Djokovic Moves Back Ahead Opposed to Ailing Alcaraz At Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic has win to Roland Garros semi-final clash as opposed to Carlos Alcaraz, claiming the third set to lead 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.

The 36-year-old Serbian came out firing in the generational battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier, pulling the 20-year-old Spaniard around with ruins and compatible groundstrokes to win the first set.
However, Alcaraz started to discover his rhythm in the second set, demonstrating great touch around the net and power from the baseline. Alcaraz gets better from squandering 3 sets of points on Djokovic's serve at 4-5, at the end converting his fourth set point to level.

Alcaraz started to cramp in the right calf at the start of the 3rd set, though, and forfeited his service game at 1-1 so he could fast-forward to a changeover and be served by an ATP physio. The Spaniard could not chase down shots and drive through images, with Djokovic moving back ahead after two hours and 46 minutes.

“First and foremost I have to say tough success for Carlos,” told Djokovic in his on-court interview. “Obviously at this level, in the end, you want cramps and physical issues at the late stages of a Grand Slam. 

“I told him at the net. He knows how young he is. He’s got plenty of time ahead of him, so he’s going to win this tournament I’m sure many many times. He’s an unbelievable player, an unbelievable contestant, and a very nice guy, so he deserves all the clapping and all the support.”

Meeting for the first time this season, Alcaraz and Djokovic have waged a neck-and-neck battle in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 2023, trading the top patch four times. Following his 26th win of the season, Djokovic will surpass Alcaraz and return to World Number One if he beat Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

The 2 times Roland Garros champion Djokovic, who is into his 34th main championship match and seventh in his past eight main, is the 2nd oldest finalist in tournament history (since 1925).