Kari Anderson
Wimbledon men's semifinals: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic set to face off in Wimbledon final rematch
Alcaraz knocked out Daniil Medvedev and Djokovic held off Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals at the All-England Club
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev in Friday's first men's semifinal at Wimbledon, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. It's the second straight year that Alcaraz has knocked Medvedev out in the semifinals at the All-England Club.
Alcaraz will now go for his second consecutive Wimbledon singles title on Sunday against Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4, in the second semifinal to advance to his 10th Wimbledon final and his 37th Grand Slam final. Musetti, a 22-year-old Italian player, played well at times in his first Grand Slam semifinal, but Djokovic kept Musetti from making significant headway.
Sunday could be a big day for the country of Spain as Alcaraz goes for another major title and the men's soccer team faces England in the Euro 2024 final. Djokovic, meanwhile, moves closer to the possibility of achieving an all-time record of 25 singles Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz and Djokovic met in the 2023 Wimbledon singles final, a classic, five-set match that saw Alcaraz conquer the grass courts in London and take home his first Wimbledon title.
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The 2024 Wimbledone final is set
It'll be Alcaraz vs. Djokovic for the second straight year, with Djokovic likely eager for the rematch. The two players met in the 2023 Wimbledon final, with Alcaraz taking the game in five sets and winning his first Wimbledon title. Djokovic, meanwhile, is aiming for his eighth Wimbledon title and a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: The Sequel#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/8uiFg5qGn5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
- Kari Anderson
Novak Djokovic defeats Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to advance to his tenth Wimbledon final
The Serbian tennis legend will now face Carlos Alcaraz in his 37th Grand Slam final on Sunday, with a chance to win his eighth Wimbledon title.
A 10th #Wimbledon final awaits for Novak Djokovic ✨ pic.twitter.com/GkHGEC1ewU
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
- Kari Anderson
And there it is! Djokovic outlasts the young Italian to take the win, in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4.
His postgame celebration — playing his racket as if it's a violin — is greeted with boos from the crowd, as well as cheers.
Playing the right notes all the way into the final 🎶#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DFclJygQsw
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
Musetti gets a strong crowd response as he exits. Despite this being his first semifinal, Musetti has had a very strong showing; the 22-year-old has plenty of tennis greatness ahead of him.
A well-earned standing ovation for Lorenzo Musetti 🇮🇹
Thanks for all the memories across a memorable Championships run 🫶#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/WpcylsEM9C— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
- Kari Anderson
Another match point for Djokovic, who has the advantage after forcing another point. He's feeding off the crowd as he takes his time to serve.
- Kari Anderson
The crowd is chanting Musetti's name as the young Italian goes up 30-0 against Djokovic, who was so close to ending the match just moments ago. But Djokovic fights back, getting another point, and then another, to stay in the game.
- Kari Anderson
Musetti grits that one out, overcoming a 40-0 Djokovic match point and keeping the game alive.
Djokovic 6 7 5
Musetti 4 6 4
- Kari Anderson
It's now match point, with Djokovic looking oddly calm after spending the second set getting frustrated. Musetti is starting to lose his cool a bit, but he isn't done quite yet — he's able to get in three more points and force an advantage.
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic fends off Musetti to take another game — and get within one of winning the match.
Djokovic 6 7 5
Musetti 4 6 3
- Kari Anderson
Ah, but Musetti won't let him take it that easily. He gets the next win with relative ease, as Djokovic loses another challenge.
Djokovic 6 7 4
Musetti 4 6 3
- Kari Anderson
Another for Djokovic, who, in just two more games, could soon reach the Wimbledon finals for the ninth time.
Djokovic 6 7 4
Musetti 4 6 2
- Kari Anderson
Musetti takes the next game, buoyed by a few brilliant shots, and in spite of a few brilliant shots from Djokovic as well. It's unclear whether Musetti will be able to launch a full comeback to win the match, but he's had some incredible play here today.
Djokovic 6 7 3
Musetti 4 6 2
- Kari Anderson
There's seemingly a malfunction with the line equipment, with an awkward pause as the crowd, the umpire and the players wait for Musetti's challenge to go through. The chair ump is on the phone, but nothing is happening, with the wait stretching much longer than they would like.
