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French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result and reaction as Casper Ruud sets up final

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result and reaction as Casper Ruud sets up final

Novak Djokovic is through to the French Open final after Carlos Alcaraz was hit by injury in their first ever grand slam meeting.

The match was fascinatingly poised at one set all when Alcaraz pulled up with a leg issue at 1-1 in the third. From there, Djokovic won nine games in a row as he sealed a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory in over three hours to move a step closer to a men’s record 23rd grand slam title.

It doesn’t tell the full story in what was an absorbing contest from the start, with Djokovic and Alcaraz reaching a stunning level as the most-anticipated match of the year delivered a thrilling battle over the first two and a half hours of play.

But the turning point came as Alcaraz was hit by physical issues. The 20-year-old could barely move and was unable to recover despite taking several medical timeouts. Although Alcaraz battled on, the match was over as a contest and Djokovic will now face Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final after last year’s runner-up crushed Alexander Zverev in straight sets.

Follow live reaction from Djokovic vs Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals, below:

French Open LIVE: Latest Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz updates

  • How to watch the French Open

  • Game, set and match! Novak Djokovic through to French Open final

  • Carlos Alcaraz hit by injury as Djokovic wins 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1

  • Game, set and match! Casper Ruud thrashes Alexander Zverev to set up Djokovic final

  • Medical timeout! Alcaraz forfeits game as right leg hit by cramp

  • Second set! Alcaraz breaks Djokovic to win thrilling second set 7-5

  • Shot of the tournament! Alcaraz rips stunning backward forehand

  • First set! Djokovic wins opening set 6-3 against Alcaraz in 56 minutes

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 18:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open hopes were hobbled by cramp as Novak Djokovic moved through to a 34th grand slam final in anti-climactic fashion.

Alcaraz had just won an electrifying second set to level the hugely anticipated match and looked like he might be grabbing the ascendancy when, after hitting a forehand, his right leg seized up.

The 20-year-old initially appeared unable to move but eventually limped back to his seat and was forced to forfeit a service game in order to have treatment.

The crowd loudly jeered when they realised the game had been awarded to Djokovic but that was the least of Alcaraz’s troubles, with the Spaniard, who had been wowing Philippe Chatrier with his incredible movement and dynamism, reduced to little more than walking.

He opted not to retire but could offer little challenge to Djokovic thereafter and won only one more game, with the Serbian completing a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory to move through to his seventh final on the Parisian clay.

Report by Eleanor Crooks in Paris

Novak Djokovic reaches another final as Carlos Alcaraz struggles with cramp

What happened to Carlos Alcaraz? It was all down to Novak Djokovic

Friday 9 June 2023 21:02 , Jamie Braidwood

In the end, Novak Djokovic was right: Carlos Alcaraz may have won their only previous meeting, but best-of-five at a grand slam was always going to be different.

So it proved. For well over two hours, the most-anticipated match of the year lived up to the hype. Djokovic and Alcaraz traded blows and held the French Open crowd in their spell. Djokovic needed to be at his highest level to take the first set 6-3, then Alcaraz found his spark and raised his own game to win the second 7-5. A third set of equal brilliance beckoned, as did a fourth and even a fifth.

But then Alcaraz stopped. After jumping on a Djokovic serve, he pulled up and felt his lower right leg. His calf had seized painfully, and the cramps began spread their way around his body. “Not only the legs,” Alcaraz said. “The arms, as well.” It was a different match from then. Alcaraz refused to quit but it was a non-contest. The Spaniard, so thrilling when in full flight, moved like a bird whose wings had been clipped.

It is perhaps only now that Alcaraz and everyone else realises how different a proposition facing Djokovic at a grand slam really is.

What happened to Carlos Alcaraz? It was all down to Novak Djokovic

French Open highlights: Djokovic outlasts injury-hit Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 18:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Ah, what could have been. Those first two sets were absolutely stunning.

Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 17:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Classy from Djokovic:

“First and foremost I have to say tough luck for Carlos, obviously. At this level, the last thing you want is cramps and physical problems in the late stages of a Grand Slam. I feel for him, I feel sorry. I hope he can recover and come back very soon.

“It’s tough, obviously, for him not to know whether to retire [from] the match or finish the match the way he did. But congratulations to him for fighting spirit and hanging in all the way to the last point. Respect for that. Great respect.

“I told him at the net he has time and he will win this tournament many, many times.”

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

When is the French Open women’s final? Swiatek vs Muchova start time

10:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Iga Swiatek goes for back-to-back French Open titles as the world No 1 faces Karolina Muchova in the Roland Garros final.

The defending champion has yet to drop a set in Paris but was pushed hard by Beatriz Haddad Maia in the semi-finals as the Pole bids for a third French Open title.

