LONDON (AFP) – Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic set up a potentially era-defining Wimbledon title showdown after cruising through their semifinals on Friday with the Serb superstar promising a “feast” of tennis in the championship match.
World No. 1 and US Open winner Alcaraz, playing only his fourth grass-court tournament, defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open and French Open champion, reached his ninth final at the All England Club and record 35th at the Grand Slams by seeing off Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
On Sunday, the 36-year-old world number two will attempt to equal Roger Federer’s mark of eight Wimbledon titles and Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 majors.
“I feel 36 is the new 26, it feels pretty good. I feel a lot of motivation,” he said.
Sinner warned Alcaraz not to be intimidated by Djokovic in Sunday’s final.
“If you think how big he is, you struggle,” he said.
Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals in June with the Spaniard admitting the stress of facing the Serb had caused severe body cramps that undermined his performance.
“I believe I can beat Djokovic,” said 20-year-old Alcaraz, who was still three months shy of his fifth birthday when Djokovic won his first Slam title in Australia in 2008.
“Everyone knows the legend he is. I will fight. I will believe in myself. There’s no time to be afraid, no time to be tired.”
Djokovic believes his experience in Slam finals will be a key factor but remains wary of the flamboyant shotmaker.
“He’s in great shape. He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast,” he said.
Alcaraz only won seven games when he suffered a straight sets loss to Medvedev at Wimbledon just two years ago.
On Friday, serve dominated the opener until Alcaraz converted a break point for a 5-3 lead which he backed-up with a love service game.
Medvedev had his only break point snuffed out in the second game of the second set and US Open champion Alcaraz pounced again in the third on his way to a convincing lead.
Djokovic squandered three break points in the third game of the third set, then saved two set points in the 10th game.
He turned on his tormentors in the crowd, who were loudly supporting Sinner, by feigning mock tears after he dashed their hopes of a breakthrough for the Italian.
Djokovic then dominated the tie-break to preserve his 10-year undefeated record on Centre Court. He has won 34 matches in a row at the event.
