NAISAAYOS nina defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ng Spain at Russia’s fifth seed Daniil Medvedev ang semifinals duel sa Wimbledon Championships makaraang magwagi sa kani-kanilang quarterfinals match noong Miyerkoles.
Humabol si Alcaraz, 21, mula sa one- set deficit upang pataubin si American Tommy Paul, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2, at umangat sa kanilang head-to-head record sa 3-2.
“I had to stay strong mentally when I lost the first set,” sabi ni Alcaraz.
“It was kind of difficult for me, but I knew this was a long journey, a really long match. I’m really happy to find the solutions and the right path.”
Doble kayod naman si Medvedev, 28, upang maungusan si world No. 1 Jannik Sinner 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3, at putulin ang five-match losing streak laban sa 22-year-old Italian.
Sinabi ni Sinner na hindi siya komportable magmula noong umaga, “But nothing to take away from Daniil. I think he played very smart. He played good tennis.”
Inamin ni Medvedev na may sandaling napuna niya na nahirapan si Sinner physically sa laro.
“Then he was less down. He started playing much better.”
Dahil si Medvedev ay tinalo sa straight sets ni Alcaraz sa Wimbledon noong nakaraang taon, ang 2021 US Open champion ay naniniwalang kailangan niyang pagbutihin ang serve upang manalo sa Spaniard.
“I have to serve better. That’s still the most important thing on grass. You serve aces, you serve on the line, you’re less in trouble, and you feel better. That’s where you can put pressure on his serve,” ani Medvedev.
Sa women’s singles, tinapos ni Croatian Donna Vekic ang amazing run ni qualifier Lulu Sun, kung saan humabol ang world No. 37 mula sa one-set deficit upang gapiin ang 23-year-old mula sa New Zealand, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.
Makakasagupa ni Vekic sa semifinals si Jasmine Paolini ng Italy, na namayani kay American Emma Navarro, 6-2, 6-1.
