Advertisement

MEN'S DAY 10 WRAP: Alcaraz sets up French Open semifinal against Sinner

general04 June 2024 21:01| © Reuters
Share

Italian Jannik Sinner stepped up his bid for a second Grand Slam title by securing a 6-2 6-4 7-6(3) victory over Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday to reach the French Open semifinals, minutes after it was confirmed he would be the new world number one.

Order of Play | Win with SPAR | Watch Live on DStv

Although he didn't know it at the time, the second seed will take top spot in the rankings on Monday regardless of who wins the French Open after defending champion Novak Djokovic pulled out with a knee injury before his quarterfinal match.

Djokovic's withdrawal will mean that 22-year-old Sinner will become the first Italian player to take the number one spot since the ATP rankings were first published 51 years ago.

"What can I say? First of all it's every player's dream to be number one. On the other hand, seeing Novak retiring here is, for everyone, disappointing. I wish him a quick recovery," Sinner said amid applause from the crowd.

"I try not to think much about this. This is a tournament I used to struggle a lot, especially the last two years. I'm happy to be in the semi-finals.

"It's a special moment for me. I'm very happy to share this with you guys (the fans) and everyone at home watching from Italy."

Sinner has a perfect record in Grand Slams this year but a trickier test is on the cards for the Australian Open champion, however, as he faces a semifinal clash against fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner tested Dimitrov's backhand early in the contest on Philippe Chatrier and the lanky 22-year-old got a double break over his 10th-seeded opponent en route to take the opening set without getting out of second gear.

A searing crosscourt forehand winner set up break point at the start of the next and Sinner held firm to edge ahead, before shrugging off a back twinge to extend his dominance and lay the platform for a 33rd victory of a near-flawless season.

World number 10 Dimitrov, who lifted his first title since 2017 at Brisbane earlier this year and reached two more finals, battled on bravely in the third set and forced a tiebreak where a clinical Sinner wrapped up the match with no trouble.

"I am very happy. We have played a couple of times before and I know what to expect. We played a final in Miami and it is always tough to play against him," Sinner said.

"He is such a great talent and nice guy. My performance was very solid, especially the first two sets.

"I had a little bit of pressure when serving for the match, but this is normal, this is tennis. I am happy with how I played later and to be in the semis."

ALCARAZ SEES OFF TSITSIPAS

In the final match of the day, Carlos Alcaraz saw off Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to set up a mouthwatering semifinal clash with Sinner.

The reigning Wimbledon champion proved too strong for former Roland Garros runner-up Tsitsipas, powering to a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"I was really calm in the moments I had to (be)," he said. "I'm really happy to play a semifinal here again at Roland Garros."

Alcaraz will be desperate to right the wrongs of last year -- when he suffered cramps in a defeat by Djokovic -- in his second successive French Open semifinal.

The 21-year-old Spaniard has now won all six of his career matches against ninth-ranked Tsitsipas, including back-to-back quarterfinals in Paris after his three-set victory at the same stage last year.

"I was pretty sure I could face Carlos today and maybe do something different than any other time that I have played (him)," said Tsitsipas.

"The kid is just too good. I can only congratulate him because he's really playing amazing."

Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest man in history to win Grand Slam tournaments on hard, grass and clay courts after his Wimbledon triumph and 2022 US Open title.

He will face Sinner on Friday for the ninth time, with the pair's head-to-head record level at 4-4.

"It's a really difficult challenge, I'm not going to lie," said Alcaraz of Sinner.

"I think right now he's the best player in the world, the player who's playing the best tennis right now."

There will be a new name on the men's trophy this year after Djokovic pulled out ahead of his quarterfinal with a knee injury, while it will also be the first final without one of the 'big three' since 2004.

The winner of Alcaraz's match with Australian Open champion Sinner will be favourite for the title in the final against either Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud or Alex de Minaur.

"Surprise for me that he withdrew from the tournament," said Alcaraz of Djokovic.

"I think not having Djokovic in the tournament, it's I'm going to say distressing for the fans not having one of the best players in the world in the tournament."

 'LET'S SEE WHO WINS'

Alcaraz won his only previous match against Sinner this year in the Indian Wells semis, while they have shared a win each in Grand Slam clashes.

"We've played great matches, high level," said Alcaraz. "I'm grateful to have him on the tour, at this level because he pushes me to be my best level... to wake up in the morning to try to get better to try to beat him.

"It's going to be a really good challenge, I'm ready for that challenge. It's the match that everybody wants to watch.

"I'm sure he'll show his best tennis, I will as well, so let's see who's going to win."

Alcaraz started quickly in front of an expectant crowd on Tuesday, racing through the first set in just half an hour as Tsitsipas struggled to contain his opponent.

An underwhelming contest looked on the cards when the third seed forged 4-1 ahead in the second, although Tsitsipas fought back to force a tie-break.

The Greek was always on the back foot, though, and Alcaraz upped his level again to take the breaker.

Tsitsipas's hopes dissipated with a double-fault to give up a break of serve in the seventh game of the third set.

Alcaraz made no mistake in closing it out, sealing victory with a drop-shot winner.

Advertisement