New Delhi: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz triumphed over Daniil Medvedev with a score of 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday, securing his spot in the Wimbledon final as he chases his fourth Grand Slam title at just 21 years old.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz secured a hard-fought victory over Daniil Medvedev, winning 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to book his place in the Wimbledon final. At just 21 years old, Alcaraz is aiming for his fourth Grand Slam title, showcasing his dynamic and crowd-pleasing style on Centre Court.
Alcaraz, who has already achieved the feat of being the youngest man to win major trophies on grass, clay, and hard courts, now stands on the brink of joining tennis greats Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg with multiple championships at the All England Club before turning 22.
Having triumphed at the U.S. Open in 2022 and the French Open last month, Alcaraz remains undefeated in major finals, boasting a 3-0 record. He awaits the winner of Novak Djokovic versus Lorenzo Musetti in what promises to be a thrilling final showdown on Sunday.
Last year, Alcaraz stunned the tennis world by defeating Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals and then overcoming Djokovic in the final. This time around, amidst cloudy conditions, Alcaraz faced challenges but maintained his composure to overcome Medvedev’s early lead and secure another impressive victory on his Wimbledon journey.
He quickly regrouped and showed near-perfection in the set’s tiebreaker. Alcaraz’s defensive prowess, relying on speed and reflexes, contrasted with Medvedev’s instincts and the long limbs of his 6-foot-6 frame. Alcaraz capitalized with strong serving and a crucial return winner, making the tiebreaker look relatively easy.
Soon after, Alcaraz seized momentum. Three forehand errors from Medvedev resulted in a break for Alcaraz, giving him a 2-1 lead in the third set. This breakthrough came after a dramatic 27-stroke rally ended with a backhand winner, prompting thunderous applause from the fans. Alcaraz acknowledged the cheers by holding an index finger to his ear, amplifying the already electric atmosphere.
Alcaraz secured the crucial break for a 4-3 lead in the fourth set when Medvedev’s backhand sailed long, prompting Medvedev to sit in his sideline chair, visibly frustrated as he muttered and gestured toward his coaches in the stands.
That’s the impact Alcaraz can have on his opponents.
Nearly every time Alcaraz unleashed his trademark “Uh-eh!” grunts while unleashing his powerful forehand, spectators audibly gasped, whether the point continued or not. More often than not, it ended with Alcaraz’s racket producing one of his 28 forehand winners, 24 of which came during the match.
However, Alcaraz’s talent isn’t limited to his forehand prowess. He displayed exceptional skills at the net, winning 38 of 53 points when moving forward, including three points with delicate drop shots in the opening set alone.
As formidable as Alcaraz is in attack, his defensive capabilities are equally impressive.
His ability to extend rallies and turn defense into offense can be exasperating for opponents. In one memorable moment, Alcaraz left a skid mark on the grass as he sprinted and slid to retrieve an unreachable ball, delivering a lob that forced an error from Medvedev on the overhead smash.
Alcaraz’s multifaceted game and tenacious spirit were on full display, highlighting why he is a force to be reckoned with on the Wimbledon stage.
