Novak Djokovic gives Lorenzo Musetti no chance in the second semi-final at Wimbledon, winning in three sets 6:4, 7:6 and 6:4. The Serb will now face Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, as he did in last year's final.
Just like a year ago, Novak Djokovic and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will meet in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. The Serb is aiming for his eighth title in the grass court mecca, the Spaniard the rare French Open/Wimbledon double.
The favorites prevailed in the semi-finals. Alcaraz won against the Russian Daniil Medvedev, as he did last year, but was pushed hard in a 6:7 (1:7), 6:3, 6:4, 6:4 victory. Djokovic had a slightly easier time against the Italian Lorenzo Musetti, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.
The rematch of last year's final is a kind of dream final. Twelve months ago, Alcaraz and Djokovic fought a spectacular five-set duel, at the end of which the young Spaniard prevented the Serb from equaling record winner Roger Federer with his eighth title. Now the 37-year-old from Belgrade is only too keen to make up for it.
The world number two mastered the challenge against the highly talented outsider Lorenzo Musetti (ATP 25) with aplomb. He had an answer to everything the 22-year-old Italian pulled out of his hat. The tie-break of the second set, in which Djokovic was untouchable as so often, was decisive.
Apart from a bandage, there is no sign of the knee operation he underwent just a month ago. After a good two and three quarters of an hour, he converted his fourth match point. A few weeks ago at the French Open, he had needed five sets against Musetti - and later paid for it with the knee injury.
Alcaraz faced the same opponent in the semi-final as a year ago, perhaps a good omen. This time Medvedev did win a set, but overall he had too little to counter the young Spaniard's variable and brilliant performance. Alcaraz seemed to be able to raise his level to the next level every time the Russian posed a threat.
In sets two to four, Alcaraz only had to surrender his serve once. However, he countered the break to 0:1 in the fourth round immediately. In an often high-level and attractive match, his break to 4:3 meant the preliminary decision. After just under two hours, the Spaniard from Murcia converted his first match point with a successful net attack.