French Open Archives

Carlos Alcaraz stuns Jannik Sinner in French Open final

Carlos Alcaraz saved three championship points as he produced an astonishing fightback from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday.

Reigning champion Alcaraz rallied from the brink of defeat to overcome world number one Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/2) after five hours and 29 minutes to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title.

The 22-year-old Spaniard is now unbeaten in five Grand Slam finals after snapping Sinner’s 20-match winning run at the majors.

“This was the most exciting match that I’ve played so far without a doubt,” said Alcaraz. “I think the match had everything.”

Alcaraz pulled off his first-ever comeback from two sets down in the longest Roland Garros final in history, recovering from 5-3 down in the fourth set when Sinner had three match points.

“Today was all about believing in myself. Never doubted myself today, and I tried to go for it,” he said. “Real champions are made in those situations.”

Carlos Alcaraz is the first man to win a Grand Slam title after saving a match point since Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final.

The only other man to do it in the Open era was Gaston Gaudio at Roland Garros in 2004.

Sinner fell agonisingly short of a third successive Grand Slam crown after last year’s US Open title and back-to-back Australian Open triumphs.

“It’s easier to play than to talk now,” said a devastated Sinner. “I won’t sleep very well tonight, but it’s OK.”

“We try to delete it somehow and take the positive and keep going. There are no other ways. It hurts, but you cannot keep crying.”

Jannik Sinner suffered his fifth straight loss to Carlos Alcaraz in what was their first meeting in a Grand Slam final — and the first championship match at a major between two men born in the 2000s.

Alcaraz leads 8-4 overall, having also beaten Sinner in the final in Rome, where the Italian returned to competition in May after a three-month doping ban.

Alcaraz put the pressure on Sinner by carving out three break points to start Saturday’s final, but the Italian resisted and soon had a chance of his own.

He couldn’t take advantage and found himself having to fend off two more break points at 1-1, producing clutch serves to grind out another tough hold.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Alcaraz’s persistence paid off in the fifth game when he broke to nudge 3-2 ahead, only for the Spaniard to immediately hand the lead back.

The unshakeable Sinner threatened to break again at 4-3, with a brief lapse from Alcaraz eventually enabling Sinner to snatch the first set.

Sinner hit the accelerator to start the second set, surging 3-0 in front. After facing seven break points in the opener, he tightened up considerably on serve.

But Alcaraz brought up his first break point of the second set with Sinner serving for a two-set lead, duly pouncing on the opportunity.

With the swagger back in his step at a crucial juncture, Alcaraz sought to bring the crowd into the contest, but Sinner remained unflustered in the tie-break.

The first five points went with serve before Sinner whipped a forehand down the line, and Alcaraz then steered a drop-shot wide.

A tame return into the net gave Sinner four set points. Alcaraz saved two before Sinner unleashed a blistering cross-court forehand to move to within a set of the trophy.

It all looked to be going his way when he broke Alcaraz to begin the third set, but the Spaniard refused to surrender his title quietly and rattled off four games on the bounce to lead 4-1.

Carlos Alcaraz lost serve at 5-3 but promptly broke to love to force a fourth set, lapping up the roars of the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd. That ended Sinner’s run of 31 consecutive sets won at Grand Slams.

Alcaraz saved a break point in the third game amid a series of holds as Sinner doubled down. The Italian appeared to be closing in on victory when he broke at 3-3 to approach the finish line.

But Alcaraz had other ideas as he staved off three championship points at 3-5 and then broke Sinner when he tried to seal the title on his serve.

Successive aces spurred a reinvigorated Alcaraz on in the tie-break and into a decisive fifth set.

A despairing Sinner lost his serve right away, and his gloom deepened as Alcaraz saved two break points to pull 3-1 ahead, but incredibly, there was another twist.

Alcaraz this time faltered with the title within his grasp as Sinner broke while trailing 5-3 to spark a three-game burst that left the Spaniard needing to hold serve to prolong the final.

He kept his nerve to set up a 10-point tie-break, which Alcaraz ran away with as the outrageous shotmaking continued until the very end when he took his first championship point with a sizzling forehand.

READ: “We must lead, not imitate”: Aqib Javed eyes NCA overhaul with six-month target

Novak Djokovic storms past Alexander Zverev into French Open semis

Novak Djokovic said beating Alexander Zverev on Wednesday was a “testament” to his ability to compete at the highest level as the 38-year-old reached the French Open semi-finals to inch closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic fought past third seed Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a gruelling night session duel, which captivated Court Philippe Chatrier over three-and-a-quarter hours.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner moves on to face world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four, after the Italian earlier raced past the unseeded Alexander Bublik in straight sets.

“Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years,” said Djokovic.

“It’s going to be, of course, semi-finals of a Grand Slam against the No. 1 in the world. There is no bigger occasion for me, so I’ll try to do my best to step it up and perform as well as I did tonight.

“I just hope that I will be able to physically keep up, you know, with Sinner in a few days’ time. It’s a big challenge for me.”

On centre court, last year’s runner-up Zverev roared out of the blocks with an immediate break of serve as he clinched the opener against Djokovic.

It was the first time former world number one Djokovic has dropped a set at the French Open this year.

Novak Djokovic engineered himself a 3-1 lead in the second set after Zverev pushed a backhand long when serving at 30-40.

The three-time Roland Garros champion then held firm through the rest of the frame to level the match as he started to punish the 1.98 m Zverev with drop shots.

The Serb sniffed out a break opportunity in game five of the third set and snaffled it, before again breaking the German as he took control of the encounter.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Now on a high, Novak Djokovic started the fourth by again pouncing on his opponent’s usually reliable serve.

He brought Chatrier to its feet when he whipped a cross-court forehand past Zverev to save a break point in the sixth game at the end of an exchange that the 28-year-old looked certain to win on at least three occasions.

Alexander Zverev appeared a defeated man when he eventually passed up that chance at a vital break-back with a netted forehand.

Djokovic marched on and sealed his 101st win at the French Open, raising his arms aloft in triumph after finally converting match point at the fifth time of asking.

“It was an amazing match,” summarised Djokovic.

“Obviously beating one of the best players in the world on the biggest stages is something that I definitely work for, and I still, you know, push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kinds of matches and these kinds of experiences.

“It’s a proven kind of testament to myself that I can and to others that I can still play on the highest level.”

A poor run of form earlier in the season and his advancing years had some questioning whether Djokovic could still match his younger rivals.

But he had a response for his doubters: “I think the win against (Carlos) Alcaraz in quarters of the Australian Open (2025), to win quarters against Zverev tonight proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level, and I just thrive on these occasions.”

READ: Virat Kohli ‘lost for words’ after RCB victory parade turns tragic

Novak Djokovic cruises into record 19th French Open quarter-final

Novak Djokovic eased into a record-breaking 19th Roland Garros quarter-final with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Cameron Norrie on Monday.

The three-time French Open champion will renew his rivalry with third seed Alexander Zverev in the last eight on Wednesday after seeing off Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

His tally of 19 quarter-final appearances at Roland Garros is the record for a single Grand Slam tournament.

“I feel good. I know I can play better. But 12 sets played, 12 sets won, it’s been solid so far,” said the 38-year-old after his 100th French Open win.

“It’s great, but victory number 101 would be better. I’m very honoured… But I need to continue now.”

Djokovic holds an 8-5 winning record in his head-to-head with German Zverev, but retired injured from their last meeting in the Australian Open semi-finals in January.

“He’s 10 years younger. He calls himself a veteran of the game. What should I call myself, then?,” Djokovic said of his next opponent.

Britain’s Norrie, a former top-10 player now ranked 81st, has lost all six of his career matches against Novak Djokovic.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The sixth-seeded Djokovic showed no ill-effects from a “complicated” trip back to his hotel on Sunday night after attending Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title celebrations at the Parc des Princes.

PSG forward Ousmane Dembele presented the trophy to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier ahead of Djokovic’s match.

“They (security) were suggesting us at one point not to go back at all, to maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night, because at that point it was already past midnight and some gas bombs and cars under fire and stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous,” Djokovic said.

“In the end we talked. We waited for a bit, and then we decided to go. Then it was fine. In the end we reached the hotel all good, but it was quite noisy with a lot of things happening outside of the hotel…

“At some point it was getting out of hand, but it’s understandable that people are so excited.”

The Serb, hoping to set a new outright record of 25 Grand Slam titles this week, dominated against Norrie from the start.

He broke serve three times in a one-sided opening set, before battling through a closer second, crucially saving a break point before holding for a 3-2 lead.

Norrie, playing in the second week in Paris for the first time, mustered little resistance in the third set as Djokovic wrapped up victory on his first match point.

READ: PCB calls up 22 top white-ball players for training camp in Lahore

Alexander Zverev into French Open quarters as Tallon Griekspoor retires hurt

Alexander Zverev secured a place in his seventh French Open quarter-final on Monday as his last-16 opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, retired injured in the second set.

