By Ben Phillips
Carlos Alcaraz continued his defence of the Wimbledon title thrillingly on Friday, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a hotly contested semi-final played under the blazing London sun. The Spaniard, still just 22 years old, once again underlined why he’s considered one of the generational greats, digging deep to navigate not only the fierce challenge posed by Fritz but also sweltering conditions and the pressure of expectation.
The match had everything: momentum swings, bold shot-making, power rallies, and moments of real tension. Alcaraz made a strong start, breaking early and maintaining control of the opening set, but Fritz, playing in his first Wimbledon semi-final, hit back with a superb second set, breaking late to level the match.
Alcaraz quickly regrouped to take the third, using his signature mix of heavy forehands, deft drop shots, and timely net approaches to keep the American off balance. The fourth set was the most dramatic of all. With both players holding serve throughout, it came down to a tiebreak, and Fritz surged ahead, leading 6-4 and holding two set points to force a decider. But as we’ve seen so many times before, Alcaraz produced his best tennis when it mattered most, saving both points and winning four straight to close out the match in just under three and a half hours.
Afterwards, Alcaraz spoke to us about the match and how the heat affected his play. Unbothered by the high temperatures, he gave a typically composed response:
“We play the same tennis. It is a little bit different playing in windy conditions or cold conditions, but our tennis is the same.”
That calm, focused approach has been central to his rise. Whether it’s five sets under the lights or 35 degrees in the midday sun, Alcaraz seems unflappable, a key reason he’s back in another Grand Slam final.
Taylor Fritz, though disappointed, could hold his head high. This was his best-ever showing at Wimbledon. We asked him whether he felt he could have changed anything tactically to tilt the match in his favour.
“I could have returned more aggressively,” he admitted. “That’s something I need to get better at.”
Fritz added high praise for Alcaraz’s adaptability:
“Carlos can adapt to any changes.”
Indeed, adaptability was the difference. Alcaraz managed to adjust throughout—handling Fritz’s aggressive baseline play, surviving the tiebreak, and managing the heat with the poise of a veteran. He also served with authority, hitting 13 aces and winning a healthy percentage of points behind both first and second serves.
For Alcaraz, who is chasing his fourth Grand Slam title and a second straight at Wimbledon, the win marks another step in what could become a truly historic career. Now into his fourth major final in the last 13 months, he continues to prove that last year’s victory over Novak Djokovic wasn’t a one-off, it was the arrival of a player built for sustained excellence.
He now awaits the winner of the second semi-final, Jannik Sinner, in what could be a mouthwatering final. It is a rematch of their Roland Garros semi-final and a clash between the current world No. 1 and the reigning champion.
Either way, one thing is clear: Carlos Alcaraz is exactly where he wants to be, back in a Wimbledon final, playing world-class tennis, and ready for another shot at history.
Day 12: Sinner Beats Djokovic to Reach First Wimbledon Final
Jannik Sinner delivered another brilliant performance on Centre Court as he defeated Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first Wimbledon final. The Italian world number one was ice-cold under pressure and blisteringly sharp from the baseline, dispatching the seven-time champion in straight sets in a match that many have already called one of the most complete performances seen at SW19 in recent years.
From the very start, Sinner imposed his aggressive game on Djokovic, breaking early in the first two sets and refusing to give up any ground. The serve, the forehand, the movement, it was all locked in. Despite a brief resistance in the third set, where Djokovic dug in went up early, Sinner absorbed everything the Serb threw at him.
The scoreline was emphatic. While the 38-year-old Djokovic had been pushed hard in earlier rounds, particularly by Flavio Cobolli, few expected such a one-sided result. But for those watching closely, the signs of Sinner’s rise and Djokovic’s physical limits have been building. Where Djokovic once had the edge in athleticism and consistency, Sinner now appears quicker, stronger, and more explosive.
More than one analyst and former player remarked that Sinner looked like a younger, faster version of Djokovic in this match, a huge compliment, if not a symbolic passing of the torch.
We spoke to Sinner after the match and asked him what he thought had changed in his head-to-head with Djokovic. The Serb had dominated the early part of their rivalry, but Sinner has now won five in a row.
“I improved physically,” Sinner said simply, identifying this as the key difference.
That physical edge. combined with his maturity and precise ball-striking, proved the difference. While Djokovic is still capable of flashes of brilliance, the wear and tear of a 22-year career is becoming harder to ignore, especially against someone 17 years his junior.
As for Djokovic, the crowd gave him a long ovation as he waved goodbye to Centre Court, a gesture that felt tinged with uncertainty. While he hasn’t said this will be his final Wimbledon, moments like this make it clear the end is nearer than ever.
Whether it was his last time or not, Djokovic’s legacy is unquestioned. But today belonged to Sinner, a 23-year-old who looks increasingly like the next great champion of grass court tennis. He will now face Carlos Alcaraz in the final in a battle between the world’s top two players. It’s a fitting conclusion to a tournament that has perfectly bridged the old era and the new.
Tomorrow- The Women’s Final
The stage is also set for a blockbuster women’s final tomorrow as world number one Iga Swiatek takes on 13th seed Amanda Anisimova in what promises to be a gripping clash of styles and personalities on Centre Court.
Swiatek, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, has arguably played her best-ever grass-court tennis over the past two weeks. Her semi-final demolition of Belinda Bencic, 6-2 6-0, was a statement of intent. Ruthlessly efficient and brimming with confidence, the Polish star looks closer than ever to completing the rare feat of winning majors on all three surfaces. The movement, the shot selection, and, perhaps most significantly, the belief are all in sync.
But across the net will be a player she knows well. Anisimova, just 23, has rediscovered her spark in 2025 after a stop-start few seasons. Her run to the final has been full of grit, resilience and powerful baseline hitting, none more so than in her semi-final win over Aryna Sabalenka. The American with Russian roots has shown time and again this fortnight that she thrives under pressure, and her fearless mindset could be exactly what’s needed to trouble Swiatek.
This final is not just about a title. For Swiatek, it would complete her Grand Slam surface sweep and take her to six majors at just 24. For Anisimova, it would be the ultimate breakthrough, a confirmation that her talent and perseverance have taken her to the sport’s pinnacle.
One thing is certain: after a tournament full of upsets and breakthroughs, this Wimbledon final promises a thrilling finish to what’s already been a memorable Championships.
