Djokovic sets up Alcaraz rematch in Wimbledon final

Novak Djokovic outclassed Italian underdog Lorenzo Musetti to reach the Wimbledon final and set up a showdown with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a repeat of last year’s final.

The 37-year-old impressed as he stayed on course for a record-equalling eighth men’s singles title at Wimbledon with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 victory on Centre Court.

Musetti, 22, had one chance to get the break back in the final set but sent a forehand into the net and crouched down with his head in his hands, knowing the end was near.

Djokovic made sure his opponent did not get another opportunity.

Under pressure, Musetti sent a shot long before Djokovic walked to the net, knowing he had reached his 37th Grand Slam final and 10th at Wimbledon.

The Serb then moved his racquet over his shoulder and imitated playing a violin, in a gesture aimed at his six-year-old daughter Tara, with television cameras showing her grinning along.

Some fans, however, started booing, thinking Djokovic, who produced the same celebration following his win over Holger Rune in the last 16, was being disrespectful.

Alcaraz beat Djokovic in last year’s showpiece, winning 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 in a five-set epic, which lasted four hours 42 minutes and is regarded one of the best matches in the tournament’s history.

The pair meet again on Sunday in what could be another amazing chapter in Wimbledon folklore.

Asked about Spaniard Alcaraz, Djokovic said: “He’s a great example of a player that has an all-round balance, he has a great team around him, great values, a lot of charisma and carries himself superbly – that’s one of the reasons why is so popular.

“He’s one of the greatest 21-year-olds we’ve ever seen and we’re going to see a lot of him in the future, no doubt. He’s going to win many Grand Slams, but hopefully not in two days. He can do it when I retire.”

Djokovic, 16 years older than Alcaraz, added: “He already beat me here in a Wimbledon final in a five-set thriller so I don’t expect anything less than a huge battle.

“He is as complete a player as they come, so it’s going to take the best of my ability to beat him.”

Musetti, who had won a five-set quarter-final against 13th seed Taylor Fritz, had produced his best run in a Slam and gave everything against Djokovic, who gained the first key break in the sixth game.

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Unlike against Rune, Djokovic largely did not get involved in the crowd, although Musetti gained an instant break in the second set – a leaping, spinning overhead smash also brought sporting applause from Djokovic.

The same happened following a glorious cross-court Musetti winner, but once the Serb won the tie-break, there looked no way back for his opponent.

So it proved, with Djokovic breaking early in the third set on his way to yet another final as Musetti was unable to follow in the footsteps of fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini, who plays Barbora Krejcikova in Saturday’s women’s final.

“Nole played a really incredible match,” said Musetti. “He showed he’s in great shape – not only in tennis. His tennis fits very well on this surface, it was a joke at the end how he was returning.”