French Open 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Djokovic beats Alcaraz, Ruud defeats Zverev to set up title clash

The women’s singles final between Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova takes place on the penultimate day of this year’s Roland-Garros i .e. June 10.

There will also be the men’s doubles final between the 4th-seeded Croatian-American pair of Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek and the unseeded Belgian duo of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.

The French Open 2023 men’s singles final is set - 22-time Major winner Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud on Sunday.

Ruud is the first Scandinavian man since Swede Robin Soderling (2009-10) to reach back-to-back French Open finals.

Ruud serving for a place in the final. Begins on the right note - up 30-0 in no time. Zverev constructs the point beautifully before finishing it with a forehand down the line - 30-15. Ruud comes back with an ace - 40-15. Two match points. Ruud nets a forehand and the first match point goes away. Big first serve down the T followed by a forehand winner! Casper Ruud thrashes Alexander Zverev to reach his second straight French Open final!

Zverev needs a bit of luck here. Begins by netting a forehand volley - 0-15. Crosscourt forehand from the German goes wide - 0-30. Zverev fluffs a routine forehand and he is down 15-40. Ruud breaks again with a forehand pass. Unbelievable!

Crosscourt forehand pass from Zverev initially given in but the chair umpire, upon inspection, changes the decision. Nothing much going the German’s way as Ruud goes 40-15 up on his serve. Zverev hits a crosscourt forehand winner to close the gap. Backhand volley winner from Zverev! Takes it to deuce. Still some fight left in this contest? Big first serve from Ruud, backhand return from Zverev goes long. Another chance for Ruud to close the game. Zverev nets a forehand return. Ruud holds.

An important service game for the German. Starts on a wrong note by bungling the overhead smash. Gives Ruud a taste of his own medicine as the Norwegian rushes to the net but the ball drops at his feet following a great Zverev forehand shot, Ruud’s half volley only finds the net - 30-all. Zverev wastes a game point by netting the overhead smash - deuce. Zverev finds the big first serve to earn another chance to close the game. Wide serve into the ad court, Ruud manages to make the return and Zverev, once again, sends the overhead smash long - deuce. This is bizarre. Ruud finds a great angle with his crosscourt forehand return as Zverev is unable to send the forehand shot over the net. Break point for Ruud. And he gets it as Zverev commits a double fault!

Forehand from Ruud goes long in the opening rally. Zverev applies pressure by rushing to the net and Ruud hits the backhand pass long - 0-30. Big first serve and a backhand shot that lands right on the inner sideline - Ruud makes it 30-all. Zverev again rushes in, Ruud drops the ball at his feet to draw the half volley and finishes the point with a forehand pass - 40-30. Crosscourt backhand from Zverev goes wide. Ruud consolidates the break.

Zverev serving first in the third set. Needs a miracle from here. And he is in trouble again as he trails 15-40 after hitting another forehand down the line wide. Big first serve followed by a backhand volley that goes way long! Ruud breaks Zverev at the start of the third set!

1. Ruud serving for the set. Big serve down the T followed by an inside-out forehand from the Norwegian to win the opening point. Another strong serve down the T, Zverev hits the forehand return wide - 30-0. Zverev draws Ruud to the deuce corner and finished the point with a backhand winner in the ad corner - 30-15. Bad bounce affects Zverev’s backhand return and it ends up in the net - 40-15. Two set points for Ruud. Wide serve into the deuce court followed by a forehand winner in the ad court - Ruud wins the second set 6-4 in 49 minutes!

Zverev serving to stay in the set. Wins the opening point with a good overhead smash. Goes up 40-0 with a wide ace. Love hold for Zverev.

Ruud serving to consolidate the break. Much needed point for Zverev with a backhand crosscourt volley - 0-15. Crosscourt backhand return from Zverev goes wide - 15-all. Ruud wins the nine-shot rally with a crosscourt overhead smash - 30-15. Zverev comes back with a forehand winner down the line - 30-all. Ruud catches the baseline with his backhand shot and Zverev ends up hitting the forehand return wide - 40-30. Ruud closes the game and consolidates the break with a big first serve.

