The French Open men’s singles semifinals take centre stage at Roland Garros on Friday, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz meeting Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti in a rematch of their Monte Carlo final and Rome semi-final, both of which the Spaniard won to arrive in Paris with the perfect preparation.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner plays 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic looking for a fourth straight win over the Serbian to edge their head-to-head record after a ninth meeting.
Alcaraz could meet Sinner in a dream French Open final if the Italian top seed can navigate his semi-final against three-times Paris champion Djokovic, who is back playing at a level that won him an Olympic gold last year but went missing thereafter.
Sinner has dominated the duo’s recent meetings, winning four out of the last five, though he was beaten in straight sets in their only match on clay in Monte Carlo four years ago.
Sinner, however, is now a ruthless machine who is rejuvenated since returning from his short doping ban and few would bet against the US Open and Australian Open champion reaching another major final.
“I wouldn’t have thought to be here in this position since my comeback,” Sinner said, after dismantling Alexander Bublik to reach the last four.
“I’m happy to take things like they are and hopefully I’m ready. I want to watch my side of the net and then we’ll see.”
Djokovic will hope to land one more punch for the old guard as the last active member of the “Big Four” of men’s tennis and he has hit top gear at the right time after winning his 100th tour-level title in Geneva ahead of Roland Garros.
He took another step towards a record 25th major by swatting aside Alexander Zverev and reminded fans about how he thrives on the grandest stage.
“This is where I lock in and give my best,” Djokovic said.
“I just hope that I’ll be able to physically keep up with Sinner. It’s a big challenge for me.
“It’s only going to get tougher, but it’s good. It’s how it’s supposed to be, at the highest level.”
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