Shapovalov run ends in ‘heartbreaking’ way
CANADIAN FALLS TO ELITE, TOP-RANKED DJOKOVIC IN WIMBLEDON SEMIFINAL
After his dream of winning Wimbledon came to an end at the hands of Novak Djokovic on Friday, Denis Shapovalov says he’s frustrated about losing but proud of his extended run at the tournament.
Shapovalov, the pride of Richmond Hill, Ont., went toe to toe with the game’s greatest player for extended stretches in the Wimbledon semifinals, but in the biggest moments, Djokovic produced the best answers.
It goes down as a straight sets 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 triumph, but it was anything but lopsided. Ultimately, it was Djokovic’s ability to rise to the challenge and raise his game at the pivotal moments in all three sets that made all the difference.
“Honestly, it’s heartbreaking,” Shapovalov told TSN after the defeat had set in. “I’m proud of myself, but frustrated at not being able to capitalize in the (big) moments. It’s a huge growing experience for me.”
Shapovalov, who was bidding to join Milos Raonic as the only Canadian men to have played in the Wimbledon final, was wiping away tears as he left Wimbledon’s Centre Court following the setback.
“It was the whole two weeks, the whole month, being in the bubble ... it all hit me at once,” he said. “Before I could control it, the tears were running down my cheeks.”
Shapovalov, 22, says he is full of confidence that he can go shot for shot with Djokovic and the world’s other elite players, but that he experience of not being able to convert on numerous chances against Djokovic’s serve — moments that could have turned the momentum and swung the match in his favour — will make him even hungrier the next time he’s in those crucial situations.
Djokovic will now play Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in Sunday’s final. Berrettini coasted past Hungary’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-0, 6-7, 6-4 in the other semifinal. Djokovic was gracious in victory, saying the scoreline didn’t do justice to the Canadian.
“He was serving for the first set and he was probably the better player for most of the second set (when) he had many chances,” he told the Centre Court crowd. “I would like to give him a big round of applause for everything he has done today and also (for) these past few weeks. This was his first Grand Slam semifinal and you could see that he was emotional. We’re going to see a lot of him in the future, definitely. He’s a great player.”
As for adding to his own legacy, Djokovic says Wimbledon “is the most special tournament in the world” and he never leaves anything on the court.
“There’s no holding back. Once you step on the court, especially at the later stages of an event, the dream keeps going that’s all I can say. I’m trying to take out the maximum of my abilities every single match and see what happens. Giving up is never an option.”
Going into the match, the first Grand Slam semifinal appearance of his career, Shapovalov was the longest of long shots.
Djokovic is bidding for his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam title overall, which would tie him with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most all-time.
It was also Djokovic’s 41st appearance in a Grand Slam semifinal. Overall, he has captured 84 career titles, compared to only one from Shapovalov.
He had also dominated his opposition in his previous five matches. After dropping the opening set in his first match, he had won 15 consecutive sets before facing the Canadian. Now, he has run that total to 18.
On Friday, though, it wasn’t so much about Djokovic’s domination. It was more about his survival instincts.
Shapovalov was the better player for extended stretches in the opening two sets, delivering countless clean winners on both his forehand and backhand.
Djokovic, one of the best returners of serve in tennis history, couldn’t find answers in most of Shapovalov’s service games.
In the key moments, though, Djokovic showed his championship mettle to win big points, capitalizing on Shapovalov when the nerves set in.
As sharp as Shapovalov was, he allowed Djokovic to hang around in the first two sets. The Canadian had a chance to serve for the first set, but Djokovic broke back to extend the set to a tiebreaker. Shapovalov then played a sloppy first set tiebreaker, double faulting to close it out.
Djokovic was also seemingly on the ropes for most of the second set, but his phenomenal defence kept him alive against endless pressure on his serve. Ultimately, another Shapovalov double fault allowed Djokovic to break serve at 5-5 in the second set and the Serbian served out the set from there.
Djokovic raised his game in the third set. With the set tied 5-5, Djokovic broke Shapovalov’s serve. From there, he served out the match to reach yet another Grand Slam final against Berrettini.
Berrettini has already established his own history. He’s the first Italian to have ever advanced to the Wimbledon final. Coupled with the fact that Italy will be facing England in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday in London, it will be a colossal sporting day for the country.
WE’RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF HIM IN THE FUTURE, DEFINITELY.