ATP
Roland Garros Men’s Day 13
Novak Djokovic put nearly two decades of big-match experience to best use on Friday as he defeated cramping young gun Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to set up a French Open final with Casper Ruud.
Djokovic pounced in a tense, taut match with world No. 1 Alcaraz, who will lose the ATP top ranking if Djokovic prevails on Sunday by winning an all-time best 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
Ruud, 2022 Paris runner-up to Rafael Nadal, has reached his third-Grand Slam final in his last five events as he beat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in their first meeting on clay.
The Norwegian winner was the first to reach back-to-back semi-finals here since Robin Soderling in 2009-2010.
He has lost all four of his meetings against Djokovic; Zverev dropped to 1-13 against Top 10 opponents at the Grand Slams.
“I went out and tried to play my best without a lot of emotion. the Scandinavian said after setting up two match points with an ace.
“I played well, I’m very content to win this match.
“I didn’t come to Roland Garros thinking that I could get to the final again. But I’m hoping that the third time will be the charm for me,” added the 2022 finalist here and in New York.
The 36-year-old Djokovic went shot-for-shot with Alcaraz over their first two sets before the 20-year-old’s accumulated nerves led to the cramps which eventually erased any victory dreams.
Djokovic, treated on court for his own existing – if mysterious – elbow and arm problems, was pleased to move into his 34th Grand Slam final.
“It was not the best way to end the match for him, but respect for him for hanging in there until the last point,” the winner said.,
“It was obvious that he was struggling with his movement. It’s unfortunate for the
crowd, it’s unfortunate for a match of this importance for both of us.
“You know, it happens when you play at extremely high intensity as we both did
“For the first two sets, it was so even. It was very demanding physically for both of us. Cramps whatever he was struggling with, can happen.
“I wish him a fast recovery. I’m sure he will be back strong.”
Djokovic strolled through the final two sets as his under-done opponent won just two games.
“The beginning of the third set was key for me to hang on, and something unexpected happened,” the veteran said..
“Nobody really expected him to experience these cramps – from that moment onwards it was a different match
“I just tried to stay there, stay present, make him play. He couldn’t move as well as in the first two sets.”
Djokovic started strong, breaking Alcaraz for 3-1 in the first set and saving three break points against his serve to hold for 5-2.
Alcaraz saved a set point in the eighth game as he fought to stay in the set, but Djokovic wrapped it ; the Serb claimed the opening set after nearly an hour on his second chance, 6-3.
Djokovic was seen by the trainer after the seventh game of the second set for treatment on his right arm and elbow.
The Serb was then broken upon resumption, only to re-break with a backhand winner to the cornet, putting the set back on serve, 4-5.
Saving three more break points in a dramatic 10th game drew the scoreline level, 5-5,
But Alcaraz had the last word, winning the set with a break of Djokovic in the final game, 7-5, to square the contest at a set each after nearly two and a quarter hours.
After losing serve to trail 1-2 in the third set, Alcaraz took treatment for cramping in his right leg but was penalised under the rules as that affliction is not eligible for a time out.
The medical pause drew a round of trademark jeers from the tetchy Chatrier showcourt crowd.
Djokovic took full advantage of his compromised opponent, breaking to love for 4-1 and racing away to 5-1 as the momentum shifted decisively.
Main photo:- French Open 2023 Novak Djokovic celebrates as he beats Carlos Alcaraz Men’s Semi-Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the Barcelona Open, with the Dane lifting the trophy 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The pair of 21-year-olds were familiar foes, having played 20 times in juniors before hitting the Tour; Rune won the first 500 series title of his career and his fifth overall.
Alcaraz was treated three times in the second set after an apparent injury to his upper right thigh/groin after duelling hard in the opening set at the Real Club.
The loss will send Alcaraz back to third in the rankings, with Alexander Zverev moving back to second behind Jannik Sinner as a result of winning the Munich title on Sunday.
Rune, a first-round victim last week in Monte Carlo, reversed his clay momentum in Spain, handing Alcaraz a first loss of a set for the week.
The Spanish top seed’s two final shots both clipped the top of the net and fell back as Rune raised his hands in celebration after 97 minutes on court in the Catalan capital.
“This means the world,” the winner said. “I started the match stressed, he was playing big-time tennis.
“I was able to find my rhythm after he broke me (3-2 in the opening set) and I got more into the match.
“The first set was a big battle with a lot of important points. It was super-important to win the set and gain momentum.
“I’m so proud of myself.”
Rune ended with 18 winners while the ailing Alcaraz produced 33 unforced errors. The Dane claimed his 50th match win on clay and levelled his Tour record in the series to 2-2.
Rune said he channeled Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympic gold medal win from last summer over Alcaraz as he struggled to turn his game around in Barcelona.
“I asked myself what Novak did to win that final. I (realised) that I didn’t need to hit every ball on the line. I need to make him play and hit a lot of balls.”
Rune, who won the elite Paris Bercy Masters 1000 title in 2022, finally began reversing a 13-match loss streak against top five opponents.with his title victory.
Alcaraz may be racing for fitness with the Madrid Masters starting on Wednesday as the ATP ploughs ahead with an unpopular two-week format for Masters tournaments despite growing protest from exhausted players.
Main photo:- Holger Rune celebrates Barcelona win – by ATPTour.com
Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home Munich clay as he beat Ben Shelton 6-2,6-4 to win the ATP event.
The 2017 and 2018 champion here is now threatening Carlos Alcaraz as the pair duel for the world No. 2 position which the Spaniard took over last week after winning Monte Carlo.
Zverev schooled lefthander Shelton in 70 minutes for a second win in their series. The winner becomes the second to hold three Munich titles after countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber (2007, 2012, 2016).
“I’m enjoying my birthday so far,” Zverev said. “It’s extremely special to win in Germany, the most special thing I can do.
January’s Australian Open finalist added: “It’s definitely a great birthday present, I knew I had to play my best today, conditions were very hot and very fast.They were perfect for me.”
The winner broke three times while never facing a challenge to his serve from Shelton as he claimed a sixth career title at the 500-Tour level.
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev with his “birthday” trophy – by BMW Open/Bitpanda
Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into the final of the clay ATP in Bavaria with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan.
World No. 3 Zverev, who won the titles in 2017 and 2018 needed 91 minutes to advance into a title match with Ben Shelton.
The American earned his spot with a .2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 defeat of Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Zverev advanced with nine aces and broke twice in the tidy win over his Hungarian opposition.
“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court,” the winner said. .
“I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow.”
Shelton reached his fourth career final, becoming the first American man to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters 23 years ago.
“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton.
“I’m really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season.
“I’ve been playing well this week and I’m not too stressed right now.”
Main photo:-Alexander Zverev winning in front of his home crowd – by ATPTour.com
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