Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are set for a rematch of last year’s Wimbledon final after both delivered dominant performances to advance through their semi-finals on Friday. Spain’s reigning champion Alcaraz dismantled Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the fifth seed, with a 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory. Meanwhile, seven-time champion Djokovic clinically dispatched Italian Lorenzo Musetti with scores of 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4.
Though neither match truly mesmerised the Centre Court audience, Sunday’s final is expected to be a fitting conclusion to a rain-affected Championships, particularly if it reaches the thrilling levels of last year’s five-set classic, which Alcaraz won. That match marked Djokovic’s first loss on Centre Court in a decade, and his decisive win over the 22-year-old Musetti indicates he is eager to reclaim his title.
“I am satisfied and pleased, but I don’t want to stop here – hopefully I get my hands on the trophy,” Djokovic said on court. After winning match point, he mimed playing an imaginary violin with his racket but refrained from engaging with the crowd this time.
“(Alcaraz) is among the most exceptional 21-year-olds we have ever witnessed in this sport, and he is destined to win many more Grand Slams, though hopefully not this one on Sunday.” Despite his determined effort to replicate fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini, who will compete in Saturday’s women’s final, the 25th seed Musetti never genuinely appeared capable of halting Djokovic from reaching his 10th Wimbledon and record-extending 37th Grand Slam final. “I must admit, it was almost comical how he was returning my serve towards the end,” Musetti remarked. There were glimpses of promise. The elegant Musetti recovered from a break deficit in the opening set and had Djokovic in difficulty at 5-5 in the second, with the Serb trailing 0-30 on serve. However, Djokovic, as he often does, activated his emergency mode, delivered three aces to mitigate the threat, and then breezed through the subsequent tiebreak to secure a two-set advantage. Even then, Grand Slam semi-final debutant Musetti, who had clearly won over the crowd, refused to concede defeat. Yet when Djokovic is in his business mode, nothing can obstruct him, and on Sunday he will have another chance to make history with a record 25th Grand Slam title within reach.
There remains the challenge of handling Alcaraz, who aims to defend his title on what could be a significant day for Spain, as their football team faces England in the Euro 2024 final later that evening. The match in Berlin, much like the one at London’s iconic SW19, appears too close to predict. However, Alcaraz, striving for his fourth Grand Slam title, must overcome the inconsistencies that have caused him to lose sets in every match from the third round onward.
As the third seed and strong favourite to defeat Medvedev, especially after his dominant performance in last year’s semi-final, Alcaraz was expected to prevail. Under the watchful eye of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Alcaraz began slowly and fell behind 5-2. He managed to claw back into the set but was outmanoeuvred by Medvedev’s precise shots during a one-sided tiebreak.
Medvedev, who received a warning for inappropriate language after losing serve at 5-3 in the first set, anticipated Alcaraz’s response. As expected, the Spaniard increased his intensity, breaking serve to lead 3-1 in the second set. Alcaraz then dominated the third set following an early break and, despite some errors in the fourth set that gave Medvedev a glimmer of hope, he secured the victory with relative ease.
When asked about the upcoming Alcaraz vs Djokovic rematch, the Spaniard commented: “I am aware of my strategy and I am certain he is aware of his to overcome me. It’s definitely going to be a fascinating encounter.” This will mark the first repeat Wimbledon final since Djokovic faced Roger Federer in the championship matches of 2014 and 2015.