Zverev with a crosscourt forehand and a backhand going wide - 0-30. Pressure on the German. And he hits yet another backhand long after setting up the point - 0-40. Three break points for Ruud. And the Norwegian ends the point with a forehand pass! Ruud breaks!

Ruud serving to stay on level terms in this second set. Earns two game points as Zverev hits a forehand down the line wide - 40-15. Wastes the first one by netting a drop shot - 40-30. Ruud closes the game with a tight crosscourt backhand winner.

And now the pressure is on the German. Backhand slice from Ruud forced Zverev to play a half volley which he ends up playing into the net - 0-30. Ruud overhits a forehand return - 15-30. Another forehand return from the Norwegian goes long - 30-all. Zverev fails to close the point with the overhead smash but luckily for him, Ruud ends up hitting an inside-out forehand wide. Zverev finishes with an ace to hold serve.

Ruud in trouble in this second set. One backhand and two forehand errors - 0-40 down. Zverev has three break points. Ruud saves two of them, the second with a T ace - 30-40. Zverev nets a drop shot when he should have put the ball away with a forehand down the net - deuce. Ruud closes the game with a forehand winner and a backhand going long from Zverev.

Zverev wins a 15-shot opening rally with a backhand winner down the line. Backhand slice from Zverev goes long - 15-all. Wide serve into the deuce court from Zverev, Ruud hits the forehand return long - 30-15. Zverev looking more and more comfortable as the match goes on. Wins the point with a forehand volley winner to go 40-15 up. Closes the game with an overhead smash.

Zverev hits a perfect forehand down the line winner, bang on the inner sideline - 30-all. Ruud responds with an ace. Forehand error from the German. Ruud holds serve.

Zverev serving first in the second set. Begins with a love hold.

Ruud serving for the set. Zverev makes it 15-all with a crosscourt forehand winner. Ruud comes back with an ace to go 30-15 up. Ruud nets a forehand as Zverev continues to attack from the net - 30-all. Zverev with a chance to break back as Ruud hits a crosscourt backhand long. The German did everything right to set up the point but ended up hitting the final forehand down the line wide - deuce. Crosscourt forehand drop shot from Ruud, Zverev reaches in time but the chip goes beyond the baseline. Another set point for Ruud. Wide serve into the ad court, Zverev hits the crosscourt backhand wide. Ruud takes the first set 6-3 in 48 minutes!

Zverev serving to stay in the set. Ruud manages to execute the on-the-run forehand down the line this time and Zverev fails to send the ball back - 15-30. Zverev responds with a blistering crosscourt forehand winner in the next rally - 30-all. Zverev rushes to the net early and ends up hitting a half volley, Ruud hits an accurate forehand pass to earn a set point at 30-40. Big serve wide into the ad court from Zverev and Ruud’s backhand return goes long. However, the point has been given to the German on the basis of ‘hindrance’ from Ruud who knocked down one of the advertising boards behind him during the return. Great net play by the two players but it is Zverev who comes out on top. Serve-and-volley from Zverev to close the game.

A lovely backhand winner down the line from Zverev at the end of a 16-shot rally - 30-15. Big serve down the T from Ruud, Zverev nets the forehand return - 40-15. Crosscourt backhand from Ruud lands just wide - 40-30. Ruud keeps his advantage with a solid serve down the T.

Zverev begins service game with a wide ace. Follows it up with a big one down the T which draws a heavy forehand return from Ruud. Love hold for Zverev. Closes the game with a backhand winner down the line.

Ruud goes up 40-15 with a T ace. The Nowegian closes the game with a service winner. Consolidates the break.

Zverev to serve. Back in trouble once again as he goes down 0-40 with the final one of those being a backhand winner down the line from Ruud. Three break points for Ruud. Ruud looks to hit an on-the-run forehand winner down the line but misses the corner by some distance - 30-40. Zverev saves the third break point with a great crosscourt backhand winner - deuce. Fourth break point for Ruud as Zverev nets a backhand shot. And Zverev overhits a backhand. Ruud breaks again!

