deuce, a third double fault to bring up break point once again. Another strong serve down the centre, and the return goes long. Djokovic with an outstretched, sliding defensive forehand but it hits the tape. On game point, Shapovalov with an ace and huge roar of his own. ‘C’mon’ exclaims the Canadian!
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Match in a nutshell
Shapovalov on break points: 1/11
Djokovic on break points: 2/3
23:14 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 1-1 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
After yet another love hold (what else) by Shapovalov, he puts pressure on the Djokovic serve from the get go. Sees the game go 0-30 with Djokovic missing before Denis misses as well. Shapovalov with an angled volley at the top of the net, Djokovic tries to lob, slips, and sees the ball go wide anyway. Two break points. One saved with Shapovalov unable to get the serve back. On the second break point, Shapovalov has Djokovic at the net, tries to lob but it goes long. Challenge doesn’t come to his aid either. Shapovalov comes up to the short ball with a forehand, forces Novak into a defensive shot and puts away the smash. Another break point. And this one is saved with a 120mph ace followed by a huge roar! Make that two consecutive aces – this one 108mph. Djokovic plays a perfect point, finds the angles, gets the ball at the net to attack instead he tries to be cheeky with a drop shot only to see it hit the net. Shapovalov is unable to get a second serve back. Djokovic with some strange follow throughs on the backhand but holds as Shapovalov misses. Looks at his box and roars. That was a big hold!
23:05 (IST)
Very well put on Novak Djokovic
23:01 (IST)
No way was Shapovalov getting this ball back. Not sure why the argument?
23:00 (IST)
Novak Djokovic wins the second set 7-5
Once again, in a match of attrition, Novak Djokovic coming out the better. Takes the second set despite facing five break points and seeing Shapovalov win 22 of 29 points on serve. Two sets to love for Djokovic.
22:58 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 7-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic serving for the second set. Absolutely sublime serve-and-volley to bring up three set points. One saved by Shapovalov with Djokovic’s forehand sailing long. Djokovic finds the line on the serve that was called wide. There was a correction from the chair umpire. Shapovalov challenged but it had indeed caught the line. The point counts as Shapovalov’s return didn’t go over the net. The Canadian is not pleased. “The call came 30 minutes before my shot! What are you doing? On set point! This is the last time!”
22:52 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 6-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov starts with a big serve and an even bigger one-handed backhand. Slaps it for a cross court winner. Djokovic sees it become 15-15 with a defensive shot creeping low and Shapovalov sends the volley into the net. Djokovic with a defensive, chip return and then slips but he might not have gotten to Shapovalov’s winner either way. Djokovic with STAGGERINGLY good defensive tennis. Keeps the point going from nowhere, plays a remarkable defensive lob and then closes the point at the net. Fantastic point. 30-30. Shapovalov goes for too much on the forehand and it goes long. Break point for Djokkovic, his first of the set. And a double fault on break point! Wow. BREAK!
22:48 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 5-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic serving to stay in the second set. A bit of a rally on the first point but Shapovalov is unable to get his stretched volley up and over the net. Djokovic with 8/9 serve and volley points won to bring up game points. A love hold for Djokovic and comfortable too.
22:45 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 4-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov was headed for his eighth love hold before hitting two absolutely strange forehand errors out of nowhere. Seems to be in a rush to just move along and keep the pressure on Djokovic’s serve. Gets there in the end but with Djokovic hitting the net on a backhand
22:43 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 4-4 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
A love hold from Djokovic this time to keep the second set level. Story of the match if you’re just getting in: Djokovic is serving at 58% first serves, has one more double fault than aces, has won a paltry 25% of return points, yet is up a set, on serve, 4-4 in the second set.
22:39 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 3-4 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov, to his credit, is not giving anything away on his serve. Just the one point dropped from four service games.
22:37 (IST)
Denis Shapovalov throws everything at Djokovic but still loses the point…
22:36 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 3-3 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov making ground and inroads into the Djokovic serve once again. An 18-shot rally with both players going deep ends with Djokovic sending his shot into the tramlines. And more importantly, it brings up two break points. One saved as Denis fails to connect from the center of his racket with a backhand. On second, Djokovic with a 116mph serve down the T and Shapovalov’s return hits the edge of the racquet and bounces in his side. Another HUGE rally with Shapovalov testing the depth of the court. Going extremely deep and has Djokovic pegged back but smacks a forehand into the net a shot later. Not to be outdone, Shapovalov with a beautiful winner down the line. Urges the crowd on! On deuce, Djokovic with stellar reactions. The volley doesn’t do much and the smack return is thwarted with a face-saving-volley. Djokovic holds with an ace. After three break points gone in the previous game, two more gone now.
22:27 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 2-3 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov is pumped. Clenches his fist as he takes the seat. Staying on serve in the second set and it may well not have been….
22:26 (IST)
In the women’s doubles final: Mertens/Hsieh vs. Vesnina/Kudermetova
22:25 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 2-2 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Poor, poor service from Djokovic. Misses a simple shot first and a double fault next to bring up three break points. Saves one with a forehand winner. Doesn’t look comfortable hitting that, looks to be a low bounce. And another saved with perfect approach shot and then an equally sublime volley. Shapovalov rocks on his forehand but only to hit the tape! He has his head in his hands. Three break points come and go. Djokovic with a perfectly placed first serve (angled wide, obviously) to play the resultant short ball for a winner. Djokovic keeps the ball deep and forces Shapovalov into a miss. Three break points squandered against someone you don’t get much from…
22:19 (IST)
Djokovic* 7-6, 1-2 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Short ball for Djokovic to attack but he puts too much into it. It goes long and Shapovalov holds at love
22:17 (IST)
Busy day for the Italians on Sunday!
