Wimbledon semi-finals: Djokovic and Alcaraz set up rematch in final – as it happened

So after a year in which he’s won no titles, reached no finals (up until now), split with his coach Goran Ivanisevic, lost to countless lower-ranked players and had knee surgery (just a month ago), Djokovic has confounded logic once again and we’ve got ourselves a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final. The 37-year-old now just needs to defy time against the 21-year-old Alcaraz on Sunday and he’ll be the outright GOAT in tennis with 25 grand slam singles titles. Thanks for reading, do join us tomorrow for the women’s final and then on Sunday for the men’s. Bye!

And what of facing Alcaraz?

He’s a great example of a young player who has a well-balanced life on and off the court. Lots of charisma, that’s why people like him, he’s one of the greatest 21-year-olds we’ve ever seen in this sport. He’s going to win many more grand slams, but hopefully in two days not this one, maybe in 15 years when I retire. I’m joking. Jokes aside, he beat me in a thrilling five-setter last year. It’s going to take the best of my abilities to beat him on Sunday.

And then the on-court interviewer Lee McKenzie totally lets Djokovic off the hook by asking him absolutely nothing about the crowd. Boooooo!

It’s also his 37th major final and his 10th at Wimbledon. So how does that feel, Novak?

Wimbledon has always been a childhood dream for me. I’ve said this story many times, but it’s worth repeating. I was a seven-year-old boy in Serbia, watching the bombs flying over my head, and telling myself I’d be a Wimbledon champion one day.

Every single time I find myself on this unique court I really try to enjoy it, but it’s business time during the match. I’m very satisfied to be in another final, but I don’t want to stop here. Hopefully I’ll get my hands on the trophy on Sunday.

There was plenty of doubt [after his knee surgery last month]. I said before the tournament, if I didn’t feel I could go deep, I probably wouldn’t be playing. I’m very pleased and thankful to all my team members for helping me to arrive to where I am.

Djokovic, though, does now have the match on his racket as he steps up to serve. Musetti, buoyed by that escape from defeat in the previous game, comes out swinging on the first point. 0-15. 0-30, when Djokovic prods a forehand long! Seven straight points for the Italian. “LO-REN-ZO, LO-REN-ZO, LO-REN-ZO” rings around Centre Court. Djokovic will be offended. Maybe that’s the fuel he needs to get the job done. Soon it’s 30-all. But then Musetti makes a breathtaking return – probably his best of the day! Break point. Djokovic is hitting volley after volley, then he’s chasing the lob, Musetti has all the initiative … but he nets! Deuce. Advantage Djokovic. Match point No 4. And Musetti makes the mistake! And Djokovic has set up a repeat of last year’s final against Alcaraz!

As he has done after every victory this fortnight, Djokovic pretends he’s playing the violin with his racket, in tribute to his daughter, who’s learning the instrument. But maybe the crowd think he’s goading them, because now they ARE booing. But nevertheless it’s been a goooooooooood! day for the seven-times champion – he’s one win from a record 25^th grand slam singles title and matching Federer’s feat of eight Wimbledon crowns. Musetti, meanwhile, departs to a outstanding ovation; Italy won’t have a player in the men’s final but they do still have Jasmine Paolini in the women’s tomorrow.

Third set: Musetti 4-6, 6-7, 4-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

0-15. A shanked forehand and it’s 0-30. Djokovic returns a strong serve with interest – I’m not sure Musetti was expecting that to come back – and Djokovic goes on to take the point. 0-40, three match points. Musetti repels the first two. And Djokovic is laughing and giving himself a good talking to when his return zips long on the third! Three match points saved – and now here’s a game point – as Musetti wins the exchange when someone in the crowd calls out just as Djokovic is about to hit the ball. Djokovic glares at the offender. And Musetti holds!

Third set: Musetti* 4-6, 6-7, 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Musetti gets a glimmer at 0-15, but Djokovic extinguishes that with two huge serves. Djokovic has frequently served his way out of trouble today. And he’s going to have to do so again when his forehand skids wide for 30-all. He follows the script to make it 40-30 and then game. Musetti will serve to stay in this semi-final.

