Djokovic Too Fit For Alcaraz, Ruud Rolls Zverev In French Open SFs

For just over two hours it the long-anticipated Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz showdown lived up to the hype in the French Open semifinals today.

The last two Slam winners and recent No. 1s went back-and-forth slugging it out under the warm Paris sun Friday. Djokovic was all over Alcaraz’s drop shots while the youthful Spaniard showcased his shotmaking and speed but it was Djokovic proving too fit, too strong for the 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

“I’m just incredibly proud to again reach another final,” Djokovic told the crowd after the 3 hour, 38 minute win. “I’m very very happy, but it’s not finished. We have another match. To play another final here at Roland-Garros is truly a dream and I hope I can play at my best level on Sunday to win the title.”

In front of a packed house on Chatrier, Djokovic drew first blood in the battle, breaking Alcaraz for 2-1. Alacaraz would fight back gaining break points in multiple games but fell short of the task as Djokovic took the opener.

The two continued to pound body blows and and mix in some great play at the net. Things turned in the middle of the second when Djokovic sought treatment on his right forearm on the 3-4 changeover.

When he resumed his serve speed was down and Alcaraz pounced for his first break. Alcaraz, though, couldn’t serve it out at 5-4 but broke Djokovic again in the next game as the Serb was still feeling some issue with the arm.

The two split sets and Djokovic left the court.

With both players weary following two hours of war, the moment caught up to the Spaniard. After Djokovic held for 1-all in the third, Alcaraz began to cramp so bad he couldn’t move and was unable to play his service game.

The trainer was called to treat the cramps which were in the right calf area at the time, and by rule Alcaraz would be penalized a game to allow for the medical service.

With Djokovic now leading by a break 2-1, the Serb took over. Alcaraz could barely move. Djokovic ran off 11 straight games to jump out 5-0 in the fourth before Alcaraz began to move slightly better, but it was too late.

“First and foremost, I have to say tough luck for Carlos,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, at this level the last thing you want is cramps and physical problems, during the late stages of the Grand Slam, so I feel for him, I feel sorry, I hope he can recover and he can come back very soon.

“I think we were both at our physical limits to be honest, towards the end of the second set, I wasn’t feeling fresh at all,” said Djokovic. “We went toe to toe, I think it was quite an even match, at one set all and then this thing happened with his cramps in the second game of the third set, and from that moment onward, it was a different match.”

Afterward, Alcaraz admitted to feeling the tension and the pressure.

“I started to cramp in my arm. At the beginning of the third set I started to cramp every part of my body, not only the legs,” Alcaraz said.

“It was really tough for me to move in the third set, and in the fourth let’s say I had a little chance, but it was really tough, my full body start to cramp.

“I have never felt something like I did today. I have never felt that tension that I did in that match,” he added.

“I started the match really nervous. Really good rallies, tough rallies, drop shots, sprints, rallies. It’s a combination of a lot of things. But the main thing, it was the tension that I had all the two first sets.”

And he was clear that the main issue behind his physical distress was Novak!

“He has been in that situation multiple times, more than me. So I think he has dealt better in these situations than me,” Alcaraz said.

“Is not easy to play against Novak. Of course a legend of our sport. If someone says that he gets into the court with no nerves playing against Novak, he lies.

“Playing a semifinal of a Grand Slam, you have a lot of nerves, but even more with facing Novak.”

Djokovic returns to his seventh career French Open final and his all-time record-tying 34 Slam final which he now only with Chris Evert. He’s now just three sets from a men’s record 23 Slam titles and from being the very first man ever to win each Slam three times.

On Sunday, Djokovic will take on Casper Ruud who returned to the finals following an emphatic win over Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to make his third Slam final.

“I didn’t come into Roland-Garros thinking I was the favourite to reach the final, not at all,” Ruud admitted. “I was trying to think one match at a time. Let’s see how it goes from there.

“I’m always thinking about trying to defend this final spot from last year but, yeah, here we are two weeks later. Hopefully third time can be the charm for me.”

In a lengthy first few games, Ruud came out the better and then dug a hold out of an early 0-40 deficit in the second to pace the victory.

Zverev was content with his third straight French Open semifinal especially after what happened a year ago and he still has his sights set on that elusive first Slam title.

“I’m doing everything that I can for it,” Zverev said. “It’s very difficult to speak about it after today because today I got my ass kicked. There is no question about it. I was also not playing the way I wanted to play.

“But that is definitely…my goal. I’m happy that I’m back to where I am so soon after the injury. Normally it takes longer. I was in the semi-final of a Grand Slam. That’s very positive. I missed out on a chance, yes, but that’s life. We move on.”

The 24-year-old Ruud has now made the finals of three of the last five Slams, however he’ll again be the big underdog when he faces Djokovic who he’s 0-4 against losing all eight sets.

“It’s going to be tough. Last year was against Rafa, this year against Novak. What can you say. It’s two of the toughest players in history,” Ruud said.

“I’m just going to be the underdog. Like today, play without too many feelings, try to enjoy, smile. Novak is playing to be the greatest.

“Novak is going for his 23rd, I’m going for my first. It’s a big difference. We will both give it all.”

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