Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon reign continues, matches Nadal's streak!

London's Centre Court witnessed a captivating semi-final clash on Friday as World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz overcame a determined Taylor Fritz in four sets to punch his ticket to a third consecutive Wimbledon final. The Spaniard endured a taxing two hours and 51 minutes under sweltering conditions—which twice necessitated medical attention for spectators—ultimately prevailing 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (6) against a resilient American opponent.

The match was a masterclass in serving from both players, who combined for an impressive 32 aces, with Fritz accounting for 19 of them. However, it was the two-time defending champion who demonstrated greater efficiency on his first serve, winning an average of 88 percent of those points compared to Fritz's 80 percent.

"It was a really difficult match," Alcaraz admitted on court after the victory. "It’s always when I have to play against Taylor, even tougher with the conditions today, really hot again. Just really happy with everything I have done today, deal with the nerves. It’s not easy to deal with everything, the nerves and the pressure that you might have. But just happy, in the fourth saving two set points. I’m proud about staying calm and thinking clearly."

With this hard-fought win, the young Murcian sensation has now equaled his compatriot Rafael Nadal's remarkable streak of 20 consecutive wins at the All England Club. Alcaraz stands just one victory away from achieving a Wimbledon hat-trick—a rare feat in the Open Era accomplished by only four other legends: Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. Despite the historical significance, Alcaraz remains grounded, preferring to focus on the present.

"I don’t want to think about Sunday, to be honest. I just want to enjoy this moment, enjoy that I qualified to another final, third in a row here at Wimbledon. I have to take some time and enjoy with my team and close people that I have here. I will have time to think about and play on Sunday. I’m gonna watch the next semi-final as well and that’s it," he commented, choosing to savor the immediate triumph before turning his attention to the ultimate challenge.

Set 1: Alcaraz's swift start

Alcaraz began the match with characteristic flair, opening with a signature drop shot and swiftly breaking Fritz's serve with a couple of winners. He consolidated the break with an easy hold, establishing an early lead. Despite persistent pressure from Fritz on return, the Spaniard's impressive serving routine, punctuated by thunderous forehands, ensured he remained unbroken. Moving fluidly across the court, Alcaraz conceded not a single break point, securing the opening set in just 35 minutes. His dominant performance included six aces and 12 winners, with a perfect 15-for-15 record on his first serve points.

Set 2: Fritz's resilient response

The second set saw Fritz start positively with a hold to love, met in kind by Alcaraz. The action proceeded with straightforward holds until the eighth game, where the American earned his first break point of the match. However, Alcaraz fended it off, letting out a defiant "VAMOS!" from the baseline as he held serve. Vulnerability resurfaced for Alcaraz in the tenth game, but Fritz couldn't capitalize, as the Spaniard toughing out the hold with an ace. Frustration grew for Alcaraz as he missed three second-serve returns in the subsequent game. This culminated in him losing his serve to love in the twelfth game, committing a crucial double fault, allowing Fritz to equalize the match at one set all.

Set 3: Alcaraz regains control

Following a brief seven-minute toilet break, Fritz opened the third set with a confident hold to love. Alcaraz responded immediately, winning four straight points to hold his own serve. The two-time defending champion then secured a crucial break to love, seizing back the momentum. He maintained impeccable serving form, losing only a solitary point through a double fault until the seventh game.

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Alcaraz then earned two set points on return in the ninth game, converting on the second to restore his advantage in the match. His return game was sharp, averaging 40 percent on first serve returns and 56 percent on second serve returns.

Set 4: Tiebreak drama and Alcaraz's calm finish

The fourth set saw Alcaraz serving first for the first time in the match, recovering from a 0-30 deficit with explosive first serves to hold. Fritz followed with a hold to love. Alcaraz frequently employed his renowned drop shots to unsettle his opponent, much to the amusement of Andre Agassi in the commentary box. He created a break point in the sixth game, but Fritz held his nerve to keep the proceedings on serve. With neither player yielding, the set inevitably went to a tiebreak. Alcaraz secured an early mini-break on the third point, leading 4-2 at the changeover.

However, Fritz battled back, earning the mini-break to level at 4-4 and then going one point up, earning two set points. In a display of nerves of steel, Alcaraz saved both, then reeled off four consecutive points to clinch the tiebreak and the match, as Fritz pushed a final return long on match point. Alcaraz will now prepare for Sunday's final, where he aims to etch his name further into Wimbledon's illustrious history books.