Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev score, result, highlights as world No.1 reaches first Wimbledon final

Joe Wright

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Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev score, result, highlights as world No.1 reaches first Wimbledon final image

Carlos Alcaraz will face Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday after dispatching third seed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

The world No.1 has looked in strong form on the grass courts of London but faced his toughest test on paper of these championships against the 2021 US Open champion, who, like his opponent, has never reached the final of this tournament.

Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner in three sets in the first semifinal, but many expected this contest to be a much longer battle, perhaps pushing four hours or more. As it was, the 20-year-old needed just an hour and 52 minutes to win 6-3 6-3 6-3.

Medvedev played pretty spotless tennis for much of the first set, but when a solitary loose game gave Alcaraz a break for 5-3, the Spaniard was ruthless. With a lead under his belt, the variety in Alcaraz's game began to come to the fore, and it drove the crowd wild — and Medvedev mad.

The third seed put Alcaraz's serve under pressure early in the second but promptly fell a break behind again. The man from Murcia kept his opponent pinned back on serve with sliding deliveries to the forehand side, and Medvedev seemed unwilling to risk getting closer to the baseline. If a rally ensued, Alcaraz could change the momentum and direction with one whipcrack of the racquet, roaring like a matador toying with a tiring bull. Roaring, in fact, like Rafa.

Comparing Alcaraz with Nadal is unavoidable these days, and not just because he's a Spanish powerhouse with bulging biceps and manners to make your grandmother proud. His drop shots were on point, like Nadal's; his volleys an underappreciated skill, like Nadal's. At a break down in the third set, Medvedev remonstrated with his box from his chair during the changeover, utterly nonplussed at how to change the course of the contest.

The Russian is a former world No.1 and a major champion, of course, so he did not go down without a fight. There were three consecutive breaks to get the third set back on serve, Medvedev showing increasing bravery to come to the net and mix up his approach. At the change of ends, it was Alcaraz who was left shaking his head, and suddenly it looked like we might have a contest. Barely two minutes later, Alcaraz was serving for the match.

Medvedev kissed the line with a passing shot for 30-30, but Alcaraz forced an error to bring up match point, which proved to be the best of the contest. Medvedev defended expertly against an onslaught from the other end, got Alcaraz off balance and played a solid enough drop shot, only for Alcaraz to sprint to the net and whip an implausible forehand winner. You could practically see Nadal in the blur of black-haired brilliance.

So we come to the final we all expected and, in truth, wanted: arguably the greatest male tennis player of all time against the young man best placed to challenge his haul of 23 major singles titles. The near-16-year age gap between Djokovic and Alcaraz means this isn't a rivalry we'll enjoy for long, even with the Serbian's ability to defy the passage of time. Yet right now, these two are the best in the world by a sizeable margin, and they will contest not only the famous trophy on Sunday, but also the place at the top of the world rankings.

In 2008, Roger Federer had won five Wimbledons in a row before 22-year-old Nadal, in his first final in SW19, conquered the grass-court king in one of the sport's greatest ever matches. Djokovic has won the past four Wimbledon finals and hasn't lost on Centre Court in a decade.

These comparisons are getting too easy.

MORE: Tennis' top grand slam winners of all time: Who has won the most titles?

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev result

  1 2 3
Carlos Alcaraz (1) 6 6 6
Daniil Medvedev (3) 3 3 3

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev live updates, highlights from Wimbledon 2023

*Denotes server

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 6-3 6-3 Daniil Medvedev — Alcaraz wins the match

The pressure is right back on Alcaraz but Medvedev lets him off the hook at 0-15 by missing a routine backhand. A tricky slice then ends up in the tramlines, but when Alcaraz serve-volleys, Medvedev picks out a superb forehand pass. However, a mishit return gives Alcaraz his first match point... and, oh my goodness, what a finish! A gruelling baseline rally, a drop volley from Medvedev, and Alcaraz races forward to thrash a forehand cross-court winner. He's into a first Wimbledon final, and Medvedev is off the court before the celebrations have finished.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-3 5-3 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks

Medvedev pulls out a brave second serve at 15-15 and puts away the forehand, but then comes a double fault and a wayward shot after the ball skipped up off the baseline. Alcaraz has two more break points, and he only needs one, his forehand return off the second serve simply too hot to handle. He'll now serve for the match.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 6-3 4-3 Daniil Medvedev — Medvedev breaks

Alcaraz tries a tweener volley that even he wouldn't be able to pull off in a dozen attempts. Medvedev, who is now coming to the net regularly, crashes a shot off Alcaraz's frame and then closes out the next point with a composed volley. Alcaraz is off balance to meet the next return, and it's long — we have a third break of serve in a row. Now, it's Alcaraz shaking his head in his chair.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-3 4-2 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks

