Djokovic and Alcaraz ready to serve up French Open feast for the ages

C arlos Alcaraz arrived in Madrid last May still with plenty to prove. The swiftness with which he joined the elite had already become one of the defining stories of the season, but Alcaraz had still not faced the ultimate test, measuring up against Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

By the end of the week, he had ticked both off the list. Alcaraz finished the Madrid Open by becoming the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic consecutively on clay and he departed with the title.

In the 13 months since, Alcaraz has risen higher still. He won his first grand slam at the US Open last year, the last one he played as he missed the Australian Open with injury. He became the ATP’s first teenage world No 1. He has four Masters 1000 titles.

At the same time Alcaraz established himself at the top, Djokovic re-established his own form having fallen from the No 1 ranking primarily because of his unvaccinated status freeing up his schedule. Djokovic has won the past two grand slam tournaments he entered and has seven titles since last May.

Alcaraz and Djokovic have been the best in the world against the field they have faced, but during this same period they managed to avoid each other. In their only meeting, the Madrid Open semi‑final last year, Alcaraz edged Djokovic to win 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) after three hours and 36 minutes. This French Open marks the second time they have been in the same draw this year.

On Friday they will meet in the semi-final of the French Open, a true inter-generational clash and one of the most anticipated matches in recent years.

If form is the only factor, there would be little doubt about the favourite. Alcaraz has torn the field apart throughout the clay season, winning Barcelona and Madrid. In