French Open 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Alcaraz, Djokovic set up semifinal clash

Alcaraz wins the first point as Tsitsipas hits a backhand return long. Wide second serve from Tsitsipas, Alcaraz hits the backhand return wide - 1-1. Alcaraz gets the mini-break with a blistering forehand winner down the line - 2-1. Huge kick serve, wide into the ad court, and Tsitsipas hits the backhand return long - 3-1. Body serve and Tsitsipas hits another backhand return long - 4-1. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a drive volley from Tsitsipas - Alcaraz leads 4-2 at the change of ends. Wide serve into the deuce from the Greek, Alcaraz hits the return long - 4-3. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a volley - Alcaraz leads 5-3. Backhand error from Tsitsipas. Alcaraz leads 6-3, had three match points out of which the first two will be on his opponent’s serve. Tsitsipas saves one as he hits a backhand down the line and Alcaraz nets the forehand return. Ace down the T - Tsitsipas saves another break point. Sixth match point for the Spaniard. And this time he converts with a crosscourt backhand volley! Alcaraz beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5) to reach his maiden French Open semifinal where he’ll face Novak Djokovic!

Tsitsipas, once again, serving to stay in the match. Begins with a big first serve followed by a drop shot - 15-0. Tsitsipas goes for the drop shot again, Alcaraz reaches in time and sends the ball over the net, Tsitsipas hits the lob, Alcaraz rushes back, pirouettes and hits a forehand which dips right at Tsitsipas - 15-all. Tsitsipas holds! Onto the tiebreaker. Brilliant fightback from Tsitsipas.

Alcaraz begins with a T ace. And another. Tsitsipas reads the drop shot from Alcaraz, gets to it and returns crosscourt but Alcaraz wins the point with an on-the-run forehand pass. Alcaraz holds.

Tsitsipas serving to stay in the match. Begins with a forehand error but finds a big first serve on the next point - 15-all. Backhand return from Alcaraz goes long - 30-15. Drop shot from Alcaraz, Tsitsipas gets to it but fails to send it back over the net - 30-all. Backhand winner down the line and Alcaraz has another match point - 30-40. Backhand return from Alcaraz goes wide - deuce. Tsitsipas serves big and rushed in, drawing a heavy return from the Spaniard. Another overcooked return from Alcaraz and Tsitsipas holds!

Alcaraz serving for a place in the semifinals. Begins with a backhand winner down the line. Deep return from Tsitsipas draws an error on the forehand from the Spaniard 15-all. And now an inside-out forehand from Alcaraz goes wide - 15-30. Another heavy forehand, this time down the line, and Tsitsipas has two break points out of nowhere. Alcaraz saves one as Tsitsipas does not make the right connection with the ball while going for the backhand return. Backhand volley from Alcaraz lands wide. It is not over yet. Tsitsipas breaks back!

Error on the overhead smash from Tsitsipas - 0-15. Drop shot winner yet again from Alcaraz - 0-30. Tsitsipas nets a forehand and it is two match points for Alcaraz. Tsitsipas saves one as Alcaraz hits a forehand return wide - 30-40. Tsitsipas just about hangs on as he gets into the rally and forces Alcaraz to go for the lob which lands wide - deuce. Alcaraz overhits a forehand return and Tsitsipas has a game point. Alcaraz nets the drop shot. Tsitsipas holds.

Alcaraz misses a backhand crosscourt drop shot. He is human afterall. Second serve, wide into the ad court, backhand return from Tsitsipas goes long - 15-all. Tsitsipas seems to be a bit more calm as he gets to the backhand volley from Alcaraz, forces him to lob and then finishes the point with the overhead smash - 30-all. Backhand crosscourt return from Tsitsipas lands wide, Alcaraz hits the backhand in reply wide - deuce. No problems for the Spaniard as he closes the game with an ace.

Tsitsipas gives Alcaraz a taste of his own medicine by pinning him to way beyond the baseline before finishing the point with a drop shot - 15-all. Backhand return from Alcaraz goes long - 30-15. Tsitsipas holds.