Double fault from the Norwegian - 15-all. Follows it up with an overhit backhand - 15-30. Another backhand error from Ruud and Zverev has two chances to break back immediately - 15-40. Ruud saves one as Zverev goes for a forehand down the line but hits it long - 30-40. Ruud saves the other one as well as he rushes to the net and hits an inside-out forehand to forced Zverev to hit a backhand pass. The German can only find the net on this occasion - deuce. A third break point for Zverev as Ruud sprays a backhand wide. And the Norwegian saves it again with a powerful forehand down the line, Zverev gets to it but his forehand return goes wide - deuce again. Ruud hits the crosscourt backhand wide and it means a fourth break point chance for Zverev. Big T serve from Ruud and Zverev hits the forehand return long - deuce again. Wide serve into the deuce court from Ruud and he now has a game point. And the opportunity to close the game goes away as Ruud overhits a forehand - deuce again. Good baseline exchange between the two players and Zverev edges Ruud with a quick crosscourt forehand. Fifth break point. And this time, Ruud overhits the backhand. Zverev breaks back!

First proper rally of the match - 17 shots - and it is Zverev who comes out on top with a powerful forehand down the line - 30-15. Double fault from the German - 30-all. Zverev hits a crosscourt forehand wide and Ruud has a break point - 30-40. And Ruud breaks with a superb forehand down the line!

Three straight backhand errors from Zverev and Ruud is up 40-0. Another backhand error from the German. Love hold for Ruud.

The second semifinal between Zverev and Ruud is underway! Ruud to serve first.

The second semifinal is about to begin as Zverev and Ruud make their way to Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Zverev leads the H2H 2-1 with their last meeting being the 2022 Miami Open quarterfinal which Ruud won 6-3, 1-6, 6-3

The second semifinal between Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud will begin shortly.

The 36-year-old Djokovic is the second-oldest men’s singles finalist in tournament history (since 1925)

He also equals Chris Evert (34) for most Grand Slam finals in the Open Era

“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.”

Djokovic serving for a place in the French Open final. Up 30-0 in no time with a big service winner and an inside-out forehand. Another service winner. Three match points for the Serbian. Alcaraz saves one match point with a forehand winner down the line - 15-40. Alcaraz nets a forehand return and that’s it. Djokovic is through to his seventh French Open final!

Alcaraz to serve. Can he avoid the bagel? Lovely net play from both players but Alcaraz comes out on top to go 30-15. Backhand shot from Alcaraz lands beyond the baseline - 40-30. Backhand return from Djokovic is long. Alcaraz holds serve and avoids bagel.

Alcaraz wins the opening point on Djokovic’s serve by reading the drop shot and chipping the return down the line - 0-15. Djokovic comes back with a T ace. Alcaraz wins an eight-shot rally the same way he won the first point in this game. Djokovic again fires an ace - 30-all. Alcaraz rushes to the net to close the game but his backhand volley lands long - 40-30. Forehand error from Djokovic - deuce. Big serve wide into the deuce court from Djokovic. Closes the game with an ace. One game away from his seventh French Open final!

Things not improving for Alcaraz. Down 0-40. Finds an ace from somewhere but hits a backhand long to drop yet another game.

Djokovic consolidates the break with a comfortable service hold.

Alcaraz serves. This service game could tell a lot about his current physical condition. Wide serve into the deuce court, Djokovic hits a crunch crosscourt forehand return winner - 15-30. Alcaraz nets a forehand. Two break points for Djokovic. And a backhand error from Alcaraz ends the game. Djokovic breaks to go 2-0 up.

Djokovic serving first in the fourth set. Begins with an ace wide into the deuce court. Follows it up by netting a drop shot - 15-all. Backhand goes long from Djokovic and he is down 15-30. Big T serve and Alcaraz hits the forehand return long - 30-all. Another backhand into the net from Djokovic and Alcaraz has a break point - 30-40. Djokovic saves it with a T ace - deuce. Alcaraz stops Djokovic from closing the game with a delightful drop shot - deuce again. Djokovic makes an error - drop shot not crossing the net - and another break point for the Spaniard. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand drive volley from Djokovic to take it back to deuce. Alcaraz tries the drop shot again after pinning Djokovic to the baseline but only finds the net. Djokovic closes the game.

The Spaniard leaves the court at the end of third set for a bathroom break. Trying to give himself as much time as possible to recover for the fourth.

