Novak Djokovic admitted he was shocked to make it to today’s Wimbledon final after he beat Rafael Nadal in five sets in their semifinal yesterday.
Just a day after the longest semifinal in Wimbledon history saw Kevin Anderson outlast John Isner 26-24 in the final set, Centre Court witnessed another marathon with the Serb eventually seeing off the Spaniard’s challenge 10-8 in the fifth set.
Djokovic came into the tournament on the back of patchy form following his return after injury and was not expected to challenge for the title.
But having beaten his old rival he revealed he was in shock to find himself just one victory away from winning his fourth title at the All England Club.
“It’s incredible for me to be in the Wimbledon final, I am trying to digest that first,” Djokovic said.
“It’s hard to pick the words, I am just going through things that flash back — the last 15 months, everything I have been through to get here, to win against the best player in the world in one of the longest matches I ever played. I am overwhelmed.
“It’s very special. It really could have gone either way. It was clear very few things separated the two players. Until the last shot I didn’t know if I was going to win. I believed it, but he was very close. These kind of matches you live for and work for.”
Of his opponent today Djokovic added: “Hopefully we can both play! It’s been a roller-coaster for him in the last couple of rounds, but he had a day off and that means a lot. I wish I had one.”
Novak Djokovic in shock as super Serb beats Rafael Nadal to make Wimbledon final
Novak Djokovic in shock as super Serb beats Rafael Nadal to make Wimbledon final
- Djokovic hails return to form as he makes final at All England Club
- Serb beats arch-rival in five set thriller
Real Madrid lose second straight and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona
- Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga
MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.