Tsitsipas gets his teeth into the 16-shot rally and eventually, draws a forehand error from his opponent. Wide serve into the ad court, backhand return from Tsitsipas goes long - 15-all. Alcaraz stops mid-rally, claiming a Tsitsipas return to be long and the chair umpire, upon inspection, agrees - 30-15. Solid forehand shots to force Tsitsipas to the back of the court before finishing the point with a forehand drop shot - Alcaraz leads 40-15. Alcaraz holds serve easily.

An inside-out forehand winner of the highest quality from Carlos Alcaraz - 40-30. Backhand down the line from Alcaraz goes long and Tsitsipas opens his account in the third set.

Love hold for the top seed.

Tsitsipas, finally, seemed to be moving towards a comfortable service hold at 40-15 but makes a couple of error and all of a sudden, Alcaraz has an opportunity - deuce. Crosscourt forehand into the net from the Greek, another break point for Alcaraz. And the Spaniard breaks as he reads the drop shot from Tsitsipas, rushes to the net and hits a crosscourt forehand pass.

Alcaraz to serve first in this third set. Begins with a backhand pass winner. Follows it up by netting a forehand meant to go down the line - 15-all. Tsitsipas in no rhythm whatsover as he sends another backhand return long. Forehand return from the Greek goes into the stands - 40-15. Forehand winner down the line. Alcaraz holds.

Crosscourt forehand from Tsitsipas goes wide. Error again from the Greek - crosscourt backhand goes wide - 0-30. Strong backhand down the line from Alcaraz and Tsitsipas hits the forehand in response into the net. Three set points for the Spaniard. Time violation for the Greek as he murmurs something to his father in the player’s box. Double fault from Tsitsipas. Alcaraz takes the second set 6-1!

Alcaraz wins the opening point with a drop shot but then makes an unforced error with the forehand down the line - 15-all. Wide serve into the ad court, Tsitsipas moves early to his left to hit the backhand return but it is long. Alcaraz holds.

Nothing going Tsitsipas’ way. A crosscourt forehand into the net followed by a double fault and he is down 0-30. Big serve down the T, follows it up with an overhead smash and finishes the point with a backhand volley - Tsitsipas makes it 15-30. Three points on the trot for the Greek. He has a game point now. And that goes away with another double fault - deuce. Inside-out forehand into the net from Tsitsipas. Alcaraz with a chance to go up by a double break. Tsitsipas, once again, tries to attack from the net but Alcaraz, once again, wins the point with a forehand crosscourt pass.

Alcaraz begins the service game with a double fault. Tsitsipas overcooks a forehand return - 15-all. Big kick serve down the T, Tsitsipas goes for the backhand return and the ball does not even cross the net. Another kick serve, wide into the ad court, Tsitsipas sets it up with a deep backhand return but spoils his own work by overhitting the forehand down the line. Alcaraz closes the game with a backhand volley.

Wide serve into the ad court followed by rushing to the net and hitting forehand down the line - Tsitsipas makes it 15-all. The Greek, for once, dominates the rally and draws a faulty forehand return from Alcaraz - 30-15. Follows it up with his second double fault of the match - 30-all. Unreturnable wide serve into the deuce court from Tsitsipas. The Greek sees Alcaraz rushing in and nets a crosscourt backhand - deuce. Tsitsipas manages to hold this time as Alcaraz makes a couple of errors.

A 10-shot rally with Alcaraz netting a backhand - that ought to make Tsitsipas feel just a little bit better. Forehand return from Tsitsipas lands just wide - 15-all. Tsitsipas sucks Alcaraz into another rally but the Spaniard ends it with another perfect backhand drop shot - 30-15. Make that 40-15 as the Spaniard serves wide into the ad court and follows it up with a forehand volley. Heavy forehand from Tsitsipas and Alcaraz consolidates the break.

Tsitsipas to again serve first in the set. Begins by netting a forehand. Alcaraz wins the next point with a running crosscourt forehand pass. Tsitsipas overhits a forehand and drops serve.

