Set up for the (big) show. This Friday afternoon, all tennis fans, whether they are in the stadium, in front of the TV or on the screen of their smartphone will want to see THE match between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. The winner will not lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires, however, since he still has a step to climb on Sunday against Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev, who face each other in the other semi-final...
Alcaraz-Djokovic, the match of the year
Everyone is eager to see the Spaniard, 20 years old and world No. 1, face the Serb, 36 years old and No. 3 in the ATP. Including the two main stakeholders. "Since the draw, everyone has been waiting for this match, to see the semi-final against Novak, myself too," smiled the Murcian, winner of his first Grand Slam at the US Open last summer. Since last year (and his 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 win in Madrid in their only match on the circuit), I wanted to face Novak again. We will both play at a very high level. As I said before, if you want to be better, you have to beat the best. »
Vamooooooos! 🧡🔥
📸 @rolandgarros Getty pic.twitter.com/4ZhVwwP0sC
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) June 6, 2023
Same story, almost word for word at the Belgradois, who aims in Paris a 23rd major title to overtake Rafael Nadal. "Carlos brings a lot of his intensity during the games. He reminds me of someone who plays well with his left hand in his country (Nadal)," he jokes. This will surely be the biggest challenge for me in this tournament. He's really the person to beat here. Will the passion and power of the young prodigy get the better of the champion's experience?
Ruud-Zverev, the ball of the ghosts
We did not necessarily expect them at such a party. Casper Ruud, 24 and world No. 4, and Alexander Zverev, 26 and No. 27 in the ATP, will fight for the other ticket to the final. Last year, the Norwegian was swept by Nadal on the last Sunday of the tournament. And his recent results on clay were not really a guarantee of success. The German had left his right ankle on court in the semi-finals and had been chasing his level since returning from injury earlier this year. "I hope it will be a fun game. It's great to see Sascha back, Ruud whispers. It's our best result this year, both for him and for me. We'll both try to enjoy the moment. »
1. Against Holger Rune, Casper Ruud recorded the first win of his career against a Top 10 Grand Slam:
❌ vs Federer (RG 2019) vs Berrettini (US 2020) vs Thiem (RG 2020) vs Rublev (OA 2021) vs Nadal (RG 2022) vs Alcaraz (US 2022) vs Rune (RG 2023)
✅
❌
❌
❌
❌
❌ pic.twitter.com/vHGeaZZzMa
— Game, Set and Math (@JeuSetMaths) June 8, 2023
Zverev has never reached a final in Paris. The Hamburger would see himself starting this year. "It's a tournament that was marked with a cross on my calendar this year," he said. I'm happy with the way I'm playing, the way things are going. The tournament is not over. I still have two very difficult games ahead of me... »