Wimbledon 2021 Highlights, men's singles semi-finals: Novak Djokovic beats Denis Shapovalov in straight sets

One win away from Number 20.

One more to go. #Djokovic #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/f2LP5YlUMi

— Tennis GIFs🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) July 9, 2021

Shapovalov walking off the Centre Court in tears
 

A sterling effort in just his 10th singles match at #Wimbledon

No doubt we'll be seeing plenty more of @denis_shapo on this stage in the future... pic.twitter.com/TnMlEIBAtf

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2021

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

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.”

#Wimbledon title No.6 is in reach.

Defending champion @DjokerNole is into his seventh final at The Championships with a straight sets victory over Denis Shapovalov pic.twitter.com/QpyX7Ho0eZ

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2021

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

What an exceptionally from the women’s doubles semi-final

Rally of the match. The finish by Kudermetova was exceptional. @EVesnina001

(h/t: @joeycapparella) #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/VzjWe1Iwjn

— Tennis GIFs🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) July 9, 2021

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!

Match in a nutshell

Shapovalov on break points: 1/11

Djokovic on break points: 2/3

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!

Very well put on Novak Djokovic

“Arguably the highest floor ever,” yes as imo Nadal is the other contestant, but absolutely. Not to be reductive but: racquet sports, never miss never lose. Of course Nole does more than just "not miss," but that’s the floor’s foundation https://t.co/OP9iyaskHl

— skip schwarzman (@TennisSkip1515) July 9, 2021

No way was Shapovalov getting this ball back. Not sure why the argument?

Was Shapo actually arguing that if not for line umpire's call he would have put THIS return in? 💀😭 pic.twitter.com/Nbi4y39frm

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) July 9, 2021

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.

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!”

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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….

In the women’s doubles final: Mertens/Hsieh vs. Vesnina/Kudermetova

Kudermetova/Vesnina save 4 MPs in the QFs and 3 MPs in the SFs - that was incredible stuff from 1-4 0-40 down. I knew Kudermetova would do something on grass this year!

— Alex Macpherson (@alex_macpherson) July 9, 2021

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…

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

Busy day for the Italians on Sunday!

Complimenti a Matteo #Berrettini, domenica tutti col cuore a Wimbledon e Wembley! 🇮🇹🎾⚽️ pic.twitter.com/PmteOQAccn

— Roberto Mancini (@robymancio) July 9, 2021

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!

Quite a fortnight it was for Hubert Hurkacz. Deserved every bit of adulation that came his way earlier on Centre Court

I fought but @MattBerrettini was better today. It will be an unforgettable tournament for me. Thank you for the great support I felt throughout the tournament @Wimbledon 👊🎾🍓#Wimbledon #Hubi pic.twitter.com/a6DJvp52re

— Hubert Hurkacz (@HubertHurkacz) July 9, 2021

Stats: Set 1

Stats: Set 1

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