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Novak Djokovic stands on the brink of his 23rd Grand Slam title after Carlos Alcaraz wilted in the face of the immense challenge he presents in Grand Slams.
The 20 year-old Spaniard succumbed 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 in their much-anticipated French Open semi-final after a severe attack of cramp early in the third set removed his ability to compete properly.
Djokovic was left awaiting the winner of the second match between Alex Zverev and Casper Ruud and is sure to be the favourite for Sunday.
It was a sad end to a match which had previously often lived up to its billing, at least in terms of some sensational points played.
Ultimately this will have been brought about by both the physical nature of the match and the mental pressure felt by Alcaraz, especially after a see-sawing second set. In early April at the Miami Open he was also afflicted by cramping in the semi-finals.
Novak Djokovic stands on the brink of his 23rd Grand Slam title after beating Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz put up a good fight in the opening two sets, but succumbed to struggles with cramp
His time will come, but for now Djokovic remains the supreme battler, who understands so well the rhythms and demands of a best of five set match.
Djokovic said afterwards: ‘I have to say tough luck for Carolos at this level, the last thing you want is friends with physical problems, I feel for him and I hope he can recover. I told him at the net he knows how young he is and I’m sure he is going to win this title many times. It’s tough for him not to know if he should finish the match, congratulations to him for hanging in until the last point. We were both at the physical limit towards the end of the second set. It was quite an even match, from that moment