Three set points for Djokovic as he goes 40-0 on Alcaraz serve. The Serbian wastes first one as he nets a forehand return. Alcaraz saves the second with a forehand winner - 30-40. Alcaraz sends a backhand long. Third set is over in 31 minutes. Djokovic takes it 6-1 and leads two sets to one.

Crosscourt forehand return winner from Alcaraz. Djokovic comes back with a T ace - 15-all. Alcaraz barely able to move but still hitting some powerful returns. However, it is Djokovic who does what he needs to. Closes the game easily.

Double fault from Alcaraz - 0-15. Alcaraz clearly feeling the cramps and unable to play his natural game. Another error - backhand slice into the net - 0-30. Backhand shot from the Spaniard goes long, three break points for Djokovic. Djokovic finishes the point with a forehand winner while the Spaniard had already started to walk to his chair. Change of ends. Alcaraz can receive treatment again.

Djokovic looking to consolidate the break. What drama in this match! Alcaraz nets a forehand return. Seems like it was just the cramps he was suffering from. Crosscourt forehand winner from the Spaniard - 15-all. Service winner down the T for Djokovic - 30-15. Alcaraz goes for a drop shot but Djokovic manages to just send the ball over the net - 40-30. Sensational forehand service return from Alcaraz - deuce. Djokovic closes the game with a backhand winner down the line.

Seems like some issue with his right calf after an awkward landing on the last point. He is going to be assessed. The player is allowed to receive treatment only during the change of ends. So, the Spaniard has to forfeit the game and go down a break!

Two forehand errors from a rather tired-looking Djokovic who finds himself down 15-30. Great second serve, wide into the ad court from Djokovic - 30-all. Deep backhand return down the line from Alcaraz on a second serve to set up the point nicely but Djokovic anticipates his forehand shot down the deuce corner and hits a forehand pass - 40-30. Alcaraz nets the forehand return on a slow second serve from Djokovic. The Serbian holds serve.

Alcaraz serving first in the third set. And straight away, Djokovic has a chance as Alcaraz hits a drop shot wide - 30-all. Djokovic dominates the baseline exchange and then looks to end the rally with a drop shot but the ball does not cross the net - 40-30. Alcaraz hits a terrible drop shot, Djokovic gets to it and hits crosscourt return but Alcaraz hits an excellent lob shot to close the game.

Djokovic serving to take this second set to a tiebreak. Serve-and-volley from Djokovic but the backhand crosscourt volley lands wide - 0-15. Alcaraz goes for a drop shot and manages to just catch the inner sideline, Djokovic unable to chip the ball back - 0-30. And now, a forehand shot from Djokovic goes wide - 0-40. Three more set points for the Spaniard. Djokovic sends a forehand long and that’s that. Alcaraz wins the 77-minute second set 7-5!

One of the points of the match as Alcaraz makes unbelievable recovery to finally force Djokovic to fetch the drop shot and the Serbian fails to chip the ball over the net - 15-all. A drop shot winner for Alcaraz - 30-15. Alcaraz rushes to the net, Djokovic forces him to hit a backhand volley and finishes the point with a forehand pass - 30-all. Alcaraz again rushes in, hits a half-volley and lucky him, Djokovic fails to hit the backhand over the net - 40-30. Game point for Alcaraz. Backhand slice from Alcaraz to draw Djokovic in but this time, the Serbian is able to win the exchange at the net before finishing the point with a crosscourt overhead volley. Break point for Djokovic as Alcaraz nets a forehand. Alcaraz saves it as Djokovic hits the crosscourt backhand long - deuce again. Great second serve from Alcaraz, lots of kick on it and close to the body, and the Serbian nets the forehand return. Djokovic sends a forehand return long and Alcaraz holds after a thrilling eight-minute game. The Spaniard guarantees himself at least a tiebreak.

