Carlos Alcaraz is on a roll at the Wimbledon Championships 2023. The World No.1 defeated one of his strongest rivals, Holger Rune in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4. As a result, Alcaraz is all set to take on World No.3 Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals on Friday.
On the other hand, Daniil Medvedev overcame a tough challenge from USA’s Chris Eubanks to clinch a 5-setter, coming back from 2 sets to 1 down. This is the Russian’s best showing at Wimbledon, with his previous best being his Round of 16 appearance in 2021.
Daniil Medvedev picks Carlos Alcaraz over Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
After his match against Eubanks, Medvedev was asked about Alcaraz in the customary Wimbledon post-match press conference and he was quoted as saying –
“I think the power [is most impressive about Carlos Alcaraz]. When he was 17, which was actually not long ago, he was much less mature and younger, which is normal, he was missing. Everyone saw that he’s amazing, but everyone was wondering is he going to find the way to miss less producing the same power. And he did quite fast. That’s what’s pretty amazing.
“If you give him one easy shot, you can be in trouble. Maybe big chances you’re going to get a winner even with, let’s say, in my opinion, with Novak [Djokovic] or Andy [Murray], even Rafa [Nadal], you kind of feel like you can have a chance to get this shot, but the thing is they’re going to have 20 more. With Carlos, maybe you’re not going to get this one. It’s one shot sometimes is brutal. I think that’s what the most powerful in his game. That’s what I will have to try to deal with.”
While Medvedev was straightforward and respectful enough in sharing his take on the Spaniard, the most striking part of it was Alcaraz getting compared already with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. And the 20-year-old has come out better in one major aspect, i.e. the chances he gives are less and the chances he gets, he makes the most of.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Daniil Medvedev head to head
Medvedev has beaten all the three players at least once, which is why he could be speaking from experience. Interestingly, he had taken on Carlos Alcaraz for the first time at the Wimbledon itself, in Round 2 of the 2021 edition. The World No.1 had won in straight sets.
However, Alcaraz triumphed in their most recent duel at the 2023 final of the Indian Wells tournament in straight sets, with the 20-year-old’s improvement there for all to see. Medvedev didn’t read too much into the past results and was further quoted as saying –
“I think Indian Wells is not going to count a lot here. So slow Indian Wells. I mean, it’s not going to be the same. Wimbledon, the ball bounces lower. The serve is more important. There, I felt like I couldn’t get free points with the serve.
“I played a lot of great players in my career. I managed to win many times. So I’m going to try to do my best. If I show my best, I’ll have my chances,” Medvedev concluded.
Both the players have interestingly won 1 Grand Slam each and it is the US Open itself, with Medvedev clinching the title in 2021 and Alcaraz succeeding him in 2022. The winner of the semifinal will take on the winner of the second semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final.
