Wimbledon day 12: Novak Djokovic faces the next step on the road to 20 Grand Slam titles

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Novak Djokovic serving

It is men’s semi-final day at Wimbledon and there is one familiar face surrounded by three newcomers.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic must navigate a clash against the exciting Denis Shapovalov, while Roger Federer’s conqueror Hubert Hurkacz takes on seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the other last-four clash.

Here we look ahead to the 12th day of the Championships.

Order of play

Centre Court

Matteo Berrettini v Hubert Hurkacz
Novak Djokovic v Denis Shapovalov

Match of the day

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Djokovic has barely been tested on his way to a 10th SW19 semi-final but that should change against Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian is enjoying a breakthrough grand slam, having reached this stage for the first time.

He is a junior champion, winning in 2016, and is now making his move in the men’s game. He is a flamboyant player, who is easy on the eye with a one-handed backhand and great variety. However, the man on the other side of the net just happens to be closing in on a record-equalling 20th grand slam title.

Hurkacz’s follow up

The nature of sport means that very often a massive high is followed up with a flat performance and that will be the test for Hurkacz against Berrettini. Hurkacz became only the second Pole to make it to the Wimbledon semi-finals when he shocked Centre Court by knocking out Federer in three sets. It was a memorable afternoon for him given Federer is the reason he started playing tennis. But Berrettini will present just as big a challenge as the eight-time champion.

Weather watch

22 degrees – Cloudy changing to light rain by lunch time (Met Office)

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Denis Shapovalov Hubert Hurkacz Matteo Berrettini Novak Djokovic

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