Alcaraz could become just the ninth man in the Open era to retain the Wimbledon title – after Djokovic, Rod Laver, John Newcombe, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

It’s also his chance to win back-to-back titles at Roland Garros and SW19 – a rare accomplishment completed by Nadal in both 2008 and 2010, and achieved most recently by Djokovic in 2021.

However, his hopes of defending his title started to fade when Medvedev struck first in the opening set and established a 5-2 lead.

The 28-year-old Russian, normally so comfortable behind his baseline, troubled Alcaraz with deft drop shots and nimble advances to the net.

Despite being ahead, Medvedev was frustrated with a double-bounce call by umpire Eva Asderaki and earned a code violation for his angry reaction.

Asderaki talked to the referee and supervisor before ultimately letting the player off with a warning.

“I said something in Russian, but not over the line,” said Medvedev. “So I got a code for it. I didn’t say anything too bad.”

Despite making his way back to 5-5, Alcaraz could do nothing to stop Medvedev from rattling through the tie-break impressively to win the opener and better his 2023 semi-final showing.

“I started really, really nervous,” added Alcaraz. “Daniil was dominating the match, playing great tennis. It was difficult for me.”

He burst to life in the second set and a single break of serve was enough for the defending champion, roared on by the crowd, to level the tie.

His intensity increased in the third set and he greeted each winner with a clenched fist and cries of “vamos” as he moved closer to a second straight Wimbledon final.

In a tense start to the fourth set, the players exchanged breaks before the pivotal moment arrived at 3-3 when Medvedev fired long to gift his opponent the lead.

After falling 0-30 down when trying to serve out the match, Alcaraz fought back and Medvedev’s hopes of reaching a first Wimbledon final were crushed by a wide forehand.

“Probably in my career he’s the toughest opponent I have faced – but I have time to try to do better,” said Medvedev, who missed out on a seventh Grand Slam final.