Alcaraz and Djokovic set up Wimbledon blockbuster final repeat

LONDON : Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will lock horns in a sequel to last year's Wimbledon title blockbuster after producing commanding displays to ease through their semi-finals on Friday.

Spain's defending champion Alcaraz took a hammer to the wall that is Russia's Daniil Medvedev as he beat the fifth seed 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4 6-4 before seven-time champion Djokovic clinically disposed of Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4.

Neither match truly captivated the Centre Court crowd but Sunday's final promises a fitting climax to a soggy Championships, especially if it scales anywhere near the dizzy heights of last year's classic won by Alcaraz in five sets.

That defeat was Djokovic's first defeat on Centre Court for a decade and the clinical way he disposed of the 22-year-old Musetti suggests he hungry to seize back his crown.

"I am satisfied and pleased, but I don't want to stop here – hopefully I get my hands on the trophy," Djokovic, who used his racket to play an imaginary violin after winning match point but this time avoided picking a fight with the crowd, said on court.

"(Alcaraz) is one of the greatest 21-year-olds we've ever seen in this sport and he will win many more Grand Slams but hopefully not this one on Sunday."

Despite his valiant attempt to emulate compatriot Jasmine Paolini, who will contest Saturday's women's final, 25th seed Musetti never really looked like preventing Djokovic reaching his 10th Wimbledon and record-extending 37th Grand Slam final.

"I have to say today was really a joke at the end how he was returning my serve," Musetti said.

There were rays of hope. The stylish Musetti recovered from a break down in the first set and had Djokovic in trouble at 5-5 in the second with the Serb 0-30 down on