World No. 3 Serbian Novak Djokovic became the first Roland Garros finalist after defeating No. 1 Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who suffered a physical problem after winning the second set that forced him to lose the high competitive rhythm of the game. game could not last, by 6-5, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1 in 3 hours and 22 minutes.
It will be the Serb’s seventh final on the Parisian clay court, seeking his third crown to complete 23 Grand Slams, and will be measured against the winner of last year’s duel between Norway’s Casper Ruud and Germany’s Alexander Zverev. exactly stopped in the semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
“All my respect to Alcaraz, who managed to finish the match despite his physical problems. I told him that he is young and that he still has his whole life ahead of him. I have physical problems in this kind of competition,” said the Serb after the duel.
At 36, Djokovic will become the second oldest finalist in Roland Garros history, after American Bill Tilden, who lost the 1930 final at 37, and if he lifts the trophy next Sunday, he will be the older winner and ousts Nadal. .
sliiiiid Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/wasSoNztHa
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
In addition, in that case he also restores the number 1 in the world to the detriment of Alcaraz.
“This is not over yet, I have one more game to go. I am very proud to have reached this final, but the job is not over yet,” said Djokovic.
The Spaniard was only able to play two sets before suffering a puncture in his left leg that left him unable to compete, although he refused to retire and had a sad day in Murcia, his region of origin.
The most anticipated duel of the tournament, considered by many to be the early final, had the show’s most abrupt and sad ending. The tennis world will continue to question whether Alcaraz has enough tennis to fire a member of the “big 3”, the only one participating in this Roland Garros, after 14-time winner Rafael Nadal suffered an injury.
In the first set, the Serb managed to tie up Alcaraz’s weapons. Every attack, every offensive by the Spaniards found an adequate response from a Djokovic who managed to put the number 1 in the world in trouble.
That left him leading 3-1 and although the Spaniard accelerated to bring it back in the seventh game, which lasted 14 minutes and had up to three breakballs, the Serb’s defense was Numantian.
In Novak voice: NOT TOO BAD Roland Garros | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/pHkwxrff4u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
In the next, Alcaraz lifted a set point, but was unable to do so in the second, with service from Djokovic and from the side of the track least affected by the wind.
For the first time in the tournament, the Murcian was at a disadvantage against one of the best tennis players of all time and couldn’t find a way to damage his tennis.
But he never tired of searching. He continued to try to keep up the pressure, pushing the Serb to his limits, who was treated on the arm but did not slow down.
The match entered its most intense phase, with the most beautiful shots, which the spectators, so sensitive to the spectacle, appreciated. Neither could afford the slightest breather, such was the pressure on the track.
Alcaraz accelerated to 5-4 and served to equalize the game, but Djokovic came to his appointment and tie with the important moments. With the Serb’s serve, the Spaniard had three set balls, but being on the ropes didn’t intimidate Djokovic, who lifted them.
There Alcaraz got a bump, about to lose his second consecutive serve and the crowd encouraged him to lift him, a recipe that worked, as he scored two games that tied the match.
The match started again, only with two hours in the legs of both tennis players. Resistance began to become a factor, in the midst of the Parisian sultry where the sun warmed tempers.
As soon as the third set started, on the last point of the second game, Alcaraz suffered a puncture in his leg. After several minutes on the field, he decided to call for medical attention, something only allowed in side exchanges.
Therefore, the referee informed her that in that case she would lose all points until the next exchange. Alcaraz accepted and that made it 2-1 in favor of the Serb and service.
Visibly touched, the Spaniard returned to the field, but was practically unable to keep up. He wanted to test himself to wait for the next exchange and receive another treatment from the physiotherapist, who arrived after delivering his blank service.
He forced himself to keep going, but he could barely run or react to the Serb’s play, who walked away in some disbelief as he pointed to the games. That’s how he won the third set, no match, no fight, just letting Alcaraz’s drama run its course.
Respect Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/q38zjjqEaG
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
The sublime match, the sublime atmosphere plummeted on center court, moved by the misfortune of one of her idols, resigned herself to no longer enjoying the show.
Alcaraz went into the locker room for a few minutes and came back yelling “Carlos, Carlos!”
His level improved somewhat, he had two breakballs in the second, he even won a game, while Djokovic, who was careful, almost on his toes, did just enough to win the set.
There was no miracle. Alcaraz stubbornly continued on the track, but there was no show, rivalry or competition. It was a drama without heroes, without tension and without action.
Never doubt Novak @DjokerNole wins against Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach a 34th Grand Slam final.Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/fefJZKKMxn
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Source: El heraldo
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