The German third seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final, was leading 6-4, 3-0 when Dutchman Griekspoor called it quits on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Zverev will face Novak Djokovic in the last eight as he continues his latest bid for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Zverev has made at least the last four at the past four French Opens and is into his seventh quarter-final at Roland Garros in total.

The 28-year-old has won five of his 13 career matches with Djokovic, including in Melbourne in January when the Serb retired injured from their semi-final following the first set.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We have great history in our rivalry, I would say, but I’m looking forward to the match, and it’s always a privilege to be on court with him,” said Alexander Zverev.

“But he has to win first today, also, right? I don’t want to disrespect anybody, and anybody who is in the fourth round deserves to be there, so I have to respect Cam and we’ll see how the match goes.

“Of course, playing Novak is always an honour.”

Dutchman Griekspoor’s serve was severely affected by his injury, although he managed to take a 3-0 lead in the first set before Zverev found his rhythm.

“Unfortunately this morning in the warm-up… I pulled my abdominal (muscle) which made me not serve fully and not able to compete the way I would like,” said Griekspoor, who was playing in the fourth round of a major for the first time.

READ: Carlos Alcaraz grinds past Ben Shelton to reach French Open last eight

Carlos Alcaraz grinds past Ben Shelton to reach French Open last eight

Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz won a war of attrition with American 13th seed Ben Shelton to reach the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday.

The Spaniard emerged victorious 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after over three hours of blistering serves, power-hitting and drop-shots on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I think we both have huge respect for each other, we entertained the people well,” Alcaraz said on court.

“He’s a really powerful player — he can make any shot… I appreciate the moment that I’ve shared with him today.”

The four-time Grand Slam winner edged a tight first set, which produced only one unconverted break point, at the end of a lengthy tie-break that saw both players have chances to clinch the opener.

When Alcaraz finally forced a break against the big-serving Shelton in the second set, it was enough for him to move into a two-set lead.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

But once again, Carlos Alcaraz failed to see out a straight-sets victory as Shelton produced two breaks of serve to edge the most open of the four frames.

The 22-year-old nonetheless bounced back to gain the advantage in the fourth set, before serving out as dusk descended over centre court.

Another American awaits Alcaraz in the last eight after 12th seed Tommy Paul earlier defeated Alexei Popyrin in straight sets.

“I remember that every match that I’ve played against him, he was really tough. He was really difficult,” said Alcaraz of Paul.

“In Grand Slams, in Masters 1000, and all the tournaments I’ve played against him it wasn’t easy at all. I lost a lot, a few matches against him as well. He is in the quarter-finals of another Grand Slam, so his level is really high right now.”

Alcaraz leads his series with Paul 4-2, and most recently defeated the 28-year-old in straight sets on the red dirt of Roland Garros at the quarter-final stage of the 2024 Olympic Games.

READ: Mohammad Haris surpasses Babar Azam’s record in T20I cricket

Novak Djokovic rolls past Corentin Moutet to reach French Open last 32

Novak Djokovic extended his perfect record against French players at Roland Garros with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) win over Corentin Moutet to reach the third round on Thursday.

It was largely plain sailing for the 38-year-old Djokovic, although he did have to save a set point to force a tie-break in the third set.

That came after the 24-time Grand Slam champion took a medical timeout earlier in the set to receive treatment for a blister on his left foot.

“Things got a little bit complicated with the blister. That was bothering me for a bit,” said Novak Djokovic. “But I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for me to recover.”

Just when Corentin Moutet threatened to prolong the match, Djokovic clicked back into gear — a day after a nighttime cycle around the Arc de Triomphe — to improve to 12-0 against Frenchmen at Roland Garros.

“Obviously, the atmosphere was electric, especially in that third set. He was close to winning it, so the crowd got involved. And it was, yeah, not much fun for me,” said Djokovic.

He is through to the last 32 in Paris for the 20th time, more than even 14-time champion Rafael Nadal managed.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

But Djokovic said he would not repeat his jaunt around the notoriously busy Place Charles de Gaulle, where 12 avenues converge.

“At one point, we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don’t think I will repeat that,” he said.

“Probably in all other streets, it’s much more safe. But, yeah, we were crazy enough to get into that roundabout. It was fun, but at one point, but also a bit dangerous.”

Novak Djokovic will play 23-year-old Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic for a spot in the last 16. Misolic withstood a comeback from Canadian 27th seed Denis Shapovalov to prevail 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 4-6, 6-3.

