Carlos Alcaraz got the better of Taylor Fritz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6) and Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a Grand Slam rematch after the two players met in the French Open final last month. While Sinner had an easy outing over a not-so-fit Djokovic, the match between Alcaraz and Fritz lasted for 5 hours, 29 minutes.
Alcaraz said he expected Sinner to stretch him on Sunday as well, like he did in the French Open final. “I expect that on Sunday as well. It’s just going to be a great day, a great final. I'm just excited about it. I just hope not to be 5 1/2 hours on court again. If I have to, I will,” he said.
Sinner also echoed Alcaraz’s sentiments. “Hopefully, it's going to be a good match, like the last one. I don't know if it'll get better, because I don't think it’s possible.”
Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian, and Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, are calling the shots in men’s tennis and are at the peak of their performance right now. This will be the seventh straight major tournament won by either of them. While Alcaraz has a 5-0 record in Grand Slam finals, Sinner has lifted three major trophies. “The things we are doing right now are great for tennis,” said Alcaraz, who goes into the final with a career-best 24-match winning streak. Sinner will be playing his fourth Grand Slam final in a row after winning the US Open last September and the Australian Open in January.
While Alcaraz has won five matches in a row against Sinner, their head-to-head stands at 8-4 in Alcaraz’s favour. But Alcaraz is not taking his opponent lightly. “Sinner’s going to be better physically. He's going to be better mentally. He's going to be prepared on Sunday to give his 100%,” he said. Alcaraz trailed the fifth-seeded Fritz 6-4 in the fourth-set tiebreaker before winning the next four points to win the match.
Djokovic wants to play at Wimbledon at least once more
Djokovic said he plans to make at least one more appearance at Wimbledon. He had reached the last six finals, winning four and finishing as the runner-up to Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024.
Djokovic’s lopsided loss brought an end to his latest bid for an eighth Wimbledon title — which would tie the men's mark held by Roger Federer — and for an unprecedented 25th major trophy in all. He got a 3-0 lead in the third set and was a point from going up 4-0, but Sinner took six of the remaining seven games.
“We all saw, especially in the third set, that he was a bit injured,” Sinner said. “He's been in a very difficult situation.” When it ended, Djokovic picked up his equipment bags and was given a standing ovation as he headed toward the locker room. He paused to smile, wave and give a thumbs-up to the crowd.
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