As soon as the French Open draws were revealed, this was the match that stood out. A battle that pits two men who are somehow tennis past, present and future, against each other \u2013 and somehow only in the semifinals. Both have played some great tennis so far in Paris and both have had one-or-two slightly shaky moments. But who will book their place in Sunday\u2019s final?<\/p>\n
Jim: Novak Djokovic showed, for about half-an-hour, the quality of tennis he can still summon to storm into a 2-1 lead against Karen Khachanov. But then the storm abated and he looked more like a 36-year-old playing on what has always his least favourite of the three surfaces. Naturally, because he\u2019s Djokovic, he still won the match, but Carlos Alcaraz is not Khachanov. In these conditions, with Djokovic\u2019s powers still formidable but also on the wane, the Spaniard \u2013 who has demolished two very fine players in his most recent outings \u2013 should have just about enough.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5<\/em><\/p>\n [cta id=4014 type=cta] (betMGM)<\/p>\n Yesh: This is the battle we\u2019ve all been waiting for. Alcaraz looks unbeatable, but he\u2019s never faced a defender like Djokovic before. The Spaniard struggled most when Tsitsipas extended the rallies and forced Alcaraz to create his own points. It might take Djokovic a while to really figure that out, but once he does Alcaraz is in trouble.<\/p>\n Prediction: Djokovic in 4<\/em><\/p>\n Damian: Based on the level they\u2019ve both produced so far, Alcaraz really should be taking this one. He is faster, he has bigger weapons, and he\u2019s stronger physically. But we\u2019ve also seen this movie before. Djokovic comes into the most important matches with scarcely believable focus and determination, but is it really going to be enough? Can he go toe-to-toe with the young gun fitness-wise?<\/p>\n