Novak Djokovic eases past Lorenzo Musetti to set up Carlos Alcaraz final rematch

Novak Djokovic set up a blockbuster repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz after swatting aside Lorenzo Musetti.

The seven-time champion let his tennis do the talking with a comprehensive 6-4 7-6 (2) 6-4 semi-final win in two hours and 48 minutes.

At one stage a Centre Court joker yelled out “gooood night”, mocking Djokovic’s post-match swipe at the crowd for their perceived booing following his fourth-round win over Holger Rune.

But the 37-year-old did not give any rowdy spectators the chance to get under his skin this time as he booked a revenge mission against the young Spaniard who captured his title 12 months ago.

“During the match it’s business time, trying to outplay your opponent,” he said.

“I’m very happy to be in another final but I don’t want to stop here. Hopefully I’ll get my hands on that trophy.”

That final defeat last year was Djokovic’s only loss in his last 50 matches on Centre Court, while Musetti, by contrast, was making his first appearance on Wimbledon’s biggest stage.

Djokovic, who played in his first Wimbledon semi-final in 2007 when Musetti was just five, had the luxury of three days off to rest the knee he had surgery on last month, after quarter-final opponent Alex De Minaur pulled out injured.

The 24-time grand slam champion clinched the first break of the match for 4-2 and turned to wave his arms at the crowd, asking for more noise.

They duly obliged, but the din was nothing compared to the roar which met 22-year-old Musetti breaking back as Djokovic served for the opening set.

The underdog is an undoubtedly watchable player; inventive, crafty and with a one-handed backhand which is very easy on the eye.

However, when he tried one drop-shot too many and watched it land apologetically into the net, Djokovic eased a set in front.

Musetti hit back immediately, though, after a Djokovic double fault afforded him two break points, the second of which he converted with a swish of that backhand.

But Djokovic hauled himself back on serve to love, wriggled out of a spot of bother at 5-5, 15-30 with three aces and whizzed through the tie-break – only briefly pausing to applaud a stunning round-the-net Musetti winner – for a two-set lead.

A break at the start of the third, sealed with a backhand cross-court winner, extinguished any fire Musetti had left in him as Djokovic eased serenely into his 10th Wimbledon final.

Published: 12/07/2024 by Radio NewsHub