2024 French Open Day 13: Men’s SF – Alcaraz v Sinner, Zverev v Ruud

For the first time in 20 years, there are no Big 3 members in the French Open semifinals. But it’s not all bad for the fans. Instead, it’s a real taste of the future, rather the present with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz remains the tournament favorite to win his third Grand Slam title. But the Spaniard will have to get by his main rival Jannik Sinner. The Italian has dropped just one set so far and comes into the Friday showdown having won his last 12 in Grand Slam play.

“Everything he does, he does it perfectly,” Alcaraz said of Sinner. “The way that he hits the ball is unbelievable. The way he moves, it’s really, really [good]. He pushes you to the limit in every ball, in every point. I think it is the hardest thing to face Jannik.

“At the same time, I love that. I love these kind of matches. I love this kind of challenge, to have a really difficult battle against him.

“It’s going to be an interesting one. The matches that we’ve played before have been unbelievable games. I think everybody wants to watch this match.”

The two have split their eight encounters with Alcaraz taking the win earlier this year at Indian Wells and Sinner winning on clay a few years ago.

Both have brushed off injury concerns as the French began. Alcaraz was dealing with a forearm injury while Sinner a hip. They both missed time on the clay but have been on-point at the French.

In the second semifinal, two veterans to this stage return as Zverev and Ruud will play for a second straight year for a spot in the final.

Ruud won last year and overall the last two. Zverev is into his fourth straight French Open semifinal, Ruud his third.

“Look, great. I’m in another semifinal here, which I’m very pleased about. Of course I want to win one,” said Zverev. “I want to be in the finals. That’s my main focus. But I think from the level today, it was a good match for me. Happy to be where I am.”

Ruud hasn’t played since Monday after Novak Djokovic gave him a walkover on Wednesday. Zverev has won his last 11 matches.

Regardless of winners, we will see at least a new French Open finalist and a new French Open men’s winner on Sunday.