Alcaraz serving for the set. Pins Tsitsipas to way back behind the baseline with strong forehand shots before finishing the point with a forehand drop shot. And another drop shot takes him up 30-0 after a killer kick serve. Serve wide into the deuce court and Tsitsipas sends the forehand return into the stands. Three set points. Tsitsipas saves first with a strong forehand down the line and Alcaraz reacts late to it. Heavy forehand from Alcaraz and there goes another chance to wrap up the set. Does it at the third time of asking as Tsitsipas sends a forehand return long. Alcaraz wins the opening set 6-2 in just 31 minutes!

Tsitsipas in trouble. Tried the defensive lob, went long. Then made an error on the forehand. And finally, when he tried to serve and volley, the volley hit the net after a strong return from Alcaraz. Alcaraz goes up by a double break with another on-the-run forehand winner!

Tsitsipas partially misses the ball going for a backhand in the first rally and then completely loses it going for a forehand serve return. Forehand winner down the line from the Spaniard and he is 40-0 up in no time. A T ace. Love hold for Alcaraz.

And here comes the first highlight shot of the match - a beautiful on-the-run forehand pass from Alcaraz to make it 30-all on the Greek’s serve. However, Tsitsipas closes the game with a crosscourt forehand drop shot, much to the delight of the Parisian crowd.

Alcaraz serving to consolidate the break. Wins the opening point exchange with a backhand down the line. Follows it up with a T ace. First drop shot from Alcaraz in this match, Tsitsipas’ backhand chip lands long. Second serve from Alcaraz, Tsitsipas hits a crosscourt forehand which just catches the inner sideline and Alcaraz hits the backhand into the net. Alcaraz closes the game with a body serve followed by a forehand winner down the line.

This time, Tsitsipas tries to attack from the net but ends up hitting a backhand volley wide. Tsitsipas nets a backhand and is down 0-30 on his own serve. Tsitsipas stop mid-point after Alcaraz fires a forehand down the centre. And the Greek is correct - it did land out. Another attempt from Tsitsipas to attack from the net and again, the backhand volley goes long - 15-40. Two break points for Alcaraz. Tsitsipas saves one as he hits an inside-out forehand with Alcaraz having to cover a lot of ground from the other end of the baseline - 30-40. Second serve from Tsitsipas, Alcaraz goes for an inside-out forehand return but the ball clips the top of the tape and goes wide - deuce. Attempted forehand down the line from the Greek hits the net and goes wide - another break point for the Spaniard. Another second serve but Tsitsipas manages to win the rally with a forehand down the line. Double fault from Tsitsipas gives another opportunity to Alcaraz and this time he does grab it with a forehand winner down the line. Alcaraz breaks.

Alcaraz misses the first serve. Second serve leads to a 14-shot rally during which the Spaniard tries to rush to the net and attack, only to see Tsitsipas hit a lob that just lands in. Alcaraz tracks back but hits the overhead shot long - 0-15. Backhand from Tsitsipas goes wide. Gorgeour forehand winner down the line from Alcaraz - 30-15. Kick serve wide into the ad court, backhand crosscourt return from the Greek goes wide. Tsitsipas does not make the right connection going for a forehand return to Alcaraz’s wide serve into the deuce court. Alcaraz holds.

Alcaraz wins the opening point with a forehand winner but Tsitsipas bounces back with three aces and a backhand winner to close the game quickly.

Tsitsipas to serve first in this exciting quarterfinal.

Carlos Alcaraz wins the coin toss and elects to receive.

The two players are out on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Stefanos Tsitsipas followed by Carlos Alcaraz. Live action in a few minutes.

Today’s night session at the French Open is about to begin and it has a blockbuster match in store for you - Carlos Alcaraz vs Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Aces: Alcaraz - 11, Tsitsipas - 27

Winners: Alcaraz - 140, Tsitsipas - 165

Double faults: Alcaraz - 8, Tsitsipas - 14

Alcaraz: 9 hours 40 minutes

Tsitsipas: 9 hours 20 minutes

Fourth Round: Beat Sebastian Ofner (AUT) 7-5, 6-3, 6-0

Third Round: Beat Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3

Second Round: Beat Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2

First Round: Beat Jiri Vesely (CZE) 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7)

Fourth Round: Beat Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Third Round: Beat Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

Second Round: Beat Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2

First Round: Beat Flavio Cobolli (ITA) 6-0, 6-2, 7-5

While Tsitsipas has never won a match against Alcaraz, he also has never lost a quarterfinal fixture at a Grand Slam. The Greek has triumphed in all six Grand Slam quarterfinals he has played so far in his career.

