Key events
*Medvedev 7-6 (1), 3-6, 1-0 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Easy hold for Medvedev. Alcaraz attempts a through the legs shot as a last resort but it goes wide though. He smiles at the goofiness of it all though, and the crowd love it.
Got some emails with an update on another match and media biases.
Chris writes:
Alfie Hewett has just won a nail-biting victory against Argentinian Gustavo Fernandez, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 – the final game being the longest at 10+ minutes and six Deuces. I’m wrung out!
The quest for Hewett’s first singles title continues!
And Niall says:
I find the commentators very pro Alcaraz and not giving enough credit to Medvedev for his great play. Had a quick look at his career stats. Runner-up in 2023 US Open and 2024 Aussie Open. Hardly a shock if he as the fifth seed beats the third seed. Commentators seem to think it would be a shock.
Truly think it is because Alcaraz plays with more flair. The Russian also loves drawing out games. He likes to “win ugly” and sometimes that doesn’t feel like it’s worth as much (even though that should not be the case!)
Carlos Alcaraz takes the first set 6-3 against Daniil Medvedev
At 15-0, Alcaraz double faults for the first time in the match and the Russian makes it 30-15 after the Spaniard hits it well long after a lengthy rally. Medvedev then makes a mistake on the next point, netting a backhand to tie it up at 30-30.
We get to set point for Alcaraz but he double faults again but then takes the set after the Russian nets his return twice in a row.
*Medvedev 7-6 (1), 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Alcaraz is well on top right now, but the one thing that remains consistent is his serve. He makes it 40-0 quickly after a crosscourt volley. He successfully serves to stay in the set.
Medvedev 7-6 (1), 2-5 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) A change in technique here? Medvedev’s movements are much more exaggerated now when he is returning. His forehands in this game are hit with a big follow-through motion. It doesn’t matter much here though. Alcaraz goes up 40-15, again with some fantastic forehands. He hits an ace to make it 5-2 in the second.
*Medvedev 7-6 (1), 2-4 Alcaraz (*denotes server) OK, better from the Russian. He can almost always rely on his strong serving to give him a boost of confidence. He is winning more than 60% of his points in this match just from service games.
Medvedev 7-6 (1), 1-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) The Spaniard goes 40-0. He’s structuring his points really well and his shot selection has been a lot better than the first set. He moves Medvedev around, and wins the set by hitting a cross-court shot. Medvedev needs to be more aggressive. He is allowing Alcaraz to run on these forehands that he has not been able to get to.
*Medvedev 7-6 (1), 1-3 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Are the tides shifting here? Alcaraz goes 30-0 up with a fantastic forehand return on a serve before Medvedev makes a glaring mistake. He has a wide open court as Alcaraz stumbles but he hits the volley out despite not being under any pressure. Alcaraz takes advantage of the shaky Russian’s confidence and breaks. Massive cheers on Centre Court.
Medvedev 7-6 (1), 1-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) Medvedev does his best to hit some creative returns but they don’t all come off.
At 40-30 we get the longest rally of the match with 27 shots. Fantastic from both players but it’s Alcaraz that pulls the dagger with a shot right on the line that Medvedev can’t get to. Such a great display from both players in the art of changing the pace and spin of the ball.
*Medvedev 7-6 (1), 1-1 Alcaraz (*denotes server) The Russian is up 5-2 when it comes to aces. He’s hitting his serves with such precision and he holds without dropping a point. Quick and no nonsense game.
Medvedev 7-6 (1), 0-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) Better shot selection from Alcaraz to start this second set. He makes it 30-0 with a forehand near the net that Medvedev can’t get to.
But again, a prolonged rally and the mistake comes from Alcaraz to make it 30-15. He holds though and starts the set strong.
Daniil Medvedev takes the first set 7-6 (1) against Carlos Alcaraz
Medvedev makes it 3-0 in the tie-break right off the back with the last one being a fantastic return almost right on the line. Great mini-break!
When it’s his turn to serve it, he forces Alcaraz to net two backhanded volleys. Alcaraz makes it 5-1 as Medvedev’s defence slips. But it’s only a stutter. He takes the set after a beautiful ace.
