The semi-final duels of Roland Garros are on the program today, and the attention of the world tennis public is particularly inspired by the match between Janik Siner and Carlos Alcaraz. "Battle of the Titans" - that's how the media called the clash between the Italians and the Spaniards.
And for the first time in 16 years, rivals under the age of 23 will play in the semi-finals of Roland Garros - the Italian is 22, the Spaniard one less, and the second semi-final is a repeat of last year's biggest tournament on clay, Kasper Rud and Alexander Zverev will meet. Last year, the Norwegian celebrated, but in the final he lost to Novak Djokovic, who handed Rud the quarterfinal match this season due to injury...
That duel is certainly in the background, because all eyes are on the match between the two biggest hopes of world tennis - the youngest semi-final pair since 2008. Then the 22-year-old Rafael Nadal got a year younger Djokovic.
- When you play with Janiko, it's like running a marathon, but from one side of the field to the other. He gives his all, without rest or reserve, and he executes all the shots perfectly. He strikes the ball incredibly well and moves very well. It forces you to give your all in every shot. I think that's the hardest thing about playing against him. At the same time, I like it all. I like such matches, I enjoy the challenging competition with him. The previous matches were exactly like that - said Alkaras.
In mutual duels at ATP tournaments, the result is tied - they have four wins each. The last match on clay in Umag went to Siner, but Alkaras was happy in the last showdown in Indian Wells.
- I like it when it is necessary to find a solution, ways to win. In Indian Wells, I lost the first set 6:1, and then I found a pattern to put him in an awkward position. Such matches are very useful, they force you to find new ways - concluded Alkaras, the favorite according to the leading bookmakers.
Siner has made a real breakthrough since the end of last season. And he beat Djokovic three times, and even four against Danilo Medvedev, from whom he had previously lost all six matches. Siner will take over the top spot on the ATP list from Djokovic on Monday, and the Serbian ace can drop to third place if Alkaras wins the title in Paris.
- I know that there is still a lot of room for improvement in my game. I am someone who learns from my own mistakes, I try not to repeat them and I am lucky to be surrounded by people who tell me the truth to my face. If it's bad, it's bad. Last year I got burned at Roland Garros, lost in the second round and obviously I learned a lot. Now I have a match in front of me that I can also learn from. It's also good that every day I feel better after the injury, I have less and less doubts about my own capabilities - said Siner.
The duel between Siner and Alkaras will not start before 14.30:17.30 p.m., and the earliest time for the Rud - Zverev match is XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
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