Game, set, rematch. The most likely outcome before the semi-finals commenced has become a reality as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic prepare to face off in the Wimbledon final for the second consecutive year.
There is further reason to cheer from an Australian perspective, made possible by the exciting rise of talented teenager Emerson Jones in the Junior Girls' draw.
Men’s Results:
Carlos Alcaraz [3] d. Daniil Medvedev 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Novak Djokovic [2] d. Lorenzo Musetti [25] 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4
"One of the greatest 21-year-olds" Novak Djokovic has ever seen lived up to that title, as the defending champion found a way through to accomplish back-to-back finals at the All England Club.
The Spaniard was a class above Medvedev at the same stage of the tournament last year with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win. However, the sequel was destined to be a tighter affair as the Russian raced out to a 5-2 lead.
Things went pear-shaped from there when Medvedev appeared to shout “f*** you” directed at experienced chair umpire Eva Asderaki three times after a controversial double bounce call to get broken for 5-4, earning him a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
A comfortable 5-0 buffer in the tiebreak was enough to seal an important first set for Medvedev, coming into the match as a clear underdog.
In sets two and three, it was Alcaraz’s turn to take the match by the scruff of the neck, pushing his opponent to cover every bit of grass, efficient at the net and mixing up his game with appropriate (and sometimes inappropriate) drop shots as he led two sets to one.
At 3-3 in the fourth set, Medvedev began to tighten from a mental aspect, conceding the break and from there it was Alcaraz who prevailed to enter tomorrow's big dance.
"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."
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic ensured a rematch of last year's final against Alcaraz, taking down 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti in a closer contest than the 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 scoreline suggests.
The Serbian star was tested with delicate backhand slices arriving at his end of the court, but he recovered from failing to serve out the first set - breaking back immediately to be within two sets of the final.
A passing winner by Musetti described as "absurd" by Nick Kyrgios in the commentary booth is a contender for shot of the tournament, helping the Italian gain a 3-1 lead in the second set before it quickly evaporated, eventually going the distance in a tiebreak. But from there, there was only going to be one winner.
Understandably deflated, Musetti's level of tennis was impressive for his debut on Centre Court, but struggled to find his feet again as Djokovic progressed in two hours and 48 minutes to his 37th Grand Slam final at the age of 37.
Seeking not only a historic 25th Grand Slam title but also revenge for last year's epic SW19 defeat in the decider, Djokovic sang nothing but praise (without the violin) on his upcoming opponent.
“He (Alcaraz) is a great example of someone who, as a young player, has a well-balanced life on and off the court,” Djokovic said.
“He has a lot of charisma and carries himself well on and off the court. He is deservedly one of the greatest 21-year-olds we have ever seen. He is going to win many more grand slams but hopefully, maybe in two days, not this one. But maybe in the future, when I retire.
“Jokes aside, he already beat me here in a brilliant five-setter. I don’t expect anything less than that. He is as complete a player as they come. It is going to take the best of my abilities to beat him in the final on Sunday.”
Gold Coast Teen Lights Up Wimbledon
Promising Australian talent Emerson Jones booked her place in the Junior Girls' semi-finals after defeating Poland’s Monika Stankiewicz 6-2, 6-3.
The 16-year-old Queenslander is pitted as the No.3 seed, yet to surrender more than three games in a set during the tournament.
Runner-up at the Australian Open Juniors earlier this year, Jones is demonstrating maturity and composure well beyond her years as she continues to steamroll matches with ease.
Jones will face American sixth seed Iva Jović for a chance to reach the final - aiming to become the first Aussie since Ash Barty in 2011 to win a Junior Grand Slam title on grass.
Top Seeds Fall In Women’s Doubles:
A one-set lead for No.1 seeds Elise Mertens and Hsieh Su-wei was not enough to get over the line, falling to Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend 3,6, 6-4, 6-4 in the first women’s doubles semi-final.
They will meet second seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe as they found the answers against American pair Desirae Krawczyk and Caroline Dolehide 6-3, 6-4.
Elsewhere in the mixed doubles, the ever-immortal 38-year-old Hsieh Su-wei etched her name in yet another Grand Slam final, partnering alongside Poland's Jan Zieliński to defeat New Zealand's Michael Venus and Erin Routliffe in straight sets.
Standing in their way is Mexican duo Santiago González and Giuliana Olmos who have benefited from a favourable draw after Aussie top seeds Matt Ebden and Ellen Perez faltered in the first round.
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