Novak Djokovic edged to within a match of an outright record 23rd Grand Slam singles title after getting the better of an injured Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open.
For two sets, the most-anticipated match of the Roland Garros fortnight promised to transform an all-time classic as they won a set apiece.
But with Alcaraz having battled his way back into the match having lost the opening set and looking to take momentum into the third set, he pulled up with cramp early on.
He twice had to call a medical timeout for treatment but, despite clearly having a physical disadvantage, saw out the match rather than withdrew as Djokovic won comfortably in the end 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
“I told him at the net, he knows how young he is and he has plenty of time ahead of him and he is going to win this tournament many times, I am sure,” Djokovic said of Alcarez after sealing victory.
“He’s an unbelievable player, incredible competitor and very nice guy. He deserves all the applause and support. It’s tough for him to know to retire or finish the match. Congratulations for fighting and hanging in. Great respect.
“I think we were both at the physical limit at the second set. I wasn’t feeling good at all. We were going toe-to-toe. This thing happened with his cramps and from that moment onwards it was a different match.”
Billed as a match-up between two tennis generations, it was an acid test to see if Alcaraz, only 20 and with just one Grand Slam to his name, had the game to match that of Djokovic.
The Spaniard struggled to get into his rhythm initially, perhaps understanding the enormity of the occasion and vented his frustration at his box more than is customary.
It was a frustration born from missed opportunities. While Djokovic converted the one break point he had in the set, Alcaraz was unable to make one of four – three of which came in game seven – on offer.
That game, which lasted 14 minutes, was pivotal in the set. One suspected had Alcaraz broken, he might have turned the tide. Instead, Djokovic, with his back against the wall, held off everything his opponent threw at him to hold and go 5-2 ahead.
That hold simply lifted Djokovic, who has struggled to find his best tennis over the past fortnight. Although he faced a fourth break point in game nine from an exquisite lob from his opponent, he once again held firm and rounded off the set.
The second set saw a rise in performance from both players and ebbed and flowed with a series of breaks in its latter points, Alacaraz at one point firing a behind the back winner down the line to leave even Djokovic applauding its brilliance.
Played out in front of a packed crowd at Philippe Chartier, which included celebrities ranging from the former boxer Mike Tyson and actor Michael Keaton.
But hopes of an all-time classic on the Parisian clay were denied as Alcaraz’s body rather than his game or else Djokovic’s experience proved his undoing.
Beaten finalist Casper Ruud awaits in the final after he overcame Alexander Zverev.
