In the men’s second semi-final, in the center of the court, under a cloudy sky, 22-Year-old Lorenzo Musetti tried everything to unravel 37– year-old Novak Djokovic, but to no avail.
Serbia defeated the Italian in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4to reach his tenth Wimbledon final.
The Italian, who was in his first Grand Slam semifinal, has a great feel.
“He’s a tough player to play against because he has that defensive side,” Djokovic said. “His shots. He can serve and volley. He’s very crafty with his tennis. He has versatile game.He can play any shot.
“He is so talented. You don’t know what to expect in a way. Every shot can be different.
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“So yeah, I mean, he was playing well especially in the second set and we went from toe to toe. It might have been a different result if he had won the second set. But again, I think in the important moments in all three sets, I probably played a little bit better than him and that was enough.”
In the second set, if Musetti would have taken the break in 5– all, when Djokovic was in love-30 in his service, perhaps things could have changed. But the Serbian was very strong.
Musetti served well, hitting 74% of first serves, but Djokovic returns well, hitting 79% of his returns to.
Djokovic played particularly well at the net, winning 16 e 17 SERVING & barrage points and earning a total of 43 e 56 net point.
Djokovic said he was aware that Federer holds eight Wimbledon titles and he holds seven.
“History is on the line,” he said.
“Also, 25The potential Grand Slam. Of course it serves as a great motivation, but at the same time there is also a lot of pressure and expectation. Every time I go out on the pitch now, even though I’m 37 and competing with 21– years, I still expect myself to win most matches, and people expect me to win, whatever, 99% of matches I play.
“I always have to go out on the pitch and do my best so that I can still be on the level with Carlos, Jannik or Sascha or any of those guys, Daniil.
“This year has not been so successful for me. It’s probably the worst first six month results I’ve had in years. That’s okay. I had to adapt and accept that and really try to find a way out of the injury I had and regroup.
“Wimbledon has historically had seasons where maybe I wasn’t playing at the desired level, but then I would win a Wimbledon title and then things would change.
“For example, this was the case in 2018 when I had elbow surgery earlier in the year, my lineup all over again 20losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open, I think it was the quarters of Roland Garros, and I just wasn’t playing the tennis I want to play. Then I won Wimbledon and then I won US Opened and then became No. 1 very quickly.
“Yes, Wimbledon just brings out the best in me and motivates me to always show up and do my best.
“Of course, I am aware of what is on the line. It always is indeed. Every Grand Slam I play, there’s always history now on the line. I will try to use it as fuel to play my best tennis.”
Next up for Djokovic is Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, in what will be a repeat of last year’s sensational final.