He made it difficult for himself but the Russian takes the first set. Alcaraz finishes the set with 15 unforced errors.
*Medvedev 6-5 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Great hold from the Russian. So crucial. He hits a few shots near the net that Alcaraz can’t get to but his demeanour is still subdued. No big celebrations like his opponent.
On BBC, they are still theorising about his unsportsmanlike conduct. They say he could not have sword as that would have automatically been a loss of point.
Medvedev 5-5 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) The Russian starts the game well, going 30-0 up but Alcaraz serves well to take the game.
Medvedev does not look happy. He was serving for the set a while ago but it has all torpedoed for him.
*Medvedev 5-4 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Alcaraz goes 40-0 up. Medvedev tries to respond and it’s 40-30. A wild shot from the Russian goes just in, which is called as the rally keeps going. The umpire allows the point from Alcaraz because the Russian’s racket is down but he is not happy. He says something to the umpire and she comes down and speaks at length with the referee and the supervisor on the court. Strange situation that ends with the Russian getting a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. If he gets another one of those, he loses a point.
Medvedev 5-3 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) You can tell how unnatural it is for the Russian to come forward. He is trying but he makes the same mistake over and over again – he comes near the net to try to catch out the Spaniard, but he then hits it straight where Alcaraz wants it. The Spaniard goes 40-0 up, with a unique volley technique where he (unintentionally) switches the direction of his racket and then serves well to stay in the set.
*Medvedev 5-2 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Alcaraz’s forehand is worrying here. Just a few necessary errors. The Russian is the one dragging out the points and coming out on top in these extended rallies – the points that have over nine shots, the Russian has won nine and lost four. Alcaraz down a break and is serving next to stay in the set.
Medvedev 4-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) Break follows break follows break! Medvedev goes 30-0 up but Alcaraz then hits a fantastic cross-court chip, faking the dropshot gives him an in.
But the Russian is not giving up and he manages to see the game out and break.
Side note: Pink (the singer) is watching on Centre Court! BBC commentators are trying to analyse who she is rooting for by lip reading. Nothing was safely deduced.
*Medvedev 3-2 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Alcaraz responds! He’s much more patient here than on that last service game and he goes up 30-0 with some slicing backhands. The Russian makes it 30-15 with a close to net backhand volley and we get some “ooohs” from the crowd. Rare for him to be so close to the net.
It gets to deuce and Medvedev gets the advantage after Alcaraz nets a dropshot attempt. It’s important that the Russian sees this out … and he doesn’t. Alcaraz thunders close to the net and hits one so fast Medvedev doesn’t even move.
We go back and forth between deuce and advantage again a few times (this is looking like it’s going to be a long one!) and it’s the Spaniard who finally takes the game. He hits a tall shot (by accident) but even the tall Medvedev can’t reach it. The ball hits the top of the racket and goes out.
Medvedev 3-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) Wow! What a first point in this game. Medvedev is playing higher up that he usually is, anticipating the returns that he will get. He moves the world No 3 around and forces him to net.
The Russian keeps going and makes it 40-0 after some more controlled hitting. He is keeping the ball deep and Alcaraz just keeps hitting it out.
Another unforced error on the break point gives the Russian the advantage.
*Medvedev 2-1 Alcaraz (*denotes server) The Russian double faults early on but at 30-15 to him, he forces Alcaraz back and the Spaniard struggles, hitting the ball out. He then hits an ace to see out the game.
Medvedev 1-1 Alcaraz* (*denotes server) On the BBC, they are speaking about how most of Medvedev’s matches at Wimbledon this year have been with the roof up. Today, with the roof down, it can affect the way he likes to hit the ball more than Alcaraz.
The Spaniard breezes to 40-0 with some pinpoint serves and sees out after a short rally. Massive difference between the two service games.
*Medvedev 1-0 Alcaraz (*denotes server) Here we go! The Russian starts us off and he goes 30-15 up. But Alcaraz ties it up with a speedy crosscourt forehand after he sends Medvedev chasing.
