Novak Djokovic reaches seventh Wimbledon Final after seeing off Denis Shapovalov challenge in straight sets

The defending champion and reigning world no1 was victorious in straight units – 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 – in Friday night’s second semi-final, although was given a stern check by his hard-hitting 22-year-old opponent on Centre Court docket.

Sunday’s showpiece might be Djokovic’s thirtieth Grand Slam closing in complete to this point.

He has already received each the Australian Open and French Open to date in 2021, whereas he might be in search of a sixth Wimbledon triumph on Sunday after additionally profitable the boys’s title in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019.

Solely 4 gamers have beforehand received all the first three males’s Grand Slam singles titles in the identical calendar 12 months, with the feat final achieved by Rod Laver again in 1969.

The formidable Djokovic has now received 17 matches in a row and boasts 101 profession victories on grass.

“I don’t suppose the scoreline says sufficient concerning the efficiency and concerning the match. He was serving for the primary set and was most likely the higher participant for many of the second set,” Djokovic informed the BBC after a spirited displaying from the emotional Canadian world no12 Shapovalov, whose frustrations confirmed throughout an indignant alternate with the umpire and he later left Centre Court docket in tears.

“I want to give him an enormous spherical of applause. This has been his first semi-final of a Grand Slam. You can see he was emotional. We’re going to see plenty of him sooner or later, positively.

“Significantly at this stage of my profession, the Grand Slams are every part actually. I’ve to steadiness that with attempting to be current and within the second and focus solely on the subsequent match.”

Djokovic and Berrettini have solely met twice earlier than on the ATP Tour, with the Serbian profitable each encounters.

Djokovic got here by means of in 4 units throughout a quarter-final tie at Roland Garros final month, whereas he additionally beat the Italian 6-2 6-1 on the ATP Finals in London in 2019.