Muchova will be playing in her first grand slam final after the unseeded Czech stunned world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka with a sensational third-set comeback on Thursday.

Muchova has an impressive record against the world’s best and has won her five previous matches against top-three opposition, while also winning the only previous match-up with Swiatek in 2019.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the French Open women’s final? Iga Swiatek vs Karolina Muchova start time

French Open: Iga Swiatek faces Karolina Muchova in women’s final

Friday 9 June 2023 21:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Tomorrow, Iga Swiatek goes for back-to-back French Open titles as the world No 1 faces Karolina Muchova in the Roland Garros final.

The defending champion has yet to drop a set in Paris but was pushed hard by Beatriz Haddad Maia in the semi-finals as the Pole bids for a third French Open title.

Muchova will be playing in her first grand slam final after the unseeded Czech stunned world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka with a sensational third-set comeback on Thursday.

Muchova has an impressive record against the world’s best and has won her five previous matches against top-three opposition, while also winning the only previous match-up with Swiatek in 2019.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is the French Open women’s final? Iga Swiatek vs Karolina Muchova start time

French Open highlights: Impressive Ruud through to Roland Garros final

Friday 9 June 2023 21:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

Carlos Alcaraz reveals reason for cramping issue against Novak Djokovic

Friday 9 June 2023 21:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Carlos Alcaraz admitted tension got the better of him after he was hobbled by cramp in his hotly-anticipated French Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic.

The 20-year-old had just won an electrifying second set to level the contest and looked like he might be grabbing the ascendancy when, after hitting a return in the second game of the third, his whole body seized up.

Alcaraz managed to carry on but won only one more game as Djokovic triumphed 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 to reach a 34th grand slam final, where he will face Casper Ruud.

The Spaniard did look a lot more anxious than usual at the start of the biggest match in men’s tennis for a year and, asked what had caused the cramp, he said: “The tension of the match.

“I started the match really nervous. The tension of the first set, the second set, it was a really intense two sets, as well. I have never felt something like I did today. I have never felt that tension that I did in that match.

“I disappointed myself, and in a match like this, coming to this match with great feeling, feeling great physically, and cramping at the end of the second set, beginning of the third set. It was really disappointing.”

Carlos Alcaraz reveals reason for cramping issue against Novak Djokovic

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev result

Friday 9 June 2023 20:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 6-4 6-0 Alexander Zverev

Casper Ruud: “I just went out there and tried to play without too many feelings, without trying to think too much. Towards the end of the tournament, everyone has done so well.

"I'm trying to play without pressure, and not too much emotion and today I just played really well from the beginning to the last point. Everything was going my way and I'm very happy to win this match.

"I didn't come into Roland Garros thinking I was the favourite to reach the final. Not at all. I was going one match at a time. I would obviously love to be back in the final and always thinking I would love to defend this finals spot from last year, and here we are.

"It's been two fun weeks in in Paris, and hopefully third time will be the charm for me."

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev result

Friday 9 June 2023 20:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 6-4 6-0 Alexander Zverev

Game, set and match! Wow - what a result this is from Casper Ruud. He demolishes Alexander Zverev in straight sets to make it back-to-back French Open finals.

That is some performance. Up next, Novak Djokovic.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 20:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 6-4 3-0 Alexander Zverev

After such a great effort to return to the French Open semi-finals, it’s falling apart for Zverev. The German makes a double fault to go a double break down against Ruud, who jumps into a 3-0 lead in the final set in just 15 minutes.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 19:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 6-4 Alexander Zverev

Set! So good from Casper Ruud! He blasts two forehand winners down the line to take the second set and move a step closer to a return to the French Open final. Excellent aggression from the Norwegian.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 19:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 5-3 Alexander Zverev

Ruud breaks Zverev and then holds off the German to win his third game in a row. Super stuff from Ruud, who moves a game away from taking a two-set lead.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 19:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 2-3 Alexander Zverev

Ruud saves break points as Zverev presses for the second-set lead. The fourth seed is hitting that forehand so well now after finding his form in Roland Garros.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 18:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 6-3 Alexander Zverev

Set! Nicely done, Casper Ruud. The fourth seed takes the opening set and has started well on Philippe-Chatrier, taking an aggressive game to Alexander Zverev. The German has yet to settle but he’s been put under pressure by last year’s defeated finalist.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 18:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 4-1 Alexander Zverev

The Norwegian rallies back in style - breaking Zverev in the next game and holding serve impressively. Ruud reached a very high level in the quarter-finals against Holger Rune, while Zverev was a bit more attritional as he defeated Tomas Martín Etcheverry.

