French Open: Carlos Alcaraz, ranked No. 1, and Novak Djokovic, who is attempting to break Grand Slam records, will square off in the French Open semifinals in what is sure to be a highly anticipated matchup.
With Djokovic, 36, going for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam championship, and Alcaraz, 16 years his junior, going for a second, it’s an intriguing clash of the generations.
When Alcaraz defeated Rafael Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back in Madrid last year, he made it clear that he was not just the present but also the future of tennis. This was their first and only meeting.
Since then, they have painfully missed each other. Djokovic was ruled out of the US Open due to vaccine requirements, where Alcaraz won his maiden Grand Slam championship, while the 20-year-old was sidelined with an injury during the Australian Open.
They both advanced to the semifinals by dropping just one set, but Alcaraz has impressed more thus far, playing three and a half hours fewer sets than Djokovic has through five matches.
Before playing a faultless second-set tie-break against Karen Khachanov, the Serbian appeared to be in trouble for a moment.
One of Djokovic’s biggest assets is his ability to focus when it counts, along with his unrivalled shot placement precision and exceptional accuracy.
Alcaraz is the youthful impressionist, utilising the clay canvas to display his brilliance and vigour, if Djokovic is the ancient master.
On his route to the semifinals, the top seed destroyed the Greek hopeful and Italian prospect Lorenzo Tsitsipas by playing at a level that is seldom seen.
Alcaraz referred to the masterclass match as “one of the best” of his career. He will need another against Djokovic, who will not tolerate any lapses in focus.
According to his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz is eager to face Djokovic.
Ferrero believes his guy is prepared to defeat Djokovic because he has success on the Parisian clay, having won the championship there in 2003.
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