Novak Djokovic qualified for his ninth Wimbledon final on Friday by defeating the Italian Jannik Sinner (8th in the world), 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). The 2nd in the world is aiming for the absolute record of 24 grand slam titles held by Margaret Court. “The score does not reflect the reality of what was happening: it was very close and the third set could have turned to his advantage,” commented Djokovic. “He has proven himself to be one of the leaders of the new generation and one of the very best players in the world. And I am happy to be part of this new generation! joked the 36-year-old Serb who loves to stand up to young people.
In 2022, Djokovic and Sinner had met a round earlier and the Serb won in five sets after losing the first two. This time, three sets were enough for him to dismiss the Italian without ever being threatened. He will face Spain’s world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday, who qualified on Friday by outclassing third-placed Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. More and more comfortable on the grass, Alcaraz delivered a real demonstration against a combative but overwhelmed Medvedev, notably going for 28 points at the net.
“It was very difficult to finish the match, we had to stay very focused. Daniil fought until the end, he is an incredible fighter and player. I really had to give my best and be aggressive all the time, that was the key,” explained the Spaniard after the match. At 20, he will have the opportunity to add a second grand slam title to his list, after the last US Open.
Alcaraz will be keen to redeem the defeat in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros where cramps had assailed him when the players were one set apart, preventing him from defending his chances in the next two sets. “It will be very, very hard, but I will fight. It’s my personality. I will believe in myself and that I can beat him here,” Alcaraz promised to cheers from the crowd.
In the event of victory, Djokovic will also equal the record of eight titles on the London grass held by Roger Federer. Martina Navratilova holds the absolute record of nine crowns.
As often, Djokovic against Sinner was intractable on key points: he notably saved the nine break points he had to defend, including two set points in a row for Sinner in the third set.
The Serbian took off perfectly: after saving a break point in the very first game of the match, he took Sinner’s serve to lead 2-0 and confirm at 3-0.
Imperial on his face-offs (eleven aces, no double faults and 30% of first ball winners over the whole game), he maintained his advantage until the end of this first set.
In the second, after having made the break, Djokovic was penalized with one point because the referee considered that his cry on a strike had come too late and had disturbed his opponent who was about to strike. Djokovic briefly tried to chat but was unsuccessful.
Then in the same game, tied, Djokovic took a warning for overtime before his first ball. But nothing helped, he confirmed his break (3-1).
“That penalty point could have changed the course of the game because afterwards I was very nervous,” he commented. “It’s the first time it’s happened to me, maybe it’s the echo,” he added in reference to the roof of Center Court closed for the match.
Sinner tried to be more enterprising and managed to put Djokovic under pressure, without making him crack. The Serb offered himself three set points on his serve and concluded with an ace, his seventh of the game.
The third set was hung to the point that Djokovic had to save two set points in a row at 4-5 on his serve to equalize at 5-5. Sinner then scored the mini-break early in the tie-break but Djokovic equalized at 3-3.
And he took the lead 5-4 with his two services to follow to conclude the match. “Now I’m going to rest and recover: I’m going to watch the other half from my massage table,” Djokovic announced.
