Djokovic moves closer to: After overcoming the challenge of young Canadian Denis Shapovalov, Novak Djokovic will face Matteo Berrettini for a third consecutive Wimbledon title on Sunday.
Shapovalov, 22, was the better player for the majority of the first two sets in his first grand slam semi-final.
However, he was unable to convert his opportunities and was defeated 7-6 (3) 7-5 7-5.
Djokovic has yet to hit top form this fortnight, but he has only dropped one set, in his opening match against British teenager Jack Draper.
He is now one win away from matching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record of 20 slam titles and completing the calendar Grand Slam.
Berrettini, who was outstanding against Hubert Hurkacz earlier in the season, will stand in his way.
However, this was a demonstration of why Djokovic has been the dominant player of the decade.
To begin with, he was well below par, double-faulting twice in the third game and dropping serve on a blistering Shapovalov backhand.
The 10th seed’s one-hander is one of the game’s best crowd-pleasers, and it has served him well this tournament, particularly in his third-round win over Andy Murray.
Shapovalov was playing freely in his first grand slam semi-final, winning 15 consecutive points on serve until he came to serve for it at 5-4.
He recovered well from 0-30 but at 30-30 he missed a forehand with the court gaping, and Djokovic broke back.
It was a huge moment and was replicated time and again across the remainder of the two hours and 44 minutes they spent on Centre Court.
Djokovic played a shaky tie-break, including a double-fault, but Shapovalov did not win a single point on his own serve and ended with a double-fault of his own.
Shapovalov had golden chances to break at both 2-1 and 3-2 in the second set with Djokovic at 0-40 and 15-40, but again he could not take them.
His spectacular shots were choosing the worst moments to misfire.
He had the majority of the crowd behind him, including children from St Matthew Academy in Lewisham, who have been sending him supportive videos.
But it was he who cracked on serve at 5-5, another untimely double-fault giving Djokovic the chance to serve for the set, which, unlike his opponent, he did not pass up.
Shapovalov channelled his frustration into an argument with the umpire as he saw his Wimbledon final dreams ebbing away.
Although he was not playing anything like his best, such is the depth of Djokovic’s well of confidence that he was able to raise his level when he needed to.
Meanwhile, the opposite was true of his opponent as experience plays a huge part in that, of course.
Shapovalov showed more than enough in this match and across the tournament as a whole.
This was enough to indicate he will have many more opportunities to hone a winning mentality on the big stage.
This occasion, though, belonged to Djokovic.
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The world number one saved three more break-points —- he fought off 10 of 11 across the match —- in the second game of the third set making the number one Djokovic moves closer to Wimbledon title.
Shapovalov at least showed grit of his own on the defensive in the third set.
He saved break-points at 1-1 and 3-3 with terrifically brave-hitting —— and a couple more tumbles to the turf for Djokovic, who has struggled to keep his feet all fortnight.
The top seed had now found a high level and there were some brilliant exchanges.
But Shapovalov’s resistance ran out in the 11th game before Djokovic booked his spot in a 30th slam final.
