Highlights: Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the French Open at Roland Garros. It is the second time in three years that the world No. 1 has reached the last four in a Grand Slam tournament. The match was the first time in the history of the tournament that a quarterfinal has been decided by a tie-break. The other time was in 2002, when Roger Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-1, 6-3.

As expected, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met Tuesday in the semifinals of Roland-Garros of which they are the favorites in the absence of Rafael Nadal.

Roland-Garros: Djokovic and Alcaraz meet in the semis

As expected, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met Tuesday in the semifinals of Roland-Garros of which they are the favorites in the absence of Rafael Nadal.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on June 6, 2023. © Pierre René-Worms / RFI

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

The young Spaniard No. 1 in the world at 20 years old, played in the quarters of the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th), finalist in 2021, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5). Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Serbian (3rd) lost his first set of the tournament before dominating Russian Karen Khachanov (11th) 4-6, 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-4.

He was better for the majority of the first two sets. I struggled to get into the match, but I managed a perfect tie break," said Djokovic, who is seeking a record 23rd Grand Slam title. "It's like there were two games in one. The first two sets (until the tie break) are my two worst of the tournament so far. And then the third and fourth were pretty good," he said. "When I entered the court today, I had probably left a part of me in the locker room," he summed up after signing his 90th victory on the Parisian clay where only the master of the place Rafael Nadal did better (112).

He will play his twelfth half at Roland-Garros where only Nadal has done better (15 for 14 titles). It will also be his 45th Grand Slam semi and there, only Roger Federer has done better (46).

Novak Djokovic against Karen Khachanov, at Roland Garros, June 6, 2023 © JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP

For his part, Khachanov, who had reached the last four of the last two Grand Slam tournaments (US Open 2022 and Australian Open in January), will not manage the pass of three.

As hoped, even inevitable, it is Alcaraz who will stand in the way of Djokovic on Friday in the semis. The 20-year-old Spaniard, who became the youngest world No. 1 when he won his first Grand Slam tournament last year at the US Open – where Djokovic was unable to participate due to a lack of a covid vaccine – has disgusted Tsitsipas.

« Beating the best »

Even though the Greek, having been leading 5-2 in the third set, saved five match balls in total and pushed the set in the tie break, he was overall completely overwhelmed and subdued by Alcaraz who inflicted 36 winning shots. "I believe in myself, all the time," Alcaraz said of the level of his dominance on Tuesday. "I lost my focus a little bit at the end, but I'm glad I was able to overcome that moment because the end was very tense," he added.

As for his match against Djokovic, "this is the match that everyone wanted to see and that I wanted to play," he said. "Because to be the best, you have to beat the best."

Roland-Garros: Djokovic and Alcaraz meet in the semis

Roland-Garros: Djokovic and Alcaraz meet in the semis

« Beating the best »

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest