Alcaraz, Djokovic to battle at the coveted Wimbledon final on Sunday

Wimbledon, 

Saturday, 13 July, 2024 

McCreadie 

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic produced a stunning performance to outclass 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 on Friday and reach a 10th Wimbledon final. 

The 37 year old will meet holder Carlos Alcaraz in a mouthwatering 2023 rematch on Sunday.

"Obviously during the match it's business time and... I try outplay my opponent. I'm satisfied and pleased, but I don't want to stop here. Hopefully I get my hands on the trophy." A spirited Djokovic said. 

Earlier, Carlos Alcaraz commanded a 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in certainly one of the best matches in the tournament. 

Djokovic broke after a breathtaking 26-shot rally in the sixth game of the opening set.

Fans got behind Musetti, who was spurred into action as he broke back to make it 4-5 with a fiery forehand but he gifted the set to his opponent after a shaky service game.

Musetti quickly made amends and inroads in the second set, producing a stunning backhand pass for a 3-1 lead, but Djokovic was unperturbed as he clawed his way back and raised his level significantly at the end to clinch the tiebreak.

With a sixth straight All England Club final and his first of an unusually patchy season within sight, the 24-time Grand Slam champion pounced for a break in the opening game of the third set with a backhand crosscourt winner.

Djokovic mixed up his game by serving and volleying to leave Musetti on the ropes, before staving off a late comeback attempt from the Italian to save a break point and prevail on his fourth match point when the Italian sent a shot long to claim victory. 

"I came to London eight days before the tournament started. I didn't know (if I would play). I was keeping everything open until the day of the draw," Djokovic said following his knee surgery just five weeks ago. 

"I played a couple of practice sets with top players and that proved to me I was in good enough state to not just be in Wimbledon, but to go deep into the tournament.

"That kind of mentality is there and is ever-present. Thanks to the team members for helping me."

Musetti, who had dragged Djokovic to five sets in the latest ever finish at Roland Garros last month, was left to rue another defeat and another lost opportunity to pull off a major upset.