Djokovic Faces Alcaraz In Wimbledon Final

By: Gyang Dakwo

With one more win, Novak Djokovic can change the No. 24 on his sneakers to a 25.

To get there and surpass Margaret Court with a record 25th major title and a record-tying eighth Wimbledon crown, Djokovic will have to earn revenge against Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Wimbledon final.

One year after Alcaraz defeated the Serb in an epic five-set final that spoiled Djokovic’s chance for a calendar Grand Slam, the two rivals will meet again for the championship. Alcaraz, 21, holds a 3-2 lead on the 37-year-old Djokovic.

No. 2 Djokovic followed No. 3 Alcaraz into the final with a surgical 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 dismantling of No. 25 Lorenzo Musetti, who was appearing in his first Grand Slam semifinal. Djokovic is into his 37th Grand Slam final and 10th Wimbledon final — Roger Federer leads with 12 — — despite having meniscus surgery a little more than a month ago that forced him to withdraw from his Roland Garros quarterfinal.

Three-time major champ Alcaraz took out No. 5 Daniil Medvedev in four sets in the first semifinal to earn his 13th straight Wimbledon win and his 13th consecutive major win.

“I’m obviously very, very satisfied, very pleased and happy to be in another finals, but I don’t want to stop here,” Djokovic said on court. “Hopefully, I’ll get my hands on that trophy on Sunday.”

Djokovic has now reached 10 finals at three different majors: Australian Open (10-of-10), Wimbledon (7-of-9) and the U.S. Open (4-of-10).