Alcaraz, Djokovic Set Up Blockbuster Wimbledon Final
Novak Djokovic moved within one victory of his eighth Wimbledon title as he defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the first semifinal on Friday. The victory marked his 34th straight at the Wimbledon Championships.
“In the semifinals, it was always going to be a very tense, very close match,” said Djokovic. “Three very close sets. I think the scoreline maybe doesn’t give the reality of what was happening on the court. It was super close.”
With Sinner competing in his first major semifinal, Djokovic made a point to create some separation early, breaking the Italian in his first service game to take control of the opening set.
In the beginning of the second set, Djokovic broke again to take a 2-1 lead, and never relinquished serve en route to taking the commanding two-sets-to-love lead.
Sinner found his nerve in the third set as he fought to stay alive, and after serving efficiently to establish a 5-4 lead, he set up multiple break points at 15-40 on Djokovic’s serve. But the Serb found that extra level he seemingly always finds to hold serve, and the set would end up in a tiebreaker.
From 1-3 down in the breaker, Djokovic would rally to close out the semifinal in straight sets.
“The third set could have gone his way. He had 5-4, 15-40, and a couple of second serves,” said Djokovic. “He missed a few shots and allowed me to get into the tiebreak. It was just a lot of pressure in the third, especially. I had chances early on, but he proved why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world that we have, no doubt. It’s great to be part of this new generation. I love it.”
Djokovic is now into the 35th Grand Slam final of his career, the most of any man or woman ever. He faces the top-seed and world number one Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, who dispatched Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in Friday’s second semifinal.
Carlos Alcaraz is into his first career Wimbledon final after beating Daniil Medvedev on Friday. (Photo Credit: Rhea Nall/USTA)
Alcaraz pounced on Medvedev’s serve from the start of his match and set up a total of 14 break points, hitting 27 winners to 17 unforced errors to advance to his first career Wimbledon final.
“What can I say? Everybody knows he is going to be really, really good. I will fight,” said Alcaraz. “I will believe in myself and that I can beat him. It’s going to be tough. I have dreamed of playing Novak here. It’s no time to be afraid or be tired.”
Alcaraz and Djokovic met last month in the French Open semifinals when cramps stifled Alcaraz as Djokovic won in four sets. Alcaraz beat Djokovic in the Madrid semifinals last year in their only other previous meeting.
