yahoo sports staff
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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Kari Anderson
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
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.
