Carlos Alcaraz breaks new ground in Vienna to secure 37th ATP Tour final versus Daniil Medvedev

Carlos Alcaraz originally was not in the Vienna Open draw. He has fully capitalised in an opening in his schedule to reach a 37th ATP Tour final following a 6-4, 7-6(2) victory over Daniil Medvedev, whose seven-match winning streak comes to an end.

After a challenging week with some intense matchups against the likes of Karen Khachanov, Nikoloz Basilashvili and Tommy Paul, the seven-time Grand Slam champion has outlined his credentials on indoor hardcourt and seems to be the player to beat, along with Alexander Zverev, with Jannik Sinner’s absence.

Alcaraz was competing in his 50th ATP Tour semi-final and prevailed in it for a fifth ATP Tour final in 2026. That is the fifth consecutive year he has reached that many finals, with the added information that he missed six months with a wrist injury. Stunning stats for a supreme talent who continues to go from strength to strength.

Medvedev was always going to be a very tricky customer. The former World No.1 has reached the semi-final in all the tournaments he has competed following the US Open and has secured his return to the ATP Finals. However, on this occasion Alcaraz proved to be too good and he did not have the answers to tame the beast.

In both sets Alcaraz got the first break but both times Medvedev reacted in commendable fashion, instantly getting the match back on serve. A late flurry in either set proved to be the winning combination for Alcaraz who got it done with another tiebreak. He will take on the winner of Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur.

Alcaraz had won four of the past five meetings against Medvedev, but it was the Russian who had the bragging rights after winning at this stage in Indian Wells earlier this year. He was hoping to repeat those events but had work to do from the start.

Alcaraz began with a hold to love before another two routine service games passed by. The first break was unearthed by the 23-year-old in a statement of intent, but that was immediately abolished by Medvedev who was not going to let his more youthful opponent leave his gaze.

He got back level at 3-3 with the first set hanging in the balance. Alcaraz moved up the gears when necessary, as Medvedev showed signs of weakness. A hold to love put him one away, and the Medvedev second serve was a port of call that Alcaraz was looking to capitalise on. A double fault gifted him a first set point, and that was converted with no qualm to confirm the upper hand.

Medvedev pushed for the instant response at the start of the second set, but no break points were formed. Alcaraz had got himself in a number of precarious positions throughout the week in the Austrian capital and always discovered another level when on the back foot.

It seemed that Alcaraz had taken a huge step towards the final as he overcame recent frustrations to secure the break advantage, letting out a huge roar. Four points later, that was extinguished thanks to a commanding break to love. Medvedev made it eight points from nine, and the scoreboard was all square at 4-4. Four games later, a tiebreak was needed.

It took until the fifth point for a player to win a point on serve. It was then Alcaraz who kicked on, leading 5-2 on serve following a blistering rally. He created four match points and took the first one for a first final in Vienna. He won the last six points in that contest and is still yet to drop a set in the entire tournament.