A 100mph winner, and the pressure is back on the Russian's serve. At 15-30, Medvedev finds another one of those returns back at his feet, and he's facing break points again. But Alcaraz is human, it seems: his drop-shot play is too easy to read this time, and after setting himself up for a forehand winner, he goes long. Medvedev saves two more break points, but a weak volley gifts Alcaraz another, and this time, he puts away a smash to go 4-2 up.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 6-3 3-2 Daniil Medvedev — Medvedev breaks

That's better! Medvedev draws Alcaraz into a long exchange and it's the Spaniard this time who blinks first. He then whips an uncharacteristically poor forehand into the net. Then comes a fine return and a follow-up backhand, and Medvedev has three break points. On the second, Alcaraz chucks in a double fault, and we're back on serve! Whatever Medvedev said to his coach, it seems to have helped.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-3 3-1 Daniil Medvedev*

Medvedev spent the changeover quietly remonstrating with his box from his chair. He has the air of a man who just doesn't know how to change what's going on in front of him. A good overhead and an ace are a solid way to start, and he gets on the board for this set with another emphatic smash.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 6-3 3-0 Daniil Medvedev

Medvedev persists in returning these Alcaraz serves from deep, and the Spaniard is just putting away easy volleys when he does. At 0-30, he tries something different, going for a flat backhand from the baseline, and he wins the ensuing exchange. You'd think he's got to try a few more things like that to throw Alcaraz off his game — indeed, Alcaraz immediately follows with a double fault — but then comes yet another deep return and easy put-away. A long return makes it 3-0 to the top seed.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-3 2-0 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks

Medvedev tries to pick up a devilish slice from Alcaraz but can't squeeze it over the net (now he's copying from the Federer playbook, too, for heaven's sake). Medvedev then hits a second double fault of this game, and it's a double break point. Alcaraz returns the first serve, but Medvedev fires well wide down the forehand side. This match might be over.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 6-3 1-0 Daniil Medvedev

As if the comparisons with Nadal weren't pointed enough, it turns out Alcaraz is also a spectacular (and underrated) player at the net, just like his compatriot. Then, at 40-0, second serve, he slices a winner away to Medvedev's right after he adjusted well to get the body serve back in play.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-3 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks, wins second set

A Nadal-esque whipped forehand from right in the middle of the court makes it 30-0 to Alcaraz. Another one off that wing puts Medvedev off balance, and Alcaraz brings up three set points with a sliced backhand pass. Medvedev pulls out two first serves, but not a third time — his second serve is back at his feet before he can react, and Alcaraz is two sets to the good.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 5-3 Daniil Medvedev

With Medvedev now standing almost out of camera shot, Alcaraz aces one down the tee. The next serve is 132mph; the next a sliding second serve that forces his opponent so wide he's practically in the camera dugout by the time he hits the return. He's putting no pressure on the Alcaraz serve right now.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 4-3 Daniil Medvedev*

Medvedev hits a huge serve out wide and a backhand to the open court. Against practically anyone else, one of those shots alone would win the point; Alcaraz gets both back in play, and Medvedev misses the smash. At 30-30, Alcaraz has a wide gap to aim for with the forehand, but it's a rare miss, and Medvedev scrapes through the game.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 4-2 Daniil Medvedev

Alcaraz is still favouring the sliding serve to the Medvedev forehand. The Russian is standing way back in court to receive it, but Alcaraz is starting to throw in some serve-and-volley tactics. He holds to love as Medvedev slaps a forlorn shot into the net.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 3-2 Daniil Medvedev*

Medvedev controls a nice volley and Alcaraz hits his next return long. It's another love hold for the third seed, yet still he trails by a set and a break. He's playing well, but if he wants to win, he's got to play better. That's not an easy thing to think about during the changeover.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 3-1 Daniil Medvedev

A stunning backhand winner from Medvedev makes it 30-30, but in the subsequent baseline rally, it's the man from Moscow who blinks first again. A thunderous forehand from Alcaraz is then returned into the tramlines. He leads 3-1 in this set.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-1 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks

After coming close to a break, Medvedev's backhand gets loose again and he faces two break points of his own. He does well to take the game to deuce, but Alcaraz brings up a third with some phenomenal play at the net. A backhand pass then doesn't come back, and Alcaraz gets the break. He's firmly in control here.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 1-1 Daniil Medvedev

Locked in a baseline exchange, Alcaraz suddenly changes the rally's direction and Medvedev can't respond. The Spaniard's power is just an awesome thing to behold. Of course, after I say that, he sends a loose forehand long to make it 30-30. There's a chance for Medvedev here as a double fault sets up break point, but it's snuffed out by an ace. A drop volley and a drop shot digs him out of trouble.

Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 0-1 Daniil Medvedev*

Medvedev took a bathroom break after that set, presumably to ask his own reflection how exactly he can disrupt the world No.1's rhythm. Well, he makes a pretty good start, holding to love to begin the second set.

Carlos Alcaraz* 6-3 Daniil Medvedev — Alcaraz wins first set

Medvedev gets a look at two second serves, and each one kicks up at his midriff. For a man of 20, Alcaraz's matchplay is just scarily smart. He gets three set points but needs just one, a serve down the tee proving unreturnable. Medvedev has played just one loose game so far, and it's cost him a set.

Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Daniil Medvedev* — Alcaraz breaks

Medvedev tries a drop shot of his own at 30-30 and it's way too deep in the court. Alcaraz's forehand doesn't come back, and it's a first break point. After a second serve, the Spaniard takes control of the rally, and Medvedev loops a forehand long! Alcaraz will now serve for the set.

Carlos Alcaraz* 4-3 Daniil Medvedev

On TV commentary, John McEnroe said of Alcaraz: "There's nothing on a tennis court this guy can't do." That game was a perfect illustration: a huge serve and overhead smash, a devilish backhand slice and two powerful baseline rallies see him into a 4-3 lead.

Carlos Alcaraz 3-3 Daniil Medvedev*

Alcaraz is bringing Medvedev to the net at every opportunity at the moment. At 15-30, midway through the rally, a let is called by the umpire after a ball fell out of Medvedev's pocket and rolled across the court! He gets the next point when Alcaraz hits the net and then smartly challenges a ball that was hit wide. A big serve makes for a big hold.

Carlos Alcaraz* 3-2 Daniil Medvedev

Medvedev scrambles to dig back a huge first serve and a big forehand, but even he can't get to a killer drop shot from Alcaraz for 30-15. Alcaraz then winds up on the forehand wing, but the rocket lands an inch or two wide. Then comes another perfectly weighted drop shot, and then a third of the game, this time on the volley. It's 3-2, on serve.

Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Daniil Medvedev*

Alcaraz mixes things up, drawing Medvedev to the net with a slice and then approaching the middle himself. Medvedev finds the gap with the backhand pass and then crashes a forehand winner to level the scores. The third seed is moving and striking well.

Carlos Alcaraz* 2-1 Daniil Medvedev

Just as Alcaraz looks to be coming through the game, Medvedev rips a running forehand cross-court to bring us to deuce. A couple of errors gives Alcaraz the game, though.

Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Daniil Medvedev*

Alcaraz jumps on a Medvedev second serve with a thumping backhand, but two big serves see out the game. These two are just getting a feel for each other here.

Carlos Alcaraz* 1-0 Daniil Medvedev

A pretty routine hold of serve to start with from Alcaraz. These two are the only male players with 40 or more Tour wins this year, by the way.

4:55 p.m. BST / 11:55 p.m. ET:

After a quick turnaround and warm-up, the players are out on court and ready. Here we go!

4:30 p.m. BST / 11:30 p.m. ET: World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz faces third seed Daniil Medvedev for the chance to contest Sunday's final on Centre Court. The winner of this second semifinal will face either Novak Djokovic, who battled to a straight-sets win over Jannik Sinner in the day's opening contest.

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2023 in Australia

The 2023 edition of Wimbledon is being broadcast live and free by Nine. The action is being shown on either Channel 9 or their secondary channel 9Gem, depending on the session and time.

Every match of Wimbledon 2023 can be live-streamed in Australia on paid subscription service Stan Sport. Selected matches are available in 4K. 

Fans can also stream the action for free via 9Now, which shows the standard free-to-air broadcast.

MORE: Undesirable No.1: Why Novak Djokovic is the GOAT of men's tennis, whether you like it or not

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2023 in USA

Wimbledon matches will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks in the United States. There are several ways to live stream the tournament: ESPN+, the ESPN app, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs. Daniil Medvedev at Wimbledon 2023 in the UK

Wimbledon remains available to watch on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom. Live matches will air on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button. Viewers can also choose up to 18 courts to watch through their smart TVs and also on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.

Wimbledon is also shown on Eurosport to UK viewers. Eurosport will broadcast the Championships every day on Eurosport 1 daily and then via highlights. Coverage will be available on the Discovery + streaming platform and on Eurosport online, too. 

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.