Djokovic soaks in the boos to set up thrilling rematch with Alcaraz

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The timeless favorite will have a quick rematch. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will compete in the Wimbledon final on Sunday in a redo of last year’s intense five-set match. The 37-year-old hopes to make history by becoming the oldest champion in the Open era at the All England Club.

The big match that everyone was looking forward to finally happened, but even though Novak Djokovic defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets, the crowd at Centre Court was not pleased. The boos showed how tough it has been for the seven-time champion. Djokovic celebrated his win by pretending to play the violin on his racket, a nod to his daughter. However, after accusing certain Wimbledon fans of disrespect a few days earlier, some in the crowd thought the gesture was meant for them.

However, some negative reactions from the crowd are not the main concern for Djokovic as he gears up to compete against Alcaraz on Sunday. Alcaraz is being praised as one of the most talented young players in the sport, with Djokovic acknowledging his skills by calling him one of the best 21-year-olds in tennis. Djokovic mentioned their previous intense match at Wimbledon and expects another tough battle ahead. He recognizes Alcaraz as a well-rounded player and knows he will have to play at his best in order to come out on top.

No doubt about it, getting back to the Wimbledon final – the 10th one for him – is truly impressive. Even after just four weeks of recovering from surgery on his knee, Djokovic has made it to his first final of the season. He has the opportunity to tie the record for eight men's titles held by Roger Federer. While his season hasn't gone as expected, this upcoming match in two days may be the perfect one for him to win.

Djokovic received some taunts from the crowd saying "good night" after his impressive post-match interview on Monday night. Despite Musetti's occasional outstanding plays, the Italian's stylish game and flashy shot-making won over the fans at Centre Court.

Musetti impressed with his impressive one-handed backhand, showcasing some incredible skills on the court. He hit a couple of amazing shots that could easily be considered for the best shot of the tournament while taking the lead against Djokovic in the second set. However, Djokovic demonstrated why he is a seasoned player, reaching his 37th grand slam final. In his 49th grand slam semi-final, he drew upon his vast experience in five-set matches to overcome the young and inexperienced 22-year-old Italian player.

At this high level of play, the crucial tiebreak at the end of the second set highlighted the contrast between Musetti and Djokovic. Musetti made an impressive shot with a forehand that barely passed the net-post and landed on the line, but Djokovic displayed more consistency and stability throughout the rallies. The second set was intense and exciting, but Djokovic ultimately closed it out decisively. Musetti showcased his talent with powerful shots, but Djokovic showed his expertise and determination to secure the win.

During the match, Dokovic successfully passed a challenging test. His opponent, Musetti, was playing confidently and in top form. Musetti's powerful backhand slice presented a formidable challenge, making Dokovic have to adjust his game and even forcing him to bend down due to his injured knee. Despite this being Musetti's first semi-final at Wimbledon, he had won the most matches on grass this season out of all players on the tour.

However, he had also learned a harsh lesson when it comes to facing Djokovic in the major tournaments. Musetti was ahead of Djokovic by two sets in the fourth round of the 2021 French Open, but then collapsed and had to retire in the fifth set. Just last month, he was leading Djokovic by two sets to one in the third round of the French Open before Djokovic made a comeback and won in a memorable match at 3am.

As Musetti stepped onto Centre Court and participated in an exciting match that pushed the limits of the arena, his unique spin on the ball brought a new element to the back-and-forth exchanges. However, Djokovic maintained a firm grip on the game, showcasing his skill at closing in on the net. He secured a break point in the middle of the first set after a intense rally, causing a few murmurs of excitement from the crowd as he held his arms wide in celebration.

Certainly, a standout moment of the game occurred even before the match began, as the players made their way onto the court. Djokovic, who had received a pass into the semi-finals due to de Minaur's injury, was back on Centre Court for the first time since his controversial reaction to the crowd following his previous win.

However, despite Alcaraz's victory over Daniil Medvedev in four sets to advance to the semi-finals, Centre Court wasn't very full when Djokovic and Musetti came out to receive mild applause. Would some fans cheer for Musetti's winners with shouts of "Muuuuu" like they did for "Ruuune" on Monday night? Initially, probably not, but the crowd definitely favored the underdog - cheering loudly when Musetti hit his first impressive winner.

The tiebreak in the second set really summed up the whole match: Musetti made some impressive shots, but Djokovic was able to win the important points by staying strong in the baseline rallies and causing Musetti to make mistakes. Djokovic won the tiebreak 7-2, and in the first game of the third set, he seemed to be overwhelming his opponent. Musetti made an error on his forehand, giving Djokovic a break point. Musetti could only stand and watch as Djokovic outplayed him in a long rally, finishing it off with a powerful backhand shot across the court.

The final moments of the match were the most exciting. The crowd was eagerly wanting more as Musetti managed to save three match points while the crowd cheered for "LO-REN-ZO". However, Djokovic remained focused amidst the noise and successfully closed out the match on the fourth match point, causing the Italian player to make a mistake. Djokovic took a moment to absorb the atmosphere and excitement. Alcaraz will have the advantage on Sunday, with the support of the crowd and in the game, but Djokovic is in a position that suits him perfectly.