There are just two players left at SW19 as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz made serene progress into Sunday’s final.
The day’s first semi-final saw Novak Djokovic despatch Jannik Sinner in straight sets with a clinical performance that saw the 7-time champion save all six break points he faced as he produced solid tennis under pressure to book his spot in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz then matched his rival by seeing off Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to make his first Wimbledon final.
Wimbledon 2023 Semi-Final Results
Winner
Loser
Scoreline
Novak Djokovic (2)
Jannik Sinner (8)
6-3 6-4
Carlos Alcaraz (1)
Daniil Medvedev (3)
6-3 6-3 6-3
Djokovic Sinks Sinner
Novak Djokovic is into his 9th Wimbledon final with a clinical performance against Jannik Sinner.
In last year’s match, Djokovic had to recover from two sets down against the Italian, but here he was in control from the outset, absorbing all Sinner had to offer and responding with his own aggression to send the 8th seed deep behind the baseline where his naive grass court movement was fully exposed as he tried to slide a la clay court tennis.
There were a few moments where Djokovic found himself in a touch of trouble, at 4-5, 15-40 in the third set, but he came up with the goods before recovering a mini break in the tiebreak to seal his spot in the final.
I thought Djokovic played super solid, whereas Sinner made too many errors off simple rally balls; the two points in the tiebreak that gave Djokovic two match points hit the middle of the net; you can’t afford to make those mistakes against GOAT-level players as they make you pay.
In the semi-finals, it would always be a very tense, close match. Three very close sets; I think the scoreline maybe doesn’t give the reality of what was happening on the court. It was super close. The third set could have gone his way. He had 5-4, 15/40 and a couple of second serves. He missed a few shots and allowed me to get into the tie-break. It was just a lot of pressure in the third, especially. I had chances early on, but he proved why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world that we have, no doubt. It’s great to be part of this new generation. I love it. Djokovic on his win over Sinner.
Match Stats
Jannik Sinner (8)
Novak Djokovic (2)
Aces
8
11
Double Faults
3
0
First Serve
60%
58%
1st Serve Points Won
76% (41/54)
75% (49/65)
2nd Serve Points Won
56% (20/36)
60% (28/47)
Break Points Saved
78% (7/9)
100% (6/6)
1st Return Points Won
25% (16/65)
24% (13/54)
2nd Return Points Won
40% (19/47)
44% (16/36)
Break Points Converted
0% (0/6)
22% (2/9)
Winners
44
33
Unforced Errors
34
21
Net Points Won
76% (22/29)
68% (17/25)
Service Points Won
68% (61/90)
68% (76/111)
Receiving Points Won
32% (35/111)
32% (29/90)
Total Points Won
48% (96/201)
52% (105/201)
Highlights
Alcaraz Advances Past Medvedev
Carlos Alcaraz was far too strong for Daniil Medvedev, recording a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win to make his first Wimbledon final.
Medvedev had an impressive two weeks at SW19, with his typical court positioning able to see off lesser players, but there is no way you can beat Alcaraz from that far behind the baseline.
You’d need an impeccable serving day and Alcaraz to play poorly – neither of which happened, as Meddy only landed 58% of first serves and only won 30% behind his second delivery.
Alcaraz could too easily get on the front foot and looked much more comfortable on the grass. The only criticism you can offer up is the third set which featured five breaks of serve and a few silly points from the Spaniard, but he regrouped quickly to get across the line.
It was a dream for me, playing a semi-final and now a final at Wimbledon. I can’t believe it. I am going to enjoy this amazing moment. It was really, really difficult to close the match. I had to be really, really focused. He fought until the last ball. He is an amazing fighter. I had to show my best in that tough moment and play aggressive. Be myself all the time, and I think that was the key to closing out the match. Alcaraz on making his first Wimbledon final.
Match Stats
Carlos Alcaraz (1)
Daniil Medvedev (3)
Aces
4
5
Double Faults
3
4
First Serve
71%
58%
1st Serve Points Won
73% (41/56)
70% (33/47)
2nd Serve Points Won
57% (13/23)
30% (10/33)
Break Points Saved
50% (2/4)
57% (8/14)
1st Return Points Won
30% (14/47)
27% (15/56)
2nd Return Points Won
70% (23/33)
43% (10/23)
Break Points Converted
43% (6/14)
50% (2/4)
Winners
26
24
Unforced Errors
17
19
Net Points Won
77% (27/35)
64% (16/25)
Service Points Won
68% (54/79)
54% (43/80)
Receiving Points Won
46% (37/80)
32% (25/79)
Total Points Won
57% (91/159)
43% (68/159)
Highlights
Wimbledon 2023 Final
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Novak Djokovic (2)
Who is your pick for the final? Let me know in the comments.