For the tennis colossus who just won't lie down, everything seems to be falling into place at the right time as Novak Djokovic eyes yet more career landmarks and grand slam glory.

Going into the French Open with the prospect of a record-breaking 25th slam in his sights, it's now probable that Djokovic could make the 500km journey from Geneva to Paris this weekend with that elusive 100th career title under his belt.

For on Friday, the giant who's been enduring one of the leanest patches of his matchless career on the European clay battled into the final of the Geneva Open by defeating doughty British qualifier Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 in their semi-final.

It's set up a final with Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday, following the Pole's victory over Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4 in the other last-four match on Friday.

And if Djokovic can win that final, 19 years after lifting his first tour-level crown in the Dutch town of Amersfoort, it will be the landmark 100th that's been eluding him ever since he won number 99 at last year's Olympics, also at Roland Garros.

The day after his 38th birthday, Djokovic sent down 11 aces and uncorked 34 winners on Friday in a match he perhaps should have finished off in straight sets after he'd spurned a match point in the second set.

But by reaching his 143rd final, he's in position to become the third man after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to reach the century - just the perfect way to launch his Roland Garros bid.

While Djokovic was going for the landmark, his French Open rivals were on their media duties in Paris, with Jannik Sinner, back after his three-month doping ban, sounding ready for the fray after reaching the Italian Open final on his return last week.

He'll face a Frenchman in his first two rounds - Arthur Rinderknech in his opener, and either Terence Atmane or veteran wildcard Richard Gasquet in the second, when, to put it politely, he will not be flavour of the month with the notoriously unforgiving home fans.

"It's definitely going to be different, I know that," he smiled. "But I don't think they have something against me. It's right that they support the players who are from here."

Alexander Zverev, who told of how his journey to Paris had featured his plane getting struck by lightning, didn't think Sinner need have any concerns.

"Jannik is loved, and he will always be loved by tennis fans," said the German. "So if I'm in his shoes, I'm not too worried about the crowd too much."

Carlos Alcaraz learned he'll open his title defence against a different first-round opponent after the Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori had to pull out to be replaced by Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, ranked 306.

Of the prospect of another Sinner-Alcaraz clash, the Spaniard said: "Right now I think the people are excited every time that I'm facing Jannik. It's a match that because of it, (people) started to watch tennis."