Novak Djokovic has taken an early lead in his Roland Garros semi-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz, claiming the first set 6-3.

The 36-year-old Serbian came out firing in the generational battle on Court Philippe-Chatrier, pulling the 20-year-old Spaniard around with destructive and consistent groundstrokes to lead after 56 minutes.

Meeting for the first time this season, Alcaraz and Djokovic have waged a neck-and-neck battle in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 2023, trading the top spot four times. If World No. 1 Alcaraz can fight back and prevail against Djokovic, he will remain atop tennis’ mountain following the clay-court event.

Djokovic is chasing a double prize in Paris this weekend. If he lifts a record 23rd major men’s singles trophy, he will return to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

The two-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic, who has dropped just one set en route to the semi-finals, is aiming to reach his seventh title match in Paris. If he can maintain his rhythm and level his ATP Head2Head series against Alcaraz at 1-1, he will become the second-oldest finalist in tournament history (since 1925).

Sixteen years his junior, Alcaraz is the youngest man to advance to the semi-finals at Roland Garros since a then-20-year-old Djokovic did in 2007. The top seed is seeking his second major title, which would make it two trophies in as many major appearances for the reigning US Open champion Alcaraz, who missed the Australian Open with a leg injury.

Alcaraz has demonstrated his all-court game throughout the past week in Paris, defeating seeds Denis Shapovalov, Lorenzo Musetti and Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to move within two wins of becoming the youngest Roland Garros champion since Rafael Nadal won the title aged 20 in 2006.

Djokovic was locked in from ball one in Friday’s encounter. He struck his groundstrokes through the court with depth, while he moved forward consistently, closing the net 13 times in the set to pressurise Alcaraz. After breaking in the fourth game, the Serbian fended off three break points in a mammoth game at 4-2 as Alcaraz began to find rhythm from the baseline. The top seed then held serve to lead.

Did You Know?
Alcaraz won the pair’s only previous meeting in Madrid last year, defeating Djokovic in three sets in the semi-finals.

Source Tennis – ATP World Tour