Sports

Wimbledon 2022 | Novak Djokovic breaks Federer’s record for most appearances in a Grand Slam final

July 8, 2022
Bharat Times English News

Novak Djokovic defeated Cameron Norie in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at Wimbledon 2022. After losing the first set, Djokovic made a strong comeback to win the game.

Novak Djokovic comes down from a set to win the game. (courtesy: Reuters)

highlighted

  • Novak Djokovic reaches his 8th final of the tournament
  • Serbian won the match in four sets
  • The first seed will face Nick Kyrgios in the final

Last year’s runner-up and six-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic defeated local boy Cameron Norie 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final of Wimbledon 2022. It was Djokovic’s 8th appearance in the final of the competition and will face Australian Nick Kyrgios in a match on center court on Sunday.

On Friday, Djokovic shrugged off the initial setback and adjusted to Nori’s lower back, giving him trouble early in the game. After losing the first set 2-6, Djokovic made sure he was strong at the net and attempted to maintain his serve through most of the game.

The win meant that Wimbledon final appearance would be Djokovic’s 32nd appearance in a Grand Slam final, the highest ever in men’s singles competition in the open era. Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer, who held the record at 31.

Djokovic and Federer are followed by Rafael Nadal (30), Ivan Lendl (19) and Pete Sampras (18). Nadal could also have a shot at Federer’s tally, but was forced to pull out after tearing an abdominal muscle against USA’s Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals of the competition. Nadal refused to withdraw from the quarter and won the game. However, after some light practice a day before the semi-finals, he announced that he was in no position to face Australian Nick Kyrgios.

The Wimbledon title is crucial for Djokovic, who came in as the favorite to win the tournament after the top two players were eliminated in the men’s singles competition. While Russian Daniil Medvedev was not allowed to participate, and Alexander Zverev did not participate after breaking multiple ligaments in his ankle while playing the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

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