calf hit, Carlos Alcaraz yields in the semi-final against Novak Djokovic – Liberation

2023-06-09 18:28:15

Roland-Garros 2023dossier

As the two best players in the world neutralized each other, the 20-year-old Spaniard was dropped by his legs early in the third set. He finished the match as best he could, losing 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

To know who of Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz is really the best player in the world today, we will have to wait. While the semi-final between the old Serb and the young Spaniard kept all its promises, it was finally the legs of “Carlito” who gave up after 2:40 of play. Hit in the calf, the 20-year-old Spaniard finished the match as he could, that is to say rather very badly. And lost in four sets: 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

The “Djoker” in the final

While he was frolicking like a kid until then and had just won the second set, Carlos Alcaraz stiffened on a harmless support, after a missed return of service. It got stuck for a few seconds. Tested his left leg, then the right. Stretched, under the eyes of the referee who had descended from his chair and a Djokovic who had come to his side of the net with the news. The Spaniard then left to sit in his chair and asked for the doctor’s intervention. The rules only allow this kind of service when changing sides, so Alcaraz conceded the break.

When he returned to the court, the native of El Palmar, near Valencia, was no longer the same. Farewell to his vivacity, his speed which, combined with an overpowered forehand and a varied and licking game, made him, in the absence of Nadal, the best player on the planet on clay. Facing a half-player, Novak Djokovic continues the games, winning the third set 6-1.

Carlos Alcaraz took advantage of the in-between sets to go to the locker room and buy time for the medication to take effect. In the meantime, as if to avoid such a mishap, Novak Djokovic was stretching along the court. Back, the Spaniard is better but has a closed face. He limits his runs, regulates his efforts and misses a number of shots which are usually a formality for him. After 11 consecutive lost games, he saved the honor on a service game in the fourth set. Before losing it on the same score as the previous one: 6-1. It is indeed the Serb who will play the Roland-Garros final on Sunday. With the aim of winning a 23rd Grand Slam, unheard of on the men’s circuit.

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