Djokovic serving to stay in the second set. Alcaraz wins the opening point with a forehand winner down the line - 0-15. Another forehand winner down the line, this time in the other corner from Alcaraz - 0-30. Solid start from the Spaniard after the disappointment of dropping serve in the last game. Alcaraz reads the drop shot from Djokovic and hits the crosscourt forehand winner to go 40-0 up. Three set points for the Spaniard. A 15-shot rally ends with Alcaraz sending a forehand pass long but not after showing his impressive court coverage - 15-40. Djokovic with the serve-and-volley to save another set point - 30-40. Big first serve, wide into the ad court, does the job for Djokovic as he saves the third set point too - deuce. Wide serve into the deuce court from the Serbian, Alcaraz nets the forehand return. Game point for Djokovic. And he closes the game as Alcaraz makes another forehand error, albeit a forced one this time.

Alcaraz serving for the set. Second serve from Alcaraz, Djokovic dominates the rally with powerful forehand returns and finally, draws a heavy backhand from the Spaniard - 0-15. Wide serve into the ad court from Alcaraz, Djokovic hits the backhand return long - 15-all. Djokovic draws another error from Alcaraz, this time a heavy forehand - 15-30. An ace wide into the ad court from the Spaniard - 30-all. Alcaraz goes for the drop shot early into the rally, Djokovic reads it and sends the chip return crosscourt, Alcaraz hits crosscourt but it is wide - 30-40. Break point for Djokovic. Second serve from Alcaraz, wide into the ad court, Djokovic hits a crosscourt backhand pass after noticing Alcaraz rushing in but the ball lands just wide - deuce. Alcaraz had the entire court to hit the crosscourt forehand pass after drawing Djokovic to the net with the drop shot but he ends up hitting it long. Another break point for Djokovic. Big serve down the T, Djokovic hits the forehand return to the ad side, Alcaraz hits crosscourt and Djokovic hits a backhand winner that just catches the line. Djokovic breaks back!

Djokovic serving to once again level the score in this second set. Begins with a backhand error - 0-15. Follows it up with a T ace - 15-15. Brilliant bit of defending from Djokovic to force Alcaraz to hit multiple overhead smashes but the Spaniard eventually hits one that draws the error from the Serbian - 15-30. Alcaraz seeds the ad corner vacant and goes for the forehand winner down the line but ends up hitting the shot into the net - 30-all. Crosscourt drop shot from Alcaraz just catches the inner sideline, Djokovic sends the chip shot just beyond the baseline - 30-40. Another break point opportunity goes away for Alcaraz as he overhits a forehand return - deuce. However, terrific defensive from corner to corner from Alcaraz draws a heavy forehand volley from Djokovic and here comes another chance for the Spaniard to break. And he does break as Djokovic sends a backhand long!

Djokovic takes a medical timeout to get some treatment on his right wrist.

Again, a 17-shot opening rally on Alcaraz’s serve. Djokovic gets to the drop shot in the end but hits the crosscourt backhand return wide. Alcaraz tries to close the net, Djokovic hits a lob and the Spaniard sends the overhead smash long - 15-all. Wide serve into the deuce court, followed by a drop shot from Alcaraz - Djokovic just about manages to chip the ball over the net but the Spaniard finishes the point with another drop shot - 30-15. Djokovic does well with a deep return on the second serve and had the open court but ends up sending the crosscourt backhand wide. Alcaraz holds. Djokovic missed quite a few chances there.

Djokovic to serve. Begins with a wide ace. Second serve from Djokovic, Alcaraz sends the backhand return down the line wide - 40-0. Djokovic wastes one game point with a backhand into the net but manages to hold serve after Alcaraz hits a backhand return long.

Another important service game for Alcaraz. Begins by winning a 17-shot rally with a backhand volley. Djokovic nets a backhand return - 30-15 to Alcaraz. Awkward bounce unsettles Djokovic in the rally and he nets the forehand in the follow-up - 40-15. Wide serve into the deuce court from the Spaniard, Djokovic nets the forehand return. Alcaraz holds.

A quick service hold for the Serbian. Stays on level terms.

Alcaraz hits the shot of the match! Gets to the drop shot but hits the return directly at Djokovic who hits it back into the open court. Alcaraz tracks back, pirouettes and hits the forehand pass - 30-0. Even the Serbian can’t help but smile and applaud. Big serve down the T and Djokovic hits the forehand return wide - 40-15. Alcaraz holds after Djokovic sends a simple overhead volley long.

