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'Sad to see': Fans gutted over 'heartbreaking' scenes at Wimbledon

Denis Shapovalov, pictured here in tears after losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Denis Shapovalov left the court in tears after losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Image: Getty

Denis Shapovalov left the court in tears at Wimbledon on Friday after matching it with Novak Djokovic put still losing in straight sets.

Djokovic is just one win away from a record-equalling 20th grand slam title after beating Canada's Shapovalov 7-6(3) 7-5 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon final.

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The World No.1 had to absorb a barrage of powerful hitting from Shapovalov to reach his seventh Wimbledon final - the 34-year-old eclipsed at times by a 22-year-old opponent who lit up an overcast Centre Court.

But as he almost always does, Djokovic responded to adversity with his usual dogged defence and clinical precision to set up a Sunday showdown with Italian Matteo Berrettini.

Tenth seed Shapovalov was bidding to become just the second Canadian man to reach the Wimbledon final.

Despite producing some scintillating tennis, he was left pondering what might have been after failing to crack the toughest nut in the business.

He struck 40 winners but whenever Djokovic found himself in peril, he manned the barricades, saving 10 of the 11 break points he faced and making only 15 unforced errors as he simply refused to be knocked off course.

Novak Djokovic, pictured here celebrating after beating Dennis Shapovalov to reach the Wimbledon final.
Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Dennis Shapovalov to reach the Wimbledon final. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Djokovic won the opening set despite Shapovalov serving for it at 5-4, then saved several break points in the second as his opponent threw the kitchen sink at the five-time champion.

Even in the third set Shapovalov continued shooting from the hip but eventually his fire blew out as Djokovic claimed one of the toughest straight sets wins of his Wimbledon career.

Shapovalov left the court with tears in his eyes to a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd.

Fans flocked to social media to praise his gutsy effort against the 19-time grand slam champion.

Djokovic to meet Berrettini in Wimbledon final

Djokovic is now in sight of a sixth All England Club triumph and will face Berrettini in the Centre Court showpiece on Sunday.

"I don't think the scoreline says enough about the performance or the match," Djokovic said.

"He was serving for the first set and was probably the better player, had many chances.

"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 would ensure Djokovic draws level with long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 major titles.

Berrettini powered his way into a first Wimbledon final with a 6-3 6-0 6-7 (3) 6-4 win over Hubert Hurkacz.

The 25-year-old from Rome is the first man from Italy to reach a grand slam final since Adriano Panatta won the French Open in 1976.

with agencies

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