Alcaraz blasts past Medvedev to seal date with Djokovic

A stunning performance yesterday by world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz earned the Spaniard a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev to secure his place in the last four of the ATP Finals. The 20-year-old erased any doubts about his form with a razor-sharp display in his final Red Group match to join Medvedev in the semi-finals of the season finale. Medvedev, who had already qualified, also produced some stunning tennis but Alcaraz pounced to snatch decisive service breaks in each set. Despite his opening loss to Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz topped the Red Group and will face Green Group runner-up Novak Djokovic in a mouthwatering semi-final. The other semifinal pits Medvedev against home favourite Jannik Sinner. Medvedev looked the more dangerous player in the early exchanges and failed to convert break points in the fourth game. But Alcaraz, who is making his debut at the tournament, found another gear at 3-3 as he played four stupendous points to break to love. He then pounced again at 4-4 in the second set as errors by Medvedev helped him secure the break. He then completed victory in emphatic style. Alcaraz and world No 1 Djokovic will meet for the first time since he lost to the Serb in the Cincinnati final. “It’s one of the most difficult challenges that I’m going to face, facing Novak in this tournament that he has won six times,” said Alcaraz. “Obviously Novak is Novak, he’s the best player in the world right now. I’m going to put my best tennis [out there] and I’m going to enjoy it.” With only prize money at stake, Zverev beat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-4 in the final group match.