Djokovic nears record 23rd Grand Slam title and prepares for final showdown with Ruud

Author: Barkha Roy

Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to securing an unprecedented 23rd major title on Friday at Roland Garros. In the match against Carlos Alcaraz, who was struggling with health problems, Djokovic showed his dominance with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory.

The 36-year-old Serb showed his formidable skills from the start, using powerful and consistent groundstrokes to control the match against the 20-year-old Spaniard. The match between the two players, who represent different generations, was full of intense rallies and impressive agility, captivating the crowd during the first two sets.

Although Alcaraz managed to level the match, his physical condition began to deteriorate at the start of the third set. Feeling cramps in his right calf, he opted to give up his service game at 1-1, seeking treatment from an ATP physiotherapist during the changeover. Alcaraz, who had already missed the Australian Open due to a leg injury, struggled to reach his shots and generate power, allowing Djokovic to regain control of the match. Taking advantage of his opponent’s limitations, Djokovic quickly secured the fourth set, clinching victory after three hours and 23 minutes of defiance.

In his next match, Novak Djokovic will face Casper Ruud from Norway. Ruud booked his place in the semi-finals with an extraordinary 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Alexander Zverev at the prestigious clay court tournament. Known for his clean, precise strokes on the baseline, Ruud showed his talent on Court Philippe-Chatrier, delivering a dominant performance that lasted two hours and nine minutes.

One notable aspect of Ruud’s match against Zverev was his relentless approach, constantly forcing his opponent into long rallies. Ruud showed admirable consistency, making just 19 unforced errors during the three sets, while Zverev struggled with 37. Ruud’s powerful forehand proved to be a decisive weapon, contributing to his fantastic record of 25 winners.

Elsewhere, in the women’s doubles match, the 10th-ranked duo of Leylah Fernandez and Taylor Townsend booked their place in their first Grand Slam final as a team. They surprisingly defeated second-ranked duo Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula with a convincing 6-0, 6-4 scoreline in just 64 minutes. Their opponents in the final will be the unranked team of Hsieh Su-Wei and Wang Xinyu, who caused an upset by beating the sixth-ranked duo of Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez in a very tight semi-final match that ended 6-2, 3-6 and 6-3.