Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday June 5, 2024
Paris – The rivalry is renewed!
Sadness remained in Paris on Wednesday, when the news of Novak Djokovic's withdrawal hit the press. The three-time champion, who was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury, has been a big draw for the men this year, but the game must go on without him.
And when it comes to the show, Carlos Alcaraz again Jannik Sinner he has the ability to make fans excited about the future of this game. And so it will be on Friday when the pair meet for the ninth time, with a place in Sunday's final on the line.
Alcaraz cruised to a 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Tuesday, to reach the final four in Paris for the second consecutive year.
“It's always important to be able to play a Grand Slam semifinal,” Alcaraz said. “Really, I'm very happy to play on Friday against Jannik again. It's a really tough challenge. I'm ready for that. I hope everyone will enjoy that game as much as I will.”
Alcaraz defeated Sinner in their only meeting in 2024, in the semifinals of Indian Wells, to equal the record between the two with four victories to one.
The rivalry between the two has become electrifying, with points being played at high speed, characterized by an unpredictable level of tennis.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach the semifinals on the Parisian clay. The 22-year-old also learned that he will be the ATP No.1 on Monday, as Djokovic needed to reach at least the final to have any chance of holding on to the title.
It's just one of a long list of impressive achievements for Sinner, who won his first title at this year's Australian Open. He will be the first Italian to hold the No.1 position.
Alcaraz told reporters that he appreciates their fights, even if Sinner presents him with tough challenges.
“Everything he does, he does well,” Alcaraz said. “The way he hits the ball is unbelievable. The way he moves, it's really good. Pushing to the end of every ball, every point. I think it is a very difficult thing to deal with Jannik.
“At the same time I like that. I love these types of matches. I like this kind of challenge to have a really tough fight against him. The last games we've played I think it's been like that, and I like that.”
Alcaraz and Sinner have only met once on clay, with Sinner taking a straight decision over the Spaniard in the 2022 Umag final. They have met twice in the majors, with Sinner defeating Alcaraz in 2022 at Wimbledon (round of 16) and Alcaraz defeating Sinner in a five-hour, 15-minute main round at the 2022 US Open.
That streak ended at 2:50 AM and goes down as the latest finish in US Open history. Alcaraz went on to win his first of two majors that year, and became the youngest No. 1 in ATP history on Monday after the tournament.
“Maybe he gets a little angry before facing him,” said the 21-year-old Spaniard. “I will not lie. I mean, he's probably one of the toughest challenges in tennis right now. I think he is the best player in the world. I think, no, he is No. 1 right now…
“It's going to be fun. Like I said, the games we've played in the past have been incredible games. I think everyone wants to watch this game. When the draw came out, I think everyone wanted Jannik from my side to play the semi-final. Let's see how it goes, but I think it will be good for tennis and for the fans.”
Casper Ruud, who benefited from Novak Djokovics withdrawal on Tuesday, will face either Alexander Zverev or Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals. Zverev and De Minaur will play a night session on Wednesday in Paris.
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