For two sets, the French Open semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz absolutely lived up the hype.
Significant cramping for Alcaraz throughout the third and fourth sets, however, resulted in a sudden and anticlimactic end.
Alcaraz managed to finish the match, but he could not put up much of a fight starting in the third game of the second and Djokovic coasted the rest of the way after the first two sets were split. The 36-year-old Serb prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 after three hours and 23 minutes to reach the final, where he awaits either Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev.
The first two hours of the match could not have been better. Djokovic took the opener thanks to a single break at 2-1, saving four break points along the way. Alcaraz hit back in the second, and although he failed to serve it out 5-3 the 20-year-old Spaniard broke to love at 6-5 to level the contest at a set apiece. Alcaraz’s second-set surge included perhaps the shot of the year.
An instant classic seemed to be brewing, but at 1-1 in the third Alcaraz started suffering from both hand and leg cramps and was temporarily unable to continue. The world No. 1 incurred a game penalty to receive treatment–and it was treatment that never really worked. Alcaraz won just a single game the entire rest of the match, when it was already pretty much over down 5-0 in the fourth.
“First and foremost I have to say tough luck for Carlos,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “Obviously at this level the last thing you want is cramp and physical problems at the late stages of a Grand Slam. So I feel for him; I feel sorry.
“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 incredible competitor, and a very nice guy.
“It’s tough, obviously, for him to not know whether he should retire [from] the match or finish the match the way he did. Congratulations to him for his fighting spirit and hanging in all the way until the last point. Respect for that; great respect.”
Djokovic will play for French Open title No. 3 and a record-setting Grand Slam title No. 23 on Sunday.
[yop_poll id=”303″]
tough
Sums it up!
Well Alcaraz has spoken as to the cause of the cramp s which he says was due to tension.
That was Mats and Tim’s view as well…stress of the moment…
Said it was ” the tension of a big match”.
It should be remembered that Novak clearly has his own physical issues. At the time he took a MTO his level clearly dropped.
The only thing I can see getting in his way of winning is a physical issue.
Novak clearly doesn’t have physical issues. Wafa is the one who does.
Well I beg to differ!! I feel Rudd is in for a chance, he can at least take it to five!!!
Rudd is playing quite well, he just needs to dust up his serves and just keep calm and steady! I feel he can do it if he believes! Last year playing with Rafa, he succumbed like EVERYONE else has. I’m not going to hold that a against him!
Vamos Rudd!!
23 > 22
djokovic literally broke alcaraz and sent him back to the factory tuning.
the 36 years old wizard from Serbia showed how the artistry works. go champ, take the 23rd gs and have the westerners bow down with awry smiles on their hypocritical faces.