22:17 (IST)
Djokovic 7-6, 1-1 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Both players hold at the start of the second set. Shapovalov is convinced the ball had landed long on a Djokovic shot but the challenge confirms it had indeed been well in. Always pleasing to see line judges get vindicated!
22:14 (IST)
Quite a fortnight it was for Hubert Hurkacz. Deserved every bit of adulation that came his way earlier on Centre Court
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Stats: Set 1
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Stats: Set 1
22:10 (IST)
Rohan Bopanna is in the box for Denis Shapovalov. They had partnered in multiple tournaments earlier. Bopanna was in Shapovalov’s box earlier in the tournament as well
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Rohan Bopanna is in the box for Denis Shapovalov. They had partnered in multiple tournaments earlier. Bopanna was in Shapovalov’s box earlier in the tournament as well
22:09 (IST)
STAT: Djokovic is 268-5 in Slams when winning the first set, 35-34 when losing it.
22:07 (IST)
Novak Djokovic wins the first set 7-6
Novak Djokovic comes from a break down to take the opening set 7-6 (3). Denis Shapovalov had won 15 straight points on serve before being broken while serving for the set. And on the first set Djokovic faced, he served his first double fault. Yikes!
22:05 (IST)
1st set tiebreak
5-2: A cagey point from both players. But it is Djokovic who benefits from a flat slice that was asking Shapovalov to find the line as Novak moved up
5-3: Djokovic with an error this time. Not been excellent tennis this tiebreak
6-3: Djokovic with serve and volley winner on the deuce court. Brings up 3 set points
7-3: Double fault from Shapovalov for the set!
22:02 (IST)
1st set tiebreak
0-1: Djokovic shakes his head as he walks back. Went for the drop shot and didn’t get it low or closer to the net. Comfortable for Shapovalov to move up and send for a winner.
1-1: Shapovalov tries a drop shot of his own and this one is bottled too. Doesn’t even make the net!
2-1: Shapovalov goes for a bit too much on the one-handed backhand and it goes wide. Mini break for Djokovic
3-1: With Shapovalov in the corner of the court, Djokovic goes for a drop shot and this is better but Shapovalov gets to it but doesn’t get it over the net
3-2: A double fault! Third double fault for Djokovic and that’s mini break back.
4-2: Poor shot making from Shapovalov in the tiebreak. He goes for an angle on the forehand but only hits the net
21:57 (IST)
Djokovic 6-6 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Much better from Shapovalov this time around. No hiccups, goes about it comfortably. Hits a winner behind Djokovic and gets an applause. Into the tiebreak!
21:54 (IST)
Djokovic 6-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic with a comfortable hold. Drops a point, sees Shapovalov’s desperate shot go long and is in lead again.
21:51 (IST)
Djokovic* 5-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov serving for the first set. After 15 straight points on serve, Denis loses one as he hits the top of the net. And then once more on the forehand. But follows it up with a massive 126mph serve. At 15-30, Shapovalov is adjudged to have hit a ball long. The Canadian challenges and it gets just the tip of the baseline. On replay, he bangs in another huge serve for an ace. Big (122mph) and angled wide. At 30-30, with the court gaping, Shapovalov goes for way too much and much to everyone’s surprise, even Djokovic’s perhaps, he goes long. Break point. Backs it up with a 133mph serve down the T and puts away the high ball for a drive volley. Djokovic gets into the rally, something he needs to do a lot of, and brings out an error. Another break point. A 135mph serve, Djokovic with a defensive return and on the second ball back, Shapovalov sends it long. BREAK BACK!
21:43 (IST)
Djokovic 4-5 *Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Djokovic looked to be running away to a love hold of his own but Shapovalov finds the absolute inch of the court to force an error and prolongs the game. Then a drop shot, too casual for comfort, and Djokovic doesn’t get to it. Nowhere near it in fact. Then out hits Djokovic by going repeatedly on his backhand. To deuce. Another angled serve on the deuce court and the return is into the net. On the ad court, he goes down the T and the return goes long.
21:40 (IST)
Djokovic* 3-5 Shapovalov (* denotes next server)
Shapovalov going about his business without much noise and definitely without any fuss. A third consecutive love hold for him against one of the best returners on tour
Preview: With Roger Federer already out, the only familiar face in the men’s semi-finals at Wimbledon is top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
The other three players left — No 7 seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy, No 10 Denis Shapovalov of Canada and No 14 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland — had never even reached the quarter-finals at the All England Club before.
Only Berrettini had reached the last four at any Grand Slam tournament, doing so at the 2019 US Open. That makes Djokovic the big favorite to add a sixth Wimbledon crown — and third in a row — and equal the men’s record of 20 total Grand Slam titles shared by Federer and Rafael Nadal.
First, Djokovic needs to get past Shapovalov in the semi-finals. The 22-year-old Shapovalov is only the third Canadian man to reach the Wimbledon semis. He has an 0-6 record against Djokovic.
Hurkacz beat Federer in straight sets in the quarter-finals and will try to follow that up by beating Berrettini. Hurkacz won their only previous matchup.
With inputs from AP.