Carlos Alcaraz beats Holger Rune to qualify for first semifinal at Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz was delighted after beating Holger Rune in the quarterfinal of Wimbledon 2023 at the Centre Court on Wednesday. The Spaniard bested the Dane by 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his maiden Wimbledon semi-final.

Furthermore, Alcaraz became the youngest semifinalist at SW19 since Novak Djokovic did it back in 2007. Both players played an aggressive game from the get-go and took an attacking approach.

Alcaraz had a couple of set points in the opening set on Rune’s serve but the latter was able to save them to force the tiebreaker. At 3-3 in the tiebreaker, there was a change of end, and Alcaraz was able to grab his opportunity.

The Spaniard then took the next two sets with a single break in serve. Alcaraz was delighted after making it to his first Wimbledon semi-final and said it is a dream come true moment for him.

“It is amazing for me,” Alcaraz said. “It is a dream since I started playing tennis, making good results here at Wimbledon, such a beautiful and great tournament for me. It is a dream to play a semi-final here. I think I am playing at a great level. I did not expect to play at such a great level on this surface. For me it is crazy.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz and Rune were familiar with each other’s game as they have been playing against one another since their junior days. Alcaraz now has a 2-1 record against Rune and admitted it was a tough match for him.

“It was tough. At the beginning I was really nervous, playing a quarter-final at Wimbledon and even more against Rune, who is the same age as me,” Alcaraz said. “He plays at a great level and it was tough to play against him. But I have said it a few times, once you take to court you are not friends you have to be focused on your side and I think I did great on that part.”

Carlos Alcaraz will play against Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final on Friday.