French Open 2023: Djokovic into seventh final as Alcaraz undone by cramps, to face Ruud

Novak Djokovic reached his seventh French Open final in dramatic circumstances on Friday when world number one Carlos Alcaraz suffered “whole body” cramping and tension which torpedoed his challenge. Djokovic, 36, triumphed in their semi-final 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to become the oldest man in 93 years to reach the championship match where he will be bidding for a third Roland Garros title and record-setting 23rd men’s Grand Slam crown. The drama on Friday unfolded just as Djokovic had levelled the third set at 1-1 with the first two sets split but with Alcaraz seemingly in the ascendancy in the sweltering 33-degree Paris heat. Alcaraz, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, pulled up clutching his right calf. He forfeited his next service game because he sought treatment courtside before a scheduled change of ends and could not receive a medical timeout for cramping.

Never doubt Novak 💪🇷🇸@DjokerNole gets the better of Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach a 34th Grand Slam final.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fefJZKKMxn

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

As boos and jeers rained down, Djokovic, playing in his 45th Grand Slam semi-final, swept the next five games to open a two sets to one lead. Alcaraz left the court for a five-minute bathroom break but his physical limitations easily opened the door for Djokovic to coast into his 34th Grand Slam final, having wrapped up 10 of the last 11 games of the semi-final. Read | **Alcaraz will learn from Roland Garros anguish, says Novak Djokovic** “Tough luck for Carlos, the last thing you want is cramping. I feel for him and hope he recovers and comes back very soon,” said 2016 and 2021 champion Djokovic. “Respect for him in fighting until the end. I told him at the net that he is very young and he will win this many times.”

💬 "I told him that he's got plenty of time and that I'm sure he is going to win Roland-Garros multiple times in the future."

Djokovic sees a bright futur for Alcaraz ⤵️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3eyz5nCKnh

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

More from Tennis

How long will Djokovic continue playing? Tennis icon drops big statement: 'US Open sounded bit like a goodbye' 'Where the hell are the rest?': Boris Becker blasts rivals for failing to challenge Alcaraz and Sinner

He added: “He was the better player in the second set. I knew I had to be more aggressive and then match and better his intensity.” Djokovic will face 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud in Sunday’s championship match where he will have the opportunity to become the first man to win all four Slam titles at least three times. In just their second career meeting, and first at a Grand Slam, Djokovic made light of the age gap by breaking for a 3-1 lead, drawing Alcaraz out of position before topping off a rally with a cool backhand. Alcaraz let slip three break points in the seventh game as his flamboyant all-court game collided head-on with Djokovic’s storied defensive wall. ‘Whole body cramped’ [caption id=“attachment_12718592” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Carlos Alcaraz suffered cramps during his semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic at the French Open. AP[/caption] In a see-saw conclusion to the first set, Alcaraz saved a set point in the eighth game and Djokovic thwarted another break point in the ninth before he pocketed the opener when the Spaniard pushed a service return wide. Djokovic required a medical timeout on his right wrist at 3-4 down in the second set and Alcaraz pounced, finally converting a break point at the sixth attempt for a 5-3 lead. Djokovic hit back immediately as the 20-year-old Spaniard chose the wrong time to serve up his worst game of the match and a driving backhand down the line retrieved the break. Djokovic saved three set points in the 10th game but undid the hard work in the 12th game as a wild forehand sailed long and Alcaraz levelled up the semi-final. It was from that point that Alcaraz’s afternoon painfully unravelled.

💬 "I would say, I take a lesson from that match"

Alcaraz will learn from this match ⤵️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/zsbaMNXN6d

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

“It was really tough for me to move at the third set, and in the fourth set let’s say I had a one percent chance,” said the US Open champion. He admitted that facing Djokovic for the first time at a Grand Slam caused a unique tension which contributed to his physical ailment. “The tension of the first set, the second set, it was really intense. Really good rallies, tough rallies, dropshots, sprints,” he explained. “Novak is a legend of our sport. If someone says that he goes onto the court with no nerves playing against Novak, he lies. Of course playing a semi-final of a Grand Slam, you have a lot of nerves, but even more facing Novak. That’s the truth.” Ruud in third Slam final [caption id=“attachment_12718902” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Casper Ruud moved into the French Open final for a second straight year after beating Alexander Zverev in the semis. AP[/caption] Ruud thrashed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to make his third Grand Slam final in his past five tournaments. He was runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in 2022 and then lost to Alcaraz in the US Open final. The 24-year-old Ruud broke Zverev six times as the Olympic champion’s French Open run ended in the semi-finals for the third time in a row.

💬 "I'm trying to play without pressure and not thinking too much."

Casper Ruud's key to success ⤵️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XK3op91of4

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

“I just went out there and tried to play without thinking too much, trying to play without pressure, and just played really well today,” said Ruud, whose 87 wins on clay are the most since 2020. The fourth-ranked Ruud has never won a set against Djokovic in four meetings, although this will be their first match-up at a major. For Zverev, it was another bitter finish on the same court where he suffered season-ending ankle ligament damage in his semi-final against Nadal 12 months ago. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News ,  India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.