Paris, Jun 10 (AP) No. 1 Iga Swiatek will face unseeded Karolina Muchova in the French Open women's final Saturday.

Swiatek is seeking a second consecutive championship at Roland Garros and her third overall. She also will be trying to win her fourth Grand Slam title.

Also Read | London Weather Updates Live for IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Final Day 4 at The Oval: Hourly Rain Forecast and Weather Report for India vs Australia Match.

It is the 43rd-ranked Muchova's debut in a major final. She had never been past the third round in Paris until now.

They have played each other just once before. That was back in the first round of a small tournament in the Czech Republic in 2019. Muchova won that one, which also was played on red clay.

Also Read | Wrestlers’ Protest: Delhi Police Take One of the Female Grapplers to WFI Office as Part of Probe.

The stakes are much greater this time, of course.

WHEN IS THE WOMEN'S FINAL?

Play begins in Swiatek vs. Muchova at Court Philippe Chatrier at 3 p.m. local time in Paris, which is 9 a.m. EDT. That will be followed by the men's doubles final, with Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek facing Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. It is an off day in men's singles.

WHAT HAPPENED SATURDAY?

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz put on quite a show for two sets in the men's semifinals — including one particularly memorable shot by Alcaraz. But a combination of Djokovic's relentlessness and the stress of the occasion contributed to cramping for Alcaraz, and he had to forfeit one game while receiving treatment early in the third set then was never the same.

Djokovic ended up winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach his 34th career Grand Slam final — and move one victory away from what would be a record-breaking 23rd major championship. He is currently tied with Rafael Nadal at 22.

Djokovic's opponent on Sunday will be No. 4 Casper Ruud, who eliminated No. 22 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 in the semifinals. Last year, Ruud was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open and to Alcaraz at the U.S. Open.

Djokovic owns a 4-0 head-to-head record against Ruud and has won all eight sets they've played against each other.

BETTING GUIDE

Swiatek has been the betting favorite since before the tournament began and, not surprisingly is the pick going into the final, listed as a minus-850 money-line pick, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Muchova is listed at plus-570. It's not really expected to be close, either: Swiatek is at minus-240 to win in straight sets. Looking ahead to the men's final, Djokovic is listed at -360 to win, Ruud at plus-280.

GET CAUGHT UP

What you need to know about the year's second Grand Slam tennis tournament:

— Rafael Nadal is not here

— Can AI help prevent cyberbullying of tennis players?

— French players bid a quick adieu to French Open

— Novak Djokovic can break a tie with Rafael Nadal by winning Slam No. 23

— Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina split the past four major titles

— Carlos Alcaraz hits shots no one else does — and he likes to see the replays

— Facts and figures about the French Open, including a look back at 2022

THE NUMBER TO KNOW

34 — Number of Grand Slam finals reached by Novak Djokovic, tied with Chris Evert for the most in the history of tennis.

THE QUOTE TO KNOW

“Last year was against Rafa; this year against Novak. It's two of the toughest players in history. So I'm just going to be the underdog.” — Casper Ruud, who lost the 2022 French Open final to Rafael Nadal and will play the 2023 French Open final against Novak Djokovic. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)