Third set: Musetti 4-6, 6-7, 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A few years ago, before Alcaraz and Sinner made their breakthroughs, Musetti’s name was mentioned alongside theirs, but Tumaini, our tennis correspondent, says it’s largely the mental side that has prevented Musetti from making the strides forward that they have. I’m impressed by the way he isn’t falling away here; it would be easy to surrender knowing you’re two sets down to Djokovic. A hold to 15 and he is, at least, just about staying in touch if Djokovic does blink.

Third set: Musetti 4-6, 6-7, 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A delay on the opening point because Hawk-Eye is malfunctioning. The umpire is on her phone trying to confirm the call. She summons the players forward and says that Djokovic’s return was out. The biggest boo of the day then follows – and it’s for the umpire not Djokovic – as she informs the crowd that they can’t show it on the screen. So it’s 15-0, then 30-0. And 40-0. Djokovic’s volley halts Musetti’s run of points and then Djokovic treats a Musetti second serve with absolute disdain. 40-30. Musetti makes it through from there.

Third set: Musetti* 4-6, 6-7, 1-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

McEnroe reckons Musetti has “got all the shots” to break into the world’s top 10 (the 22-year-old Italian is currently ranked 25) but needs to work on his serve – and a more aggressive return. Too often Musetti is looking to block and chip on the return; but he isn’t even needing to do that in this game because here are two Djokovic doubles. 30-all. Djokovic then finds his range and it’s 40-30. And a serve-volley seals the game.

Third set: Musetti 4-6, 6-7, 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

On the subject of Djokovic being the anti-hero, this is a good read. Musetti holds to 30, they’re about to sit down at the changeover, so you’ve maybe got enough time to get through it.

Third set: Musetti* 4-6, 6-7, 0-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

A second Djokovic double fault for the match followed by a sixth ace and it’s 40-30. Game, when Djokovic dupes Musetti with a backhand angled drop shot! Djokovic is cruising now, at two sets to love and 2-0 up, and he’s not even needed to pick a fight with anyone, rage against the crowd or feed off any perceived injustices to get this far.

Djokovic breaks: Musetti 4-6, 6-7, 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Musetti looks a little deflated here. And no surprise, given he pushed Djokovic so close in those two sets without having anything to show for it. But even if he does lose from here, he’ll still gain the confidence that he can thrive on this surface in future years. John McEnroe made the point on the BBC commentary a little while back that if this was the first time he’d seen Musetti play, he’d think he was a grass-court specialist, rather than someone who was regarded as a clay-courter before this season. A rasping return from Djokovic brings up a second break point in this opening game of the third … and a breathtaking forehand cross-court exchange is ended when Djokovic scurries to the left to secure the break with a backhand pass!

Musetti covers his hand with his mouth as Djokovic advances to 5-2, and it’s soon 6-2, four set points, when Musetti’s meek slice falls into the net. Djokovic drives a forehand to Musetti’s backhand wing, Musetti scoops it back into play, but then Djokovic drills away the winner! So Djokovic is now one set away from his 10th Wimbledon final; and Musetti must do what he’s never done before by coming from two sets to love down to survive.

But then Musetti flicks his wand with an outrageous forehand winner which flies directly over the net post and curves in!! That was up there with the backhand he hit in the third game of this set. Djokovic refuses to be derailed and secures the next point for 4-1. And they change ends at 4-2; Djokovic still holding the advantage …

Djokovic takes the first point on serve … and then the first point on Musetti’s serve as the Italian hits long. Plenty of cheering for Djokovic there, it has to be said. Maybe he’ll be a bit kinder to the crowd in his on-court interview – well, that’s if he wins of course. There won’t be an on-court interview if he doesn’t. The victory looks more likely as Djokovic wins another point on Musetti’s serve for 3-0 …

Second set: Musetti 4-6, 6-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

The longest rally of the match – 26 shots – and it’s Djokovic who is victorious. 15-all. But then Musetti cuts Djokovic into 1,000 pieces with an array of slices, before he lobs the Serb and then smashes away the high ball! 30-15. Djokovic goes more route one with a crushing return and it’s 30-all. Then 30-40, set point, when Musetti opts to come forward and Djokovic’s return has too much bite on it. Musetti kicks the ball into the net in frustration. Drama on set point as Djokovic’s effort is called out – he’s certain it’s in – but it wasn’t. So deuce. And advantage Musetti with an inside-out forehand winner. And game Musetti when Djokovic misdirects his return! It’s time for a tie-break.