Looks like Musetti wins the challenge, though — even if they can't see it on the screen. Djokovic isn't too happy but at least play has resumed.
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic wins the next game, though, pulling his lead a little further out of Musetti's reach.
Djokovic 6 7 3
Musetti 4 6 1
- Kari Anderson
Musetti fights back, and takes his first game of the third set.
Djokovic 6 7 2
Musetti 4 6 1
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic takes the next game, in a likely quest to take the win in straight sets. Things are slipping out of control for Musetti, but he's been able to dig deep before; if he wants to stay in this game, he'll have to start doing that soon.
Djokovic 6 7 2
Musetti 4 6 0
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic takes the first game after trading advantages and earning the break point. Musetti was probably hoping to start out this set on a stronger foot, but things are just as competitive as the last two sets.
Musetti was probably hoping to start out this set on a stronger foot, but things are just as competitive as the last two sets.
Djokovic 6 7 1
Musetti 4 6 0
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic took an early lead in the tiebreak, and is able to stave off Musetti to take the game and the set with a 7-2 tiebreaker.
Putting on a show 🙌
Novak Djokovic takes a 2-0 lead, taking the second set 7-6(2)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/iHxHuzidgc— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
Djokovic 6 7
Musetti 4 6
- Kari Anderson
And Musetti pushes the set into a tiebreak, winning one of the most competitive games of the match yet. This has turned into a much more thrilling match than many were expecting.
Djokovic 6 6
Musetti 4 6
- Kari Anderson
And yet another incredible rally, with Musetti forcing Djokovic to the back. Despite Djokovic's tricky shot, Musetti is able to put the ball to the other end of the court. A delight to watch.
- Kari Anderson
Another stunning rally, with 26 shots — it's tied for the longest rally today.
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic takes the win, with a pair of aces to close out the game. But Djokovic has 14 unforced errors so far in the second set; if he does end up winning the set, it won't have been cleanly. Musetti has a chance here to keep Djokovic from cementing a two-set lead.
Djokovic 6 6
Musetti 4 5
- Kari Anderson
Musetti isn't giving up so easily though, taking the next game somewhat easily. Tied up again.
Djokovic 6 5
Musetti 4 5
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic works efficiently to take the lead again. He's now one game away from taking the set and taking a resounding match lead.
Djokovic 6 5
Musetti 4 4
- Kari Anderson
Musetti pulls out the win in another well-contested game. We're all tied up again in London.
Djokovic 6 4
Musetti 4 4
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic is working to wear Musetti down, forcing the young Italian to hit multiple balls out of bounds to take the next game and take the set back into his control.
Djokovic 6 4
Musetti 4 3
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic looks frustrated by some of his own errors, but is pushing back against Musetti. The 37-year-old takes the next two games, winning the second off a break point and tying Musetti in the set.
Djokovic 6 3
Musetti 4 3
- Kari Anderson
Musetti gets another huge point to take the next game, putting the ball into the opposite corner. Djokovic doesn't even try to hit it, and begrudgingly hits his racket to applaud the hit.
Even Novak Djokovic had to applaud Lorenzo Musetti for this play 😲 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/CIEnfazbVN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2024
Djokovic 6 1
Musetti 4 3
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic gets one back, but it's not easy. Based on how things have gone so far, this match looks like it'll come down to endurance, and both players have been running quite a bit.
Djokovic 6 1
Musetti 4 2
- Kari Anderson
Musetti looks like he's hitting his stride, pulling off a flashy wrist flick to take an early point. Djokovic punished the kid for the cheeky move with three straight points, strategically using the space. Musetti takes the first advantage off yet another strong rally after Djokovic hits the ball out, but loses it, and the two trade advantage for a while before Musetti finally take the win.
Djokovic 6 0
Musetti 4 2
- Kari Anderson
Musetti takes the first game of the set off a specular rally, forcing the ball into the corner. Musetti has been running and is forcing Djokovic to run too, which might affect how they play later in the game — but it sure makes for some entertaining tennis.
