Novak Djokovic goes to half and waits for Carlos Alcaraz – Liberation

The 36-year-old Serb got rid of Russian Karen Khachanov (11th in the world) in four sets on Tuesday June 6. He could cross paths with world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the next round if the Spaniard wins tonight against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

If we were to draw a Chinese portrait of Novak Djokovic Roland 2023 version, we would see him as a boa constrictor. Like the snake, the Serb first seems to take his time, study his victim and let him believe that a positive outcome is possible. Before, game after game, to wrap around her and watch her struggle and then die exhausted.

On Parisian ochre, some resist better than others. In the second round, the Hungarian Fucsovics will have held a set, until losing the tie-break and being swept behind. In the third, the Spaniard Davidovich Fokina will have held two, again lost in the tie-break, before collapsing (6-2) in the third. This Tuesday, June 6, in the quarter-finals, the Russian Karen Khachanov will also have resisted two sets before dying of exhaustion under the blows of boa Djokovic. A victory for the Serb in four sets (4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4), 3:38 of play and a qualification in the last four of Roland-Garros.

Semi-finalist in his last two Grand Slam outings (US Open and Australian Open), defeated in the round of 16 last year by Carlos Alcaraz, Khachanov presented on paper a more extensive CV than the Serb’s previous opponents . But if he had already beaten Djokovic, in the final at Bercy in 2018, he has since remained on nine losses in a row against world number 3. A tenth was added to his collection.

Two sets hung then a demonstration

In the first set, the Russian plays fair, holds his serve (no break point for Djokovic) and takes advantage of his opponent’s gifts. A break will be enough for him to win the first set (6-4 and 17 unforced errors for “Djoko” against eight for Khachanov). The second is more balanced. The faults are distributed and the two players neutralize each other on their respective service games. No break point on either side, the set goes to tie-break. Moment chosen by Nole to press the accelerator: 7-0 sent in two minutes. Two hours of play and one everywhere, Khachanov service.

Djokovic continues. An entry break, with the help of the net, then a demonstration throughout the set: the Serb won 16 of his 17 points in service, half on that of the Russian and only committed one unforced error. Enough to win the third set 6-2. Khachanov took a blow to the head. The fourth is more disputed, Djokovic loses his serve once but takes his opponent’s twice. Before finishing with an ace, his eleventh of the match, to slip into the semi-finals.

In the next round, he could cross paths with Carlos Alcaraz, world number one and in demonstration this year at Roland. A final before the hour everyone has been waiting for since the draw two weeks ago. It remains for the Spaniard to win this evening against Stéfanos Tsitsipas.