Second set: Musetti* 4-6, 5-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic is bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, bouncing that ball before he serves at 0-30. It helps get him back to 15-30 – and an ace makes it 30-all. An ace down the T and, from 0-30, it’s 40-30. He’s scorching the lines here. And the service line is quite possibly on fire as another ace gives Djokovic the game.

Second set: Musetti 4-6, 5-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

These could be the biggest moments of the match, you feel, as Musetti has never come back from two sets to love down in his career. Djokovic holds to 15, with relative ease, to lead 5-4. This is the point at which Djokovic struck to win the first set … and he’s got Musetti stumbling into the grass after a rocket down the line. 15-all. But this time Musetti does hold firm as Djokovic drills into the net at 40-15.

Second set: Musetti 4-6, 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A huge point for Musetti at 30-all on his serve; a break here would leave Djokovic serving for a two sets to love lead. A smart kicker on the second serve and it’s 40-30. A cunning drop shot and that’s the game.

Second set: Musetti* 4-6, 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Musetti has tattoo which says Il meglio deve ancora venire – the best is yet to come. He may need to take a look at it for reassurance as a dominant Djokovic consolidates the break to 15. The seven-times champion has taken seven of the past eight points, after Musetti had done so well to get back into this match. But that is the challenge of facing one of the best match players the game has ever seen – even when that player is now 37.

Djokovic breaks: Musetti 4-6, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

But having applauded his opponent, Djokovic gets straight back to business, holding to 30. He then pulls up his sleeves and rips through Musetti’s service game to love with some victorious forays to the net – followed by a forehand cross-court winner on the first break point.

Second set: Musetti 4-6, 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Musetti is starting to look like he belongs on Centre Court; you’d never know it’s his first time on it. The 22-year-old said he felt lost on grass a year ago, and this is the first time he’s been beyond the third round. He was previously seen as a clay-courter, but his throwback game matches up well on the grass, with his slice that bounces so low, along with his good hands, variety and imagination. After Djokovic holds to 30, that imagination comes to the fore as Musetti holds with a ridiculous flicked backhand winner on the run. Even Djokovic is applauding.

Second set: Musetti 4-6, 2-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

The momentum appears very much with Musetti at 30-0, but Djokovic drags him back to 30-all with a deft volley. Djokovic piles on the pressure for 30-40, break point. A strong serve gets Musetti out of the hole, and then Djokovic is digging his own hole with a miscued forehand. That could easily have been another break point; instead its advantage Musetti. Musetti – on the run – tries to flash a forehand cross-court winner but can’t pull it off. Deuce. Advantage Djokovic, a second break point. Deuce. Advantage Musetti. Deuce. Advantage Musetti. Game. Phew. Eventually the Italian backs up the break.

Musetti breaks: Musetti* 4-6, 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Wow. What a point. It’s a battle of the backhands with Djokovic break point down at 30-40, and it’s the one-hander that prevails over the two-hander. “Prime Wawrinka,” Krygios says. Roger may be a bit put out by that.

Some reading for you:

Those on Centre Court who left after the first semi-final are now piling back in, having heard about the fightback. But Musetti undoes much of his good work by dropping down 0-30. And that’s 0-40, when, with Djokovic prowling on the baseline for the second serve, Musetti double faults. A drop shot fends off the first set point. But another drop shot falls into the net and that’s the set! Terrific composure from Djokovic to recover from that break. It’s as if it didn’t happen.

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Musetti breaks: Musetti* 4-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Musetti recovers from 15-30 to 40-30, though he does get a helping hand from Djokovic, who nets a weak slice. There haven’t been many errors from Djokovic so far. Musetti holds from there – which leaves Djokovic serving for the set.

Musetti goes for one line and then the other and that’s a thunderous winner for 0-15! Musetti’s level is rising here, but it may be too late to turn the tide in this set. It looks that way when Djokovic gets to 40-15, two set points. but Musetti, unfazed, battles to deuce. And a deep stroke from Musetti draws the Djokovic error and it’s break point! Musetti whips a viciously spun forehand winner and they’re back on serve!