The three-time French Open champion issued a playful appeal to tournament organisers not to schedule his next match on Saturday night, to avoid a clash with the Champions League final.

Paris Saint-Germain will be bidding for its first European crown against Inter Milan. Kick-off in Munich is roughly 30 minutes after the evening session begins at Roland Garros.

“It’s going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I’m not playing a night session,” said Novak Djokovic. “Yeah, that will be nice. FYI, Roland Garros schedule…”

READ: Adil Rashid achieves ODI landmark during England’s win over West Indies

Carlos Alcaraz on track at French Open after ‘roller-coaster year’

Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz said he was “on a good path” following a “roller-coaster” start to the season after kicking off his French Open campaign with a commanding victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri on Monday.

The Spaniard struck 31 winners in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over world number 310 Zeppieri and will face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two.

Carlos Alcaraz is the title favourite at Roland Garros after winning both the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open trophies this year on clay.

He has suffered some surprise defeats in 2024 as well, though, including to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, Jack Draper in the Indian Wells semi-finals and against David Goffin in his opening match in Miami.

“So far it’s been a roller-coaster, let’s say,” Alcaraz said.

“But right now I think I found a really good path again, and I’m trying to have a really good level during the whole tournament or even during the whole match.

“So I think I’m just starting to get it, feeling more comfortable approaching the matches. Once I start the matches, I think I’m just keeping the high level in the whole match and during the whole tournament.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The four-time Grand Slam champion saved all three of the break points he faced against Zeppieri on Court Suzanne Lenglen as he cruised through in second gear.

Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic.

The 22-year-old was in attendance on Sunday as Court Philippe Chatrier waved an emotional goodbye to the retired Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz has long been expected to take on the mantle of his illustrious compatriot, but says he finds it hard to fathom how Nadal won a record 14 French Open titles.

“It’s something you can’t think about… Just one man in the planet was able to do it, and I can’t imagine,” said the second seed.

“It was emotional yesterday, seeing him saying goodbye in the way he did yesterday was unbelievable.”

Alcaraz beat world number 56 Marozsan at Indian Wells last year but lost their only previous meeting on clay at the 2023 Italian Open.

“I study my opponents a little bit. I know that Fabian likes to hit drop shots. So probably I’ll put extra focus on that. I’m going to be ready for that… It’s gonna be a dropshot battle, I guess.”

READ: Bangladesh coach Simmons aims for strong performance against Pakistan

Novak Djokovic says ‘not in need of a coach’ as French Open looms

Novak Djokovic said Tuesday he is in no hurry to find a coach to replace Andy Murray as he searches for his first win on clay this season ahead of the French Open.

Last week, Djokovic parted company with Murray after a tough start to the season for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach,” said Djokovic, who opens his title bid at the Roland Garros warm-up event in Genova against 134th-ranked Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday.

“I don’t need to rush in any context. I feel comfortable with the people around me … in the next few tournaments, and we’ll see what happens.”

Djokovic told journalists that Dusan Vemic, previously part of his coaching team, had arrived in Geneva from the US and would be working alongside Boris Bosnjakovic, his assistant coach and analyst.

The partnership with Murray started well, with Djokovic defeating Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, only to be forced to retire during his semi-final against Alexander Zverev as a result of injury.

“We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership on the court, and that’s all there is to it,” explained Novak Djokovic, who turns 38 on Thursday.

“My respect towards Andy remains the same, even more actually, I got to know him as a person.

“I think he has a brilliant tennis IQ, he has a very rare mind of a champion that obviously has achieved what he has achieved, and he sees the game incredibly well.”

The Serb’s wait for a 100th ATP title goes on after his withdrawal from the Italian Open.

Djokovic has not won a single match on clay this season, losing his openers at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His hopes of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, which would take him clear of Australian Margaret Court’s tally of 24 singles major titles, appear to be fading.

“It’s a different chapter of my life that I’m trying to navigate myself through,” said the three-time French Open champion.

“And yes, I’m not particularly used to having this kind of circumstances where I would lose a consecutive match, tournaments, first rounds and so forth. I don’t think it ever happened for me in the last 20 years.

“But I knew that eventually that moment will come.”

After missing the event in Rome, Novak Djokovic explained that he is competing in Geneva to prepare for the upcoming French Open.

“That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m playing the Geneva tournament, because I’m trying to do well, I’m trying to win more trophies, I’m trying to build my form for Roland Garros, and perform at the desired, necessary level in order to go far in the tournament and challenge the best players in the world.

“So yes, the motivation is still there.”

Nonetheless, Djokovic added he was comfortable with this new phase of his career.

