Alcaraz sets up Roland Garros semi-final clash with Djokovic: what is their head-to-head record?
The Spaniard beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1 7-6 and will face the No.2 ranked Novak Djokovic in Friday’s semi-final.
Carlos Alcaraz made short work of his quarter final meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas out on Philippe Chatrier court, beating the Greek - the runner-up in the 2021 event, 6-2 6-1 7-6 out on Philippe Chatrier court. It means that Alcaraz, the world No.1 will go head to head with Novak Djokovic on Friday for a place in the final.
Djokovic, who bounced back after losing the first set to beat Karen Khachanov 4-6 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 6-4 just a couple of hours earlier on Tuesday, strides into a his 45th Grand Slam semi-final - just one behind Roger Federer’s all-time record. More importantly, he is one step closer to clinching that all-elusive 23rd major singles title that would see him edge ahead of Rafa Nadal and make the record his own.
Alcaraz stands in the way of Djokovic making history and heads into Friday’s semi-final as the bookies’ favourite. It’s the furthest he has gone at Roland Garros in four appearances. Last year, he was eliminated by Alexander Zverev at the quarter final stage and made it as far as the Third Round in 2021. But 2023 is already turning into a memorable year for the 20-year-old from Spain’s east coast, with victories at the Argentina Open, Rio Open, Indian Wells Masters and on home turf in Barcelona and Madrid under his belt.
Djokovic at Roland Garros
At almost twice Alcaraz’s age, Djokovic understandably has far more experience at the French Open. He has racked up 90 victories in the tournament - only Nadal, with 112, has more. He has reached the final six times and lifted the trophy twice, in 2016 and 2021.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have crossed paths just once - in the semi-finals of the 2022 Madrid Mutua Open in May last year. The Spaniard was the stronger on clay, beating Djokovic 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) to confidently secure a place in the final where he crushed Zverev in two sets.
After seeing off Tsitsipas, Alcaraz says he is looking forward to what will be his second encounter with Djokovic and told courtside cameras: “I would say I feel the energy and the love form the people and playing here is amazing. I feel the love, the energy from the crowd. This match everyone wants to watch and I would say it is going to be a good match to play and watch as well. I really wanted to play this match. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best, and Novak Djokovic is one of the best in the world at the moment. It’s going to be a tough one for me but I am really happy to play such a great level.”