Canada’s Shapovalov (22 years old) played brilliantly, but Djokovic was able to take the key moments to his 7-6 (7-3-7-5 7-5 7-5 victory.
Berrettini won a 6-3,6-0,6-7 (3-7) and 6-4 victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
The seventh seed is an Italian who reached the men’s singles final.
The Queen’s champion used his forehand and serve to great effect to reach his first Grand Slam Final. This was just hours before England takes on England in the Euro 2020 final.
The Italian 25-year old is the first man to reach a Grand Slam final in a decade.
Berrettini stated, “I don’t have any words.” “It took me a few hours to comprehend what happened.
“I don’t think I ever dreamed of this because it was too big for me to dream about.” “
Djokovic displays an indomitable spirit as he moves closer to the 20th Grand Slam
Djokovic, a five-time Wimbledon champion, is just one victory away from keeping the title he won in 2018-2019. This would make him equal the all-time men’s record of 20 major wins set by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
However, it was not an easy passage for the 34 year-old Serb.
To beat 10th seed Shapovalov, the world number one had to use all his skills and spirit. It was an entertaining contest that had Centre Court riveted.
Shapovalov failed to deliver in key moments of his first major semi-final – which was costly.
“I don’t think the scoreline speaks enough about the match. He was serving for the first sets, and was probably the best player for the second. Djokovic, who reached his 30th Grand Slam final, said that he had the most chances.
“I’d like to thank him for everything he did this fortnight. He is a great player and we will be seeing more of him in the future. He is a great player. He is a great player.
The left-handed Canadian swung from both flanks, Djokovic’s heavy hitting rocking and drawing astonishing gasps from the 15,000-strong crowd.
He could not serve the first set and then convert any five break points. These were all within a 10 minute span across two service games.
“Novak is a great person who puts pressure when it’s necessary, and you can feel it in those moments. He rises to the occasion. “He does that really well,” Shapovalov, 2016 Wimbledon boys’ champion, said.
Shapovalov was left with three more break points at the beginning of the third set. Djokovic seemed to always have the answer to his questions.
Many balls kept coming back from the Serb during the rallies. However, as in the second set the pressure was again on Shapovalov, who lost serve for a 6-5 lead.
Despite Shapovalov getting support from Wimbledon fans who like to see underdogs succeed, Djokovic remained calm and composed throughout the match.
His relief was reflected in the loud celebration that greeted him after he had won.
Shapovalov, on the other hand, left in tears after he was given a standing ovation.
He said that he felt the game was there and that it was possible to play for the trophy.
“It’s a feeling that I have never experienced before. That’s why it hurt so much. In some parts, I felt like Novak was outplaying me. You can beat anyone if you outplay Novak. “
Berrettini fires 22 Aces to Reach Final
Berrettini (25), was widely expected to make a strong run at Wimbledon. This was after his performances at Queen’s where he became first player to win the title in a debut match since Boris Becker (1985).
The Italians will not be surprised to learn that Becker, from Germany, won the title at All England Club in that year.
His serve and forehand are impressive, but it’s his precision that has made him a formidable opponent during his smooth transition to the final. He has dropped three sets.
Hurkacz was appearing in his first Grand Slam semifinal. He had made a confident start by winning a hold-to-love in the first match. He held off three break points in the next service game and then gave Berrettini a win with a tame effort to the net.
This was the last of 11 consecutive games that Hurkacz won. Hurkacz, 24 had already held his serve and started to make a match out of it. He took the third set to tie-break and quickly took control.
Hurkacz was surrounded by Centre Court fans, perhaps in sympathy for his poor shot-making. Berrettini won the net and his Hawk-Eye challenge proved that he was wrong by the width of one blade of grass.
The crowd roared when a Berrettini backhand hit the net, putting the match in a fourth set.
However, 14th seed Hurkacz had defeated eight-time champion Roger Federer in straight set in the quarter-finals. He then suffered an early break down. Berrettini relaxed and rediscovered his form.
Although he failed to convert a match-point on the Pole’s serve at 5.3, he made no mistakes in the next game where he established match point with his 22nd Ace.
Hurkacz won the title with a huge serve. He was the first Italian man since Adriano Pantatta at the 1976 French Open, to reach a major singles final.
