Wimbledon 2024 semi-final result: Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz hits back from a set down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in four on Centre Court

Since the ATP rankings were first published in 1973, Carlos Alcaraz has become the youngest player to achieve ATP top five wins on grass, clay and hard court in consecutive seasons (2023-24).

The defending champion is back in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz hits back from a set down to once again defeat Medvedev in an SW19 semi final and set up a Sunday showdown with either Novak Djokovic or Lorenzo Musetti.

The Spaniard served it out to 30 on his first match point to secure victory in two hours and 55 minutes and move within one win of what would be a fourth major title.

Alcaraz can’t quite retrieve a clever dropper from Daniil on a win or bust point at 30-30 for the Russian.

Indeed, the No.5 seed avoids match point and scampers through a hold to give himself one last chance of staying in the tournament.

Alcaraz will now serve for a place in the 2024 Wimbledon final.

Medvedev tries to turn the screw with a magnificent stun volley to take the first point on the Alcaraz serve.

The Spaniard wiggles his way in front and then wins the volley-off at the net to create the breathing space.

A delicious ‘shoe-lace’ serve and volley sees him consolidate and the defending champion is one game away from a return to the final.

Alcaraz conjures up another piece of magic with an improvised backhand flick into the open court after the Spaniard had lured Daniil to the left side of his net.

It seems to unnerve the Russian as he follows a double fault with a forehand long to cough up two break points.

The No.5 seed staves off the first by out-dropping the Alcaraz drop shot, but he folds on the second with a backhand long under pressure.

Medvedev engages in one of those lengthy rallies that are very much his bread and butter, but he’s the one who lapses first at 30-15 and from there it’s all rather routine as Alcaraz quickly levels.

Carlitos hammers his 49th winner of the match but it ends up being a footnote in a clinical game to 15 as Daniil keeps the board ticking in his favour.

Alcaraz bookends a love hold with aces five and six as he re-focuses and shrugs off this disappointment of letting the early opportunity slip.

It was looking bleak for Medvedev just a few moments ago but his belief will be galvanised now as he marauds through a love hold to snare the scoreboard advantage.

Alcaraz turns on the after-burners with a delicate dropper from deep and a backhand down the line that tees up a routine volley at the net to level at 30-30 after a couple of avoidable forehand lapses.

The Spaniard feathers another dropper after a pulsating rally but this time Daniil gets there to jab a deep forehand down the line and up the ante.

Alcaraz dictates in the ensuing exchange but overcooks a forehand long and Daniil is back in business with the immediate break back.

Medvedev can’t close-out a cagey opening game and Alcaraz senses his moment.

The Spaniard can’t convert a first BP but carves out a second chance with a sublime crosscourt dropper on the run that changes the dynamic of a rally and forces the error.

Medvedev can’t resist this time and a forehand long allows the defending champion to secure the instant break in Set 4.

Alcaraz takes care of business with a backhand winner and some hefty serving securing the two-sets-to-one lead on his second set point.

Alcaraz pays the price for being too cute and casual.

The Spaniard tip-toes back to reach a defensive lob and has all day to put away the overhead, but opts for a strange drop smash that crumples into the net.

It should be two set points but instead Daniil gets the reprieve and strong serving helps the Russian pose the serve-out question.

Alcaraz had his head in his hands there. Now he’s got be re-focus and get the job done to ensure it isn’t anything to rue further down the line.

Alcaraz continues to press on towards a two-sets-to-one lead, side-stepping Medvedev’s attempts to up the ante with the pick of his points in a hold to 30 being an emphatic smash and a ridiculous drop shot that licked the tape on its way over.

Medvedev pretty much implodes from 30-0 up with a pair of double faults and a timid second serve that allows Alcaraz to step in and spear a backhand return winner down the line.

Daniil finds the first serve in the nick of time to reach the sanctuary of deuce and then produces a series of fine stretch volleys and a crushing forecourt forehand to dodge out of danger.

A lapse of concentration with a forehand long and a half volley into the net leave Alcaraz with work to do at 0-30.

Fortunately, from his point of view, the first serve is landing more regularly now and he is able to turn the tide, unleashing a stunning drive volley en route to an important hold.

It’s beginning to take the shape of last year’s semi final with Alcaraz improving and his consistency means Medvedev isn’t having the joy he had so often in that opener.

The Russian feels pressure again at 30-30 but survives any further concern to eke out the hold and stay in touch.

Carlitos is far more confident off the forehand now and rasps another howitzer to open before outfoxing Daniil in a game of Cat and Mouse around the net to end and consolidate to love.