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Novak Djokovic takes on Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon final knowing victory will take him level with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam tally (20). The world No 1 is the heavy favourite to clinch the title after most of the top seeds were dumped out in the early stages.
Djokovic dropped his opening set of the tournament against young British star Jack Draper.
But the Serbian used that as a wake-up call and has not dropped a set since en route to the final.
Meanwhile, Berrettini won the Queen’s Club ATP 500 event in the build-up to the British Grand Slam.
And he continued that form at the All England Club, dropping just two sets, against No 16 seed Felix Auger Aliassime and No 14 seed Hubert Hurkacz, during his run to the final.
Djokovic has won both of his two previous meetings with Berrettini, the most recent coming in the French Open quarter-finals earlier this year. The other meeting came at the 2019 ATP Finals, in which Berrettini won only three games.
1pm: Speaking ahead of the final, Djokovic said: “It would mean everything [to win the title]. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m playing.
“I imagined myself being in a position to fight for another Grand Slam trophy prior to coming to London. I put myself in a very good position.
“Anything is possible in the finals. Obviously, experience is on my side. But Berrettini has been winning a lot of matches on grass courts this year, winning Queen’s. He’s in great form.
“He’s serving big, playing big. So it’s going to be a very tough match I think for both of us. But I’m looking forward to a great battle.”
12.45pm: Good afternoon and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini.
Defending champion Djokovic beat Federer in five sets in that epic 2019 final.
He will be hoping that a sixth title at the All England club comes much easier than that duel two years ago.
Meanwhile, Berrettini is in his maiden Grand Slam final with his previous best result being a US Open semi-final appearance in 2019.
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