LONDON: World number one Jannik Sinner will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster Wimbledon final today as the tennis world braces for the latest chapter in their enthralling rivalry.
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 a chance for revenge against the man who is the current top dog on grass.
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.
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. – AFP