Alcaraz leads the H2H record 4-0.

They last met in this year’s Barcelona Open final where Alcaraz won 6-3, 6-4.

Stay tuned as we provide the build-up to the second men’s singles quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas which begins at 11:45PM IST.

“I think he (Khachanov) was the better player for most of the two sets. I was struggling on the court to find my rhythm, made a lot of unforced errors, came into the match quite slow, quite sluggish...”

“Played a perfect tie-break, really, and from that moment onwards I think I played a couple of levels higher than I did at the beginning.”

Drop shot from Djokovic, once again Khachanov gets to it but does not manage to send the chip the ball over the net - 15-0. Backhand volley into the open court and Djokovic has three match points. Finishes things off with a T ace. Djokovic beats Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 to reach his 12th semifinal at Roland-Garros where he’ll face either Carlos Alcaraz or Stefanos Tsitsipas!

Khachanov begins with a double fault followed by a weak forehand shot - 0-30. Djokovic has clearly put the previous game behind as he dominates the rally and finishes with a crosscourt forehand volley to go 40-0 up and earn three break points. Djokovic breaks back as Khachanov hits a backhand wide. Djokovic to serve for a place in the semifinal next.

Khachanov reads Djokovic’s drop shot, manages to get to the ball but the crosscourt forehand return does not cross the net - 15-0. A forehand error from the baseline and a backhand one at the net - Djokovic is down 15-30. Khachanov nets a backhand return as he was in no position to play it - 30-all. Crosscourt forehand from Djokovic goes wide and Khachanov has a chance - 30-40. And Djokovic double faults! Back on serve in this fourth set.

Overcooked forehand from Khachanov - 0-15. Follows it up with a heavy backhand shot - 0-30. Another forehand error from the Russian - 15-40. Two break points for Djokovic. Khachanov saves one as Djokovic’s backhand return goes long - 30-40. Big serve saves Khachanov again - deuce. Ace wide into the deuce court - Ad-40. Huge kick serve down the middle helps Khachanov close the game.

Sweet forehand down the line from Khachanov and Djokovic’s backhand does not have enough power this time to send the ball back - 15-all. Unforced error - backhand into the net - from the Russian - 30-15. Ace wide into the ad court from the Serbian. Djokovic holds.

Lots of battles at the net between these two and Khachanov is doing well to stay in it. Yet another example as Djokovic gets to the drop shot, hits the crosscourt return but Khachanov gets into position quickly and hits the ball back into the open court. The Russian manages to hold serve but still is down by a break.

Khachanov, in order to stay alive in this match, needs to break back immediately and he does take a 30-15 lead. Big serve down the T from Djokovic, Khachanov’s return goes beyond the baseline. Backhand way off target from Djokovic and Khachanov has a break point at 40-30. Djokovic pushes Khachanov wide before ending the point with a forehand winner down the line to save the break point - deuce. Another chance for the Russian as Djokovic makes a mistake on the drop shot. Saves it with an ace down the T. Weak backhand return from Khachanov - Ad-40. Double fault from the Serbian and we are back at deuce. Khachanov gets into the rally before overcooking a backhand. The will of Khachanov to stay in the rally despite being dominated for major part forces Djokovic to hit a forehand volley when he was in position to hit one - deuce again. Djokovic does manage to close the game after 11 minutes.

Two consecutive backhand errors from Khachanov and he is down 0-30. Djokovic tries to go for a forehand winner down the line but hits it just wide - 15-30. Two break point chances for the Serbian as Khachanov nets another backhand. Djokovic breaks with a crosscourt forehand winner from the net!

Djokovic begins his service game with a crosscourt forehand winner of high quality - 15-0. Big serve down the T from the Serbian, Russian’s backhand return barely sends the ball back to the net - 40-0. Djokovic holds.

