By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Djokovic beats Shapovalov to reach 30th Grand Slam final
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
Sport

Djokovic beats Shapovalov to reach 30th Grand Slam final

Agency Report with Okay.ng
By Agency Report with Okay.ng
Published: July 9, 2021
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Novak Djokovic reached his 30th Grand Slam final on Friday with a straight sets win over Canada’s Denis Shapovalov to move one victory away from a sixth Wimbledon title and record-equalling 20th major.

The world number one triumphed 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-5 in a tense semi-final in which he crucially saved 10 of 11 break points.

Shapovalov was so distraught that he left Centre Court in tears.

In his seventh Wimbledon final, Djokovic will face Matteo Berrettini after the world number nine became the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon singles final by beating Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4.

- Advertisement -

“I don’t think the scoreline says enough about the performance or the match. He (Shapovalov) was serving for the first set and was probably the better player,” said Djokovic.

“I would like to give him a big round of applause for everything he has done today and also this two weeks. We are going to see a lot of him in the future, he is a great player.”

Victory on Sunday will not only take Djokovic level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Slam wins.

He will also just need the US Open to become only the third man in history, and first since 1969, to complete the calendar Grand Slam.

- Advertisement -

“I am trying to make the maximum of my own abilities each match and see what happens,” said 34-year-old Djokovic.

“At this stage of my career, Grand Slams are everything and I have been very privileged to make history in the sport I truly love.”

Shapovalov showed no signs of nerves despite appearing in his first Slam semi-final and having come into the match with a 0-6 losing record against the world number one.

He broke for 2-1 but Djokovic, in his 10th Wimbledon semi-final and 41st at the majors, was back on terms in the 10th game before taking the tiebreak when the Canadian double-faulted.

Shapovalov then failed to take five break points in the second set and Djokovic pounced.

He broke for 6-5 on another double fault and pocketed the set before the Canadian took out his frustration on the chair umpire describing the official as “a joke”.

Djokovic showed his trademark steely defence to fend off four more break points in the second game of the third set.

Again, he made the Canadian left-hander pay by breaking for 6-5 and serving out the match in the next game.

On Sunday, Berrettini will attempt to become Italy’s first men’s Grand Slam champion since Adriano Panatta at the 1976 French Open.

– ‘I deserved it’ –

“I think I never dreamed about this because it was too much for a dream,” said Berrettini.

“I am trying to be the best at everything but after the third set I was feeling I deserved to win it but lost it.

“I said ‘it doesn’t matter’, I was feeling the stronger player and that’s what I said to myself and eventually it paid off.”

Should he win the final, Berrettini may be able to celebrate a national double with Italy facing England in the Euro 2020 final in London later that day.

“So far it is the best tennis day of my life but hopefully Sunday will be even better. I feel kind of chills but I am doing it, so I have to believe it.”

Berrettini, having wasted three break points earlier in the first set, eventually broke through in the seventh game, backing it up in the ninth, converting set point courtesy of an ugly forehand shank from the Pole.

The 25-year-old then raced through the second set in just 23 minutes, a Hurkacz double fault and a wrong-footing forehand allowing Berrettini to seal a 10th successive game.

That became 11 games in a row at the start of the third set before 18th-ranked Hurkacz, bidding to be the first Polish man to make a Slam final, stopped the rot.

Hurkacz held on and swept the third set tiebreaker but his momentum was quickly halted as the Italian broke for 1-0 in the fourth.

Berrettini was unable to convert a match point in the ninth game but made no mistake on his own service.

The Italian fired 22 aces, taking his tournament total past the 100-mark, and 60 winners.

He only faced two break points, both of which he saved.

“Matteo played pretty great. He served bombs. He really didn’t do many mistakes throughout the whole four sets,” said Hurkacz who had knocked out Federer in the quarter-finals.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:Denis ShapovalovNovak Djokovic
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Euro 2020 final will be a tough game – Harry Kane
Next Article Yahaya Bello Yahaya Bello speaks against zoning of presidency in 2023

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,560.00
Sell Rate ₦1,570.00

Updated: 1 day ago

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Quick Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Marks Historic Diplomatic and Cultural Engagement, Presidency Clarifies
International News
President Bola Tinubu Suspends Implementation of Financial Reporting Council Amendment Act 2023
News
Aminu Dantata to be Buried in Madinah After Saudi Approval
News
VIDEO: NDLEA Issues Strong Advisory to Travellers Against Carrying Unknown Bags
Crime Video
SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors on Security Vote Spending
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

NewsSecurity

Security Situation Improving, CDS Urges Continued Support from Nigerians

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
PoliticsTop stories

David Mark to Lead Anti-Tinubu Coalition Under African Democratic Congress Platform

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
InternationalNews

FG to Plant 20 Billion Trees Next Rainy Season in National Reforestation Drive, Says VP Shettima

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 28, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?