June 09, (THEWILL) – Novak Djokovic has secured a spot in the final of the French Open after semi-final opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, was forced to retire due to injury.
The mouthwatering clash between the two players ended prematurely when Alcaraz suffered a leg problem, leaving him unable to continue. Djokovic was already at an advantage and wrapped up the win 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1. This brings the Serbian two-time Roland Garros winner one step closer to his 23rd Grand Slam title. Despite Alcaraz’s efforts to play through the pain, he was no match for the standard relentless play of Djokovic.
The semi-final match initially promised to be a thrilling encounter, with both players receiving praise for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament. Alcaraz had just managed to level the match by winning the second set when his leg issue struck, hindering his ability to compete. After receiving treatment and forfeiting his serve, Alcaraz struggled with the efficiency of his movements around the tricky clay surface, allowing Djokovic to dominate the rest of the match.
Djokovic did not hesitate to showcase his skills right from the start, securing a comfortable hold in the opening game with five first serves. The 36-year-old continued to apply pressure on Alcaraz, earning the first break of the match in the fourth game. Alcaraz endeavoured to regain control, but Djokovic’s aggressive approach paid off as he closed out the first set.
Although Alcaraz briefly showed signs of brilliance, including an impressive shot that earned him applause from the crowd on his way to levelling the sets, his physical limitations ultimately led to his ouster. Djokovic progressed to his 34th grand slam final with one hand securely on a 23rd major title that will take him beyond any other player in history.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