French Open LIVE: Casper Ruud vs Alexander Zverev latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 18:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud 2-1 Alexander Zverev

Play is well underway in today’s second semi-final with Casper Ruud storming into an early break against Alexander Zverev. Ruud is aiming to return to the French Open final after last year’s defeat to Rafael Nadal, while Zverev is back at the stage in which he suffered that awful ankle injury 12 months ago. Zverev’s determination to recover from that terrible night against Nadal in last year’s semi-final has been very impressive in Roland Garros.

Zverev breaks straight back in a lengthy Ruud service game.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 17:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

So Djokovic will face either Alexander Zverev or Casper Ruud in the French Open final, with those players meeting in the second semi-final next.

Zverev has one grand slam final appearance - losing to Dominic Thiem in 2020.

Ruud has two finals - losing to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros last year, and then Alcaraz in last season’s US Open.

Djokovic will be the huge favourite whoever it is.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 17:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

More from Djokovic:

“We were both at our physical limit at the end of the second set. We went toe-to-toe, it was an even match. Then this thing happened with his cramps and from that moment it was a different match. I could see he was struggling but I had to concentrate on my own game. Again, respect to him, I hope he comes back quickly.

“The first set and a half I was playing really well. Then the end of the second he was playing better and he deserved to win. I was playing aggressive and taking the ball early. I know he is a player who plays this style so I had to match that and do it better. It was exhausting. But I’m very proud to reach another French Open final. I’m very happy.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 17:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

There’s a warm embrace between the players at the end, neither of them wanted it to end like this.

Djokovic is booed by some of the crowd, which is odd. It’s not his fault Alcaraz was injured.

There are some cheers of ‘Nole, Nole’ as he comes out to do his post-match interview.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz result

Friday 9 June 2023 17:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

There it is. Djokovic’s serve has been outstanding all day and although Alcaraz was able to save the first of three match points, the Spaniard nets on the slide.

Djokovic is through to his seventh French Open final and moves a step closer to a men’s record 23rd grand slam title.

But that doesn’t tell the full story. This was such a thrilling contest until Alcaraz’s injury. It’s such a shame we didn’t get a proper conclusion.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:26 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 5-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz gets a game in the fourth! The Spaniard is still able to reach a drop shot from Djokovic and wins an entertaining net exchange, but it feels like it is only delaying the inevitable.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 5-0 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic smacks down an ace and yells in celebration, which is booed by the crowd. Alcaraz is still able to win a couple of net exchanges with a delicate pass around Djokovic, but the Serbian replies with another ace to take the game away from Alcaraz. Another ace seals it.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:16 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 4-0 Carlos Alcaraz

Djokovic is doing exactly what’s need to be done at this point, which is continuing to drag Alcaraz out of position. The Spaniard is unable to get round the ball in the usual way on the run and a series of errors hands Djokovic another break. That’s eight games in a row now.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 3-0 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic hangs a lob up and although Alcaraz can scurry back, he can’t get over the ball to get the smash over the net. Then Djokovic drags Alcaraz out wide to the forehand, but the 20-year-old is unable to return the ball down the line.

The movement is better, but it’s nowhere good enough for Alcaraz to play his usual game. The match is now slipping away.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:10 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 2-0 Carlos Alcaraz

Ah, that could be it. Djokovic thrashes a stunning backwinner winner off the Alcaraz serve to get to 15-30, and the Spaniard then makes two tame errors to give Djokovic the break. Djokovic didn’t need to work too hard for that.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 1-0 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz had Djokovic pinned behind the baseline but can’t tickle the drop shot over! Alcaraz goes for the backhand winner, but that’s into the net too.

Djokovic let’s out a huge roar - almost as if he is firing himself up. He got away with that.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 17:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 0-0 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz actually gets to 15-30 on the Djokovic serve and is looking a little looser out there.

Djokovic gets to 30-30, but then rolls a poor backhand into the net.

Break point: but Djokovic shuts the door with an ace down the middle.

Alcaraz has life: he’s able to win the baseline rally as Djokovic drops one long, and then catches Djokovic out with a stunning drop shot.

Djokovic has lost his intensity during the break: drop shot into the net from Djokovic and Alcaraz will get another break point!

But then, Djokovic finds the serve out wide, the bounce catches Alcaraz out and Djokovic puts the winner away.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz is back out and is going to give the fourth set a go.

Trying to beat Djokovic with one leg seems inadvisable at best, but let’s see.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Mood right now

:(

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 6-1 Carlos Alcaraz

What does Alcaraz do? Maybe just try and take longer timeout after the third and hope his legs come back?

Alcaraz gets a consolation winner facing two set points, but then goes long on the backhand.

Djokovic wins the set and leads again - but not in the manner we wanted to see.

