French Open: Djokovic-Alcaraz Inevitable

June 7, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Men\’s Draw: #1 Carlos Alcaraz & #3 Novak Djokovic Advance to Set Up Semifinal Clash

The French Open quarterfinals saw the favorites advance on Tuesday at Roland-Garros. Novak Djokovic rallied after losing his first set and Carlos Alcaraz put Stefanos Tsitsipas to rest in straight sets. Both of the favorites in the men’s draw will now meet in the semifinals, and it’s Alcaraz’s turn to try and knock off the Djoker. Only four men have claimed the clay-court crown in the past 18 years — Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, and Djokovic. The pair of superstars have only met once before, and Alcaraz beat the Djoker on clay (Madrid, 2022). A realistic look at the present and future coming up in the semis.

Men’s Singles Highlights (Quarterfinals)

#1 C. Alcaraz def. #5 S. Tsitsipas (6-2, 6-1, 7-6)

#3 N. Djokovic def. #11 K. Khachanov (4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4)

Today’s Schedule (Men’s QFs)

#22 A. Zverev vs. T. Etcheverry (9:00 am ET)

#4 C. Ruud vs. #6 H. Rune (2:15 pm ET)

Women\’s Draw: Ukrainian Elina Svitolina Snubs Belarusian #2 Aryna Sabalenka After Loss

In the women’s quarterfinals, one major storyline from Tuesday was the national backgrounds of one particular match. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina was riding a must-see Cinderella story in this French Open, but tensions at homemade post-match pleasantries unwanted. Svitolina was booed for not shaking hands with Russian Daria Kasatkina after her fourth-round victory. She was booed again after doing the same to Belarusian #2 Aryna Sabalenka following Svitolina’s loss in the quarterfinals. The Ukrainian star had previously stated that she wouldn’t shake hands with players from Russia or Belarus due to ongoing conflict between the countries. Regardless, Sabalenka is moving on and Svitolina is going home.

Women’s Singles Highlights (Quarterfinals)

#2 A. Sabalenka def. E. Svitolina (6-4, 6-4)

K. Muchova def. A. Pavlyuchenkova (7-5, 6-2)

Today’s Schedule (Women’s QFs)

#7 O. Jabeur vs. #14 B. Haddad Maia (5:00 am ET)

#1 I. Swiatek vs. #6 C. Gauff (6:30 am ET)

NBC Sports: Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz Set French Open Semifinal Showdown

Photo: Lionel Hahn / Getty Images