'A perfect Sunday' - Alcaraz eyes double sporting success

Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday will be a "good day for Spanish people" as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon title on the same day Spain play England in the final of Euro 2024.

The 21-year-old Spaniard clinched a 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 6-4 6-4 comeback victory over fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in Friday's first semi-final.

He will face seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in what will be a repeat of the 2023 showpiece after the Serb beat Lorenzo Musetti in the other last-four tie.

"It will be a good day for Spanish people as well," Alcaraz said of Sunday in his on-court interview.

That led to the Centre Court crowd briefly - and jokingly - booing him for hinting at his allegiance.

Smiling, the three-time major winner added: "I didn't say Spain are going to win - but I say it will be a fun, fun day."

The men's singles final at Wimbledon is scheduled to start at 14:00 BST, with the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on six hours later.

"Being a Spaniard, yeah it would be a perfect Sunday," Alcaraz said of the possibility of a double triumph.

"I have to think of my work. Hopefully let's see if the final is going to be at a good hour to watch the Euros final."

The third seed's compatriot and hero Rafael Nadal won Wimbledon in 2008, when the Spanish football team also triumphed at the men's Euros.

Nadal was the men's singles champion at Wimbledon again in 2010 - the same year Spain beat the Netherlands in the final of the men's Fifa World Cup.

Alcaraz's triumph at the All England Club last year arrived a month before Spain won the Fifa Women's World Cup for the first time, edging England in the final.

Alcaraz recovers from 'really nervous' start

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in last year's Wimbledon final

Alcaraz could become just the ninth man in the Open era to retain the Wimbledon title – after Djokovic, Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

It's also his chance to win back-to-back titles at Roland Garros and SW19 - a rare accomplishment completed by Nadal in both 2008 and 2010, and achieved most recently by Djokovic in 2021.

However, his hopes of defending his title started to fade when Medvedev struck first in the opening set and established a 5-2 lead.

The 28-year-old Russian, normally so comfortable behind his baseline, troubled Alcaraz with deft drop shots and nimble advances to the net.

Despite being ahead, Medvedev was frustrated with a double-bounce call by umpire Eva Asderaki and earned a code violation for his angry reaction.

Asderaki talked to the referee and supervisor before ultimately letting the player off with a warning.

"I said something in Russian, but not over the line," said Medvedev. "So I got a code for it. I didn't say anything too bad."

Despite making his way back to 5-5, Alcaraz could do nothing to stop Medvedev from rattling through the tie-break impressively to win the opener and better his 2023 semi-final showing.

"I started really, really nervous," added Alcaraz. "Daniil was dominating the match, playing great tennis. It was difficult for me."

He burst to life in the second set and a single break of serve was enough for the defending champion, roared on by the crowd, to level the tie.

His intensity increased in the third set and he greeted each winner with a clenched fist and cries of "vamos" as he moved closer to a second straight Wimbledon final.

In a tense start to the fourth set, the players exchanged breaks before the pivotal moment arrived at 3-3 when Medvedev fired long to gift his opponent the lead.

After falling 0-30 down when trying to serve out the match, Alcaraz fought back and Medvedev's hopes of reaching a first Wimbledon final were crushed by a wide forehand.

"Probably in my career he's the toughest opponent I have faced - but I have time to try to do better," said Medvedev, who missed out on a seventh Grand Slam final.

'I am not new any more' - Alcaraz ready for second straight final

Alcaraz came into last year's Wimbledon with a near-perfect build-up, having succeeded at Queen's Club for his first grass-court title.

But his title defence preparations for this year's tournament were stunted following his French Open triumph and he played just two matches on grass - falling in the second round of Queen's to British number one Jack Draper.

It makes Alcaraz's run to Sunday's final all the more impressive.

While he has looked far from convincing in some matches, winning in straight sets just twice, he has shown a new-found resilience to wrestle his way through matches.

Like in his wins over Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul, Alcaraz had to demonstrate impressive mental strength to battle back from a set down against Medvedev - something that will give him confidence for Sunday's final.

"I feel like I am not new any more," he said.

"I know how I feel before the final. I have been in this position before - I will try to do the things that I didn't do last year and be better."