With a powerful right cross, thrown over the baseline, Carlos Alcaraz certified his mission to be this Sunday in the Wimbledon final and play the dream match against Novak Djokovic. The great battle is served. The current world number 1 against the seven-time tournament champion, unbeaten since 2017. None wanted to miss the big event.
And they both did it big. With a forceful display to which neither the Russian could do anything Daniel Medvedev destroyed by the Murcian tennis player by a triple 6-3 and, before the Italian Jannick Sinner Eliminated by the Serbian 6-3, 6-4 and 7-6 (4).
The most difficult is yet to come. « Everyone knows the legend that Djokovic is. It will be very very difficult, but I will try. I’ve seen him win here since he was ten years old. But this is a final and it is not time to be afraid. I want to continue dreaming & rdquor; Alcaraz said before the battle that awaits him.
Federer style
If Djokovic gave a lawn tennis lesson for 2 hours and 47 minutes, Alcaraz did not want to be less and only needed 1 hour and 50 minutes. Two express victories in the style of Roger Federer. Alcaraz set the pace of the game with the power of his blows, his security in the background and the speed to attack with the volley or the hand to break him with his spectacular drop shots.
Medvedev (3 world) entered convinced of his options but ended up mistreated like a punching bag that the Murcian hit and hit, getting stronger and stronger. The Russian held out until 3-3 until alcaraz He made the first ‘break’ (4-3), to take an advantage that he did not leave until he shook hands with the Russian tennis player, powerless to stand up.
Sinner The guy had endured a little more, but he also did not find the method to dismast a Djokovic who, indoors due to the rain, without external disturbances, nor sun, nor wind, played at will since he saved two ‘break points’ in the first game after eight minutes of fighting.
“It was clear to me that Jannik was going to hit very well. I managed to make him always have to play an extra ball& rdquor; explained Djokovic that in the final he will meet an opponent who hits as hard or more than the Italian.
Djokovic compliments
“It’s the most anticipated final for everyone, including me. Carlos is very young, but incredibly consistent, also on grass. He has known how to respond to every challenge he has encountered. What he has done at 20 years old is incredible,” he commented. Djokovic.
Alcaraz will be the third Spanish tennis player in history to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final, after manuel santanawho won the title in 1966 and Rafael Nadalwho won in 2008 and 2010 and was a finalist in 2006, 2007 and 2011. In 1921, Manuel Alonso fell in the previous final that gave way to face the champion of the previous year.
At 20 years and 72 days, Alcaraz will be the fourth youngest male tennis player of the Open era (1968) to reach the Wimbledon final, after Bjorn Borg, who won the title here in 1976 (20 years and 27 days); Boris Becker who won in 1985 (17 years 227 days) and in 1986 (18 years 226 days) and Nadal who was a finalist in 2006 (20 years 36 days).
the king of records
This Sunday (3:00 p.m., Movistar Alcaraz has the most complicated mission. End the reign of the new king of Wimbledon, absent Federer. The Serbian tennis player is prepared to defend his crown and the best record in the history of modern tennis. This Friday he achieved his pass to the ninth final at the All England Tennis Club and the 35th in a Grand Slam, beating the American Chris Evert (34).
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Against Alcaraz he will choose to win the eighth title on London grass to match Federer and the 24th Grand Slam in his record. Djokovic already has 44 victories in a row at the center. This Friday he notched his 33rd straight win since his last loss in 2017 when he retired to Tomas Berdych (6-7, 0-2) and his 102nd since his debut in 2005 to equal Jimmy Connors.
For the fifth time in a row he will be in the All England Tennis Club final, matching Bjorn Borg. An indisputable domain at 36 years old. “Age is the only factor that I cannot decide on a track but I feel very good. I feel motivated and inspired and I will try to play as much as possible”, he proudly announced on the track.