New Generation Of World Tennis, Alcaraz And Sinner Prepare To Fight In The French Open Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz, a young Spaniard/(photo: x @carlosalcaraz)

JAKARTA - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will face off in the semifinals of the French Open on Friday, June 7, in a fight that will lead to rivalry that may dominate the male tour for years to come.

After defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew from the tournament with a knee injury, the winner of this match will be the main favorite to lift Coupe des Mousquetaires and become the first new French Open men's singles champion since 2016.

Friday's match will be the first men's singles semifinal at Roland Garros to be contested between two players under the age of 23 since 2008, when Rafa Nadal beat Djokovic on his way to his fourth title. "I think everyone wants to watch this game," Alcaraz told reporters on Tuesday. June 4. "When the draw came out, I thought everyone wanted Jannik by my side, to play in the semifinals. I think it would be great for tennis and for fans."

Alcaraz, 21, and Sinner, 22-year-old Australian Open champion, are now on a 4-4 head-to-head record, and will meet for the third time in a Grand Slam and the first time at Roland Garros. Both players have reached the semifinals after losing just one set each in their previous five games in the tournament this year. The young Spaniard said he expects a force-intensive fight.

"You have to run like in a marathon, tofu, from side to side. Everything he does, he does perfectly. The way he hits the ball is incredible," Alcaraz said. "I love a challenge like this, to have a very difficult fight against him. I love finding a solution, finding a way to beat him... I think those situations are big for tennis, when you have to try to find the right way."

Casper Ruud, runner-up in the last two years, and former world number two Alexander Zverev continued their efforts to win their first Grand Slam title when they met in last year's semi-finals. Ruud has only won one in four games at the French Open in a straight set, but the Norwegian will be much fresher than his German opponent after getting a walkover in his quarter-finals with Djokovic.

However, he will face a tough test from Zverev, who will be excited to go further at the French Open after being eliminated in the semifinals in the last three editions. Asked about facing Ruud after his 6-4 7-6(5) 6-4 win over Alex de Minaur on Wednesday, Zverev told reporters: "Two consecutive finals, all three consecutive semifinals, it speaks for itself. He is one of the best players on this surface, for sure. I think I should play my best tennis to have a chance."