PARIS -- Carlos Alcaraz had youth on his side. Still, Novak Djokovic utilized every bit of his experience and physical advantage to overcome his cramping 20-year-old opponent Friday and advance to the French Open final, where he will play for a record 23rd Grand Slam Championship.
Djokovic, the third seed, cruised to a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 triumph against Alcaraz to reach his 34th major final, where he will play No. 4 Casper Ruud.
It was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, who protested to his coach in the early going on an 85-degree afternoon at Court Philippe Chatrier that the points weren't long enough to wear out his opponent.
It was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, who succumbed to the heat, the intensity, and, by his own admission, the anxiety of the moment.
And the 20-year-old Alcaraz's body gave out, not Djokovic's 36-year-old physique, in a contest with the largest age disparity in a men's Grand Slam quarterfinal since 1991.
"I think we were both at our physical limit, to be honest, towards the end of the second set," Djokovic remarked, after having his right forearm massaged by a trainer during that set. "I wasn't feeling really energized. We faced each other."
Alcaraz's body began to lock up early in the third set, after over 212 hours of strain and tension in 85-degree heat at Court Philippe Chatrier. His hand first began to cramp. Then came his legs.
As a result, Alcaraz needed to take a break and be treated by a trainer at 1-all. Because there was no changeover, Alcaraz was forced to forfeit the following game, falling down 2-1.
"I've never felt the tension that I did in that match," Alcaraz said, adding that the nervousness he had as a result of the occasion, as well as the intimidating rival across the net, contributed to cramping in "every part of my body."
"He's been in that situation before," Alcaraz explained. "More than me."
On Sunday, Djokovic will seek to capture his 23rd Grand Slam title, breaking a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the men's record. In the second semifinal on Friday, Ruud comfortably overcame No. 22 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
Nadal missed the French Open this year due to a hip ailment; he underwent arthroscopic surgery last week.
Most people's attention was drawn to two men: Djokovic, who has won 10 of the last 19 majors, and Alcaraz, who won the US Open in September. Djokovic is regarded as one of the sport's most prominent characters, whereas Alcaraz is seen as its future.
They put on a show for two intense, tiring sets, with supporters chanting their nicknames, "No-le!" and "Car-li-toes!"
Djokovic was at his best, stretching and sliding, spinning groundstrokes that drove Alcaraz about. Alcaraz managed to track down almost everything, his quickness and sense being unrivaled.
"I told him on the internet that he knows how young he is. "He's got plenty of time," Djokovic added. "I'm sure he'll win this tournament many, many times." He's a fantastic player."
The top-seeded Alcaraz did manage to conjure up the "How did he do that?!" shot, which went viral in minutes and will be discussed for years.
In the second set, it was 1-all. Djokovic sent the ball toward the baseline after luring Alcaraz forward. Many players would have abandoned the point and moved on to the next. Or maybe you tried but failed to get there. Alcaraz pursued, rushing with his back to the net, then slipping over the baseline, his left foot bending as he came to a standstill and swung his body around, falling backward to lace a forehand past Djokovic for the victory.
Alcaraz lifted his left hand and briefly jutted his index finger into the "No. 1" symbol as the crowd screamed and stood to applaud the achievement.
Even Djokovic had to smile and applaud with his racket.
But the anticipated showdown quickly deteriorated into something unappealing.
Alcaraz jumped on his left leg and gripped his right calf after missing a forehand return to level the score 1-all. He threw down his racket. Aurélie Tourte, the chair umpire, walked over to check on him. Djokovic followed suit, heading all the way across to Alcaraz's side of the court.
A medical timeout for an injury – what the regulation refers to as "an acute medical condition" – is permissible during a match. However, treatment for cramping when there isn't a changeover is not authorized without penalty. So Tourte informed Alcaraz that he could sit on the bench and obtain assistance from a trainer, but he would have to forfeit the next game, which he did.
When play restarted with Djokovic leading 2-1 in that set, the audience jeered, whistled, and booed until Tourte explained what was happening in French.
"From that point on, it was a different match," Djokovic said.
"It was clear that he was having difficulty with his movement." It's unfortunate for the audience. It's sad for such an important match for both of us. But that's part of the game."
Ruud will compete in his third major final in the last five years, including a loss to Nadal in Paris a year ago, but he is still looking for his first major title.
He traded early breaks with Zverev before turning up the heat by hitting the German with ferocious, spin-heavy forehands to take the first set 5-2.
Zverev, who was playing in his third consecutive Roland Garros semifinal, blew an early break in the following set and found himself in difficulty when Ruud won another break in the seventh game.
Ruud stretched his advantage in the match and continued to control exchanges from below the baseline to frustrate an error-prone Zverev in the fourth set.
"It's going to be tough this year against Novak," Ruud remarked of the final. "I understand Novak's desire to be the greatest. I'll do my best.