lcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE!
Carlos Alcaraz takes on Novak Djokovic this afternoon in what promises to be a truly epic Wimbledon final. The best two players in the world meet on Centre Court, giving the Championships the conclusion many have been hoping for over the past fortnight.
Alcaraz was severely hampered by cramp when the pair met in the French Open semi-finals last month, as Djokovic went on to lift the trophy at Roland Garros and continue his bid for a calendar Grand Slam. Since then though Alcaraz is unbeaten in 11 matches on grass, including a run to the title at Queen’s, and the world number one appears to have quickly adapted to playing on the surface.
This is as big a test as there is in the sport though, with Djokovic unbeaten on Centre Court in 45 matches since defeat to Andy Murray in 2013. Victory this afternoon would see him match Roger Federer’s tally of eight Wimbledon title. Follow Alcaraz vs Djokovic with Standard Sport’s dedicated LIVE blog below.
Live updates
Alcaraz takes third set!
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 Djokovic
One-way traffic, forehand pass down the line from Alcaraz. And then a stunning second-serve return! 0-30.
Djokovic fans best hope he has turned his attention to the fourth set, because this is ragged. Volley into the net, three set points for Alcaraz.
SET ALCARAZ! He is one away from the Wimbledon title.
Alcaraz a game away from third set
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 5-1* Djokovic
After that madness, Alcaraz has swifly moved 30-0 up on his serve. Bit of a contrast. Make that 40-0, return into the net from Djokovic. His focus might have already turned to the fourth set…
Another half-hearted return and Alcaraz is on the verge of taking a two sets to one lead in this final.
AT LAST!
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 *4-1 Djokovic
Break point Alcaraz – incredible noise inside Centre Court. And it’s gone up another level as Djokovic slaps the shot into the net – a double break for Alcaraz!
That game took more than 25 minutes.
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
Tired forehand into the net from Djokovic gives Alcaraz yet another break point opportunity.
Wow – Djokovic has stopped mid-point! He’s convinced the Alcaraz shot is out… it is! Brave decision and it’s paid off. Cheers from the crowd, Djokovic just shakes his head.
Alcaraz goes long with the forehand – can Djokovic finally close out this game?
NO! Backhand pass from Alcaraz, lasered crosscourt and Djokovic cannot do anything with it. A 13th deuce.
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
Alcaraz’s forehand sets up a fourth break point of the game. 45 minutes played in this set… not far off half of that in this game.
It’s a tenth deuce too, Alcaraz looks for the lob but it lands about a foot beyond the baseline.
The Spaniard will have another chance, as the Djokovic drop shot fails to clear the net. No! First serve is too good from Djokovic.
I was joking before about this game never ending. Not so sure now…
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
Djokovic holds his nerve at the net, Alcaraz does so well to get it back but the volley into the empty court is good enough. Pegged back to deuce though, Alcaraz steps into the second-serve return.
Another break point to come… another one goes. Ridiculous game. We go to deuce for a ninth time.
Umpire delays things a bit more, he wants someone in the crowd to throw the ball back. That man had his eye on a souvenir…
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
Alcaraz at full stretch, sliding into the corner… still can’t catch up with that forehand from Djokovic. One good, one bad – into the tramlines from the defending champion.
Djokovic is over to the umpire, complaining about something. He’s pointing at a section of the crowd behind where he was serving, met with boos. Long conversation, he’s not happy at all.
That’s not going to help – double fault. Break point for Alcaraz. But again he completely mis-hits the forehand out of nowhere!
This game might never end.
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
More like it, forehand winner down the line from Djokovic. Murmur of appreciation from Centre Court.
But he can’t back it up, collapses on the shot next point as he falls off balance, slapped into the net. Back to deuce we go.
Shot! Flat backhand from Djokovic, too good. Follows it with a terrible drop shot. Cannot get out of this game.
And now a break point, wild forehand flies long. Chance for Alcaraz to move a double break up. Nope. Shanks the forehand. On we go, deuce one more.
Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 3-1* Djokovic
What was that?! Djokovic attempts the serve and volley, but it’s a serve and swat into the net. Alcaraz then gives him a free points with a poor return – Spaniard has to keep the ball in play. Djokovic looks like he’ll make plenty of mistakes at the moment.
That’s superb though, ball flies towards Djokovic at the net but his reflexes are good enough, volley put away.
Alcaraz not letting him out of this game – deuce. Pressure is constant on Djokovic.
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