French Open 2023 Highlights, Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: History-chasing Djokovic enters 7th Roland Garros final

Djokovic serves to get the match underway and after a quick rally wins the first point, 15-0!

Both players are in the court and playing rallies as they warm up.

The match will begin in few minutes! Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a thrilling semi-final clash between world no. 1 Alcaraz and history-chasing Djokovic.

Alcaraz has won the US Open 2022 and has a 24-7 (77 percent) win-loss record at the majors.

More 25 minutes to go as Alcaraz will take on Djokovic in the semi-final!

On Thursday, Muchova was the first one to book a berth in the women's singles final with a hard-fought win vs Sabalenka, 7(7)-6(5) 6(5)-7(7) 7-5. Meanwhile, Swiatek defeated Haddad Maia in the other semi-final, winning 6-2 7(9)-6(7).

Carlos Ferrero, coach of Alcaraz, said, "Pressure is going to be there always. I think people expect a lot of things from a lot of players, so I think we try to go our way, you know, believe in ourselves. I think of course he won a Grand Slam already, 19 years old, now 20, is gonna help him to believe that he can make it again. I think it's all help, not more pressure."

"There are people who say that I have blows [shots] from Rafa, shots from Djokovic, shots from Federer because, in the end, it is what they have been used to seeing for 20 years, right? But I do not define myself or have not sought to have anyone's shots, but I'm simply 100% Alcaraz and that is what I like to think – that I am percent," he said.

Casper Ruud will face Alexander Zverev in the second semi-final.

The Serb lost his world no. 1 rank due to his unvaccinated status, and has won the last two Grand Slams he entered and has seven titles since last May too!

Alcaraz mimght have an edge as he's 25-2 on clay in 2023, while Djokovic is 10-3.

Alcaraz has won seven of his last eight matches vs top five players and is now up against Djokovic. He defeated no. 5 Tsitsipas at the quarter-finals, which made hit his seventh win in his last eight games vs top five platers.

Djokovic is in his 12th French Open semi-final with a 6-5 record and is also trying to reach his seventh final. He is also chasing a historic record 23rd Grand Slam title. Winning the French Open would make him the first man to win each Grand Slam at least three times. Serena Williams, Margaret Court and Steffi Graf have achieved such a feat in women's tennis.

Ahead of the match, the Spaniard said, "Since last year I really wanted to play again against Novak. We are both playing a great level. It's his 45th semi-final of a Grand Slam; this is going be my second. I would say his experience is better, but I'm not going to think about that."

Ahead of the match, Djokovic compared Alcaraz to Nadal. he said, "He carries himself very well. Brings a lot of intensity on the court. Reminds me of someone from his country that plays with a left hand."

Alcaraz leads 1-0 vs Djokovic in head-to-head, having won last year's Madrid Open semi-final.

The Serbian ace defeated Kovacevic (6-3 6-2 7(7)-6(1)) and Fucsovics (7(7)-6(2) 6-0 6-3) in the first and second rounds respectively. Then in the third round, Djokovic beat Davidovich Fokina 7(7)-6(4) 7(7)-6(5) 6-2, followed by a 6-3 6-2 6-22 victory vs Varillas in the fourth round. In his quarter-final match vs Khachanov, Djokovic staged a comeback to win 4-6 7(7)-6(0) 6-2 6-4.

Alcaraz began his French Open 2023 campaign with a 6-0 6-2 7-5 win vs Cobolli in the first round, followed by a 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-2 second round victory vs Daniel. Then in the third round, he eased past Shapovalov with a 6-1 6-4 6-2 win, and then defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the fourth round. To book his berth in the semis, Alcaraz clinched a 6-2 6-1 7(7)-6(5) win vs Tsitsipas in the quarter-final.

Hello and good afternoon everyone! Welcome to our live coverage of today's French Open men's singles semi-final clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Stay tuned folks!