Novak Djokovic snapped his Olympic semi-final jinx with a 6-4 6-2 defeat of Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti on Friday to set up a blockbuster battle for gold against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
The 37-year-old Serb had lost his three previous Olympic singles semi-finals but was in no mood to suffer more heartache as he dominated a high-quality duel at Roland Garros.
Earlier on Court Philippe Chatrier, the 21-year-old Alcaraz thrashed Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1 6-1.
Djokovic needs only the Olympic gold to complete the full set of achievements in a career that has earned him 24 Grand Slam titles and the relief of reaching the final was clear as he laid on his back, arms outstretched, after match point.
“Three of the (previous) four Olympic Games I played I made semi-finals but failed to overcome that hurdle,” Djokovic, whose only medal was a singles bronze in 2008, told reporters.
“Just to secure a higher medal for my country, whatever happens on Sunday, is a huge pride and honour. I’m going for gold, but this is a big deal.”
Djokovic lost to Rafa Nadal in the semi-final in Beijing, Andy Murray in the 2012 last four in London and in Tokyo it was Alexander Zverev who blocked his path.
Musetti, bidding to emulate the Italian duo of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani who reached the women’s doubles final, started superbly but Djokovic found another gear to break serve in the 10th game from 40-0 down and take the first set.
Djokovic, who had concerns over his strapped-up knee ahead of the match, lost his cool in the second after twice dropping his serve, and was raging after a code violation.
But he responded like the warrior he is, reeling off five games to became the oldest Olympic men’s singles finalist since tennis returned to the Games in 1988.