Khachanov to serve first in this must-win fourth set. And he is down 0-30 with two unforced errors. A crosscourt forehand winner from the Russian - 15-30. A crosscourt backhand volley from Khachanov makes it 30-all. Forehand winner down the line - three points on the trot for Khachanov - 40-30. Khachanov with a crucial service hold as Djokovic nets the forehand return.

Djokovic serving for the set. Begins with an ace down the T. Follows it up with a backhand down the line winner - 30-0. Goes up 40-0 with an inside-out forehand for which Khachanov has no response. Three set points. And finishes the set with an overhead smash! Djokovic takes the third set 6-2!

Pressure on the Russian as he trails 0-30 on his serve. Manages to reduce the deficit with an overhead smash. Two break point chances for Djokovic. And he converts the first one itself with a gorgeous drop shot.

Another clean service hold from Djokovic.

And Khachanov responds with a hold to love as well.

Love hold for Djokovic.

After two forehand errors, Khachanov finally manages to win one with a big first serve and a forehand winner - 30-all. On-the-run forehand down the line winner from Khachanov! One of the shots of the match - 40-30. Second serve, Djokovic pounces with an inside-out forehand return - deuce. Wide serve into the deuce court followed by a forehand winner down the line - Ad-40. Khachanov’s forehand hits the top of the tape, Djokovic still manages to rush in and hit the ball around the net! However, Khachanov hits the ball into the open court to close the game.

An ace wide into the ad court from Djokovic - 15-all. Djokovic closes the game without much fuss. Consolidates the break.

The Russian to serve first in the third set. From 30-0 up, Khachanov allows Djokovic to make it 30-all, wins the next point with a forehand down the line which draws a heavy return from the Serbian but Djokovic brings it to deuce with a glorious crosscourt forehand volley. A stunning backhand winner down the line from downtown by Khachanov - Ad-40. The opportunity goes as Djokovic forces him to rush to the net to retrieve a drop shot and the Russian hits a crosscourt shot wide. Forehand error from Khachanov and Djokovic has his first break point chance of the match. And it goes away as the Serbian hits a backhand return long. Crosscourt backhand from Djokovic goes wide - Ad-40. A big miss from Khachanov as he sends a simple forehand down the line wide - deuce again. Djokovic pins Khachanov to the opposite corner, the Russian manages to send the ball back only to see Djokovic hit a perfect drop shot. Another break point chance goes away for Djokovic as he hits a defensive lob wide. Khachanov provides yet another break point chance to his opponent as he nets a crosscourt forehand. Djokovic, finally, breaks as his crosscourt forehand drop shot clips the top of the tape and dies on Khachanov’s end. Djokovic raises his hand in apology.

Big serve into the ad court from Khachanov, backhand crosscourt return from Djokovic, the Russian goes for the crosscourt drive volley and Djokovic hits the return down the line to get the mini-break at 2-0. Djokovic fires a blistering forehand winner to further strengthen his position as he takes a 3-0 lead. Serve in the middle from Djokovic, return from the Russian goes wide - 4-0 lead for the Serbian. Overcooked forehand from Khachanov and Djokovic goes 5-0 up. Backhand winner down the line from Djokovic - 6-0. Six set points. Backhand volley from Djokovic to finish a perfect tiebreaker.

Here we go. Khachanov serve. And Djokovic manages to take it to deuce game. Pressure on the Russian. Djokovic uses the slow and high ball tactic to disrupt Khachanov’s rhythm but the 11th seed manages to stay focused and finish the point with a forehand winner down the line. Only to follow it up with a double fault - deuce again. Djokovic makes another uncharacteristic error as he sends the forehand wide - Ad-40. Crosscourt forehand from Djokovic goes wide. On to the tiebreaker we go!

Another love hold for the Serbian. Guarantees himself atleast a tiebreak.

Big first serve down the T from Khachanov, Djokovic’s backhand return goes off court - 15-0. Another important first serve from Khachanov before finishing it with a forehand down the line - 30-15. Make it 30-all courtesy an unforced error on the forehand from the Russian. Backhand slice from Djokovic hits the top of the tape - 40-30. Khachanov looks to end the game with a drop shot but the ball does not cross the net - deuce. Crosscourt forehand return from Djokovic lands wide - Ad-40. Djokovic nets a forehand and Khachanov holds.

