Alcaraz and Djokovic Overcome Late Challenges in Straight-Set Wins at French Open

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are expected to face each other in the French Open semifinals. Both players began their journeys at Roland Garros with straight-set victories against opponents making Grand Slam debuts. Djokovic, seeded No. 3, faced Aleksandar Kovacevic, a 24-year-old from New York, and won 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (1). Alcaraz, seeded No. 1, faced Flavio Cobolli, a 21-year-old from Florence, Italy, and won 6-0, 6-2, 7-5. Djokovic called Alcaraz the logical pick to take the trophy given his recent form on clay. Other seeded players advancing on Day 2 included Frances Tiafoe, Cam Norrie, Borna Coric, Alex de Minaur, Roberto Bautista Agut, Denis Shapovalov, Caroline Garcia, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Madison Keys, and Donna Vekic. Seeded players on the way out included Belinda Bencic, Karolina Pliskova, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Botic Van de Zandschulp. Past Grand Slam champions who won Monday were Stan Wawrinka and Sloane Stephens.