Novak Djokovic comfortably defeated Lorenzo Musetti on Friday to secure a spot in his second consecutive Wimbledon final, setting up a clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and positioning himself one victory away from claiming a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title.
Just five weeks after knee surgery, Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, reached his 10th final at the All England Club with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 triumph over the Italian 25th seed.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz advanced to his fourth Grand Slam final by overcoming Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic, 37, aims to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and could become the tournament’s oldest modern-era champion by avenging last year’s final loss to Alcaraz.
Reflecting on his journey, Djokovic remarked, “Wimbledon has been a childhood dream for me, starting from when I was a young boy watching bombs fly over my head during the 1990s NATO bombing of Serbia and dreaming of playing on this prestigious court.”
The last encounter between Djokovic and Musetti was at the French Open in June, where Djokovic secured victory in a third-round match that ended at 3:07 AM.
In the semi-final, Djokovic asserted control early by breaking for a 4-2 lead in the first set. Despite some setbacks, including surrendering two set points in the ninth game, Djokovic rallied to break again in the 10th game and clinch the set.
With Djokovic’s experience proving pivotal, he responded to losing serve early in the second set by recovering in the sixth game and dominating the subsequent tie-break. A break in the opening game of the third set propelled Djokovic towards victory, despite Musetti’s efforts to save three match points.
Musetti acknowledged Djokovic’s exceptional performance, stating, “Novak played an incredible match today. He demonstrated great form, both in his tennis skills and physical condition.”
Looking ahead to the final, Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final, anticipates a challenging match. “It will be a tough contest, but I feel prepared. I’ve been in this position before,” said Alcaraz.
Alcaraz showcased his prowess against Medvedev with 55 winners compared to Medvedev’s 31, displaying resilience after dropping the first set and eventually securing victory.
Medvedev, who had eliminated world number one Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, expressed frustration after receiving a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct during the match.
Despite the setback, Alcaraz’s relentless play and strategic breakthroughs, including a crucial break early in the second set, propelled him towards victory, sealing his spot in the final against Djokovic.
