Tennis-Djokovic, Alcaraz on track for French Open showdown, Sabalenka snubs press again

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 4, 2023 Russia's Karen Khachanov celebrates winning his fourth round match against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS (Reuters) -Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz inched closer to a blockbuster French Open semi-final showdown with imperious wins on Sunday as Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka skipped another press conference due to being asked to comment on the war in Ukraine earlier in the tournament.

Djokovic, who is chasing a men's record 23rd Grand Slam to leapfrog Spaniard Rafa Nadal in the injured champion's absence, blazed past Peruvian marathon man Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3 6-2 6-2 in a lopsided last-eight clash.