Oh dear. Alcaraz is also now out of medical timeouts. He heads off court and will be needing a miracle.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 5-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

The mood in Court Philippe Chatrier is sombre now after such a thrilling contest to this point. Alcaraz has never been bothered by cramp before and has been robust physically in marathon five-set matches before. Is it just the enormity of the occasion, or the level and experience of the player on the other side of the net?

Djokovic moves a game away. Alcaraz is still trying to swing for the lines but it’s the movement around the court that is key. It’s like watching a bird with clipped wings.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:44 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 4-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Ah - no one wanted to see this. Alcaraz is really suffering now and can barely move around the court, let alone serve.

He’s playing a half-pace and Djokovic breaks to love.

This match is now in real danger. Alcaraz calls the trainer.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 3-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz still looks a bit bothered by his right leg. So what’s he going to do? Probably try and shorten the points!

Alcaraz crushes a couple of big returns straight back at Djokovic and gets himself to 30-30.

He stays super aggressive on the drop shot, but Djokovic’s touch at the net is delightful.

Return winner from Alcaraz! The Spaniard is just swinging at everything now.

Deuce. Alcaraz can barely walk, but this time smacks the forehand into the net.

Djokovic then picks him off with the backhand winner down the line. This match has changed completely.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:35 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 2-1 Carlos Alcaraz

So Djokovic breaks by default, as Alcaraz takes a medical timeout. It looks like his right calf just seized up on that return.

The crowd boo as they are told Alcaraz has had to give the game away. The umpire struggles to quiten the crowd.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 1-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Oh no! What’s happened here? Alcaraz looks troubled by his right leg! He tries to stretch it out but looks really bothered by it!

It’s only 1-1, so Alcaraz can’t take a medical timeout for cramping.

So Alcaraz forfeits the game! Extraordinary!

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 1-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic thumps a stunning forehand on the run to get the opening point on serve but Alcaraz is the one pressing now. The Spaniard closes the net and manages to get to 15-30, only for Djokovic to produce a big kicker of a second-serve.

At 30-30, Djokovic went for the daring forehand pass, but gets away with it.

40-30, Djokovic’s second serve kicks again and Alcaraz can’t return.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:27 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 0-1 Carlos Alcaraz

I think Djokovic would want this game back. At 30-30, the Serbian went for a drop shot from the back of the court, only for it to roll down the net. Then at 40-30, Alcaraz tried to drop Djokovic, but the 36-year-old had the chance to put the point away on the backhand.

He didn’t do enough, and Alcaraz tosses up the lob to get the hold.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz won seven points in a row from break point down at 5-5 to win that set - he did to Djokovic what the Serbian does to everyone else.

What a set of tennis that was. Both players are being pushed and stretched to their limits out on court. Some of the rallies are just sublime.

Djokovic’s level dropped slightly in the middle of the set as he took a medical timeout but he raised it again after Alcaraz broke for the first time.

But then Alcaraz raised it. The Spaniard is playing so much better now. He was tense and frustrated earlier, but the 20-year-old is loving this now.

Djokovic goes off court and the crowd starts to boo as it’s taking the Serbian quite a long time to return...

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz goes on the attack and takes the approach that he has nothing to lose in this game. A drop shot is played to perfection and clips the outside of the line to move to 0-30, and it’s followed by the forehand winner down the line!

Three set points, Djokovic saved three of these in the previous service game.

But not this time! Alcaraz floats the return down the middle of the court and Djokovic chucks in an uncharacteristic error!

And that’s the set! Alcaraz levels!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:11 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-6 Carlos Alcaraz

That’s a huge hold from Alcaraz, who lets out a huge scream as Djokovic misses. Great serving again from Alcaraz, but Djokovic had a chance there. It’s a big moment for Alcaraz to get through it.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:09 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-5 Carlos Alcaraz

Djokovic makes it six points in a row on the opening point of the Alcaraz serve, and it should be seven! Alcaraz is chasing all over the court but the defence is just outstanding. Djokovic can’t beat him with the drop shot.

15-15, and Alcaraz produces a stunning drop shot! Djokovic applauds. This is so good.

30-15, Djokovic lasers a forehand at Alcaraz’s feet as he came into the net. Alcaraz makes the pick-up, Djokovic puts away the forehand winner!

30-30: Awesome return from Djokovic, Alcaraz makes another pick-up and Djokovic had the chance to put this one away as well. But he nets on the backhand!

40-30: Unbelievable point! Both players stretching themselves to the limit! Djokovic wins it, but Alcaraz forces him to produce perfection!

Deuce! Djokovic ramps up the pressure on the return - Alcaraz nets!

Break point: Wow! Djokovic misses on the backhand! It’s got to the point where it’s stunning to see him miss on a big point!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 16:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-5 Carlos Alcaraz*

First set point: Djokovic plays it to perfection but Alcaraz still had the chance on the sliding volley after stunning defence!

