Alcaraz defeats Medvedev to set up semi-final clash with Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz won the Red Group with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev on Friday in Turin, setting up a semi-final matchup with six-time champion Novak Djokovic on Saturday night at the Nitto ATP Finals.

With the world's top four players all advancing from the group stage, Medvedev, the 2020 champion, will face Italian hope Jannik Sinner in the afternoon semi-final.

At the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Alcaraz and Medvedev put on a high-quality shotmaking display, with the Spaniard increasing his aggression and moving forward to gain an advantage on the World No. 3.

“I think the most important thing that I did today was to stay strong mentally,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “There were a few games on my serve that I was struggling a bit. His return game is amazing and he puts so much pressure on your serve, so I think to stay calm and stay strong mentally in those moments was the key to give myself a chance to win this match.”

Alcaraz's run of seven consecutive points in the first set, breaking Medvedev's serve to love at 3-3, proved decisive. Alcaraz, making his Nitto ATP Finals debut, used a variety of shots to counter Medvedev's deep court positioning, including serve-and-volleys and drop shots.

Alcaraz saved the two break points he faced and looked for opportunities to step in on returns.

World No. 2 Alcaraz won after one hour and 20 minutes, hitting 20 winners, including 13 off his forehand, and converting 16 of 21 net points to improve to 3-2 against Medvedev.

Alcaraz, a 12-time tour-level champion, will face 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic for the fifth time. The Serbian has won two of their three matches this season, including a three-hour, 49-minute marathon final at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. Alcaraz ended Djokovic's 34-match winning streak at Wimbledon to win his second major title in a five-set thriller.

SportsLigue