Top Jewish tennis players are hard to come by, but Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov is one of the tribe — at least according to his mother.

The 22-year-old 10th Canadian seed, who saw off Andy Murray in the third round and won his quarter-final match against Karen Khachanov on Wednesday, was born in Tel Aviv.

Sporting a cross around his neck during matches, the blond-haired Mr Shapovalov has said he shares his father’s Christian faith.

But his mother Tessa Shapovalov, who herself played for Russia’s national tennis team and while living in Israel coached youngsters in the sport, holds a different view. “I consider him Jewish,” she has said.

Mr Shapovalov’s parents emigrated to Israel from Russia in the 1990s, and the family moved to Canada while Denis was still a baby.

His mother said: “Some years ago, I wanted Denis to compete for Canada at the Maccabiah Games in Israel but at that stage he was not good enough.”

Mr Shapovalov defeated British champion Andy Murray in straight sets during the third round.

The Canadian player then beat eighth seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 during the round of 16 on Monday.

In a five-set quarter final match on Wednesday, Mr Shapovalov saw off Russian 25th seed Karen Khachanov, paving way for the Israel-born player to reach the semi-finals.