French Open 2023 results: Novak Djokovic to face Casper Ruud in final after beating Carlos Alcaraz

French Open 2023 Results: Novak Djokovic Advances to Final, to Face Casper Ruud After Defeating Carlos Alcaraz

In a thrilling French Open semi-final, Novak Djokovic secured his place in the final by defeating Carlos Alcaraz, who suffered from cramps during the match. The contest was poised after two sets, but Alcaraz’s physical issue hindered his performance.

Despite receiving treatment twice, Alcaraz was unable to maintain his level, allowing Djokovic to seize the opportunity and secure a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory. Djokovic, the current world number one, is now just one win away from capturing his record-breaking 23rd men’s major title.

Djokovic’s opponent in the final will be Casper Ruud, who defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets (6-3, 6-4, 6-0) in the other semi-final. Ruud, the fourth seed from Norway, aims to claim his first major title after finishing as the runner-up in last year’s French Open and losing to Alcaraz in the US Open final.

Interestingly, both semi-finals in this year’s French Open were affected by physical issues. Alcaraz’s cramps disrupted his match against Djokovic, while Zverev struggled against Ruud after suffering an ankle injury at the same stage in the previous year. However, Alcaraz’s problem was not as severe as Zverev’s injury.

Djokovic expressed his sympathy for Alcaraz, acknowledging the difficulty of facing physical problems at this level of competition. He wished Alcaraz a speedy recovery and emphasized the young player’s bright future, predicting that he would win the tournament multiple times in the years to come.

The match ended with Alcaraz hitting a forehand into the net on Djokovic’s second match point. Djokovic congratulated his opponent, applauding him off the court alongside the crowd. However, the Serbian player faced some boos from the audience when celebrating his record-extending 34th Grand Slam men’s final appearance.

Reflecting on the match, Djokovic acknowledged the challenges faced by Alcaraz and commended his fighting spirit. He shared his focus on staying present and not getting distracted by the circumstances on the other side of the net.

The semi-final clash between Djokovic and Alcaraz was highly anticipated, with both players being regarded as top contenders for the French Open title. Their impressive performances throughout the tournament had generated excitement, especially after Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal due to a hip injury.

The encounter lived up to expectations with a high-quality display of power, skill, and athleticism from both competitors. Djokovic’s experience and Alcaraz’s rising talent added to the intensity of the match.

However, the turning point came when Alcaraz suffered cramps, causing concerns that the match might end prematurely. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts to continue playing, his limited mobility allowed Djokovic to dominate and secure victory.

Djokovic’s triumph sets up an intriguing final against Casper Ruud, where the Serbian will aim to claim his 23rd major title. Tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between these two talented players on Sunday.

For live scores, results, and the order of play, as well as tennis news alerts, fans can stay updated through various platforms such as the BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the Sport News Center website, and the dedicated app for the French Open.

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