Sports

Alcaraz faces Djokovic in Wimbledon final

Carlos Alcaraz set up a Wimbledon final match for the ages after dismantling Daniil Medvedev on Centre Court on Friday evening.

The 20-year-old became the youngest man to reach the final since fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2006 with a commanding 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory.

Alcaraz, the world number one and top seed, will face Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion who is 16 years his senior, in Sunday’s mouthwatering showpiece.

Medvedev, the third seed and a former US Open champion, has been playing some superb grass-court tennis this fortnight.

But Alcaraz is no respecter of reputations, and the changing of the tennis guard could finally be on the cards if the man from Murcia plays with this ferocity against Djokovic.

READ ALSO: Novak Djokovic clinches 23rd Grand Slam title with French Open win

It was a victory which also spared Wimbledon chiefs the uncomfortable situation of the Princess of Wales handing a trophy to, and shaking hands with, a player from Russia.

Players from Russia were banned from the Championships last year due to the war in Ukraine.

Medvedev beat Alcaraz in the second round in SW19 two years ago, in what was only the then teenager’s second match on grass.

But the 27-year-old knew he was facing a very different opponent this year.

Alcaraz is the current US Open champion and won on the turf at Queen’s last month.

Medvedev clearly had a game plan and stood so far behind the baseline to receive the Alcaraz serve that he was virtually on Court One.

It was a tactic which Alcaraz exploited, serving and volleying to great effect as well as throwing in his usual dose of drop shots, including three winners in one service hold.

Alcaraz grabbed the solitary break in the first set, hitting a vicious return to the feet of Medvedev, who could only float his reply long.

At 1-1 in the second, a stunning reaction volley at the net brought up another break-point for the youngster, converted with almost audacious ease.

Another break put him two sets up with a little over an hour on the Rolex.

Medvedev twice retrieved breaks in the third but it was only delaying the inevitable, with Alcaraz sealing the deal with another brutal forehand before raising his arms in celebration.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Tinubu writes NASS, seeks Oluyede’s confirmation as Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Lieutenant…

7 hours ago

Court sends man to prison for impregnating 15-year-old daughter

A Magistrate Court sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has remanded a 48-year-old…

7 hours ago

Uba Sani: Kaduna made history with free fertilizer distribution

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says the state made history by carrying out the largest…

7 hours ago

Varsity denies awarding professorship to sacked UNIZIK VC

The Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State has denied awarding professorship to the sacked Vice-Chancellor…

10 hours ago

First winner in ‘Glo Festival of Joy’ gets new car

Technology company Globacom, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, delivered a brand new Toyota Prado car…

11 hours ago

Uba Sani donates N10m to military heroes

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has launched the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem with…

13 hours ago

This website uses cookies.