Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz delivered the Wimbledon final the world wants to see with a brutal and at times breathtaking demolition job on hapless Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Key points:
- Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in one hour and 50 minutes
- He described the beating as one of the best matches of his career.
- The 20-year-old will now face Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday.
The 20-year-old phenom scored a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory on Friday (local time) to book a battle of the generations against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, 36.
Earlier on Center Court, the Serbian beat young Italian Jannik Sinner to reach his 35th Grand Slam final.
For seven matches under the roof, it appeared to be a contest as third-seeded Medvedev, who like Alcaraz was making his first Wimbledon semi-final, kept pace with the top seed.
But from the moment Alcaraz broke Medvedev’s serve to take a 5-3 lead in the first set, it was as if he had tennis’ biggest stage all to himself for a virtuoso display.
Grand Slam semi-finals are supposed to be hard work, but there are times when world number one Alcaraz plays his opponent, using his vast arsenal of weapons to dismantle the 27-year-old in ruthless fashion.
Two lackadaisical breaks of serve sealed the second set and the Spaniard accelerated to victory with another early in the third as Medvedev’s shoulders sagged.
Like a lion toying with its prey, the top seed offered a few breaks of serve with some overly casual tennis, but the respite was brief and Medvedev was put out of his misery in an hour and 50 minutes as Alcaraz grabbed a drop shot and whipped in a forehand winner.
Russian Daniil Medvedev said he was not at his best in the semi-final. (Reuters: Dylan Martinez)
He is the third Spaniard to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final, after Manuel Santana and Rafael Nadal, and the fourth youngest in the professional era.
Alcaraz rates his performance 8 out of 10
He described the drubbing as one of the best matches of his career and warned there was still much to come.
“I mean, this one was probably one of my best matches, not only on grass but on the Tour. I have a rating of 8 out of 10, something like that. It was incredible for me. I showed a very good level.”
Alcaraz lost to Medvedev in the second round in his 2021 Wimbledon debut, despite being ranked 75th at the time.
But since then, his career path has been astounding.
The way he dismantled the Russian, who until Friday topped the match wins list this year and, like Alcaraz, has won five titles in 2023, impressed fans on Center Court.
“I feel like I didn’t play too bad,” Medvedev told reporters.
“But with Carlos you have to be at your best and that’s how you can win. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.”
Djokovic heads to final in pursuit of history
Novak Djokovic says he won’t finish until he lifts the trophy. (AELTC/IMG via Reuters)
Djokovic, who beat Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals last monthis aiming for a record eighth Wimbledon crown to become the oldest men’s champion and equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slams.
He barely got out of second gear when he overtook Italian eighth seed Jannik Sinner with a whirlwind 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory under the roof of Center Court.
He boasted of playing the best tennis of his career: “I think 36 is the new 26, it feels good. I feel a lot of motivation.”
Djokovic has turned the famous show court into his own personal fiefdom, having not lost there in 10 years, but Alcaraz said he was ready for the challenge.
“I will try to enter the court with less nerves than during the French Open semi-final,” Alcaraz said.
“If I win, it could be incredible for me: not only winning a Wimbledon title, but doing it against Novak would be super special.
“I always say if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Novak is one of them.”
Reuters
