Previous losses on the Tour has done little to dent Denis Shapovalov’s belief that he has what it takes to spring a huge shock at the Wimbledon Championships when he faces Novak Djokovic.
Shapovalov has become only the third Canadian man in history to reach the last four of the tournament after outlasting Karen Khachanov in five sets. It is also the first time in his career he has reached the semi-final of a Grand Slam. Awaiting him next is five-time champion Djopkovic who he is yet to defeat after losing all six of their previous encounters on the Tour.
The upcoming clash is a tall order for the 22-year-old who has also beaten Roberto Bautista Agut and Andy Murray earlier in the tournament. However, relishing the support he has received at The All England Club so far Shapovalov believes anything is possible.
“The last couple times that we’ve played, it’s been really, really tight,” he commented on his head-to-head with Djokovic. “I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling great physically and tennis-wise.’
“Obviously he’s been playing really well. It’s definitely a tough battle ahead of me. When you walk out on that match, the score is 0-0. It’s a tennis match. Anything can happen. I’m going to fight for every point and believe in myself. I do believe that I have the game to beat him and the game to win that match.”
On paper the world No.12 doesn’t have the strongest of records when it comes to playing top 10 opposition after winning just seven out of those 27 meetings. He is 0-3 so far this season. Djokovic was the first player he faced in 2021 at the ATP Cup where he was edged out 7-5, 7-5. Shapovalov also lost to Alexander Zverev at the same tournament followed by Rafael Nadal in Rome a couple months later.
Hoping to snap his losing streak against the top players, Shapovalov is eager to prove a point. He is coached on the Tour by his mother Tessa Shapovalova, as well as former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Mikhail Youzhny.
“It’s definitely a big challenge, for sure. Obviously he’s been playing super well this season and the last couple years. He loves the surface,” said Shapovalov.
“It’s definitely a super difficult match ahead of me.’
“I believe in my game. I think I’ve been playing really, really good tennis. To beat these players with the way I’ve been playing, it’s not easy to do. So I have full belief in myself and in my game that I’m able to win on Friday.”
Following his win over Marton Fucsovics, Djokovic said his semi-final test is poised to be the ‘biggest test’ yet for him as he paid tribute to the development of Shapovalov’s game in recent times. The world No.1 will be playing in the last four of a major for the 41st time in his career.
“It seems like he’s maturing, which is also something that is normal, it’s logical. You would expect that from a player like him that has really an all-around game. Huge serve, lefty, which is always tricky to play against someone who is left-handed on the quick surfaces,” Djokovic commented.
“He’s comfortable coming into the net. I think his movement has improved. Due to better movement, he’s probably making less errors, which was probably the part of his game that was always troubling him.”
The head-to-head
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ATP Cup Australia | Outdoor Hard | RR | Novak Djokovic | 75 75 |
| 2020 | ATP Cup Australia | Outdoor Hard | QF | Novak Djokovic | 46 61 764 |
| 2019 | ATP Masters 1000 Paris France | Indoor Hard | F | Novak Djokovic | 63 64 |
| 2019 | ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai China | Outdoor Hard | R32 | Novak Djokovic | 63 63 |
| 2019 | ATP Masters 1000 Rome Italy | Outdoor Clay | R32 | Novak Djokovic | 61 63 |
| 2019 | Australian Open Australia | Outdoor Hard | R32 | Novak Djokovic | 63 64 46 60 |
