Denis Shapovalov is allergic to pollen – but not, it turns out, to Andy Murray. Neither the high summer of Murray’s intoxicating return to Wimbledon nor yet the dizzying occasion of Shapovalov’s Centre Court debut could knock the Canadian off course. As evening fell, even the sheltering embrace of the roof could not save Murray this time. 

Against a 34-year-old with a metal hip and seven hours of elite tennis in his legs already this week, the No.10 seed was too often simply the better player. He eased past the two-time champion 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to become only the second left-hander (after a certain Spaniard) to defeat Murray at Wimbledon, and in so doing he reached the second week here for the first time. 

“This is a dream come true for me,” Shapovalov told the crowd. “To play against a legend like Andy on Centre Court… He’s an inspiration to many people, including me. I’m just trying to soak in everything before I leave. It’s truly amazing to be out on this court. I don’t think I could play any better than today. 

“I told Andy at the net that he’s my hero. Achievements aside, what he’s been able to do coming back with an injury like this, moving the way he’s moving… in his second round, it was like vintage Andy. Playing him was super intense and I had to give it my all. It’s incredible what he’s done to make it to the third round.” 

So it seems Shapovalov disagrees with the verdict on Friday morning of one British newspaper, which described Murray’s campaign at Wimbledon 2021 as “gloriously pointless”. Does that sound right to you? The average four-year-old could make mincemeat of that claim. 

For any player of any ranking, the point is to do what should not be possible. Whether it’s making just one shot you thought was beyond you, or defeating a player too good for you on paper, or capturing 20 Grand Slams, or coming through four years of almost relentless misery to play and win at Wimbledon again… whatever the scale, the point is always the same. And by definition, when achieved it is always glorious. 

Murray, of course, is still searching for more. “The amazing support here reminds you why you do all the work,” he said. “But if I'm going to put that much effort in, I want to be performing better than I did here, even though there were some really great moments. I got through a week of a slam without getting injured. So that's positive. But I can play better and close matches out better. To do that, I need time on the match court and the practice court, and I've had neither in the last few months.”

Shapovalov’s glory is yet to come here. But this was the first time he has put together back-to-back wins in this vicinity, as Pablo Andujar’s withdrawal with injury from their second round joust gave the Canadian a walkover. Against Murray, he was long since recovered from his own five-set first round slot against Philipp Kohlschreiber. Moreover, of the shoulder injury which kept him out of Roland-Garros there was no sign. But there was all too much evidence of the useful grass court form he had built reaching the quarter-finals in Stuttgart and the semis at Queen’s before heading to Wimbledon. 

Maybe it was an omen when Murray’s feet slid away from him on the very first point of the match. Minutes later Shapovalov broke for 2-1, opening up his signature one-handed backhand to kill off a 28-stroke rally. The double break followed soon after. Murray was getting his first serves in, but Shapovalov’s smarts were stealing the points. It wasn’t until 1-5 that Murray could hit deep enough to claw back one break. 

But although the Scot kept racking up the chances to get back on serve, he couldn’t close the deal. At his third opportunity, Murray delivered what looked like a certain winner yet somehow Shapovalov lunged brilliantly to send back a winner of his own; and from there, he strolled away with the set. 

The 22-year-old pushed on into the second chapter, carving a chance to break with a 23-shot rally in which Murray had multiple chances to put the ball away. Worse, Murray double-faulted to seal it. Shapovalov was in control and, despite regular chances to halt the damage, the Scot was powerless. 

In the gloaming, play was paused to halt the roof. Twice this week it worked magic for Murray, but this time there was no wizardry to find. Instead of the thrilling roar crashing round the rafters, there was at times only an echoing near-silence as Shapovalov made light work of the third set. He will fight it out with 2019’s unexpected semi-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the last eight.

But the last word belongs to Murray, and his injury-defying revival this week. His Twitter bio tells it like it is. “I play tennis,” it states. So it was, so it is, and always shall be. 

Gloriously pointless? Do me a favour. At Wimbledon 2021, Murray did exactly what should not be possible, not just once, but twice. The man is an absolute wonder, and nothing will ever alter it. Remember the name. He’s Andy Murray, and he plays tennis.

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