By Tony Fairbairn At Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic [2] v Jannik Sinner [8]
- Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Daniil Medvedev [3]
LONDON, ENGLAND – Novak Djokovic will continue his bid for a historic eighth Wimbledon title when he takes on Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals while Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev bid for a first Wimbledon final.
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Novak Djokovic [2] v Jannik Sinner [8] | H2H: Djokovic leads 2-0
Novak Djokovic’s title defence couldn’t have gone better as the Serb braces himself for a 12th Wimbledon semi-final and another chance of creating history at SW19. However there is a feeling that Djokovic is yet to play his best tennis having won tight four set matches against Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev as Djokovic now aims for fifth consecutive Wimbledon final. Djokovic’s dips in form could provide encouragement for Jannik Sinner who is into his first Grand Slam semi-final and took the Serb to five sets when the pair met last year at Wimbledon.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Novak Djokovic [2] v Jannik Sinner [8] | H2H: Djokovic leads 2-0 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £600,000 |
| First on Centre Court (13:30 BST) | BBC Sport |
Djokovic’s bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon continues as the Serb is riding the wave of momentum on his way to creating more history in the sport. After two tight wins, Djokovic knows that his best tennis is yet to come as he is two wins away from tying Roger Federer’s record of Wimbledon titles.
Standing in Djokovic’s way is Sinner who has had a very comfortable draw so far as he is yet to play in anyone inside the world’s top 80. The Italian came so close to beating Djokovic last year and will have extra confidence and motivation this year as he looks to make a big impression in his first Grand Slam semi-final.
After the match Djokovic said he feels much more relaxed than two years ago and said that he is the favourite to win the title here.
“So, of course, I’m enjoying it more. And that reflects, as well, on my motivation on the court and the performance itself,” Djokovic said in his press conference.
“So far so good. We reached the semifinals. Still couple of matches to go. Yeah, let’s see. Let’s take it one challenge at a time, and hopefully I can get a shot at the title.
“I mean, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself favourite. Judging with the results I had in my career here, previous four occasions of Wimbledon that I won, and reaching other semifinal, so I do consider myself favourite, yes.”
Meanwhile Sinner spoke about the improvement in his game was asked about how to approach playing Djokovic.
“For sure physically I have improved. I’m much stronger. I can stay on court for many hours without suffering,” Sinner explained.
“Also mentally you’re going in a slightly different mental side on court knowing you are also top-10 player. It is a little bit different. You might go as a favourite most of the time on the court till certain rounds of the tournament.
“Also this is different. I think also game-wise or tennis-wise I feel better. If I have to play the slice, I can play now without thinking. Before was always a little bit different. I can go to the net knowing that I have good volleys. I have some good things now.
“In the other way, it’s going to be a completely different match than last year. He knows me better as I know him better also. It’s going to be also a little bit tactical. In the other way, it is also a little bit mental, no?
“If you play against Novak, it’s always tough to play here, especially on Grand Slams. But I’m happy. I will fight for every ball. I will enjoy the moment, but knowing that I can go hard, no, trying to beat him.”
Djokovic will look to continue to elevate his game on the big points as he looks to implement a high first serve percentage to neutralise Sinner’s game on return. Meanwhile Sinner will look to take advantage of the faster conditions on Centre Court as he looks to use his forehand to dictate play as well as using the slice to deal with Djokovic’s attacking shots.
This should be an entertaining match with Sinner looking to be mentally tougher than he was in last year’s contest. In the end Djokovic should use his experience to outplay Sinner on the bigger points, reaching his fifth consecutive Wimbledon final.
Prediction: Djokovic in four sets.
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Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
World number one Carlos Alcaraz has continued his confidence from winning Queen’s Club into Wimbledon as a straight sets win over Holger Rune sees him into a first Wimbledon semi-final. Alcaraz’s mix of power and variety has proven very deadly on grass so far with the Spaniard’s efficient returning looking to take him into a second Grand Slam final. Standing in Alcaraz’s way is Daniil Medvedev who is also into a first Wimbledon semi-final after an impressive run was sealed with a five set win over the in-form Christopher Eubanks.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Wimbledon 2023 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £600,000 |
| Second on Centre Court (16:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Alcaraz continues to prove why he is the current world number one as he has beaten former finalists and in-form players to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final. The Spaniard is the youngest Wimbledon semi-finalist since 2007 and Alcaraz will look to continue to break more records as he looks to reach a second Grand Slam semi-final of his career.
Next for Alcaraz is Medvedev who is also into his first Wimbledon semi-final having entered this year’s event without a quarter-final finish at SW19. However Medvedev is in fine form this season and is now starting to put his form together at Grand Slams as he looks to reach a fifth Grand Slam final.
After his win over Rune, Alcaraz said it was a dream to reach the last four at Wimbledon and analysed Medvedev’s biggest strengths.
“It’s a dream for me. It’s a dream for me to be able to play semifinal here in Wimbledon,” Alcaraz stated.
“It’s really amazing feeling right now. I’m going to enjoy this moment. Well, I mean, I remember the first time that I came here, it was really an unbelievable feeling to be able to play here. Right now it’s totally different for me. I can’t believe that I’m in this position right now in just a short period. It’s something crazy for me.
“Well, he’s really complete player. I’m going to say, I think Rublev said a few times, he’s an octopus. He catch every ball. It is amazing. He’s an amazing athlete. I think a mix of everything. He does almost everything well.”
As for Medvedev he admits he is feeling motivated at Wimbledon but dismissed claims he feels more motivation because he missed last year’s event.
“I like it definitely more than before. But I want to try to go all the way, then you can ask me again,” Medvedev responded when asked if he likes the grass now.
“About last year? Not really, honestly. I always said I want to be here, I want to play. I mean, Wimbledon is an amazing tournament. I wanted to do well because it was my worst Grand Slam, first round. Never managed to get into the flow here to make it click. So I was just disappointed last year that I didn’t have this opportunity to try to prove to myself that I can go far in Wimbledon, which is an iconic tournament.
“That’s why I was really motivated this year, not especially for long time not playing well on Grand Slams. I want to do well here. I want to try. It’s not going to be easy. I sometimes try to put less pressure on myself and I feel like it’s good. This time I kind of put more pressure on myself before the tournament. I was like, I have to do well here.”
Alcaraz will look to use his power to push Medvedev as far back as possible so he can successfully implement drop shot winners and display his variety. As for Medvedev he will look to create deep and powerful returns to neutralise the Alcaraz serve as he looks to efficiently turn defence into attack.
This will be an entertaining match and one that could go all the way to five sets with both players playing exceptional tennis. In the end the faster conditions should benefit Alcaraz more as he is the slight favourite to reach his first Wimbledon final.
Prediction: Alcaraz in four sets.
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