The eye test suggests that Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic should be the French Open final, but the current ATP rankings allowed the draw ceremony to have other ideas. Alcaraz and Djokovic landed in the same half of the bracket and almost two weeks later their highly anticipated semifinal showdown has become a reality.
Since Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the tournament, Alcaraz and Djokovic have been far and away the top two title favorites. And nothing about either player’s performance so far this fortnight has changed that.
Faced with a difficult draw in the fourth round and quarterfinals, Alcaraz has been especially impressive. After getting past Flavio Cobolli, Taro Daniel, and Denis Shapovalov, the 20-year-old destroyed both Lorenzo Musetti and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Only Daniel has managed to take a set off Alcaraz.
Djokovic also dropped only one set on his way to the semis while disposing of Aleksandar Kovacevic, Marton Fucsovics, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Juan Pablo Varillas, and Karen Khachanov. Tuesday’s quarterfinal clash against Khachanov was tense for two sets, as the Russian took the first and pushed the second to a tiebreaker before falling 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4.
The end result is what will be just a second-ever meeting between Alcaraz and Djokovic. They previously faced each other in the semifinals of the 2022 Madrid Masters, where the Spaniard prevailed 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) on his way to the title.
Friday’s matchup has a chance to be every bit as good. Both players should be confident, as Alcaraz is 35-3 this season and since the Australian Open (which he missed due to injury) has been the best player on tour–including throughout this French Open. Djokovic is obviously a dominant force in Grand Slams, with 22 such titles–including two at Roland Garros.
Of course, Alcaraz won the last major in which he participated (2022 U.S. Open) so it’s hard to say that Djokovic’s experience at the business end of slams will be a real factor on Friday. The bottom line is that the 36-year-old Serb will have to raise his level to match and surpass that of his opponent if he wants to reach the final and ultimately win a record-setting 23rd major title. Djokovic has struggled at times in various matches this fortnight and has often resorted to drop-shots to bail himself out of sticky situations. Drop-shots, of course, are not at all the recipe for success against the best mover on tour in Alcaraz.
If the top seed continues to play like he did against Tsitsipas, he isn’t going to lose in Paris–not even to Djokovic.
Pick: Alcaraz in 4
WWW?
Ricky is spot on
Could be the thriller of the year….so far….Charlie in 3.
Agree with Ricky. Novak has to raise his game. You would think he will and Alcaraz has,strange dips in concentration when he goes off the boil and makes errors.
But on the form shown in this tournament and the period going into it Alcaraz is playing better.
When it comes to formidable players like Nole and Carlos it’s really hard to make a call. Like look what happened with Medvedev and Rafa at the AO…….no one thought Rafa had a chance…….even Rafa was surprised he got to the final, lol!!!
Me? I’m just hoping for a great match and if Alcaraz wins I would be happy. I would much rather Nole win his 23rd anywhere but at the FO!
agree
Novak 3-2
Nole hasn’t lost a grand slam semi-final in a long while.
I think the trend continues here.
And look at the odds, you don’t often see that kind of value on the Djoker.
I’m with Novak Djokovic on this one, I know he is the underdog can you believe that? What age those to a champion 😔 like Novak but that’s life we all grow old but Djokovic still has some Grand slams to win, I know the French Open slam is not his favorite his probably won it twice or thrice not sure will check later.
If this semi was in the Australian Open or Wimbledon then Novak will definitely defeat Alcaraz, the clay slam makes it hard for Novak to win but I’m still with the champion on this one 💪👍💯 regardless of the result.
Obviously my heart says Novak but my head is confused 😕 if I had to bet on this match I will go with the over games or over 3 sets will likely avoid picking a winner.
I hope Novak wins this ❤
*what age does*
Novak has won Roland Garros twice.
“If this semi was in the 2022 or earlier Australian Open or Wimbledon then Novak will definitely defeat Alcaraz”
Fixed it for you.
Fixed nothing 😁😁😁 Fix yourself first.
No one can take away your right to dream.
Which Alcaraz is going to turn up today?
I know he won the USO but he did it the hard way against far lesser players than Novak.
He didn’t do well in last year’s RG and wimby. I worry a bit about his hyper confidence. He has been playing players with one handed bhs who he can easily slaughter.
It’s going to be very hot today. Doesn’t this favour the younger player? Novak isn’t as fit as he used to be and he doesn’t sometimes like the heat.
Novak really has to step up with his fh.
Alcaraz is akin to 3 year old racehorse that’s been primed for a Group 1 race.
Novak has really turned up today.
Alcaraz looking jumpy. Kind of feared this would happen.
This is only his second sf in a,slam.
It might not get any better, but it’s the first set and jumpiness can calm down. We shall see. Hope it does because it will be a lot more fun.
He will eventually. But the gulf in experience is really showing.
I don’t think it was sensible for him to talk beforehand about being very confident. Just piling the pressure on himself.
The dynamics just changed
The dynamics of the match just changed
The pendulum, the psychology, the pressure.
There’s nothing wrong in Alcaraz saying before the match that’s he’s confident, but he HAS to show up. I believe it was more important for Novak to win first set than Alcaraz!! But let’s c what happens when Carlos settles
Has Djokovic hit an unforced error yet. Hates losing.
Rock solid from Djok and forehand speed has got better, but Al is losing it with his UE count. Needs to settle or the match is lost.
Love the way Al volleys, it looks like a ballet move.
Alcaraz’s serve is the shot which has kept the scoreline close.
Alcaraz is getting a lesson in patience.