Day 12 and the day of the men’s semi-finals. The first semi-final on was between the 7th seed, Berrettini, and the 14th seed, Hurkacz. The first 6 games were tightly contested as both players were settling into their first grand slam semi-final. From 3-3 in the first set, Hurkacz’s level dropped significantly. He lost 9 games in a row, so from 3-3 in the first set, Hurkacz was now 2 sets down – 6-3; 6-0. He went off to a bathroom break to reset. The 3rd set went on serve and a tiebreak was needed to decide the 3rd set. Berrettini played a nervy tiebreak, missing a few easy shots and in the end this cost him as he lost the tiebreak and the 3rd set. Thankfully for Berrettini he broke first game of the 4th set and he held the break as he took the 4th set 6-4. He was into his first ever grand slam final. The other semi-final was between Djokovic, the 2 time defending champion, and the young Canadian, Denis Shapovalov. Surprisingly to some, Shapovalov was the first to strike in the opening set and he held the break until 5-4. Serving for the first set he was 0-30 down, but 2 good points and he made it 30-30. A great point by Shapovalov as he set up a simple forehand which he hit long. A great serve et up the point which Shapovalov finished off with a forehand volley – deuce. 2 Backhand errors cost Shapovalov and Djokovic was back on level terms in the 1st set. Both players held serve easily and tiebreak was needed to decide the 1st set. Djokovic made less errors in the tiebreak and he took it 7-3. Shapovalov continued to serve well in the 2nd set. He led 2-1 and conjured up three break points on Djokovic’s serve. Djokovic won 5 points in a row and the score was level at 2-2. Once again Shapovalov held serve easily and led 3-2. Again Shapovalov was 15-40 up on Djokovic’s serve and again Djokovic saved the break points. Both players held serve easily until 5-5. Shapovalov led the game 30-15 but 2 good points from Djokovic and it was 30-40. A double fault and Djokovic was a break up 6-5. He served it out and Shapovalov had a mountain to climb to get back into this match. Djokovic struggled to hold again in his first service game of the 3rd set. After that though both players were holding serve relatively easily. Shapovalov was the player saving break points in the 3rd set though. Once again at 5-5, Shapovalov had a tough service game. He served a double fault to go down 30-40. He saved that break point though. Djokovic then conjured up a 2nd break point which Shapovalov could not save. Djokovic once again served out the set with no trouble at all and he was through to another grand slam final. Could he win Wimbledon for the 3rd consecutive time?

Onto the fantasy league. No team were eliminated after Day 12. ‘Anyone for tea’ led by 1 point yesterday but today they lead by 14 points. ‘Hotshot’ remains in 2nd place but by only 2 points over 3rd place. There is a tie for third place between ‘2nd Choice’ and ‘Stentastics’. The last last prize position is taken by ‘Cream of the Court’ who have overtaken ‘Top Turtles’ for 5th place.

Results from Day 12:

• Berrettini(7) beat Hurkacz(14) – 6-3; 6-0; 6-7(3); 6-4
• Djokovic(1) beat Shapovalov(10) – 7-6(3); 7-5; 7-5

Ladies final:

• Barty(1) vs Pliskova(8) (15:00)

Jared

Jared matriculated in 2020 from Wynberg Boys High School in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. His passion for tennis afforded him the opportunity of travelling to Europe. He is a quizmaster and a fantasy organiser.