Carlos Alcaraz on Novak Djokovic’s challenge: “I’m ready”

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to meet in Wimbledon final for second consecutive yearCarlos knocked out the legend in last year’s final after a five-set thriller, and the young gun is ready for more in Sunday’s clash.

Alcaraz is eager to embark on a new duel against the greatest player of all time, Carlos has accumulated experience from his previous finals and hoped for a positive result. He reached his fourth major final after a 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev in two hours and 55 minutes.

The Spaniard started slowly, recovering his game but losing the first set. However, Alcaraz controlled the pace in the remaining three sets, delivering six breaks and getting broken three times. The youngster stole 38% of the return points, putting pressure on his opponent and advancing to the final.

Carlos hit 52 winners and 35 unforced errors, playing aggressive tennis and taking charge of the serve and return.

Novak Djokovic will play his 37th major final at age 37.

Novak Djokovic underwent knee surgery in Paris, forcing him to withdraw from Roland Garros and race against time to prepare for Wimbledon. Novak traveled to London and faced the duels with a guard on his right knee. Djokovic’s body resisted the first three rounds, dropping two sets but came through without any problems.

Novak Djokovic eliminated Holger Rune in the fourth round and missed the quarter-final against Alex de Minaur, who withdrew with a hip problem. The Serbian thus booked a place in the semi-finals and eliminated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 for a place in the title clash, his tenth at Wimbledon.

Novak took charge on the return, earning 13 break chances and seizing four. Lorenzo fought well, delivering two breaks to take the early lead in straight sets. However, he was unable to stay ahead and prolong the battle, losing the decisive points and propelling the veteran into the lead.

Carlos Alcaraz is ready for the ultimate challenge from Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Djokovic took the lead in the first set and served for the first set at 5-3.

Musetti managed to come back before the world number 2 secured another break in the tenth game, which allowed him to take a 6-4 lead. Lorenzo led 3-1 in the second set, and Novak managed to come back in the sixth game. The Italian saved a set point in the 12th game and introduced a tie-break.

Novak played well and closed the match with a smash winner for a commanding advantage. Djokovic earned a break early in the third set and generated three match points on the return at 5-3. Lorenzo repelled them with solid shots, holding and prolonging the battle.

Djokovic served for the win at 5-4 and had a break point. The Serb managed to conquer it and converted the fourth match point, thus qualifying for his tenth Wimbledon final in 13 previous appearances in London. This will be a repeat of last year’s final, and it should be another thriller between two great rivals.

Carlos overcame Novak 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes, celebrating his second major title at age 20 and becoming the third-youngest Wimbledon champion.

The conditions on Centre Court were difficult due to the wind, which resulted in 34 break points! We saw five breaks on each side, with Alcaraz scoring a decisive point in the opening minutes of the deciding set. The Spaniard hit 60 winners, playing aggressive tennis and taking advantage of the Serbian’s 50 unforced errors.

Novak Djokovic forced more errors from his opponent, fighting until the end but suffering his second defeat in the Wimbledon final. Novak made a strong start to the match, starting the action with two consecutive breaks and building a 5-0 advantage.

The veteran closed out the set by holding on in the seventh game, taking the lead after 34 minutes. The second set could have made a huge difference, as Djokovic had a set point for a two-sets-to-nil advantage.

Alcaraz denied him and stole the set, leveling the overall score and generating a huge boost.

They traded breaks early before serving well to set up a tie-break. Novak hit a backhand winner at 5-5 for a set point before playing two loose backhands that cost him dearly. Carlos hit a return winner, stealing the break and levelling the overall score.

Djokovic conceded a tie-break in the Major after winning 15 straight sets, pulling away from the court in the third set and struggling to keep up with Alcaraz. The young prodigy claimed one of his breaks in the fifth game after a 27-minute battle, making it the longest battle in a Wimbledon final!

The Spaniard closed the set with a break in the seventh game, moving one set closer to the trophy. Djokovic denied two break points in the second game of the second set and earned a break at 2-2.

Novak made another effort on the return in game nine, breaking Carlos at 15 and becoming the favourite heading into the decider.

Despite his lack of experience, Alcaraz made a fresh start and saved a break point in the second game. The Spaniard hit a backhand winner down the line in the third game, earning a crucial break and forging the lead. Carlos held to zero in the fourth and sixth games, maintaining the advantage and keeping the pressure on the other team.

An ace gave Alcaraz a 5-3 lead and he served for the title in game ten. The youngster forced an error from the veteran, holding at 30 and celebrating his first Wimbledon title at 20. “I know what it feels like to chase titles against Novak. We’ve fought in major and Masters 1000 finals.

I understand what I have to do against him, because he knows how to beat me. It should be an interesting matchup, and I am ready to accept Novak’s challenge,” said Carlos Alcaraz.