WHO’S THE BOSS? Alcaraz, Djokovic dispute Wimbledon supremacy
‘He’s in great shape. He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast.’
Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) shakes hands with Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during a practise session prior to their men's singles semi-finals tennis matches on the twelfth day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2023. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic set up a potentially era-defining Wimbledon title showdown after cruising through their semifinals on Friday with the Serb superstar promising a "feast" of tennis in the championship match.
World No. 1 and US Open winner Alcaraz, playing only his fourth grass-court tournament, defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open and French Open champion, reached his ninth final at the All England Club and record 35th at the Grand Slams by seeing off Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
On Sunday, the 36-year-old world No. 2 will attempt to equal Roger Federer's mark of eight Wimbledon titles and Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 majors.
Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the French Open semifinals in June with the Spaniard admitting the stress of facing the Serb had caused severe body cramps that undermined his performance.
"I believe I can beat Djokovic," said 20-year-old Alcaraz, who was still three months shy of his fifth birthday when Djokovic won his first Slam title in Australia in 2008.
"Everyone knows the legend he is. I will fight. I will believe in myself. There's no time to be afraid, no time to be tired."
Djokovic believes his experience in Slam finals will be a key factor but remains wary of the flamboyant shotmaker.
"He's in great shape. He's very motivated. He's young. He's hungry. I'm hungry, too, so let's have a feast," he said.
Alcaraz only won seven games when he suffered a straight sets loss to Medvedev at Wimbledon just two years ago.
Back then, however, he was 75 in the world while Medvedev was at No. 2 in the rankings.
On Friday, serve dominated the opener until Alcaraz converted a break point for a 5-3 lead which he backed-up with a love service game.
Medvedev had his only break point snuffed out in the second game of the second set and US Open champion Alcaraz pounced again in the third on his way to a convincing lead.