Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz displayed charisma and diplomacy after defeating Daniil Medvedev for the second successive year in the Wimbledon semi-finals, coming back to triumph 6-7 (1) 6-3 6-4 6-4.
I tried to not play his game. There were a few points. There were really long rallies, but I tried to put my own game It was difficult to break the wall Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz is aiming to make it a Spanish sporting double on Sunday in the final before watching his country’s footballers take on Gareth Southgate’s England in the 2024 Euros decider later in the day.
And Real Madrid fan Alcaraz, who had his club’s legendary midfielder Luka Modric in his guest box, said: “It’s going to be a really good day for the Spanish people!”
The Centre Court home crowd, who had cheered his triumph, laughed and produced mock jeers.
Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic labelled a section of the spectators present on the same court supporting Holger Rune “disrespectful” for “booing” him after he had beaten the Dane in the last 16.
But Alcaraz, looking slightly red-faced, smiled broadly and quickly explained: “I didn’t say Spain are going to win but I say it will be a fun, fun day.”
It spiked any adverse reaction and created louder cheers for him two days before his attempt to equal his illustrious compatriot and hero Rafa Nadal and claim two All England titles.
Alcaraz will also bid to become the ninth player to retain it after Rod Laver, John Newcombe, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Djokovic.
Alcaraz, delighted to be playing outdoors with the roof on for much of The Championships, said of the experience against Medvedev: “Glad to play outdoors. Different conditions, but happy with my performance. I started really, really nervous He was dominating the match and playing great tennis with his serves. His returning game. It was difficult for me and he tried to pull out all the nerves at the beginning of the second set
“It was helpful to be up 3-1 and after that I could play my own game and enjoy the match a little bit more. I think I played a good match. I tried not to play long rallies. I tried to not play his game. There were a few points. There were really long rallies, but I tried to put my own game It was difficult to break the wall (in reference to Medvedev’s defence).”
The 21-year-old believes his experience in last year’s final against Djokovic will help him in the decider.
He said: “I feel like I am not new anymore. know how I feel before the final. I have been in this position before. I will try to do the things that I did well last year and be better.
It was The Smiling Attacker v The Defensive Wall. A precocious young superstar aggressor v the older canny returner also dubbed the Slim Reaper.
Alcaraz knew about Medvedev’s ability to get back just about any shot he played.
And 28-year-old Medvedev’s biggest weapon was soon frustrating him as the Russian fifth seed secured an early break.
Frustrated Alcaraz seemed to struggle to find his best form as Medvedev eased towards serving for the set at 5-3.
The Spaniard was showing a lack of patience and discipline in his shot selection. Trying a string of big forehands, many of which were not coming off as his unforced errors piled up.
Medvedev, though, missed his opportunity to go a set up in that ninth game. He was broken and given a code violation for “unsporting-like conduct” after disputing the final point which he lost after being adjudged to have returned after the ball had bounced twice.
Alcaraz went on to force the set into a tie-break. But the Russian, his composure regained. got an early foothold with an early mini break and didn’t look back as he secured five set points, taking the first when erratic Alcaraz dumped the fifth seed’s serve into the net.
But Alcaraz steadied himself at the start of the second set. His play was more measured, more focused and he broke the Russian for a 3-1 lead with a fabulous forehand cross court after a long an extraordinary rally. And he allowed himself a roar.
Daniil Medvedev plays a backhand during the semi-final
(Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
He might not have been playing his best, but he had found a more effective percentage approach and was back on course.
Alcaraz, though, double faulted on set point before clinching it as Medvedev netted a service return.
The momentum continued to swing in the third seed’s favor in the third set. He broke Medvedev, who had dealt with top seed Jannik Sinner in the last eight, in the third game of it.
And missed a golden opportunity for a set point at 5-3 before squandering it with an almost comedic underhit smash drop shot into the net with the court at his mercy. But two points later a netted Medvedev backhand return sealed him the lead for the first time.
The bit was between the Spaniard’s teeth as he broke Medvedev in the opening game of the fourth set. Surely victory would be his.
But his 28-year-old opponent gained his first break point since the first set in the next game …and took it.
Alcaraz’ inconsistency had struck again.
But he broke Medvedev in the seventh game and missed the opportunity of a match point on the Russian’s serve at 5-3 before sealing his final spot in the next game with a crosscourt volley.
Carlos Alcaraz roars at reaching his second Wimbledon final
(Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