We get to deuce after Alcaraz brings Medvedev to the net (though accidentally). We’ll see a lot of that today. It’s no secret the world No 5 likes to operate further back.
We go back and forth between advantage and deuce for a while before Medvedev finally holds after Alcaraz hits one out. He wants it to be checked and the original call is confirmed.
An email! Kerrith writes:
I’m a converted Medvedev fan, used to think he was all ugly grind but now see he’s a really fun player to watch from a tactical perspective (his tekkers are still ugly).
How’s he gonna beat Carlito? I think grass actually suits Med in this matchup – I’m expecting frustration tactics, plus some filth.
As you mentioned, it’s a shame the Sinner v Alcaraz matchup never happened at Wimby yet, but there’s still time. Who do you think would’ve won?
Also, Djoker in five? Unlike many, Musetti always looks like he’s in the game v Djoker but just doesn’t have quite enough. I’m hoping he proves me wrong today.
I’m a big fan of both Alcaraz and Medvedev so hard to tell who will come out on top today. I think Alcaraz has not been as dominant as he was when he won Wimbledon last year, but he is consistently finding a way to get to this point this year. Does he have two more matches like that in the bag? And his volleys have been stellar!
Medvedev is also such an interesting one because you’re right, it can “look ugly”. But it is so effective. They way he just unravels his opponents by picking and choosing when to come up to the net and forcing mistakes is masterful at times. He’s, of course, tall and lanky but he will have to move a bit more today than what he is comfortable with.
Our second semi-final also promises to be an interesting one. Djokovic hasn’t lost a semi-final at Wimbledon since 2012. Musetti was only 10 years old! The fact that the Serbian is even here, playing, after that knee injury is impressive. He’s also had quite a bit of rest. Some players may not like the fact that they’ve had extra days to lose rhythm but at his age, it may be beneficial.
Hoping for two crackers!
Have you ever wondered what your favourite ATP Tour player is jamming to this summer? Well, now you won’t have to wonder. The tour have published a video revealing the players’ songs of the summer on their social media.
Looks like we have some reggaeton lovers and fans of Twenty One Pilots, Kid Laroi and Martin Garrix.
The biggest surprise though is Medvedev, whose pick is Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. I never thought I would have anything in common with a professional tennis player but here we are – that song is constantly stuck in my head.
‘He’s working late … Because he’s a serverrrr …’
How did these two make it to this stage? Let’s take a look.
Daniil Medvedev:
First round v Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Second round v Alexandre Muller 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-5
Third round v Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (3)
Round of 16 v Grigor Dimitrov 5-3 ret
Quarter-final v Jannik Sinner 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3
Carlos Alcaraz:
First round v Mark Lajal 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2
Second round v Aleksandar Vukic 7-6 (5), 6-2, 6-2
Third round v Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2
Round of 16 v Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
Quarter-final v Tommy Paul 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
Alcaraz and Medvedev have met six times, with the Spaniard winning four of those matches. Their last meeting at a slam was at last year’s US Open semi-final, which Medvedev won 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6 6-3. Their last meeting on grass was last year’s Wimbledon semi-final which Alcaraz won 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Preamble
Good afternoon all and happy Friday! Today we get to find out who will be playing in the coveted men’s singles final on Sunday and what a lineup we have here at SW19.
Up first is the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. The world No 3 is coming off a French Open win and is looking to make back-to-back grand slam finals for the first time in his career.
Nearly every tennis fan in the world was hoping and expecting a rematch of the Roland Garros thriller between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. But the world No 5 Daniil Medvedev had something to say about that, beating the Italian in a five sets in the quarter-final.
But, never fear! We do get a French Open rematch. That will come when Lorenzo Musetti takes on Novak Djokovic. Musetti, who has never made it past the fourth round at any slam, will hope that the lessons have been learned and he can get the better of Djokovic. The world No 2 got a pass straight through to the semi-final after Alex de Minaur was forced to forfeit their quarter-final due to injury.
If you have any questions, musings, complaints or predictions you would like to share, send them to me via email which you can find at the top of this blog.