Novak Djokovic Marches into another final after Hammering Carlos Alcaraz

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Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of winning the French Open were dashed by cramp, while Novak Djokovic continued to cruise toward a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam victory.

Carlos Alcaraz had just leveled the highly anticipated match with a thrilling second-set victory and appeared to be gaining the upper hand when, following a forehand, his right knee cramped up.

The 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz appeared to be immobile at first but ultimately staggered back to his seat and was forced to forfeit a service game so that he could receive treatment.

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When the spectators realized the game had been given to Novak Djokovic, they booed loudly, but that was the least of Carlos Alcaraz’s problems because the Spaniard, who had been impressing Philippe Chatrier with his tremendous movement and dynamism, was now barely able to do more than walk.

He decided against retiring but was unable to pose much of a threat to Djokovic moving forward. He only managed to win one more game before the Serb completed a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory to advance to his ninth Parisian clay final.

First and foremost, I have to say tough luck to Carlos. Since losing in the quarterfinals of this tournament last year, Djokovic has not lost a Grand Slam match. The last thing you want at this point is cramps. I feel for him, I’m sorry for him, and I hope he gets better quickly so he can return.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz plays a shot and score with his back to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the third game of the second set of their semifinal match of the French Open tennis Carlos Alcaraz — **Alcaraz played one of the all-time great shots during his four-set defeat at Roland Garros [Courtesy]**

“I told him at the net, he knows how young he is. He’s going to win this tournament I’m sure many, many times. He’s an incredible player. It’s tough obviously for him to not know whether he should finish the match but congratulations to him for the fighting spirit.

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“Towards the end of the second set, I wasn’t feeling fresh at all. We went toe to toe and then this thing happened. I just tried to stay focused. I saw that he was struggling but I didn’t want to think too much about what was going on on the other side of the net.

“I’m incredibly proud to reach another final.”

Novak Djokovic will face Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final

Djokovic will compete for his 23rd Slam championship on Sunday in an effort to break the men’s record tie with Rafael Nadal. Ruud, who easily upset No. 22 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in Friday’s second semifinal, will be on the other side of the net.

Carlos Alcaraz started cramping in his right calf during the third set and had to concede a game for undergoing treatment [Courtesy]

Due to a hip ailment, Nadal missed the French Open this year; he underwent arthroscopic surgery last week.

Casper Ruud celebrates winning his semi final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. He is through to Sunday’s final, where he will face Novak Djokovic. — Casper Ruud celebrates winning his semi-final match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev [Courtesy]

Djokovic, who has won 10 of the last 19 major championships, and Alcaraz, who won the US Open in September, were the two guys who were left in the public’s attention. Alcaraz is viewed as the sport’s future, whereas Djokovic is one of its most influential players in history.