Shapovalov ousted as Djokovic to play for 6th Wimbledon title

Denis Shapovalov's run at Wimbledon has ended, with the Canadian losing in straight sets to top-seed Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Djokovic edged the 22-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5 at the All England Club today to secure his seventh final at the grass-court Grand Slam.

Shapovalov, the tournament's 10th seed, pressured Djokovic, but won just 1-of-11 breakpoints and committed 36 unforced errors.

Djokovic saved all five break points he faced in the second set before Shapovalov double-faulted again to hand him a 6-5 lead.

WATCH | Djokovic clears Shapovalov on way to 7th Wimbledon final:

Novak Djokovic denies Canada's Denis Shapovalov a spot in Wimbledon final

3 years ago

Duration 5:25

Richmond Hill, Ont., native Denis Shapovalov falls in straight sets 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5. to World No.1 Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon semifinal.

Djokovic broke again for 6-5 in the third set and served out the match at love.

The 34-year-old Serbian has won 19 major titles — just one shy of the record held jointly by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — and has captured five Wimbledon titles alone, including the last two at the All England Club.

Meanwhile, Shapovalov was in a Slam semi for the first time in his career.

Berrettini blows by Hurkacz

Earlier Friday, cries of "Vai!" (Go!), "Forza!" (Let's go!) and even "Andiamo, amore mio!" (Let's go, my love!) rang through Centre Court, supporting Berrettini in his native tongue on his way to becoming Italy's first Grand Slam finalist in 45 years.

With booming serves delivering 22 aces, and powerful forehands helping compile a total of 60 winners, Berrettini used an 11-game run to grab a big lead and then held on to beat No. 14 Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4 in the first semifinal.

"Obviously, the job is not done yet. I want to get the trophy now that I'm here," said the 25-year-old Berrettini, who lost his only previous Slam semifinal at the 2019 U.S. Open. "But, just, it's a really unbelievable feeling."

He's now on an 11-match winning streak on grass courts, including a title at the Queen's Club tuneup last month, when he became the first man since Boris Becker in 1985 to win the trophy in his debut at that event. Becker went on to triumph at Wimbledon that year.

'Si, Berrettini!'

A key moment, oddly enough, came less than 20 minutes in, when Hurkacz was ahead 3-2 and held a break point. That was erased by Berrettini  by a service winner at 130 m.p.h., punctuated by one of his many yells of "Si!"

From there, Hurkacz morphed from the guy coming off the biggest win of his career — in straight sets in the quarterfinals against his idol, Federer — back to the player who arrived in England on a six-match losing streak.

WATCH | Berrettini overcomes Hurkacz to reach 1st career Grand Slam final: 

Italy's Matteo Berrettini moves on to first career Grand Slam final at Wimbledon

3 years ago

Duration 3:55

No. 7 ranked Matteo Berrettini defeats Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in four sets 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3), 6-4 in Wimbledon semis.

Berrettini (almost) couldn't miss. Hurkacz (almost) couldn't connect.

Golden forehand

By the finish, Berrettini had 24 winners off his forehand alone, and merely 18 unforced errors. Hurkacz's totals? Fewer than half as many winners, 27 — just four on forehands — and 26 unforced errors.

Hurkacz, so calm and collected against Federer two days earlier, was a picture of angst, leaning forward or rolling his eyes after some misses.

When Hurkacz got broken for the first time, the 24-year-old from Poland sat for the ensuing changeover and, between bites of a banana, motioned to his American coach, Craig Boynton, to adjust the seating arrangements in their guest box.

As if that were the issue.

Cheered from the stands by his girlfriend, Ajla Tomljanovic, who made it to the quarterfinals this week, and his parents and brother — mom captured his on-court interview with her cellphone — Berrettini was two points from winning in the third set.

But Hurkacz extended the contest, before Berrettini asserted himself again.

Shapovalov kept pushing Djokovic to the brink, but couldn't quite get the job done.

WATCH | The National: Shapovalov's Wimbledon run ends in semifinals:

Shapovalov out at Wimbledon after 1st Grand Slam semifinal match

3 years ago

Duration 2:01

Canadian Denis Shapovalov played his first Grand Slam semifinal today, competing against, and ultimately losing to, Novak Djokovic as fans cheered him on.