Djokovic provided Shapovalov with three sets, followed by Bertini in the final

Novak Djokovic is in the Wimbledon final for the third time in a row. The world number one reigns against Canadian Denis Shapovalov (ATP 12) 7:6 (7:3), 7:5, 7:5 and meets Matteo Berrettini on Sunday afternoon.

Djokovic was not the best player for long periods, but he was in the defining moments. Shapovalov took the first set after an early break, but gave a poor serve when he sent the set in 5:4. The 22-year-old left-hander finished the tiebreak with a double fault.

In the second set, the young Canadian developed a total of five break opportunities without succeeding, and Djokovic had one and resolutely used it to 6:5. The same picture in the third set: the Serbs managed to break the only break to 6:5, then took the win in the dry round. Djokovic’s persistence is also impressive: of his last 17 Grand Slam semi-final matches he has only lost to Dominic Thiem in Paris in 2019.

In the final, he was again the favorite to win Wimbledon for the third time in a row – sixth overall. But the 34-year-old Serbian plays for more. His 20th Grand Slam victory would see him tie for the first time at the top of the all-time list with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. After his successes at the Australian Open and at Roland Garros, he will be in three-quarters of the Grand Slam. Only two players – Don Badge in 1938 and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969 – were able to win all four Grand Slams in the same year.

Against lastcomer Berrettini, he won the previous two matches. A month ago in Paris, the Italian at least managed to take a penalty from him.