Carlos Alcaraz has already humiliated Daniil Medvedev ahead of Wimbledon clash

Carlos Alcaraz can go into today’s Wimbledon semi-final with the comfort of knowing he’s already ’embarrassed’ Daniil Medvedev. The pair have won one game each against each other but it was Alcaraz who emerged victorious the last time they took to the court.

Medvedev will not have fond memories of that day because he was completely outclassed as the Spaniard claimed a one-sided straight-sets victory to lift the Indian Wells crown.

The Russian, who is seven years Alcaraz’s senior, was totally overwhelmed, losing 6-3, 6-2 in just one hour and 10 minutes. Medvedev particularly struggled to get to grips with Alcaraz’s drop-shot and even admitted after returning to winning ways a few days later that he would try to copy him and use the shot more going forward.

Such was Medvedev’s struggles to pick it up, that at one point during the match, Alcaraz hit three drop-shot winners in a row. A number of fans were completely stunned at how easy a then 19-year-old Alcaraz was managing to exploit holes in the former US Open winners’ game.

@mosesdas tweeted: “Alcaraz is just embarrassing Medvedev. I love it.” @viveks1996 wrote: “Alcaraz toying with Medvedev. 3 drop shot winners in a row,” accompanied by three laughing emojis. @MinoCae added: “Total destruction. Medvedev doesn’t land a single drop shot and Alcaraz is dropping one at virtually every point.”

Medvedev admitted back in April that facing Alcaraz is a ‘scary proposition, particularly due to his drop-shot. He said: “Carlos’ drop shots are very disguised. If it’s not his incredible drop shot, it’s his booming forehand. It will be interesting to play more matches against him. He’s playing great and everyone knows it. If you have him in your draw it’s scary.”

Alcaraz’s straight-sets win at Indian Wells saw him claim revenge on Medvedev who had won their first meeting at Wimbledon back in 2021. And it will no doubt give him a slight mental advantage heading into today’s intriguing semi-final showdown.

But the Spaniard is under no illusions how difficult a task beating Medvedev on grass will be and labelled him an ‘octopus’ following the Russian’s quarter-final comeback win over surprise package Christopher Eubanks.

“Well, he’s really tall, you know. He’s playing great here on the grass. He has had a great, great year as well. I lost the first match we played here on grass. So I have to learn about it,” Alcaraz said. “But going to enjoy the semifinal. I think I’m playing great, a lot of confidence right now. So it’s going to be a really good match I think. I’m going to enjoy it.

“He’s a really complete player. I’m going to say, I think Rublev said a few times, he’s an octopus. He catches every ball. It is amazing. He’s an amazing athlete. I think a mix of everything. He does almost everything well.”

Medvedev, meanwhile, is confident that his Indian Wells defeat won’t ‘count for a lot here’ but admits he is going up against an ‘amazing’ player. He said: “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 saw some of his matches. I saw a little bit against Matteo. Did I see anything else? I’m not sure actually. For sure going to discuss tactically with my coach. It’s interesting to play someone like Carlos. He is amazing, amazing player. He’s still 19, right? What he continues to do is just unbelievable. He doesn’t stop. I don’t think he will.

“But 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.”