Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance on Centre Court to beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets and secure his place in the maiden Wimbledon final, where a highly anticipated rematch against Carlos Alcaraz is all set to take place. The 23-year-old Italian, seeded top, handed the seven-time Wimbledon champion a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 defeat in just two hours on Friday.
It is the first time since 2017 that Djokovic will miss the Wimbledon final and the first time in over ten years that he has been defeated in a semi-final at the All England Club.
“When I am fresh and fit, I can still play really good tennis, but playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a struggle physically,” Djokovic stated. “I feel like I go into matches with the tank half empty,” as quoted by Reuters.
Sinner, who had lost to Djokovic in his two previous Wimbledon matches, changed the script this time by delivering aggressive baseline hitting and unshakeable serving. He missed just six points on serve in the first two sets. Despite trailing 0-3 in the third, Sinner soon regained control and closed out the match without allowing Djokovic back into the game.
Sinner’s reaction ahead of the final
Sinner’s triumph sets up an exciting finale against Alcaraz, a rematch of their historic French Open final, where the Italian earned three championship points but ultimately fell in a five-and-a-half-hour battle. This time, Sinner said he has put the past behind him.
“If it was a lot in my head, I wouldn’t be in a position to play a final again,” Sinner told reporters. “I am very happy to once again share the court with Carlos. It’s going to be difficult, I know that. But I am looking forward to it.”
Despite trailing 4-8 in their head-to-head record, Sinner remains hopeful. “He is the favourite. He won here two times in a row… but I like these challenges. I like to go head to head and see what I can do and what I can achieve,” he said. He added that he will avoid predictability and will rely on instinct under pressure.
Alcaraz aims for third straight title
Meanwhile, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had to fight hard against American Taylor Fritz, eventually winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6). He secured two set points in the fourth set tiebreak.
Alcaraz commented on the eagerly awaited Sunday final: “It’s just going to be a great day, a great final. I am just excited about it.”
(With inputs from Reuters)