Alcaraz sets up Sinner clash in semis after demolishing Stefanos Tsitsipas

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 5, 2024 02:25 IST

Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the semi-final of the French Open 2024 men’s singles after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the quarters. On Tuesday, June 4 at Philippe-Chatrier, Alcaraz beat his Greek opponent 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Alcaraz had the upper hand over Tsitsipas throughout the opening set as he earned 2 breaks of serve. He was accurate with his first serves, winning 82 percent of points from them (14 out of 17). Tsitsipas was caught napping with his second serve with a double fault to his name as well.

Tsitsipas upped his game in the second set, taking it to a tie-breaker. The Greek star was in trouble as he conceded an early break, but he earned the break back to keep Alcaraz on his toes. In the tie-breaker, it was one-way traffic in favour of Alcaraz, who stormed to a 5-1 lead. Although Tsitsipas won a couple of points, he could not save the set.

In the third set, things were neck-on-neck at 3-3 when Alcaraz took the upper hand with a break of serve. From there on, the Spaniard did not give Tsitsipas muchh breathing space.

Tough task ahead for Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz is now set to lock horns with Jannik Sinner, who will become the new World No.1 after Novak Djokovic pulled off the clay-court major due to a knee injury. Sinner defeated Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) on Tuesday at Philippe-Chatrier. The head-to-head record between Sinner and Alcaraz stands at 4-4 with the latter winning in their latest meeting in the Indian Wells earlier this year.

Last year, Alcaraz fell short of making his way through to the final after losing to Djokovic in the semis. This time around, he again faces a top-ranked player in his second attempt to qualify for the final of the French Open.