In short
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will face each other in the Wimbeldon men’s singles final for the second consecutive year.
Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev in his semifinal, while Djokovic triumphed over Lorenzo Musetti in the last four.
What’s next?
The men’s final will be played Sunday night, Australian time.
Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and seven-time winner Novak Djokovic will meet again in the men’s Wimbledon final after their respective triumphs in the last four.
Alcaraz, who won the French Open last month, overcame another sluggish start to blast past Daniil Medvedev in the opening semifinal, winning 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic earned the chance to avenge last year’s five-set loss to Alcaraz in the final by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in immaculate fashion 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
The semifinal results mean the same pair will meet in consecutive Wimbledon finals for the first time since Djokovic beat Roger Federer in 2014 and 2015.
“I know how it’s going to feel playing against Djokovic. I’ve played a few times in grand slams, final of Master 1000, multiple times against him,” Alcaraz said.
“I know what I have to do. I’m sure he knows what he has to do to beat me. It’s going to be a really interesting one.
“But I’m ready to take that challenge and I’m ready to do it well.”
Djokovic produced some of his best tennis to outclass 25th-seeded Italian Musetti.
The crowd was firmly behind Musetti, with Djokovic showing spectators how he felt following his merciless win by playing an imaginary violin.
He said he was humbled to reach another final at the All England Club.
“I’ve said it many times, Wimbledon has been a childhood dream for me to play and to win,” Djokovic said.
“I was a seven-year-old boy watching bombs fly over my head and dreaming of being on the most important court in the world.
“I was constructing Wimbledon trophies out of any material in the room. It has been an incredible journey.
“I try not to take it for granted every time I find myself on this unique court.
“Obviously during the match it’s business time and … I try to outplay my opponent. I’m satisfied and pleased, but I don’t want to stop here. Hopefully I get my hands on the trophy.”
Alcaraz’s victory has set up a huge day of sport on Sunday, local time, when he will aim to beat Djokovic again just hours before Spain takes on England in the European Championship final in Berlin.
“It’s going to be really good day for Spanish people as well, with the Euros,” said Alcaraz, whose mention of the big match inevitably drew an animated reaction with plenty of boos mixed with laughter from the Centre-Court crowd.
It prompted a light-hearted Alcaraz to add quickly to get spectators back onside: “I didn’t say Spain is going to win, I just said it’s going to be a really fun day.”
AAP/Reuters