Canada’s Denis Shapovalov falls to Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon semifinal
Posted Jul 9, 2021 01:19:22 PM.
LONDON – 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 Friday to secure his seventh final at the grass-court Grand Slam.
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, 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.
Denis Shapovalov on why he was particularly emotional leaving the court after the loss to Djokovic today:
“I think what hurt so much this time was just that I felt like the game is there and it’s possible to play for the trophy. It’s a feeling I’ve never had before”#Wimbledon
— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisMPC) July 9, 2021
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.
An incredible tournament from ???????? @denis_shapo ????
We can't wait to see what's next! #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/GEw59YJGz9
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 9, 2021
Meanwhile, Shapovalov was in a Slam semi for the first time in his career.