Second set point: Sublime from Djokovic! Serve, volley, no chance for Alcaraz.

Third set point: Huge serve out wide from Djokovic! Three set points saved! That is just so clutch!

Deuce: Djokovic again finds his spot on the serve.

And you just know what follows: another first serve, a brilliant forehand, sending Alcaraz running and missing on the stretch.

What. A. Hold.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:58 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-5 Carlos Alcaraz

Stunning response from Alcaraz! He comes out and crushes the forehand winner up the line to get to 0-30 straight away.

Djokovic goes for the drop shot, Alcaraz reads it and puts the follow into the corner!

Suddenly it’s three set points for the Spaniard - Djokovic takes his time and steadies himself amid the noise of the crowd...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:53 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-5 Carlos Alcaraz

Djokovic comes out swinging as he looks to stay in the set! The players trade heavy blows on the forehand side, before Alcaraz goes long! An ace gets him back to 30-30, though.

Huge point: Djokovic goes for the drop shot, Alcaraz slides and looks to flip it back at the angle. Wide!

Break point for Djokovic: he goes for the return winner on the backhand! But this goes wide too!

Deuce, another massive point: Alcaraz weighs up the drop shot, Djokovic pushes it down the line, Alcaraz goes for the winner crosscourt - long!

Break point: Djokovic goes for the backhand winner down the line - and it clips the paint! What a stunning shot and he breaks back!

That is champions’s timing.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:43 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-5 Carlos Alcaraz*

A twist in this match? Alcaraz wins the first point on Djokovic’s serve after he takes a medical timeout, but Djokovic replies with an ace up the middle.

But Alcaraz senses a chance: he launches into a forehand assualt and barrages Djokovic with heavy blows, before putting away the smash. 15-30.

Now this was a chance! Alcaraz had a clear sight at the forehand down the line but nets!

30-30. Alcaraz drags Djokovic out wide with a drop shot that clips the outside line, and Djokovic pushes his approach up the line long!

Break point! This is his fifth chance - and Djokovic raises his first as he saves again! Alcaraz tried to run around the forehand but went long looking for the winner.

But another chance for Alcaraz! He turns defence into attack with the forehand crosscourt, and Djokovic can’t keep the volley in play.

And there’s the break! Alcaraz converts at last after sending Djokovic into a retreat with the forehand attack to Djokovic’s backhand.

Djokovic goes long on the return and now Alcaraz will serve for the set.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:34 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-4 Carlos Alcaraz

Hold on a sec: not one, but two stunning misses from Djokovic! Alcaraz draws his opponent into the net but Djokovic twice puts the backhand long when it should have been a winner. In between, Alcaraz was able to put away the drop volley to help him get the hold.

Now then. Djokovic has called the trainer and is taking a medical timeout! He’s having his right forearm looked at.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-3 Carlos Alcaraz*

Ace from Djokovic! That’s his first of the match so far, adding to his first-serve points won percentage of just under 80 per cent. Another solid hold ticked off.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:25 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-3 Carlos Alcaraz

That was solid from Alcaraz, though. He wins a couple of baseline rallies in the style of Djokovic, digging in and being solid from the baseline. The Spaniard is serving incredibly well himself at over 80 per cent. It means Djokovic has still only seen two break point chances.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-2 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic will be happy to keep the service games ticking. Alcaraz may be coming up with the signature winners, but Djokovic is looking so solid out there. He takes another comfortable hold on serve.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:15 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-2 Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz still had work to do to get the hold, but rather gets a gift as Djokovic goes long with a volley at the net. I think he deserved that, though, after the latest addition to the highlight reel.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Shot of the tournament from Alcaraz! It’s so good even Djokovic is applauding at the other end of the net!

Alcaraz was running backwards to get a Djokovic lob but instead of going for the tweener, he manages to twist and rip the forehand while doing a 180 degree turn. As Alcaraz falls away, the ball drops inside the line and leaves Djokovic stunned!

That was amazing.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Alcaraz rips a forehand at Djokovic’s second serve but fires wide. Djokovic then crushes a couple of forehands at Alcaraz and gets the opening hold as the 20-year-old goes long on the backhand. Alcaraz glares at the error.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:07 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 0-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz holds to love to open the second set. The Spaniard also lost the opening set in his only other match against Djokovic in Madrid last year, before coming back to win in three.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 15:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-3 Carlos Alcaraz*

Set! Djokovic takes the first set in 56 minutes. That was very impressive from the 36-year-old. He came out firing and then held off Alcaraz when the Spaniard came back into it near the end. He saved four break points with supreme serving at the big moments. Alcaraz made too many errors and looked frustrated throughout, but there’s still a long way to go.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:57 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 5-3 Carlos Alcaraz

Just awesome serving from Djokovic. It’s not about the power but the placement, and the Serbian couldn’t have placed these any better as he jumps to 30-15.

