Seven-time Wimbledon-winner Novak Djokovic beat Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets on July 12 to reach the men's singles final. The scoreline of 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-4 does not justify the level of tennis Musetti played but a 37-year-old Djokovic with a strapped knee used his experienced and outlasted the Italian to set up a rematch of Wimbledon 2023 final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Musetti made Djokovic run from edge to edge and fight for every point he earned. Djokovic's defense was top notch which helped him outsmart the 22-year-old. The 24 Grand Slam-winner Djokovic found himself struggling in the second set. After Musetti took it to tie-break, Djokovic thrived under pressure and won it by 7-2.
In the third set, Musetti had a few moments of brilliance but Djokovic forced errors from the youngster and sealed the win against the underdog to reach his 37th Grand Slam final.
After the semifinal win, Djokovic said that it would take a herculean effort for him to beat Alcaraz who beat Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal by 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic acknowledges Alcaraz threat
"He's as complete a player as they come," Djokovic said after the semifinal win. "It's going to take the best of my abilities on the court overall to beat him."
No.2 seeded Djokovic wants to get his hands on the trophy but acknowledges the threat Alcaraz poses having won three major finals.
"We're going to see a lot of him in the future, no doubt," Djokovic said. "He's going to win many more Grand Slams."
ALSO READ: Two senior ICC officials resign after disorderly organisation of T20 World Cup 2024 in New York
Alcaraz confident ahead of final
The last time Djokovic and Alcaraz met in the Wimbledon final, it turned out to be a five-set battle. Alcaraz was not at his best in the first set but made a comeback to beat the Serb 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
"I feel like I'm not new anymore. I feel like I know how I'm going to feel before the final. I've been in this position before," Alcaraz said.
"I will try to do the things that I did well last year and try to be better."
This will be the second time since Djokovic beat Roger Federer in 2014 and 2015 that two men meet in consecutive Wimbledon finals.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
