Novak Djokovic will face Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon 2022 final match on Sunday after Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw ahead of his semi-final meeting with the Australian due to an abdominal tear.
Top seed Novak Djokovic moved one win away from capturing his fourth consecutive Wimbledon crown and seventh overall on Friday after overcoming Great Britain's Cameron Norrie 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
At the iconic Centre Court, the Serbian breached home favourite Norrie's defences and showcased trademark groundstrokes to advance to his eight final at the Championships in two hours and 34 minutes.
The World No. 3 is chasing his 21st Grand Slam title this fortnight as Djokovic looks to close the gap on 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic. Kyrgios.
Centre Court. Sunday. | pic.twitter.com/GUldzbDgmR
The 35-year-old will face Nick Kyrgios in the championship match on Sunday after Spaniard Nadal was forced to withdraw ahead of his semi-final meeting with the Australian due to an abdominal tear. The Australian leads Djokovic 2-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.
The victory over the ninth-seeded Norrie sent Djokovic into his 32nd Grand Slam final, giving him sole possession of the record for most major final appearances, surpassing Roger Federer's tally of 31. Djokovic has now won his past 27 matches at Wimbledon.
The Serbian has an additional 85-10 record at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, surpassing Jimmy Connors' 84-18 record and propelling him into second place all time.
Meanwhile, several tennis lovers took to Twitter to express their joy to see the defending champion through to yet another Wimbledon final. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
1 like = 1 Double fault for Nick Kyrgios on Sunday (vs Novak Djokovic) pic.twitter.com/Y5t2Qm7hry
— kr9pton (@kr9ptonlul)Djokovic v Kyrgios then. The last final featuring two such unpopular players was in 1486 when Charles the Cockwomble overcame Francis the Nobhead by 3 flicks, 2 snorts and a shuffle.
— Balderdash (@notDcfcBoss)Djokovic v Kyrgios could be a brilliant Wimbledon final purely for the fact they're both unhinged as fuck.
— 🏴 Boyle🇻🇦 (@Boyle_67)Djokovic v Kyrgios Wimbledon Final -
The clash of the shithouses
Current odds, Djokovic-Kyrgios final:
Djokovic: 61%
Kyrgios: 39%
Djokovic-Kyrgios fistfight: 28%
Kyrgios-Chair Umpire fistfight: 16%
Kyrgios-Djokovic-Spectator 3-way fistfight: 9%
Djokovic intentionally infects Kyrgios with Covid-19: 3%
The match proceeds without incident: .001%
Djokovic on facing Kyrgios:
"Well one thing is for sure, there's going to be a lot of fireworks.
"... I've never won a set against him. Hopefully it can be different this time & experience can work in my favour."
Djokovic vs Kyrgios really is the Iran-Iraq War of Wimbledon finals.
— Sam Freedman (@Samfr)Djokovic vs Kyrgios final. Here’s hoping the umpire wins.
— Nick Pettigrew🇺🇦 (@Nick_Pettigrew)What a thin skinned, whiny fuck Djokovic is. Hope Kyrgios wipes the floor with him, and I can’t stand Kyrgios.
— 1_Imaginary_Boy (@1_Imaginary_Boy)20-time major champion Novak Djokovic will face first-time Grand Slam finalist Nick Kyrgios for the Wimbledon 2022 title. pic.twitter.com/Mwe4L1aj6P
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup)