The Japan Times - Alcaraz, Sinner will resume rivalry in Wimbledon final

Sinner demolished Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a Centre Court masterclass on Friday to reach his first Wimbledon title match and his fifth at the Grand Slams.

Just hours earlier, Alcaraz -- who has won the last two Wimbledon titles -- reached his third successive All England Club final.

The Spanish world number two battled to a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) win against American fifth seed Taylor Fritz.

Sinner, 23, will be desperate to avenge his painful French Open defeat against Alcaraz after squandering a two-set lead and three championship points in an epic Roland Garros final in June.

Only 35 days after that five-set marathon on clay in Paris, they will meet again on the lawns of Wimbledon.

Sinner and Alcaraz are the undisputed new kings of men's tennis, claiming the past six majors between them.

Sinner, the reigning US Open and Australian Open champion, returned from a doping ban in May, losing the Italian Open final to Alcaraz before his stunning collapse at Roland Garros.

Now he has chance for revenge against the man who is the current top dog on grass.

"It is a huge honour for me to share the court once again with Carlos," Sinner said. "We try to push ourselves to the limit, he is for sure one of the players I look up to.

"I love watching him, what kind of talent he is. Hopefully it's going to be a good match like the last one."

Sinner trails 8-4 in his head to head meetings with Alcaraz, losing the past five matches.

The Italian can take heart from beating Alcaraz in the Wimbledon fourth round in 2022, his rival's last defeat at the All England Club.

Reflecting on the prospect of another showdown with his arch rival, Alcaraz said: "In Paris it was the best match I have ever played so far. I'm not surprised he just pushed me to the limit.

"I expect that on Sunday, just to be in the limit. It's going to be a great final. I'm excited about it.

"I just hope not to be five hours and a half on court again! As I said, if I have to, I will. But I think it's going to be great."

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who was not 100 percent fit after an injury in his quarter-final against Flavio Cobolli, must wait for another shot at a record 25th Grand Slam title.

- 'I'm planning to come back' -

It is the first time he has failed to reach the Wimbledon final since 2017 after falling short in his bid to equal Roger Federer's men's record of eight Wimbledon titles.

After suggestions he could retire following his All England Club exit, Djokovic insisted he plans to be back at Wimbledon next year.

"Hopefully it's not my last match on the Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today," the 38-year-old said.

"So I'm planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on the Centre Court for sure."

With Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio watching from the stands, Alcaraz survived a titanic semi-final lasting two hours and 49 minutes in searing temperatures.

As the mercury rose close to 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), play was interrupted by several fans taken ill.

But Alcaraz kept his cool to subdue the big-serving Fritz with his sublime returns and immaculate serving of his own.

Back to his best after an inconsistent start to the tournament, Alcaraz looks in the mood to extend his reign at the All England Club.

The five-time Grand Slam champion is on a career-best 24-match winning streak since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April.

That blistering run has brought him an epic French Open final triumph against Sinner and titles in Rome, Monte Carlo and at Queen's Club.

The 22-year-old has won 35 of his 38 matches on grass, a golden spell including 20 successive victories at Wimbledon.

H.Hayashi--JT