(Tennis news) In a matchup between two 20-year-olds at Wimbledon 2023, Carlos Alcaraz overcame Holger Rune 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4 to go to his first Wimbledon semi-final.

In the Open Era (since 1968), Alcaraz’s match against World No. 6 Rune was the first men’s Wimbledon quarterfinal match involving two players under the age of 21, and both played with young freedom on Centre Court to amuse the crowded audience.

For two hours and 20 minutes, they traded damaging shots, but World No. 1 Alcaraz came through when it mattered most, becoming the youngest player to reach the final four at SW19 since a then-20-year-old Novak Djokovic in 2007.

“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.”

With his third major semifinal appearance, Alcaraz moved to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series versus Rune after defeating the Dane en route to the 2021 Next Gen ATP Finals crown. This was his 45th tour-level victory of the year.

“It was tough. At the beggining 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.”

Daniil Medvedev, ranked third in the world, will be the man standing between the Spaniard and a second major final. On Wednesday, the 27-year-old defeated Christopher Eubanks in five sets to record his 46th victory of the year.

Alcaraz and Rune, who were playing each other for the third time and for the first time on grass, dominated a close first set. During the baseline rallies, the Spaniard and the Dane both attempted to get on the board quickly. Alcaraz ran around his forehand to unload, while Rune precisely timed his backhand to put pressure on the top seed. When there was nothing separating them in the tie-break, Alcaraz found tremendous depth on return and completed the set with a backhand pass.

On break point with the score tied at 2-2 in the third set, the Spaniard delivered the match-winning blow by hitting a return onto the baseline, which Rune could only put into the net. Then, Alcaraz maintained his serve strength to advance to his third major semifinal.

“From the second set on, I enjoyed a lot,” said Alcaraz, who struck 35 winners and saved the one break point he faced. “I played my game and had a smile on my face, which is the key to everything. Thanks to winning the first set and screaming that huge ‘vamos’ helped me a lot and helped me find my best level.”

“I think I’ve learned that no matter what the circumstances [are], I have to commit full to my game. I don’t think I did 100% today,” Rune said. “I let him take advantage of I think too many points. When he has the chance to take advantage, he’s amazing.”

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz set to play Holger Rune in Wimbledon 2023