First love hold of the second set and it goes to Djokovic. Khachanov to serve to stay in the set.

No signs of nervousness from the Russian’s end though. Holds serve with ease.

Another nervous game for Djokovic but he manages to close it with a drop shot.

Djokovic anticipates the drop shot from Khachanov, rushes in and hits a crosscourt return. Khachanov gets to it and hits the ball down the line, Djokovic looks to lob but the ball lands just beyond the baseline - Khachanov leads 15-0. Perfect drop shot from Khachanov and this time, no chance for Djokovic who was standing quite behind the baseline - 30-15. One drop shot too many perhaps from the Russian as Djokovic hits a crosscourt backhand and finishes the point with a forehand volley into the open court - 30-all. Djokovic dictated the whole rally but great defensive work from the Russian meant that the third seed had to play one more shot which ended up landing into the net. Khachanov holds.

From 40-15 up, Djokovic nets a backhand slice followed by a double fault. Out of nowhere, Khachanov has a chance - deuce. Djokovic pins Khachanov to one corner and then finishes the point with a forehand winner down the line - Ad-40. Heavy backhand return from Khachanov on a second serve. Djokovic holds.

Khachanov in a spot of bother as Djokovic takes a 30-15 lead on his serve. Nice, kick serve down the middle from Khachanov draws a heavy backhand return from the Serbian - 30-all. Another error on the backhand from Djokovic - 40-30. Double fault from the Russian - deuce. Crosscourt backhand return from Djokovic goes wide. Forehand drop shot from Khachanov to close the game.

Djokovic goes up 40-0 again. Misses the inner side line by a whisker as he goes for a backhand winner - 40-15. Khachanov nets a backhand return. Djokovic holds.

A delightful forehand drop shot from Khachanov to go 30-15 up after pinning Djokovic to the baseline. Second serve, a kicker, and Djokovic nets the backhand return. Another unforced error from the Serbian, this time a backhand return goes long. Khachanov holds.

Djokovic puts the cap on as he serves first in the second set. Races to a 40-0 lead. Well, it is 40-30 now as Djokovic hits a backhand shot miles away from his intended target, the inner side line. Second serve from Djokovic, Khachanov hits the forehand return long. The Serbian holds serve.

Khachanov to serve for the set. Djokovic constructs the point with precision but faulters at the end as he overhits a forehand. Backhand return from the Serbian goes long and Khachanov is up 30-0. Inside-out forehand return from Djokovic goes wide and Khachanov earns three more set points. The Russian wastes the first one as he sends a forehand long - 40-15. Big serve down the T from Khachanov, Djokovic hits the backhand return wide. Khachanov takes the opener 6-4! Djokovic drops the first set at this year’s French Open!

A slight window of opportunity for Khachanov as Djokovic nets a forehand - 30-all. A fauly drop shot from Djokovic and Khachanov has a set point - 30-40. Wide serve into the ad court from Djokovic, Khachanov hits a crosscourt backhand return and the Serbian responds with a backhand winner down the line - deuce. Crosscourt backhand winner from Djokovic - Ad-40. A rather unusual error from Djokovic as he overhits a forehand long - deuce. Djokovic draws Khachanov towards the net with a decent drop shot but the Russian manages to rush in just in time to hit a crosscourt return to which Djokovic has no answer. Another set point comes and goes away for the Russian as Djokovic hits an unreturnable serve down the T - deuce again. Lovely crosscourt drop shot from Djokovic after noticing that Khachanov was glued to the baseline - Ad-40. Djokovic holds after saving two set points.

Change of racquet for Djokovic. New balls for Khachanov as he serves to keep his lead intact. Goes up 30-0 quickly. Backhand slice from Djokovic spins wide - 40-0. Khachanov holds serve with a T ace.