... but it’s followed by a third double fault and suddenly half a chance for Alcaraz at 30-30!

Stunning from Alcaraz! He crushes the forehand return to Djokovic’s feet and when the Serbian goes for the drop shot, Alcaraz slides in to lift the lob to the back of the court!

Break point.

Door closed. Incredible serve out wide from Djokovic. He has played these break points to perfection.

Another well placed serve out wide. Alcaraz misses long on the forehand.

Set point.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:54 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 5-3 Carlos Alcaraz

A bit of an untidy game from Alcaraz with a couple more errors, including an overhead that went into the net and got Djokovic back to deuce. Again, Alcaraz can’t close it out and nets on the backhand.

But that’s brilliant from Djokovic! He forced that, pinning Alcaraz deep into his backhand corner and then whipping the forehand up the line.

Set point - but Alcaraz comes inside the baseline and puts away the drive volley on the forehand! Well saved.

Ace from Alcaraz. Big one up the middle.

And that’s a very nice hold from Alcaraz. He steadies on the backhand side and then explodes into a winner down the line.

He makes Djokovic serve it out.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 5-2 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic gets the hold in a 14-minute game after Alcaraz had three break points! A dust cloud was picked up by the wind as Djokovic looked to serve it out - but the 36-year-old is able to find the first serve and Alcaraz nets.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 4-2 Carlos Alcaraz*

Unreal get from Alcaraz! Djokovic had control of the point and any other player would have been beaten by the volley, but the Spaniard races to forehand and puts it down the line!

Second break point, but that’s an opportunity missed! Djokovic then gets back to game point as Alcaraz sends his running forehand long. Alcaraz is getting frustrated, but he hangs in and gets back to deuce.

Djokovic looks more unsettled by Alcaraz’s power now the first couple of passing shots have flown past him - and the forehand goes long to bring up a third break point.

Djokovic’s first serve sets up a series of forehand attacks, before the Serbian then puts away the volley. But he had to work so hard for that.

We go on - this is an epic game.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 4-2 Carlos Alcaraz*

Super from Alcaraz! The Spaniard reaches on the backhand to stretch Djokovic as he came into the net, before putting away the pass on the forehand from midcourt.

Djokovic goes to the serve-and-volley down 0-15 and pulls it off, but then an Alcaraz-esque drop shot rolls down the net.

15-30, but Alcaraz nets on the backhand! That’s the shot that has been letting him down so far, when he’s had time to think about it.

30-30, super first serve from Djokovic, but another unforced error from Alcaraz, this time on the forehand mid-rally.

Djokovic had game point but looks down at the clay as a bounce doesn’t go his way - which takes us into the first deuce game of the match.

Double fault from Djokovic! That gives Alcaraz his first break point, but his drop shot goes into the net!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:31 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 4-2 Carlos Alcaraz

What a return from Djokovic! After Alcaraz makes his first ace, Djokovic swats a forehand return winner off an incredible angle to get to 15-30.

A chance, but Alcaraz responds well. He pops a volley over the net and then makes two excellent forehand winners past Djokovic to take the hold.

That was needed, the 20-year-old was just starting to look a little rattled at how this first set was going.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 4-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

That break was so good from Djokovic - almost playing Alcaraz at his own game!

The 36-year-old has started fast here and Alcaraz looks a little jumpy. A backhand under little pressure goes long and then Djokovic again comes into the net well to win the exchange.

Djokovic is reading Alcaraz so well right now.

The Serbian led 40-15 but then made a double fault - he gets the hold though as Alcaraz nets on the backhand. Alcaraz is 3-7 on winners-unforced errors so far. Tells you a lot.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:21 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 3-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz goes for his first trademark inside-out drop shot, but pushes it a touch wide on the opening point of the game. Djokovic will want this backhand back, though. There’s a crosscourt duel on the backhand side but Djokovic nets from inside the baseline.

Alcaraz edges ahead to 30-15 on the forehand - but then can’t close out the exchange at the net! Djokovic read the drop shot, defended well, but Alcaraz couldn’t find the pass.

30-30. Stunning return from Djokovic! That was dialled right into Alcaraz’s feet and the Spaniard goes wide!

Break point! INCREDIBLE! Djokovic drops Alcaraz and then picks up the volley around the net!!! Alcaraz makes the return but Djokovic is there to put away the volley!

Djokovic breaks!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 2-1 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic pushes a bit too much on the rising forehand and Alcaraz has an opening at 30-30 on the Serbian’s serve. But Djokovic finds his spot out wide and follows in to put away the sliding volley.

