Semis set: Alcaraz-Djokovic, Ruud-Zverev

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS (AP) As intriguing as Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic is - and it’s plenty intriguing - there are storylines worth following in the other French Open men’s semifinal, too.

No, frankly, Casper Ruud vs. Alexander Zverev, which will be played second on Friday, does not deserve the same billing. It’s missing the cache and the resumes that the other two guys remaining in the field at Roland Garros will carry into Court Philippe Chatrier.

Still, even without Djokovic’s 22 Grand Slam titles - with a chance to break a tie with Rafael Nadal for the most earned by a man in tennis history - or even Alcaraz’s lone such trophy, and even without Alcaraz’s current No. 1 ranking or Djokovic’s current No. 3 with a shot at moving back up (along with the career record for most weeks atop the ATP), No. 4 Ruud and No. 22 Zverev bring terrific games and past close-and-yet-so-far history at major tournaments.

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2023 ATP Rankings
Rank Player Points
1 C. Alcaraz 6,815
2 D. Medvedev 6,330
3 N. Djokovic 5,955
4 C. Ruud 4,960
5 S. Tsitsipas 4,775
6 H. Rune 4,375
7 A. Rublev 4,270
8 T. Fritz 3,470
9 J. Sinner 3,435
10 F. Auger-Aliassime 3,100
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2023 WTA Rankings
Rank Player Points
1 I. Swiatek 8,940
2 A. Sabalenka 7,541
3 J. Pegula 5,205
4 E. Rybakina 5,090
5 C. Garcia 5,025
6 C. Gauff 4,305
7 O. Jabeur 3,541
8 M. Sakkari 3,391
9 D. Kasatkina 3,275
10 P. Kvitova 3,162
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