French Open 2023
Dates: May 28-Jun 11
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris
Carlos Alcaraz set up a French Open semifinal date against Novak Djokovic on Friday after dispatching Stefanos Tsitsipas. The prospective clash was immediately highlighted when the draw was made 12 days ago and had appeared inevitable as both men progressed through the rounds. Both have dropped only one set but, while Djokovic had to fight back from a set down to beat Karen Khachanov on Tuesday, Alcaraz swatted aside fifth seed Tsitsipas 6-2 6-1 7-6 (5) in the night session.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will face Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals after crushing Stefanos Tsitsipas to set up the highly anticipated clash.
Spain's Alcaraz, 20, won 6-2 6-1 7-6 (7-5) against the Greek fifth seed.
Serbia's Djokovic survived a quarter-final scare from Karen Khachanov to keep his bid for a record 23rd men's Grand Slam singles title alive.
Djokovic, 36, was in danger of falling two sets behind against the Russian but prevailed 4-6 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 6-4.
The third seed could become the first man to win all four majors at least three times.
But if he is going to do that he must come through his toughest test yet when he meets US Open champion Alcaraz in the last four on Friday.
"This match is what everyone wants to watch and it will be a good one to play," said world number one Alcaraz.
"If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. Djokovic is one of the best in the world and I'm looking forward to it."
In the absence of the injured Rafael Nadal, Djokovic and Alcaraz have long been considered joint favourites to take the 14-time champion's crown - what they have showed so far in this tournament strongly suggests that remains the case.
