Paris Olympics: Djokovic and Alcaraz set for gold medal clash

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have both breezed through their respective semi-finals on Friday to set a blockbusting Paris Olympics gold medal clash in the men’s singles tennis event.

Alcaraz faced Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime first and barely broke a sweat dispatching the world No.19, winning 6-1, 6-1.

Djokovic had a tougher test from 2024 Wimbledon semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti, but saw off the Italian for the loss of just six games, 6-4, 6-2.

The two top seeds will play for the seventh time when they clash in the Olympic tennis singles final.

Alcaraz favourite in seventh meeting

The most recent meeting between Alcaraz and Djokovic was less than a month ago at Wimbledon, with Alcaraz prevailing in a one-sided final, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4).

Heading into the Olympics gold medal match this Sunday, Djokovic says that he is feeling and moving better than he was in London.

“Sunday is going to be the biggest challenge that I can have on this court at the moment,” the Serbian said.

“He won Roland-Garros, he beat me quite comfortably in the final at Wimbledon.

“But it’s a different surface, I feel like I’m playing better, I’m moving better than I did at Wimbledon.

“In a way, I have nothing to lose because I already won a medal, so I’m going to go for it.”

Djokovic confessed to immense nerves during his semi-final match against Musetti as well.

“I was really nervous today, I lost three Olympic semi-finals that I played so I really wanted to get through this hurdle.

“It was such a tense match, a lot of emotions, so much, I guess expectations and stress coming into today’s match, particularly because with a win I would secure a medal for my country, the first final of the Olympics for me now,” he revealed.

“I’m thrilled. Obviously I want to win the gold, but already this is a huge result for me.”

Djokovic chasing history in Paris

Winning Olympic gold is one of the few achievements that 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has not ticked off.

In four attempts, he has made the semi-final stage three times, losing on each occasion.

Should he win on Sunday, he will join a select group of male players to have won all four Grand Slams plus Olympic singles gold, with just Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi doing so previously.

Tennis bookmakers are yet to release odds for the final, but expect Alcaraz to have the edge.

We estimate the Spaniard will be at $1.40, with Djokovic trailing at around $2.30 to $2.90.

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