French Open: Carlos Alcaraz breaks down in a back-breaking tie as Novak Djokovic closes in on Grand Slam record

But then, midway through the second set, Alcaraz, the 20-year-old World No. 1 from Spain considered the prime youngster to take over the sport’s reigns from its ageing kings, came alive. Then began the 30 most entertaining minutes of the men’s draw of this tournament – both men trading excruciatingly powerful blows from the baseline, as well as loose and frustrating errors. They used crafty variety with sumptuous drop shots, volleys, and approach shots, and painted the red clay with impressive winners.

Never doubt Novak 💪🇷🇸@DjokerNole gets the better of Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach a 34th Grand Slam final.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/fefJZKKMxn

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

Alcaraz, despite failing to capitalise when serving for the set earlier, narrowly emerged the victor of that captivating mini-battle and won the tight set 7-5. He scurried and slid on the slippery clay, using his 16-years-younger legs to overcome Djokovic physically and chase down anything that was thrown at him and return it with interest.

And then, in the dry Parisian heat, Alcaraz simply wilted.

Facing severe cramp early in the third set, he began disintegrating, conceding a game for treatment and then winning only one more as Djokovic prevailed 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, barely tested in the final two sets.

Experience and physical conditioning came into play here. For all of Alcaraz’s evident ability, and the buzz he has been able to create during his meteoric rise in the sport over the past year, it’s easy to forget just how young he is. This was Djokovic’s 394th singles match at a Major championship. It was Alcaraz’s 39th.

At 36, Djokovic’s ability to withstand brutal physical tests of this nature – even if predictable – never fails to startle, and his strategy and execution hand him the upper hand within the finer margins.

Djokovic came out flying in the first set with a clear strategy from the baseline – to go deep and wide into Alcaraz’s forehand wing to give him less room on that shot. Alcaraz’s powerhouse forehand has blown past many opponents in the past, and it is at its explosive best when he has an open court to aim for, which he usually achieves by taking advantage of the slower surface and getting around his backhand. Djokovic eliminated that by keeping him parked wide on his forehand, to which the Spaniard responded by rushing on his groundstrokes and leaking errors.

Respect for the man across the net 🫶#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/tNuYEG3Idv

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023

He also stayed tight to the baseline, not giving Alcaraz the breathing space to come to the net or throw in his signature drop shot to the same devastating effect. Djokovic also rushed points when needed, coming to the net 14 times in the first set, eight of them successfully. His backhand, especially down the line, was untouchable.

Alcaraz said earlier this week that the key to his high level of performance is that he is always smiling – enjoying the contest and the moment. Five games into the match on Friday, he was shouting in frustration at his box.

This match was billed as a blockbuster battle of shotmaking, and the highlight reel will look impressive. One particular point, when Alcaraz chased a shot behind him with incredible athleticism to run, slide, and swivel, all at once, and slap back a forehand winner, will likely be replayed for years. But this was less of a popcorn display and more of a methodical dismantling.

The result, ultimately, looks harsh on a physically-compromised Alcaraz. He will be back at this stage, and Djokovic and he will, hopefully without waiting another 13 months, battle again without an anticlimactic finish.

Djokovic, meanwhile, continues to leave marks of greatness in his ever-evolving resume of excellence. He keeps finding fresh ways of staying at peak physicality, developing new tactics to outplay the freshest of youth, and lifting his level to match the occasion and opponent suitably. In 70 Grand Slam tournaments, he has reached 34 finals. He has won 20 of his last 21 Major semifinals. On Sunday, he will contest his seventh French Open final, vying for a 23rd Grand Slam title – giving him the record.