Watch: Carlos Alcaraz’s cross-court shot against Novak Djokovic mirrors Roger Federer’s move against David Nalbandian in 2006 French Open semifinal

Carlos Alcaraz perhaps played the shot of the season against Novak Djokovic in their French Open semifinal match on Friday. The rally which drew a standing ovation from the crowd left both players in awe.The Serb drew the Spaniard to the net with a drop shot which the latter reached with ease. Djokovic would then then play a deep shot which led Alcaraz to scramble to the baseline. Everyone expected the 20-year-old to pull off a tweener but at the last minute, Alcaraz sent the ball over the net with a flick for a cross-court winner.The crowd were on their feet while Djokovic and Alcaraz both stood there laughing. It even drew an applause from the 2-time French Open champion.

In Novak voice: NOT TOO BAD 🤯#RolandGarros | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/pHkwxrff4u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
The shot Alcaraz was an exact mirror image of a shot that Roger Federer had played against to David Nalbandian in the 2006 French Open semifinal. 17 years later hory repeated itself.

FEDERER a Nalbandian en SF #RolandGarros 2006.
ALCARAZ a Djokovic en SF #RolandGarros 2023.
17 años después se repite la horia con un punto memorable en la Philippe Chatrier. pic.twitter.com/bzsp3AIvsg
— Pablo Puente (@PabloPuente17) June 9, 2023
Before Friday’s encounter, the two men had only met once, and it was 13 months ago, with Alcaraz coming out on top.
“Since the draw came out, everyone was expecting that match — the semifinal against Novak. Myself, as well,” Alcaraz had said after completing his half of the bargain outclassing Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (5) in the quarterfinals Tuesday night. “I really want to play that match.” A moment later, Alcaraz observed: “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
That echoed, word for word, the phrase Djokovic uttered hours earlier as he looked ahead after beating Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday: “It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me, so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. He’s definitely a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.”
Djokovic owns 22 Grand Slam titles, tied with Nadal for the most in the hory of men’s tennis; Alcaraz owns one. Friday marks Djokovic’s 45th appearance in a major semifinal and Alcaraz’s second.