Carlos sets up match against Janik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Tuesday, setting up a highly anticipated French Open semi-final against soon-to-be world number one Jannik Sinner.
The Wimbledon champion overwhelmed Tsitsipas, a former Roland Garros runner-up, with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“I was really calm when I needed to be,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really happy to reach the semi-finals here again at Roland Garros.”
Alcaraz aims to redeem himself after last year’s semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, where he suffered cramps. This victory marked his sixth win against Tsitsipas, maintaining an undefeated record against the ninth-ranked player, including consecutive quarter-final wins in Paris.
Tsitsipas acknowledged Alcaraz’s prowess, saying, “The kid is just too good. I can only congratulate him because he’s really playing amazing.”
Alcaraz, at 21, is striving to become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on hard, grass, and clay courts, following his Wimbledon and 2022 US Open victories. He will face Sinner on Friday, with their head-to-head record tied at 4-4.
“It’s a really difficult challenge,” Alcaraz said of Sinner, who will replace Djokovic at the top of the rankings. “I think right now he’s the best player in the world, playing the best tennis.”
With Djokovic withdrawing due to a knee injury, there will be a new name on the men’s trophy this year. The winner of Alcaraz vs. Sinner will be favored in the final against either Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, or Alex de Minaur.
Alcaraz was surprised by Djokovic’s withdrawal, calling it distressing for fans. He looks forward to the challenge against Sinner, remarking, “It’s the match that everybody wants to watch.”
Alcaraz dominated the first set in just half an hour and weathered Tsitsipas’s fightback in the second set, securing a tiebreaker win. Tsitsipas’s double-fault in the third set allowed Alcaraz to break serve, and he clinched the match with a drop-shot winner.