Djokovic 6 0
Musetti 4 1
- Kari Anderson
Despite Musetti's earlier edge, Djokovic starts the set strong — and seemingly a little annoyed by the rising confidence of the 22-year-old Italian. Djokovic moves easily through the next points, forcing a net error from Musetti to win the game and take the set.
Starting off strong 💪
Djokovic takes the first 6-4🔥@wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ok3L68xiAK— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 12, 2024
Djokovic 6
Musetti 4
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic started this game strong, but Musetti creeps up to take the win and keep the set going. The young Italian stay strong through another rally and battles back against Djokovic's lead.
Djokovic 5
Musetti 4
- Kari Anderson
Musetti staves off Djokovic for the next game.
Djokovic 5
Musetti 3
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic takes the next. Musetti is putting up a good fight, but it looks like Djokovic will be taking the first set.
Djokovic 5
Musetti 2
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic is finally gaining some control, taking the next two games. He won the sixth game with relatively easily, but finishing with a stellar rally between him and Musetti.
Djokovic 4
Musetti 2
- Kari Anderson
Djokovic takes the next game, but Musetti comes back to take the next, forcing an error out of Djokovic to take the final point. These two are unexpectedly well-matched, but we'll see how play changes as the match continues.
Djokovic 2
Musetti 2
- Kari Anderson
A notable part of this matchup is the difference in experience. Djokovic, the world No. 2, has seven Wimbledon titles under his belt and is playing in his 13th Wimbledone semifinal. Musetti, meanwhile is playing in his first Grand Slam semifinal.
Age is another factor: Djokovic is 37, while Musetti is 22.
Djokovic plays well on grass, and can use that to his advantage here. Musetti, though, has endurance on his side: He outlasted Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinal to get to this point.
- Kari Anderson
Musetti takes the next game. This one looks like it might be a long one, if the two can keep it up.
Djokovic 1
Musetti 1
- Kari Anderson
The stands are a little empty, but things are already off to a competitive start. Djokovic takes the first game after some good back-and-forth with Musetti.
Djokovic 1
Musetti 0
- Kari Anderson
Novak Djokovic takes on Lorenzo Musetti
We're off for the second semifinal of the day, with 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic taking on young Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
First Grand Slam semi-final vs 13th Wimbledon semi-final.
It's time for Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic 🤩#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/b9UaN0GeyD— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
- Sean Leahy
Alcaraz is 5-0 vs. top 5 players in 2024.
Today was his 17th career top 5 win. Only 9 losses.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 12, 2024
- Sean Leahy
Congratulations on another great run at The Championships, Daniil 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/T7x2wJ6Z5r
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024
- Sean Leahy
Carlos Alcaraz has 30 top 10 wins.
He is 21 years old.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 12, 2024
- Sean Leahy
Carlos Alcaraz has too much touch & all-court prowess for Daniil Medvedev. Rallies to win 6-7 (1) 6-3 6-4 6-4 & return to the #Wimbledon final where he will defend his title & aim for his first French Open/Wimbledon double.
Not at his consistent best today but good enough pic.twitter.com/Y8jrnvcBPf— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 12, 2024
- Sean Leahy
That's it. For the second straight year Carlos Alcaraz has knocked out Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals. He will now face the winner of Novak Djokovic-Lorenzo Musetti in Sunday's final.
Medvedev 7 3 4 4
Alcaraz 6 6 6 6
- Sean Leahy
Medvedev holds and stays in the match. Alcaraz will now serve to close it out.
Medvedev 7 3 4 4
Alcaraz 6 6 6 5
- Sean Leahy
Alcaraz has just been too much since the first set. He takes the eighth game with a excellent return and is on the verge of advancing to the final.
Medvedev 7 3 4 3
Alcaraz 6 6 6 5
- Sean Leahy
Alcaraz breaks Medvedev again and he will serve to move to within a game of winning this match.
Medvedev 7 3 4 3
Alcaraz 6 6 6 4
- Sean Leahy
Medvedev returns Alcaraz's serve into the net and we are level in the fourth set.
Medvedev 7 3 4 3
Alcaraz 6 6 6 3
- Sean Leahy
Tennis gets you in the strangest positions 😅#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5dMw8OahVi
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 12, 2024