Djokovic pulls out; Swiatek rolls to Last 4

PARIS  – Novak Djokovic’s worst fears materialized as a knee injury forced him out of the French Open on Tuesday, while women’s reigning champion Iga Swiatek surged into the semifinals with another ruthless display.

Carlos Alcaraz served a convincing reminder of his Roland Garros title credentials after Djokovic’s pull-out ensured there will be a new name on the men’s trophy. Alcaraz scored a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal.

World No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic withdrew ahead of his quarterfinal against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

Djokovic’s exit from the tournament also means that Jannik Sinner will become Italy’s first No. 1 in the sport next week.

For the first time since 2004, the men’s final in Paris will not feature Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.

Earlier in the day, Swiatek thrashed Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-0, 6-2 to set up a last-four showdown with American third seed Coco Gauff, the player she beat in the 2022 Roland Garros final.

“Honestly I think everything worked,” said the 23-year-old Swiatek. “I felt like I was in the zone today.”

After Swiatek’s 40-minute rout of Anastasia Potapova in the Last 16, the only consolation for Vondrousova was her snapping the Pole’s incredible run of 20 consecutive games won early in the second set.