Wide serve into the deuce court followed by a forehand winner down the line combo from Djokovic - 15-0. Djokovic draws Khachanov to the net with a drop shot, engages in a crosscourt exchange but it is the Russian who eventually wins the point with an overhead smash to go 30-15 up. A superb backhand winner down the line from Djokovic - 30-all. Khachanov nets the forehand return - 40-30. Backhand down the line from the Russian lands just wide. Djokovic holds. Khachanov still up by a break.

Khachanov up 30-0 in no time. Great second body serve from Khachanov finds Djokovic in an awkward position - 40-0. Khachanov hits the forehand down the line just wide - 40-15. There goes another chance to close the game as Khachanov hits a crosscourt forehand wide - 40-30. First serve, wide into the ad court, backhand return from Djokovic is long. Khachanov consolidates the break.

Djokovic does some solid defensive work to make Khachanov hit one more shot, the Russian fails to finish the point with an overhead smash but gets another opportunity and this time, converts it with a forehand down the line winner - 15-30. Double fault from the Serbian. Two break points for Khachanov. A 19-shot rally, probably the longest of the match so far, and it is Djokovic who wins the point with a forehand that just catches the corner - 30-40. Another long rally, 25 shots, and the same result - Djokovic wins the point as Khachanov hits a crosscourt backhand long - deuce. A crosscourt backhand volley with his back to the net - Djokovic leads Ad-40. Khachanov forces deuce again with a backhand winner down the line. Error on the drop shot from the Serbian - a third break point opportunity for Khachanov. The Russian did everything he needed to in order to break but ended up hitting the simplest of the crosscourt forehand volleys wide - deuce again. Wide serve into the deuce court from Djokovic, Khachanov hits the forehand return right at his feet and the Serbian hits the forehand long - fourth break point chance for Khachanov. Djokovic saves the break point yet again only to give another chance with a backhand error. Finally, Khachanov breaks with an inside-out forehand which catches the inner sideline.

Djokovic hits a gorgeous forehand return down the line on a slow second serve from Khachanov - 15-all. No harm done as Khachanov holds serve comfortably.

Second serve down the T from Djokovic, Khachanov nets the forehand return - 30-0. Unforced error from the Serbian as he overhits a crosscourt backhand - 30-15. Slow second serve from Djokovic but Khachanov fails to capitalise as he hits the inside-out forehand wide - 40-15. A brief nine-shot rally ends with a forehand slice from Khachanov initially called in by the line judge before the chair umpire overturned the decision. Djokovic holds.

Khachanov wins the opening point on his serve as Djokovic nets a crosscourt forehand - 15-0. Heavy forehand down the line from the Serbian - 30-15. Ace wide into the ad court from Khachanov. And another ace to hold serve. Impressive start.

Djokovic begins with a wide serve but overcooks it a bit. Wins the opening point after Khachanov’s return goes long - 15-0. Two big serves up the T and the Russian sends one return long and the other does not even manage to cross the net - 40-0. Khachanov opens his account as Djokovic nets a backhand down the line - 40-15. An 11-shot rally and the point goes to the Russian as Djokovic hits a crosscourt backhand wide - 40-30. Djokovic holds after crosscourt backhand slice from Khachanov goes wide.

Djokovic to serve.

Here we go. Karen Khachanov steps out on the court followed by two-time champion Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic: 11 hours 43 minutes

Karen Khachanov: 13 hours 9 minutes

Djokovic leads the H2H record 8-1.

Their last meeting was in the round of 16 of Paris Masters which Djokovic won 6-4, 6-1.

In a few minutes, the next match - first men’s singles quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Karen Khachanov - begins on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Stay tuned for live coverage!

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka is through to her maiden French Open semifinal with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

In the first women’s singles quarterfinal, Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova defeated Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-2.

In the second quarterfinal, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus currently leads Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-4, 4-3.

In India, viewers can watch the live telecast of the French Open on the Sony Sports Network and stream the matches live on the SonyLiv and JioTV app.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will look to set up a blockbuster French Open semifinal clash by winning their respective quarterfinals at Roland-Garros, Paris today.

While two-time champion Djokovic takes on 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov in about an hour from now, top seed Alcaraz faces fifth-seeded Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the night session match which begins at 11:45PM IST.