The two best players in tennis do battle in the French Open semifinals.
Novak Djokovic's pursuit of the most grand slams in men's tennis continues against the best player in the world right now, Carlos Alcaraz. While Djokovic needed four sets, including a tiebreak, to beat No. 11 Karen Khachanov, Alcaraz disposed of No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.
Alcaraz is a massive favorite to advance to his second grand slam final and first on this surface, can he cash in against Djokovic?
Here are the odds:
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz odds, spread and total
Moneyline:
- Carlos Alcaraz: -210
- Novak Djokovic: +172
Spread:
- Calors Alcaraz: -3.5 (-130)
- Novak Djokovic: +3.5 (-102)
Total:
- 37.5 (Over -120/Under -110)
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz prediction and pick
These two have only met one other time in the past, last year in Madrid on clay, a three set classic win for Alcaraz, so there should be plenty of hype around both players who are elite on defense and drag rallies out while playing a physical brand of tennis.
While there is no denying that the Spanish No. 1 player in the world should be favored, I can't help but look at Djokovic at this big of an underdog price. It's rare to get a player of Djokovic's talent at this number and Alcaraz has rarely been involved in five set matches.
There are few better players on clay than Djokovic in the sport's, who has broken nearly 36% of return games over a 340 match sample. He is 89-16 all-time at Roland-Garros.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is far less proven, playing in 12 matches at the French Open (9-3) and has broken his opponent just under 35% of return games in 78 matches. Djokovic has a higher success rate of breaking serve than Alcaraz on more than four times the matches.
Even though Djokovoic has been tested far more during this fortnight, I am going to side with experience at this wide of a price. Alcaraz hasn't played this level of an opponent in a five setter in a grand slam to date, and he'll face a small setback here.
PICK: Djokovic ML (+172)
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.