And that’s awesome from Djokovic. He takes the game as he stretches Alcaraz with a brilliant angle out wide, and then putting away the winner.

The level already is so, so good.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:10 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 1-1 Carlos Alcaraz

Djokovic loops a couple of high balls deep to the baseline and Alcaraz nets to bring up 15-15. Nerves? Nah. Alcaraz responds on the forehand with two crushing winners, one on either side, to get off the mark.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 1-0 Carlos Alcaraz*

Djokovic makes a solid start with three first serves, Alcaraz hitting the net twice on the return. The Spaniard cracks his first winner of the match down the line, but down 40-0. Djokovic finds another first serve, five in a row to start, and Alcaraz’s backhand return drifts long.

*denotes next server

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz latest score

Friday 9 June 2023 14:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Here we go! Who’s excited? Djokovic will serve first.

Enjoy!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Here come the players! Djokovic, the 22-time grand slam champion and two-time French Open winner, comes out first. Alcaraz, numero un mondial, follows.

The reception for both was loud, but I think Alcaraz just edged it.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Looks like we’re heading for a 2pm start time, rather than the 1:45pm schedule that was initially put on the day’s order of play.

We’ve waited 391 days for the second chapter of Djokovic vs Alcaraz, so I think we can wait a few more minutes...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Djokovic played his first French Open semi-final in 2007 - this will be his 45th grand slam semi-final overall.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, is only playing his second.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:48 , Jamie Braidwood

There’s no way this doesn’t deliver, right? It’s hard to remember such excitement ahead of a grand slam semi-final.

Who’s brave enough to make a prediction? I’m going for Djokovic in five...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:43 , Jamie Braidwood

The key to Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning rise? It could be his attitude. The 20-year-old always plays with a smile on his face and before facing Djokovic the Spaniard was asked about his impact on the sport.

“Well, it feels great, you know, to know that everybody wants to watch my match, my tennis. As I said before, I’m enjoying playing tennis, but of course I try to make the people enjoy watching tennis. Not only my match. I always make the people introduce into tennis, you know, and I would say I’m making that, and for me it’s amazing. I’m really, really happy for that.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Experience vs legs? It’s not the first time...

In fact, the 16-year age gap between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is the largest for a men’s grand slam semi-final since the 1991 US Open, where a young Jim Courier defeated a veteran Jimmy Connors.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Stefanos Tsitsipas is in a bit of a unique position having faced both Djokovic and Alcaraz at grand slams this season. The Greek was beaten in straight sets both times, and was asked about their differences in playing style ahead of this afternoon’s semi-final.

“Well, one has experience; the other one has legs and moves like Speedy Gonzalez, so you have that. One can hit huge, super big shots; and the other one prefers control over anything else, probably control and precision, to apply pressure and just make the opponent move as much as possible.

“I’m not good at predictions, so I’ll stay away from it. But let’s see. Let the best player win.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic said his comeback victory over Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals was a “great confidence booster” ahead of facing Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic has been critical of some of his performances so far in Roland Garros but the 22-time grand slam champion has been able to win the big points at the big moments to reach another semi-final in Paris.

“It’s not the first match that I managed to turn things around,” he said. “These kind of wins, you know, I think serve as a great confidence booster mentally, so also physically and emotionally for me. It’s important to win a match where you were losing or you were being down and then you came back and won a match. So especially at the latter stages of a Grand Slam against the top players.

“Now I have a couple of days off, which is two days actually, which is good, I think, to recuperate, recover all the energy, physical energy, as possible, and then give it all on Friday.

“You know, of course it’s a big success. Yeah, I am self-critical but I am also content with the result. I have to be. It’s semi-finals of a Grand Slam, and it’s exactly where I want to be.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Carlos Alcaraz produced the performance of the French Open so far as he blew away former Roland Garros finalist and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in three crushing sets in the quarter-finals. Here’s how the Spaniard did it.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 13:04 , Jamie Braidwood

The French Open women’s final will be played by defending champion Iga Swiatek and surprise finalist Karolina Muchova, who stunned Aryna Sabalenka in yesterday’s semi-finals on a dramatic day at Roland Garros.

The unexpected threat to Iga Swiatek’s French Open defence

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 12:56 , Jamie Braidwood

Carlos Alcaraz has been stunning so far at the French Open, with his spellbinding attacking tennis and unbelivable winners the reason he goes into this match against the 22-time grand slam champion Djokovic as a 1/2 favourite.

