Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini will lock horns in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. While the Serb aims to equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s 20-Slam record, Berrettini, with a win, will become the first Italian to win Wimbledon. Both ways, history is at stake. 

Novak Djokovic defeated Canada’s Denis Shopovalov 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-5 in the semi-final. The World No 1 player would be playing his 30th Major final and seventh at the All England Club.

Matteo Berrettini, on the other hand, defeated the one who tamed Roger Federer in the quarter-final. The Italian comes with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 victory over Hubert Hurkacz.

Here is Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini’s paths to the Wimbledon final: 

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Novak Djokovic

1st rd: bt Jack Draper (GBR) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

2nd rd: bt Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3

3rd rd: bt Denis Kudla (USA) 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7)

4th rd: bt Cristian Garin (CHI x17) 6-4, 6-2, 6-2

QF: bt Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

SF: bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN x10) 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 7-5

Matteo Berrettini

1st rd: bt Guido Pella (ARG) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0

2nd rd: bt Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4)

3rd rd: bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

4th rd: bt Ilya Ivashka (BLR) 6-4, 6-3, 6-1

QF: bt Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x16) 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3

SF: bt Hubert Hurkacz (POL x14) 6-3, 6-0, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4

Talking about the atmosphere and crowd support Berrettini will have, Djokovic said,” Every player hopes in big matches, coming into big stadiums, that he’s going to have a majority of the crowd behind him. Having the crowd behind you, against you, it’s a big difference. Berrettini, his first time in a Grand Slam final, he’s kind of an underdog. People also like to see someone win who is an underdog or is not maybe expected to win, is not the favourite to win.”

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“Hopefully people can also recognise the importance of this match for me, the history that is on the line,” the World No 1 added.

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“I’m prepared for anything really that is going to happen in terms of the crowd support on Sunday. I’ve had many different experiences throughout my career. I just need to focus on myself and what I need to do.”

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere. My first final in Wimbledon, it’s just crazy to think about it,” Berrettini said after his semi-final win.