Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The most anticipated appointment at Roland Garros arrives this afternoon at the Phillippe Chatrier (2:45 p.m., DMAX and Eurosport). June 9, 2023 was marked in red on the agenda of the two tennis players since the draw for the tournament draw was known. It could not have been the dream final in the absence of the still champion Rafael Nadal, but it is presented as the great clash of two worlds. alcaraz arrives as the undisputed leader of the new generation before Djokovic, the last stronghold of the impregnable Big Three, which he formed with Roger Federer and the Mallorcan tennis player. A semifinal that has all the ingredients and many open unknowns.
1. Youth versus experience
At 20 years old, Alcaraz has reached the tennis maturity of a veteran with an overflowing physical freshness in his game. Djokovic, just turned 36, is the counterweight to his experience and mental toughness. “I am in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, where I want to play and I hope to win again,” said the Serb, challenging, in the hours before. The young man from Murcia smiled and pointed to his rival as “favorite” when asked about his options , but also ensured feel “like the best” and ready for the challenge.
2. The emotional battle
Djokovic faces the semifinal with the extra pressure of achieving a victory that will allow him to continue with his goal of winning the title for the third time but, above all, get the figure of 23 Grand Slam, and thus be able to surpass the record that he shares with the long-awaited Nadal, although the earth is not his best surface. Alcaraz seeks his first Roland Garros and the second of his career after he US Open in 2022.
3. Uneven season
After a spectacular start to the season with the conquest of the tenth Open the Australia, Djokovic has seen his progression slowed down by not being able to play the American tour because he was not vaccinated for coronavirus. On his return to the European ground tour, his results have not been as expected and has arrived in Paris without any title. Alcaraz did not play due to injury in Australia, but has established himself as the best on land with three titles (Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Madrid) in addition to a final in Rio de Janeiro adding so far 25 wins and only 2 losses.
4. Tactical combat
Alcaraz and Djokovic know each other perfectly. The cards are face up and winning will be like playing a game of chess. “It is very difficult to find holes in Novak,” highlighted the tennis player from Murcia. He uses his offensive potential, explosiveness and his tennis creativity against an opponent who always finds a way to put his opponent in trouble, changing strategy, pressing and defending. “Alcaraz can take you down with a single punch, but Djokovic can knock you out with four runs,” says Brad Gilbert, who was Andre Agassi’s coach.
Alcaraz’s first objective happens to win the first set. Alcaraz has impressed with his explosive starts. In five matches he has only dropped eight games in the first set. Djokovic has had a harder time. He has needed to go to the limit forcing a ‘tie break’ against Marion Fucsovics, two against Alejandro Davidovich and another ante Karen Khachanovto whom he gave up the first set of the tournament and suffered in the second. The Serb will try to stop this bull run from his young rival, but he has already announced that he is prepared for a five-set marathon.
5. Brain work
Alcaraz’s main concern is those concentration gaps that make him lose the tactical scheme. The atmosphere of the center, the tension of the game, could affect him at some point, especially if an old dog like Djokovic tests your nerves. The Serbian has also had mistakes on his way to the semifinal, although he has saved them with his aggressiveness and bravery. “Overcoming them reinforces your mental confidence, even physically and emotionally it is important to win games like this. In the Grand Slam you can lose two sets and end up winning”, he assured with the experience of someone who has played 45 Grand Slam semifinals and has 93 titles.
6. The fight for number 1
Since they met for the first time last year at the Masters 1,000 in Madrid, with victory for Alcaraz (6-7, 7-5, 7-6), the two tennis players have not seen each other again on the circuit. They have had a long-distance relationship, in which they have been snatching number 1. Djokovic got it back in Australia to increase his account to 387 weeks and Alcaraz a couple of weeks ago, in Rome, to add 25 at the head of the classification. The Serb, now world number 3, would need to win Roland Garros to return to number 1. The Murcian will keep it if he goes to the final. They are separated by 435 points.
2023-06-08 18:23:19
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