French Open day 13: Miyu Kato’s gift, Carlos Alcaraz’s sublime winner
We look back to day 13 of the 2023 French Open as the match of the tournament had an anti-climactic ending as Carlos Alcaraz was hit by cramp in his semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic.
After levelling the contest in a brilliant second set, the 20-year-old found himself barely able to move early in the third and fell to a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 defeat.
On Sunday, Djokovic will face Casper Ruud, who is through to the final here for the second year in a row after beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4. 6-0.
But the action now turns to Saturday’s women’s final featuring two-time winner Iga Swiatek and first-time Grand Slam finalist Karolina Muchova.
Picture of the day
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his remarkable second-set winner (Thibault Camus/AP)
Tweet of the day
Miyu Kato has had a rollercoaster French Open as she was disqualified from the women’s doubles alongside partner Aldila Sutjiadi after accidentally hitting a ball girl, but then ended up winning the mixed doubles with Tim Puetz.
On Friday she met up with the ball girl she accidentally hit.
I’m glad to hear that you are doing well and continue to Volunteer as a Ball Girl. It makes me very happy to hear this. I hope you enjoy the gift that I got you, and I look forward to seeing you again! Wishing you the Very Best! pic.twitter.com/EvCg6M8zSw
— Miyu Kato / 加藤 未唯 (@miyukato1121) June 9, 2023
Shot of the day
Even Novak Djokovic acknowledged the ridiculousness of Carlos Alcaraz’s from behind his back winner.
In Novak voice: NOT TOO BAD 🤯#RolandGarros | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/pHkwxrff4u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Stat of the day
Lucciana Perez Alarcon made a little bit of history at Roland Garros on Friday.
🇵🇪 History 🇵🇪
Lucciana Perez Alarcon becomes the first Peruvian player to reach a Grand Slam girls’ singles final defeating Anastasiia Gureva 7-6(2), 7-5.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/TDM200ubkk
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Wheelie good
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid will play Martin De La Puente and Gustavo Fernandez for a 17th Grand Slam title in wheelchair doubles. Andy Lapthorne is also through to the quad doubles final with South African Donald Ramphadi.
Into a 4⃣th @rolandgarros final 👊
Top work by @alfiehewett6 & @GordonReid91 #BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/u1Zc4GyB1m
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 9, 2023
Who’s up next?
The women’s champion will be crowned on Saturday afternoon as world number one Iga Swiatek takes on Karolina Muchova. Swiatek is looking to win the title for the third time in four years while Czech Muchova can become the latest surprise major winner. Hewett bids for a third consecutive slam title in wheelchair singles when he meets Japanese teenager Tokito Oda.
