Djokovic joins French Open final after epic match marred by Alcaraz injury

2023-06-09 18:26:39

From our special correspondent Porte d’Auteuil – At the end of an anthology semi-final but truncated by Alcaraz cramps, Novak Djokovic qualified for a new Roland-Garros final (6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 ). He will attempt to conquer a 23rd Grand Slam title, which would be an absolute record in men’s tennis.

Published on : 09/06/2023 – 18:26

A duel worthy of the Nadal-Djokovic of previous editions, and then tragedy. The Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz conceded defeat, Thursday, June 9, against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros. The duel was set to remain in the annals of the French Open, but nasty cramps in the third set prevented the Spaniard from defending his chances with the same intensity as in the first moments (6-3, 5-7 , 6-1, 6-1).

A few hours before this tragic conclusion, Djokovic had attacked his 45 hard^e Grand Slam semi-final and easily won the first game. Then Alcaraz set the sights and started pounding the world number 3 with his fearsome forehand. The duel was on.

La machine Djokovic

Faced with a Carlos Alcaraz a little tense by the stake, Djokovic ends up winning the first break of the match. Angry fist towards the corner of the Philippe-Chatrier stadium which chants its name, “Nole” exults. And confirms its advantage in stride.

The Djokovic machine seems launched, but it almost stops on his fourth service: in delicacy on his first balls, “Nole” offers three successive break points to the Spanish prodigy. However, “Carlito” did not materialize and Djokovic concluded with an authoritarian ace and definitively took the advantage in the first set, concluding it on his second set point (6-3).

Begins a second, rougher set. The two men seem marked by the heat that reigns on the court. The Spaniard and the Serb multiply the errors and struggle to make the break

A second anthology set

Philippe-Chatrier holds his breath when the two men reward him with one of the most beautiful exchanges of the tournament. Caught at the net, the Spaniard manages to deliver a winning passing on a slide completely back to the game. The ball finds the line and Novak Djokovic can only watch it, helpless. A handsome player, he applauds his opponent as the stadium capsizes.

Carlos Alcaraz finds the opening at the end of the round to make the break. “Nole” finally cracks and the Spaniard serves for the second set. But Novak Djokovic, with his 22 Major titles, has the experience for him. Tirelessly returning the Spaniard’s balls to the field, he managed to get out of it and unbreak, concluding the game with a perfect backhand on the line.

The young tennis wolf believes he holds the set in the palm of his hands when he emerges at 40-0 on his opponent’s serve. But, Djokovic, again and again, erases them, returns from the devil vauvert and sends the Spaniard back to his studies for a time (5-4). But, after two very high-flying games, Carlos Alcaraz gives himself new opportunities to conclude on his opponent’s service: this time, the native of El Palmar does not tremble (7-5).

While the duel seems set to last, Carlos Alcaraz winces in pain and holds his leg in pain after a banal comeback. He opts for a medical time-out and must therefore concede his service game, the regulations not authorizing a medical time-out in the event of cramps except for a change of sides.

If the Spaniard accepts the strict rule, “Nole” suffers a bronca when resuming play. And for good reason: the rhythm and intensity suffer from the suffering of Alcaraz. The two men struggle to shorten the exchanges and Djokovic even seems to spare his opponent. Without suspense, the Serb bends the third set quickly (6-1) against his opponent who can no longer run.

2 SETS TO 1 DJOKOVIC

Alcaraz hit in the leg, the Djoker took the opportunity to regain the lead, 6-3 5-7 6-1

Will Carlitos recover? pic.twitter.com/T4whImK4KX

— We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) June 9, 2023

After a medical timeout, Carlos Alcaraz refuses to give up. He presents himself with the support of the public against the Serb to play the 4^e set, but can do nothing against a Djokovic who does not even have to force his talent. Carlos Alcaraz gleans a game but impossible for him to do more.

The scenario is cruel for the Spaniard, who dreams of succeeding Nadal on the Roland-Garros list. Ultimate vexation, he risks losing his place as world number 1 at the hands of his opponent of the day in the event of victory for the Serb on Sunday. But Djokovic doesn’t care: what he is aiming for is a place in history with the record of 23 Grand Slams won.