Results so far

1st round: 6-0 6-2 7-5 vs Flavio Cobolli (Q)

2nd round: 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-2 vs Taro Daniel

3rd round: 6-1 6-2 6-2 vs Denis Shapovalov (26)

4th round: 6-3 6-2 6-2 vs Lorenzo Musetti (17)

Quarters: 6-2 6-1 7-6 vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (5)

 (AP)
(AP)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 12:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic has slowly found momentum at Roland Garros with the Serbian often taking his time to find his level so far this tournament. Still, the two-time French Open champion has only dropped one set on his way to the semi-finals, and that provoked his best tennis of the fortnight as he came back to defeat Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals.

Key to Djokovic’s run has been his record in tiebreaks. The 36-year-old has been dragged into five so far and has only them all comfortably.

Results so far

1st round: 6-3 6-2 7-6 vs Aleksandar Kovacevic

2nd round: 7-6 6-0 6-0 vs Marton Fucsovics

3rd round: 7-6 7-6 6-2 vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (29)

4th round: 6-3 6-2 6-2 vs Juan Pablo Varillas

Quarters: 4-6 7-6 6-2 6-4 Karen Khachanov (11)

French Open LIVE: Djokovic, Alcaraz and the path to a generational clash

Friday 9 June 2023 12:34 , Jamie Braidwood

When the French Open reaches its semi-final stage at Roland Garros, 391 days will have passed since Carlos Alcaraz faced Novak Djokovic for the first time and gave tennis the shot in the arm it has longed for ever since. As moments of sporting symbolism go, Alcaraz defeating Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on consecutive days on the Madrid clay, aged 18, was as clear as they come, and foreshadowed what happened next: the Spaniard winning his first grand slam at the US Open and finishing the year as the youngest world No 1 in history.

But as everything happened so quickly and Alcaraz’s star rose at an astonishing rate, something else has taken longer to materialise: the rematch.

Over the past year, Djokovic and Alcaraz have circled each other, but with their orbits barely touching. Grand slam titles and the world No 1 ranking have passed between them, but without a second meeting. Alcaraz’s US Open title came as Djokovic was unable to travel to New York, then Djokovic triumphed at the Australian Open while Alcaraz missed out due to injury. Both absences left a void that has been filled by debate: with both players reaching great highs without needing to face each other.

Thankfully, the tennis gods have replied.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and the path to a generational French Open clash

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 12:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Carlos Alcaraz on Novak Djokovic: “I would say since the draw came out, everyone was expecting that match, you know, the semifinal against Novak. Myself as well. I really want to play that match.

“Since last year I really wanted to play again against Novak. You know, we both are playing a great level, and as I said before, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So I’m really looking for that match. I’m gonna enjoy it.

“Of course for me, it’s amazing to make history, you know, playing a semifinal with such a legend like Novak. So it’s gonna be a great match for me.

“I would say the match we played last year doesn’t affect too much to this one. You know, it was one year ago. I would say both learned a lot from that match, so it’s gonna be totally different, and let’s see what happen on Friday.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 12:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on Carlos Alcaraz: “Well, he carries himself very well. No doubt very nice guy on and off the court. Brings a lot of intensity on the court. Reminds me of someone from his country that plays with a left hand (smiling).

“He deserves his success, no doubt. He’s working hard, and he very complete player already and only age 20 -- 19, 20?

“So we played only once in Madrid last year, 7-6 in the third for him. We haven’t played since. Yeah, you’re right, most of the tournaments this year we were not in the same draw but here we are.

“If it comes to that match, that’s the match that, you know, a lot of people want to see. It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me, you know, so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. He’s definitely a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.”

French Open LIVE: How to watch Djokovic vs Alcaraz

Friday 9 June 2023 12:17 , Jamie Braidwood

You can watch the French Open live on Eurosport in the UK.  The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.

Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

French Open LIVE: What time is Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz?

Friday 9 June 2023 12:16 , Jamie Braidwood

The match has been scheduled first on Court Philippe Chatrier and is slated to start from 1:45pm BST (UK time) on Friday 9 June.

It will be followed by the second men’s semi-final between Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.

Good afternoon

Friday 9 June 2023 12:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the French Open men’s semi-finals as Novak Djokovic takes on Carlos Alcaraz in one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in recent memory.

Djokovic is bidding for a men’s record 23rd grand slam title in Roland Garros but must first defeat the 20-year-old Alcaraz, the sport’s next superstar and current world No 1. This will be the first time Djokovic and Alcaraz have met at a grand slam and in best-of-five sets, with the Spaniard winning their only previous meeting on the Madrid clay over a year ago.

Since then, Alcaraz has gone on to win the US Open title and become the youngest world No 1 in history, all while playing a thrilling, all-out brand of attacking tennis. Defeating Djokovic over best-of-five sets remains one of the toughest challenges in sport, however, and the 36-year-old Serbian will be motivated by surpassing Rafael Nadal by winning a 23rd major title in Paris.

Follow build-up to the big match in today’s live blog.