Carlos Alcaraz has set up a Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic after beating world Russian world No.3 Daniil Medvedev 6-3 6-3 6-3.
It is the second Grand Slam final of the world No.1’s career – and first at Wimbledon – following his maiden major triumph at last year’s US Open.
Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner in the other semi-final on Friday and is looking to match Roger Federer for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles in history.
The 136th Wimbledon final will be a repeat of this year’s French Open semi-final as Alcaraz looks to get revenge after severe camp saw him lose to the 23-time Grand Slam winner in Paris.
It will also double up as a battle for the world No.1 spot, with second-seed Djokovic able to snatch it off top-seed Alcaraz if he comes out on top on Sunday.
The first set between Alcaraz and Medvedev was incredibly tense and only resulted in one break point, which came in game eight as the 20-year-old Spaniard edged in front before successfully serving for the set to take it 6-3.
Medvedev looked to bounce back and conjured up his first break point opportunity in game two of the second set but Alcaraz, who won Queen’s Club in the build-up to SW19, fended it off with a powerful ace and then held after deuce.
The momentum shifted in the following game as a clinical backhand down the line saw Alcaraz register his second break of the match and he held to take the lead, before converting his third set point on the Medvedev serve in game nine to take the second set 6-3.
Medvedev’s level dropped in the early stages of the third set as Alcaraz broke his opponent again and two holds saw him go 3-0 up and edge towards victory, with the Russian visibly frustrated and ranting to his box for help.
There was a twist as Alcaraz double-faulted to hand Medvedev his first break of the match and the drama continued into game six as the Russian looked to level up the set – only for Alcaraz to regain his advantage after five break points.
Medvedev refused to give up, though, and broke Alcaraz in game seven to once again give himself the opportunity to level up the set on serve. But just like before, Alcaraz stunned him with an instant break back to go 5-3 up, and he served out the set to book his place in the first Wimbledon final of his career.
Wimbledon chiefs, meanwhile, will breathe a sigh of relief at Medvedev’s exit amid fears that Russia could have used the tennis star as propaganda had he reached the final.
The All England Club banned Russians and Belarusians at last year’s Championships but players from those nations were able to return for 2023.
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