Shapovalov is “my biggest test in the tournament,” Djokovic says before the semi-finals
Novak Djokovic has cruised into the Wimbledon semi-finals, winning 15 sets in a row since losing his first set of the tournament to Jack Draper. Aside from that slow — but extremely brief — start, nothing has been difficult for the world No 1. He is expecting a tougher day at the office against Denis … Continued
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Novak Djokovic has cruised into the Wimbledon semi-finals, winning 15 sets in a row since losing his first set of the tournament to Jack Draper. Aside from that slow — but extremely brief — start, nothing has been difficult for the world No 1.
He is expecting a tougher day at the office against Denis Shapovalov.
“He has been consistent with success on the tour in the last couple of years, top 20, top 15 in the world, although people did expect him to probably going to top 10 or maybe top 5 and be one of the leaders of the Next Gen, which he is”, Djokovic said.
“Maybe big matches, he was not winning those in the last couple of years. 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 someone who is left-handed on the quick surfaces. He’s comfortable coming in to net.”
Djokovic : “You don’t get too many opportunities on his service game, especially here on grass”
“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.We played a tight two-set this year in ATP Cup, which was the first opening official match for him and I of the season.
“The courts at Australian Open are pretty quick this year so I could get a little bit of an understanding of how well he’s serving, if he’s serving well, how difficult it is to play against him. You don’t get too many opportunities on his service game, especially here on grass.
“I’ve seen him play against (Andy) Murray. He’s really feeling great. Probably the ball gets to him on grass, it doesn’t bounce as much, so he can swing through the ball. I think backhand was also working really well what I saw today in some important moments. I’m sure that that’s going to be the biggest test I will have so far in the tournament, which is also expected. It’s semi-finals. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a battle and I need to be at my best.”
Shapovalov, who is 0-6 lifetime against Djokovic, earned another shot at the top seed by outlasting Karen Khachanov in five sets on Monday.
