Wimbledon Men’s Final Preview: A Djokovic vs Alcaraz Rematch

Can Alcaraz Deny Djokovic His Record-Tying Eighth Wimbledon Singles Title?

Even before the men’s singles Wimbledon draw came out, the one match everybody wanted to see at Wimbledon was top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz squaring off with four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic. After they both posted straight-set wins in Friday’s semifinals, the Wimbledon men’s final preview features the two best tennis players in the world.

Djokovic can tie Roger Federer for the men’s record of eight singles titles at Wimbledon. Federer won five Wimbledons in a row and that is something Djokovic is trying to accomplish.

During the amateur era, William Renshaw won seven Wimbledon championships and that was matched in the Open era by Pete Sampras before Federer began piling up the Grand Slam titles.

The men’s singles final is set for Sunday at 9 a.m. ET (2 p.m. in London). The tennis odds list the best odds and are for Djokovic to win in straight sets as that carries a price of +275. The number moves to +300 for Djokovic to finish things off in four sets and +400 to win in five sets. For those who think Alcaraz will win in four sets, the odds ate +500. They are set at +550 for a five-set triumph for Alcaraz and +700 for a straight-set win.

A No. 1 vs No. 2 Matchup

When it comes to the Wimbledon men’s final preview, keep in mind that the last time the top two seeds met in the Wimbledon men’s final came in 2019 when top-seeded Djokovic topped No. 2 seed Roger Federer in a marathon 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 match.

It was the same story in 2015 when Djokovic defeated Federer in four sets. In 2013, second-seeded Andy Murray topped No. 1 seed Djokovic in straight sets to win the title. Djokovic, as the No. 2 seed, won in four sets against Nadal in the 2011 final.

There was a five-year stretch when the top two seeds reached the final. The 2008 title match that was won by No. 2 seed Nadal against Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 is considered to be one of best matches in tennis history.

It looked like it would be the No. 1 and 2 seeded players reaching the 2022 final before an injured Rafael Nadal was unable to take the court in the semifinal against unseeded Nick Kyrgios.

No Djoking Around

It seemed rather fitting that Djokovic punched his ticket into Sunday’s Wimbledon final by winning a tiebreaker.

Djokovic is 6-0 in tiebreak sets in this year’s tournament with the quarterfinal showdown with Andrey Rublev the only match played by Djokovic not requiring a tiebreaker.

Djokovic has dropped just two sets in the tournament after dispatching of No. 8 seed Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in Friday’s semifinal.

He topped Pedro Cachin, Jordan Thompson, Stan Wawrinka, No. 17 seed Hubert Hurkacz, seventh-seeded Rublev and then Sinner to reach his ninth Wimbledon final. Djokovic had 11 aces and no double faults in the three sets versus Sinner and also saved all six break points.

Djokovic was priced at +120 to win the semifinal in straight sets.

“The pressure is there,” Djokovic told the media after the semifinal win. “It’s still very high. I still feel goosebumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. So I’m going to be coming into Sunday’s final like it’s my first, to be honest.

“I don’t want to approach that final in any more relaxed way than I have previous ones, meaning the intention needs to be clear. The goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it has been always.”

Alcaraz Punches Ticket to Final

After failing to get past the fourth round in his previous two trips to Wimbledon, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz will play in his first Wimbledon final after a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev.

Alcaraz has lost just two sets in his first six matches. The only time he lost the opening set came against unranked Matteo Berrettini in the Round of 16. This will be his second Grand Slam final after he won the 2022 US Open.

Alcaraz took out sixth-seeded Holger Rune and now Medvedev without dropping a set. He had 27 winners and 17 unforced errors in the semifinal win. Alcaraz was broken late in the third set before breaking back to he could serve for the match.

“It’s a dream for me to be able to play a final here in Wimbledon,” Alcaraz said. “I’m going to enjoy this amazing moment. It’s the time to keep dreaming.

“It was really, really difficult to close the match. Daniil didn’t want to lose. He’s an amazing fighter. In that tough moment, I had to be aggressive, and just focus on me and what I do.”

Alcaraz is 46-4 this year as he goes after his sixth title. The Moneyline was set at +225 for him to win in straight sets on Friday.

Alcaraz v Djokovic Head-to-Head

What better way to analyze the Wimbledon men’s final preview than looking at the previous matches between Alcaraz and Djokovic? This will be just the third time that Djokovic and Alcaraz will be meeting and the first time in a championship match.

Alcaraz won 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 in the 2022 Madrid semifinals with Djokovic taking the rematch 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in the French Open semifinals earlier this year.

Alcaraz was slowed by cramping issues on that day and he will need to avoid a similar fate.

What’s At Stake?

• Djokovic looks to extend his record by winning his 24th Grand Slam men’s singles title and he goes after his eighth Wimbledon title.
• Alcaraz is eyeing his second Grand Slam title and to do so before turning 21 is especially impressive.
• The winner of the match will be the top-ranked player when the new ATP rankings are released.
• The Wimbledon schedule delivered 11 five-set matches in the opening round. Is a similar result coming on Sunday?
• After a disappointing ending to their first meeting in a Grand Slam at the French Open, the fans can hope that this showdown lives up to the hype.

For tennis betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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