Drop shot from Djokovic, Alcaraz rushes to the net, Djokovic tries to cover crosscourt shot but the Spaniard hits the return down the line - 15-all. However, that’s the only point he loses in this game. Holds serve rather comfortably.

Alcaraz serves first in the second set. Djokovic makes two unforced errors - on both occasions, overhits the forehand - 30-0 to the Spaniard. Drop shot from Alcaraz, this time Djokovic is unable to chip the ball over the net - 40-0. Djokovic nets a backhand return. Love hold for Alcaraz.

Djokovic serving for the set now. Second serve from the Serbian, Alcaraz hits the backhand return down the line and Djokovic nets the backhand in response. Big serve down the T from Djokovic for a service winner - 15-all. Another great serve down the T followed by a forehand crosscourt drive volley from Djokovic - 30-15. The Serbian commits a double fault - 30-all. A lob winner from Alcaraz after Djokovic gets to the drop shot and chips it over - 30-40. Break point for Alcaraz. Wide serve into the ad court from Djokovic, backhand return from Alcaraz goes long - deuce. Another good first serve, wide into the deuce court and Alcaraz sends the forehand return long. Second set point for Djokovic. Body serve from Djokovic, Alcaraz hits the backhand return wide. Djokovic wins the opening set 6-3 in 56 minutes!

Alcaraz serving to stay in the opening set. Makes it 15-all with a forehand winner down the line after losing the opening point by netting a forehand. Huge kick serve from Alcaraz wide into the ad court, Djokovic hits a loopy backhand crosscourt return and Alcaraz nets the forehand in reply - 30-all. Wide serve into the ad court from Alcaraz, Djokovic hits the forehand return long - 40-30. Alcaraz looks to end the point with a drop shot after a great wide serve but allows Djokovic to come back and eventually, the Spaniard nets the overhead backhand - deuce. Alcaraz nets a forehand after twice clipping the baseline. Set point for Djokovic. Wide serve into the ad court followed by a forehand volley down the line - Alcaraz saves the set point - deuce again. A T ace from the Spaniard. Backhand winner down the line from Alcaraz to close the game.

Serve wide into the ad court followed by a deft backhand crosscourt volley from the Serbian - 15-all. Djokovic nets a drop shot for once and Alcaraz leads 30-15. Alcaraz gets into the rally but ends up netting a backhand return. Opportunity missed? Overcooked forehand return from the Spaniard after getting into the rally yet again. Game point for Djokovic. Djokovic hits a powerful crosscourt forehand, Alcaraz makes the return on the run and the Serbian nets the inside-out forehand in the follow-up - deuce. Double fault from Djokovic - break point for Alcaraz. Alcaraz engages in the rally after Djokovic’s second serve but once again, the drop shot, one of his most reliable weapons, betrays him - deuce again. Alcaraz’s backhand return hits the tape but lands on the opposite side, Djokovic hits a crosscourt backhand from the net and follows it up with a forehand crosscourt volley but Alcaraz hits a brilliant forehand pass on the run - one more break point. Another chance goes away as Alcaraz backhands the crosscourt return. Djokovic, finally, has a game point again as Alcaraz sends a forehand return long. This time, Alcaraz dominates the rally and draws a heavy backhand shot from Djokovic - deuce again. Third break point for Alcaraz as Djokovic overhits a forehand. Djokovic saves the break point yet again, this time with a backhand crosscourt volley after wrongfooting Alcaraz twice - deuce again. Backhand return in a short rally goes long from the Spaniard and Djokovic gets another chance to close the game. Wide serve into the ad court, Alcaraz nets the backhand return. Djokovic holds serve at the end of a 12-minute game!

A T ace from Alcaraz - 15-15. Second serve from Alcaraz, up the T, Djokovic steps in and hits an inside-out backhand return winner - 15-30. Wide serve into the ad court followed by an overhead volley from Alcaraz to make it 30-all. Forehand winner from the Spaniard. Alcaraz closes the game with a forehand pass as Djokovic decides to cover the crosscourt shot.

Djokovic serving to consolidate the break. Begins with a forehand error. But plays the next three points perfectly to go 40-15 up. Commits a double fault. Alcaraz nets a backhand return while going for a down-the-line shot. Djokovic consolidates the break.

