Djokovic’s withdrawal means there will be a new name etched on the Coupe des Mousquetaires after Sunday’s men’s singles final.

Who that will turn out to be is still anyone’s guess, but Alcaraz strengthened his claims with another impressive win.

Alcaraz, whose other major triumph came at the 2022 US Open, arrived at Roland Garros with an arm injury which limited his preparations on the European clay courts.

Despite still wearing a protective arm sleeve, the problem seems behind him as he continues to smoothly move through the gears.

Alcaraz made a rapid start by breaking a nervous-looking Tsitsipas in the first game of the night session match and backing that up with a comfortable hold to love.

Tsitsipas famously blamed last year’s one-sided defeat – where he trailed 6-1 6-2 5-1 before losing the third-set in a tie-break – on taking melatonin pills to facilitate an afternoon snooze.

While he did look sharper as he settled down, Tsitsipas still did not pose enough questions of Alcaraz and a terrible service game at 5-3 handed over the opening set after just 31 minutes.

Things threatened to run away from the Greek in a woeful start to the second set.

Angrily chuntering at his box and losing focus, Tsitsipas quickly fell 3-0 behind but rallied to take the set into a tie-break.

However, Alcaraz upped his level again to secure a two-set lead and was gifted another decisive break for a 4-3 lead, in what had been a tighter third, when Tsitsipas produced his second double fault of the game.

“It was a very good match, I played great. I controlled my emotions and I was really calm in the moments I had to be,” said Alcaraz.