Top seed Carlos Alcaraz has secured a spot in the semi-finals after convincingly defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in a game of three sets. Alcaraz’s impressive 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) victory sets the stage for a highly-anticipated clash with Novak Djokovic, which would, no doubt, be one of the highlights of this year’s event.
The 20-year-old Spaniard displayed remarkable skill and composure against the Greek fifth seed, asserting his dominance throughout the match. Alcaraz’s victory is a proof of his rising talent and serves as a significant milestone in his promising career.
On the other side of the tournament, Serbia’s Djokovic faced a formidable challenge in the quarter-finals against Karen Khachanov. The Russian player pushed Djokovic to the brink, threatening to take a two-set lead. However, the experienced Serbian fought back, ultimately prevailing with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-2, 6-4 victory.
With this win, Djokovic keeps his dream of claiming a record 23rd men’s Grand Slam singles title alive. As the third seed, he now has the opportunity to become the first man to win each of the four majors at least three times. However, Djokovic’s next challenge will be his toughest yet as he squares off against the US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in the semi-finals on Friday.
Alcaraz, acknowledging the significance of the encounter, expressed his excitement, stating, “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Djokovic is one of the best in the world, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The two had previously met last year at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid in Spain, where Alcaraz emerged the winner from a game of three sets. Veteran Djokovic would be looking to repeat of what happened last year.
With Rafael Nadal absent due to injury, Djokovic and Alcaraz have emerged as the frontrunners and joint favorites to claim the coveted championship. Their exceptional performances thus far in the tournament have solidified their positions as the ones to watch.
Leon Osamor
