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Djokovic tames Shapovalov to set up Wimbledon final with Berrettini
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point during his Wimbledon men's singles semifinal against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates a point during his Wimbledon men's singles semifinal against Denis Shapovalov of Canada in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Defending champion Novak of Serbia absorbed a barrage of powerful hitting from Canadian Denis Shapovalov to reach his seventh Wimbledon final on Friday with a 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5 victory that kept the indefatigable Serb on course to write history.

The 34-year-old was eclipsed at times by his 22-year-old opponent on an overcast Center Court but as he almost always converted his chances in clinical fashion to set up a Sunday showdown with Italian Matteo Berrettini.

"For sure there's a lot of things to be proud for myself. For sure it's almost good to have a little bit of a taste because it just makes me want it that much more going into the next slams and into the future," Djokovic said.

"Now I know exactly what I'm capable of and where my game can be at. If anything, this has made me more hungry to try to win a trophy," he added.

Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia and Denis Shapovalov of Canada shake hands at the net after their Wimbledon men's singles semifinal in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia and Denis Shapovalov of Canada shake hands at the net after their Wimbledon men's singles semifinal in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Tenth seed Shapovalov was bidding to become only the second Canadian man to reach the Wimbledon final and despite producing some scintillating tennis, he was left pondering what might have been after failing to crack the toughest nut in the business.

He struck 40 winners but whenever Djokovic found himself in peril, he manned the barricades, saving 10 of the 11 break points he faced and making only 15 unforced errors as he refused to be derailed in his pursuit of a 20th Grand Slam title.

Denis Shapovalov of Canada in action during his Wimbledon semifinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Denis Shapovalov of Canada in action during his Wimbledon semifinal against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Djokovic won the opening set despite Shapovalov serving for it at 5-4, then saved several break points in the second as his opponent threw the kitchen sink at the five-time champion.

Even in the third set, Shapovalov continued shooting from the hip but eventually his fire blew out as Djokovic claimed one of the toughest straight-set wins of his Wimbledon career.

Denis Shapovalov of Canada wipes away tears after his Wimbledon semifinal in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Denis Shapovalov of Canada wipes away tears after his Wimbledon semifinal in London, England, July 9, 2021. /CFP

Shapovalov left the court with tears in his eyes but he showed enough in a marvelous run to suggest that he is ready to challenge for the biggest prizes in tennis.

"I think what hurt so much this time was just that I felt like the game is there and it's possible to go and play for the trophy," said Shapovalov.

"It's a feeling I've never had before, so that's why it just hurt so much. I felt like I was outplaying Novak in parts of the match. If you're outplaying Novak, you can beat anyone," he added. "In terms of how I felt after the match, it sucked. I felt terrible. And I still do feel terrible. I felt like I had chances today. I felt like it could have gone my way. So the fact that it didn't, it's heartbreaking."

Source(s): Reuters

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