By: Kwame Bediako
Carlos Alcaraz fought off a determined Taylor Fritz in a gripping four-set Wimbledon semi-final to secure his third consecutive final appearance at the All England Club. The two-time defending champion triumphed 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) on a sweltering Friday afternoon, extending his winning streak at Wimbledon to 24 matches and moving closer to a historic three-peat.
Alcaraz set the tone early by breaking Fritz’s serve in the opening game of the match and maintained his composure to take the first set with clinical serving, dropping just four points on serve. However, Fritz responded with resilience in the second set, leveling the match after breaking Alcaraz’s serve at a crucial moment to win the set 7-5, demonstrating his improved game and fighting spirit.
The third set saw Alcaraz regain control with another early break, putting him within one set of victory. Yet Fritz refused to relent, pushing the match into a tense fourth set that culminated in a dramatic tie-break. Fritz stormed back from a 1-4 deficit in the tie-break to claim two set points, but Alcaraz’s nerves of steel saw him save both and clinch the match on Fritz’s backhand error.
Throughout the nearly three-hour contest, Alcaraz showcased his growth as a player, particularly his enhanced serve, which he humorously dubbed his “serve bot” mode.
His ability to stay calm under pressure and manage the intense heat proved decisive against a formidable opponent who pushed him to his limits. Fritz’s performance, marked by grit and improved serving, signaled his potential to challenge the sport’s elite in future tournaments.