First drop shot of the match attempted by Alcaraz and the forehand crosscourt goes wide - 0-15. Second serve from Alcaraz, crosscourt exchange between the two players and Djokovic eventually nets a backhand return - 15-all. Backhand crosscourt volley winner from Alcaraz to go 30-15 up after noticing Djokovic standing way behind the baseline. Drop shot tried again from Alcaraz, Djokovic reaches in time and chips the ball over, Alcaraz twice tries to go for down the line pass but loses the point. Forehand error from Alcaraz. Break point for Djokovic. And the Serbian breaks! Djokovic hits the drop shot, Alcaraz chips the return crosscourt, Djokovic is already there and sends the forehand down the line, Alcaraz tries back and makes the return but Djokovic finishes the point with a backhand volley.

Wide serve into the deuce court from Djokovic, Alcaraz hits a defensive lob, Djokovic runs to the net but hits the forehand volley long - 0-15. Two forehand errors from Alcaraz and Djokovic is up 30-15. T ace from Djokovic, Alcaraz manages to make the return and it helps as Djokovic sends the forehand long in response - 30-all. Serve-and-volley from Djokovic - 40-30. Djokovic keeps Alcaraz guessing in a nine-shot rally and finishes with a forehand winner down the line while the Spaniard moves for a crosscourt shot. Djokovic holds.

Alcaraz to serve. Begins with a serve wide into the deuce court and draws a heavy forehand return from Djokovic. The Serbian sprays wide an inside-out forehand return - 30-15. Strong crosscourt forehand shot from Alcaraz, Djokovic runs from the center of the baseline to his right but the forehand return goes long - 40-15. Alcaraz finishes the game with a forehand winner down the line.

A 5-shot opening rally with Alcaraz netting a forehand in the end. Service winners for the Serbian. First point of the match for Alcaraz and it is a gorgeous backhand pass from way downtown! Big serve down the T from Djokovic and Alcaraz, from way behind the baseline, hits the backhand return long. Djokovic holds.

Djokovic to serve first in this blockbuster clash.

Live visuals from Roland-Garros. The two players are making their way towards Court Philippe-Chatrier. First up, 22-time Major winner Novak Djokovic, followed by top seed Carlos Alcaraz.

The last three Grand Slam tournaments have been won by Djokovic or Alcaraz. Djokovic won Wimbledon last July and the Australian Open in January. He comes in with a 19-match Grand Slam tournament winning streak since his last loss to Nadal in the quarterfinals in Paris last year. Alcaraz captured the US Open title last September, withdrew from the Australian Open and enters the semifinals on a 12-match streak in Slam events.

Alcaraz: “Since the draw came out, everyone was expecting that match. Myself as well. I really want to play that match”

Djokovic: “It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me so far in the tournament”

Alcaraz: 11 hours 52 minutes

Djokovic: 14 hours 21 minutes

Alcaraz is trying to become the youngest finalist in Paris since Nadal (20) won the title in 2006

Alcaraz also aims to be the eighth Spanish man in the Open Era to reach multiple Grand Slam finals

The 36-year-old Djokovic attempts to become the second-oldest men’s singles finalist in tournament history (since 1925)

Quarterfinal: 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 against Karen Khachanov (RUS)

Fourth Round: 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 against Juan Pablo Varillas (PER)

Third Round: 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-2 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)

Second Round: 7-6(2), 6-0, 6-3 against Marton Fucsovic (HUN)

First Round: 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) against Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA)

Quarterfinal: 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5) against Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

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

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

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

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

Alcaraz leads the H2H 1-0 against Djokovic with their only meeting being last year’s Madrid Open semifinal which he won 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)

Live telecast of the French Open 2023 men’s singles semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will begin at 6:15PM IST. The match will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network and live streamed on SonyLiv and JioTV apps.

It is time for the men’s singles semifinals of the French Open 2023.

Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz in the first semifinal in a generational battle everyone had been waiting for ever since the draw came out.

The second semifinal will be between last year’s runner-up Casper Ruud and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev.

Th first semifinal between Djokovic and Alcaraz begins at 6:15PM IST. Stay tuned for all the pre-match build-up!