First set: Musetti* 2-5 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic hasn’t played since Monday after his walkover in the quarter-finals against Alex de Minaur, and the extra time off seems to have done him good, rather than derail him. He’s started this match sharply and efficiently, he’s making the right shot choices, he’s making Musetti run and run, and here’s another hold to 30. He’s looking as if he’s the 22-year-old out there right now.

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Djokovic breaks: Musetti 2-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic seizes the initiative with the opening point on Musetti’s serve. And assumes more control by winning the second. 0-30, which is 0-40 when Djokovic approaches the net, hits a weak backhand volley, but then gets another chance on the forehand volley and puts it away. So the first break points of this match. And Djokovic succeeds on the second break point after the most of attritional of rallies is won at the net! He’s raising his arms to the crowd – it’s not clear whether he wants them to cheer or if he’s goading them. A few mock boos maybe follow – but there’s plenty of applause too.

First set: Musetti* 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic isn’t just trying to defy medical convention by reaching the Wimbledon final a month after knee surgery, he’s also trying to defy the passing of time. He’s just the third player aged 37 or over to play in a men’s singles grand slam semi-final, after Ken Rosewall and Federer. And if he wins the title on Sunday he’d be oldest men’s singles major champ in the Open era. Djokovic could be forgiven for thinking he’s playing Federer, when Musetti flashes a one-handed backhand winner down the line on the fifth point, but that’s the highlight for the Italian in this game, as Djokovic also holds to 30.

First set: Musetti 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Musetti, at 30-15 on serve, cuts himself up with his own slice as he goes wide. 30-all. Djokovic’s first little sniff on Musetti’s serve. But Musetti snuffs it out with a one-hander down the line. And takes the next two points to hold.

First set: Musetti* 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic showcases the best of his attack and the best of his defence for 30-0. And then shows off the accuracy of his serve for 40-0. The crowd are definitely cheering for the underdog here, but I haven’t detected any real animosity towards Djokovic so far. Though he may well be hearing any Mooooo-settis as Booooo-settis. But I digress. Djokovic holds to 15.

First set: Musetti 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Nick Kyrgios, speaking on the BBC, says he was hitting with Djokovic yesterday, to help him prepare for this semi-final. “He wanted me to hit a lot of slices,” Kyrgios says. Musetti’s vicious slice is crucial to the way the Italian plays, and how well Djokovic deals with it will be a big factor in the outcome of this match. To underline that point, at 15-all on the Musetti serve, Djokovic rams one of those slices into the tramlines. 30-15, then 40-15 with an ace. And Musetti holds to 30.

First set: Musetti* 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic, serving first, wins the opening point a little fortuitously, when his shot clips the tape and trickles over. But Musetti, who’s hoping to draw inspiration from his fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini’s run to the women’s final, takes the second point after moving forward and finding a clever angle with the winner. A much longer third point – featuring Djokovic’s two-handed backhand v Musetti’s one-handed backhand slice – and on the 27th shot Djokovic pulls off a quite ridiculous backhand pass! 30-15, then 40-15. Musetti makes a move to deuce – but Djokovic dismisses the early danger to hold.

This is an intriguing match of contrasts: the artistic 22-year-old Italian playing in his first slam semi v the street-smart 37-year-old Serbian playing in his 49th; Musetti’s throwback one-handed backhand and slice v Djokovic’s modern brand of aggression and iron-clad defence.

As for their head-to-head, Djokovic leads it 5-1 – but that really doesn’t tell the whole story. Musetti has taken Djokovic to five sets twice at grand slams – going two sets to love up at the 2021 French Open – and then leading by two sets to one at the French Open last month, when Djokovic needed until 3.07 in the morning to finish off the Italian – the latest finish in the tournament’s history.

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They step on to court, Musetti a few steps ahead. After Djokovic raged against the disrespect and booing he felt he was getting from Holger Rune fans on Monday, this blog’s extremely scientific boo-ometer hasn’t detected much booing yet.

And here Djokovic and Musetti come, for Musetti’s first grand slam semi-final and Djokovic’s 49th.

While we’re waiting for Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti, here’s a bit of women’s pre-final reading: