Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to win the ATP Finals after defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 on Friday to advance to the semi-finals against Novak Djokovic. On Saturday, he will compete in a semi-final against Djokovic, who defeated Alcaraz on his path to victory at Roland Garros and in the final in Cincinnati.
Alcaraz came into his debut Finals appearance struggling with form and injury but has warmed up as the tournament has progressed and is now a serious threat in the semis, which features the world’s four top-ranked players. “Well, it’s just two matches, but at the same time it’s too far away. I have Novak in the semifinal. If I win that match, I have a really tough final,” Alcaraz told reporters. Also read: Wimbledon’s Grand Vision: A New Stadium and 38 Courts
“I’m dreaming about winning this tournament. Why not? But I have to play my best first in the semi-final.”
World number two Alcaraz needed to win to advance to the final four, and he did so in style, strolling to a victory against Medvedev, who had looked excellent in his previous two triumphs in Turin.
Winning in straight sets guaranteed him first place in the Red Group ahead of Medvedev, independent of the outcome of the late match, which Alexander Zverev won 6-4, 6-4 against Andrey Rublev. Also read: Latest: Retired Stars Honored At Nitto ATP Finals
Alcaraz also gained a small measure of revenge for defeat in the US Open semi-finals against Medvedev, who finishes second in the group after having already qualified for the semis on Wednesday.
Alcaraz has a burgeoning rivalry with Djokovic as the Spaniard is already a two-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 20 and won an epic five-set Wimbledon final against the world number one.
“Novak is Novak, he is the best player in the world right now, he’s just lost six matches this year so that means he is unbelievable. I’m going to bring my best tennis,” said Alcaraz.
Djokovic has already clinched the year-end world number one place and is aiming for a record-breaking eighth Finals victory after qualifying second in the Green Group. Medvedev, the 2020 Finals champion, will now play local hope Jannik Sinner, who became the tournament’s first Italian semi-finalist on Thursday. Also read: Who Is Rajeev Ram Wife? Know All About Zainab Saqib
“First of all, at this moment he’s in top form… He can do everything,” said Medvedev. “Here he played unbelievable, but he still lost two sets. That’s what I’m going to try to aim for: try to play like guys who won the set from him. “I need to definitely be at my absolute best and better than today, tomorrow.”