Djokovic nears 23rd Grand Slam title after Alcaraz cramps up
It was Carlos Alcaraz, not Novak Djokovic, who conjured up the “How did he do that?!” shot in the French Open semifinals that went viral in minutes and will be talked about for years.
It was Alcaraz, 20, not Djokovic, 36, who had youth on his side, of course, the widest gap between Grand Slam semifinalists since 1991. It was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, who complained to his coach in the early going on an 85-degree afternoon in Court Philippe Chatrier that the points weren't long enough to wear down his opponent.
And yet it was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, who succumbed to the heat and the intensity and, by his own admission, the nerves of the occasion. It was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, whose body broke down. And so it is the No. 3 seed Djokovic, not No. 1 Alcaraz, who will play on in Paris with a chance to add to his trophy collection.
Using every bit of his superiority in experience and fitness, Djokovic beat a cramping Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach his 34th major final. That allowed Djokovic to move closer to a 23rd Grand Slam championship, which would break a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the men's record.
“I can understand the emotions and circumstances that affect you mentally and emotionally. ... Maybe for the first time in his career, he was expected to win,” Djokovic said. “It's a part of the learning curve.” Score one for the old guys. “I've never felt the tension that I did in that match,” said Alcaraz, who said the stress he sensed because of the stakes, and the daunting foe across the net, caused cramps in “every part of my body.”
“He has been in that situation multiple times,” Alcaraz said. “More than me.”
On Sunday, Djokovic will meet No. 4 Casper Ruud, who eliminated No. 22 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
MLB
MLB HOMER LEADER PETE ALONSO TO IL >> New York Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso will miss 3-to-4 weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.
The Mets placed Alonso, whose 22 home runs lead the majors, on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.
Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.
Golf
PGA TOUR ROOKIE CARL YUAN LEADS BY 1 AT CANADIAN OPEN >> Carl Yuan moved into position to turn around a forgettable rookie year on the PGA Tour, shooting a 5-under 67 in cool, rainy conditions to take a one-shot lead at the midway point of the RBC Canadian Open.
Two-time defending champion Rory McIlroy gave himself a chance heading into the weekend at Oakdale. He shot 67 and was three shots back of Yuan's two-day total of 9-under 135.
Corey Conners, seeking to become the first Canadian to win his national open since 1954, shot 69 and was one shot back alongside Tyrrell Hatton (64), C.T. Pan (66) and Aaron Rai (69). HOLMQVIST SURPRISE LEADER AFTER FIRST ROUND OF SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC >> Dani Holmqvist shot a career-best 7-under 64 to take a one-shot lead over Jenny Shin and Chinese rookie Yan Liu after the first round of the ShopRite LPGA Classi.
Two-time ShopRite winner Anna Nordqvist and Georgia Hall were in a group of five two shots off the lead in the 54-hole event on the Bay Course at Seaview, close to the casinos in Atlantic City.
NFL
MINNESOTA VIKINGS RELEASE STAR RUNNING BACK COOK >> The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap savings after his fourth consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
Cook, in just six years with the Vikings, reached third on the franchise alltime rushing list with 5,993 yards. He's fifth in rushing attempts (1,282) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (47).
College football
USC, UCLA WILL FACE MICHIGAN DURING THEIR FIRST SEASON IN BIG TEN >> Southern California and UCLA will both face Michigan during their first season as members of the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
The conference announced the opponents for the 2024 and `25 football seasons. Next year will be the first season with 16 teams and no divisional format as the top two teams will qualify for the conference championship game.
USC and UCLA both announced last year that they were leaving the Pac12 Conference to join the Big Ten.
College basketball
UCONN STUDENTS GETTING
EXPELLED FOR VANDALISM THAT FOLLOWED TEAM'S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP >> Some University of Connecticut students are getting expelled for vandalizing their campus following their basketball team's April 3 victory in the NCAA championship game, a university spokesperson said.
“Although we can't address individual students' outcomes, we can say that some reviews have concluded with expulsions,” UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said. She said the investigations are ongoing for other students who were arrested following the vandalism at the Storrs campus, which included smashing windows and damaging a police vehicle.
Soccer
MAN CITY TAKES ON INTER MILAN IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL >> Manchester City faces Inter Milan in European club soccer's biggest game on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's team has already won the Premier League title and FA Cup this season and is bidding to win the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
Inter is the underdog, but has a more storied history in Europe than City, having won the trophy three times previously.
LA GALAXY STAR “CHICHARITO” HERNÁNDEZ TEARS LIGAMENT IN RIGHT KNEE >> LA Galaxy forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernández has torn a ligament in his right knee.
The Galaxy confirmed the injury Friday. The Mexican star will have surgery soon, but the injury could end his season.