For Novak, ‘Grand Slams are everything’

LONDON – Novak Djokovic reached his 30th Grand Slam final on Friday with a straight sets win over Canada’s Denis Shapovalov to move one victory away from a sixth Wimbledon title and record-equalling 20th major.

The world number one triumphed, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-5, in a tense semifinal in which he crucially saved 10 of 11 break points.

Shapovalov was so distraught that he left Center Court in tears.

In his seventh Wimbledon final, Djokovic will face Matteo Berrettini after the world number nine became the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon singles final by beating Hubert Hurkacz, 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4.

“I don’t think the scoreline says enough about the performance or the match. He (Shapovalov) was serving for the first set and was probably the better player,” said Djokovic.

“I would like to give him a big round of applause for everything he has done today and also this two weeks. We are going to see a lot of him in the future, he is a great player.”

Victory on Sunday will not only take Djokovic level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Slam wins.

He will also just need the US Open to become only the third man in history, and first since 1969, to complete the calendar Grand Slam.

“I am trying to make the maximum of my own abilities each match and see what happens,” said the 34-year-old Djokovic.

“At this stage of my career, Grand Slams are everything and I have been very privileged to make history in the sport I truly love.”

“Novak’s an incredible guy. I don’t think he’s praised enough. He came up to me in the locker room, he just said a couple words. For me, it means a lot. He really doesn’t have to,” revealed Shapovalov.

On Sunday, Berrettini will attempt to become Italy’s first men’s Grand Slam champion since Adriano Panatta at the 1976 French Open.

“I think I never dreamed about this because it was too much for a dream,” said Berrettini.