“I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion. It’s not as smooth and easy for me as it was 10 years ago. Obviously, things change and my life has changed a lot, but for (the) better, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s just a new chapter that I’m embracing. I’m still connected to tennis and still want to express myself on the court. I feel that I still have the game, that I can be one of the contenders for the top Grand Slam titles.”

READ: Saud Shakeel backs THESE youngsters as future international stars

Iga Swiatek crushes Jasmine Paolini to win third French Open title in row

Poland’s Iga Swiatek extended her French Open reign on Saturday as she thrashed Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 in the final to win a third successive Roland Garros title.

World number one Swiatek dominated Italian 12th seed Paolini, a first-time Grand Slam finalist, needing just 68 minutes to capture a fourth crown in five years in Paris.

Swiatek has now won all five Grand Slam finals she has contested. Her other victory came at the 2022 US Open.

She is the fourth woman in the Open era to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen four times — after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

“It’s amazing to be here. I love this place. I wait every year to come back,” said Swiatek, who clicked into gear after saving a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round.

“I was almost out of the tournament,” she said. “I also needed to believe this one is going to be possible, it’s been a really emotional tournament.”

Iga Swiatek becomes only the third woman to win the tournament three years running. Henin, in 2005-07, was the last to do so. Monica Seles also achieved the feat as a teenager at the start of the 1990s.

At 23, her four French Open titles is the same number Rafael Nadal, the record 14-time men’s champion, had at the same age.

For the 28-year-old Paolini it was a sorry conclusion, at least in singles, to an otherwise brilliant fortnight in the French capital.

The world number 15 had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.

While she fell short of emulating compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open, Paolini could yet finish on a winning note with her and doubles partner Sara Errani through to Sunday’s final.

“I have to say congratulations to you, Iga,” said Paolini. “I think to play you here is the toughest challenge in this sport.”

“It was tough, but it was lots of fun,” she added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Paolini’s transformation this season into a player capable of challenging for the biggest prizes stemmed in part from quashing the mindset she needed “a miracle” to beat the best in the sport.

Yet the odds were heavily stacked against her going into the final, with Iga Swiatek unbeaten at French Open since a 2021 quarter-final loss to Maria Sakkari.

Riding a 20-match winning streak in Paris, and a winner of 18 straight matches this year after titles in Madrid and Rome, Swiatek quickly set about her business.

She powered an ace to hold in the opening game and had Paolini backpedalling down break point, but the Italian ground out a gutsy hold and then broke Swiatek when the Pole flayed a forehand long.

That triggered a searing riposte from Iga Swiatek, who broke to love to get back on serve and then surged 4-2 in front after Jasmine Paolini coughed up a costly double-fault.

“I got broken at the beginning, so it wasn’t maybe perfect, but I think the level was pretty high,” said Swiatek.

She had her opponent constantly scurrying around the court and the errors began to stack up for Paolini, who conceded the first set with a weak groundstroke into the net.

With Swiatek firmly in the ascendancy, Paolini looked lost for answers as the top seed oozed confidence and repeatedly took control of the rallies.

Had it not been for an astonishing recovery against Osaka in the second round, Iga Swiatek would have suffered her earliest exit at the French Open.

Instead, that fright served to ignite her title aspirations, reigning Wimbledon and US Open champions — Marketa Vondrousova and Coco Gauff — in particular powerless to stop the Swiatek offensive.

Iga Swiatek had difficulty putting away Karolina Muchova last year when heavily fancied, but there was no such trouble 12 months on as the Pole dismantled Jasmine Paolini to underline her burgeoning status as the ‘Queen of Clay’.

The three games won by Paolini were the fewest in the final here since Henin obliterated Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2 in 2007, which also coincided with the Belgian’s fourth Roland Garros title in five years.

READ: Rohit Sharma wary of Pakistan’s potential to bounce back

Carlos Alcaraz outduels Jack Sinner to reach French Open final

Carlos Alcaraz beat incoming world number one Jannik Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Friday to reach the French Open final and continue his bid for a third Grand Slam title.

Alcaraz, 21, will play fourth seed Alexander Zverev or two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud on Sunday after becoming the youngest man to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces.

“It’s one of the toughest matches I’ve played for sure,” said Alcaraz.

“The toughest I’ve played in my short career have been against Jannik. I hope to play many, many more like this.”

“You have to find the joy in suffering,” the Spaniard added.

Alcaraz has won both of his two previous major finals — at Wimbledon last year and the 2022 US Open. Victory on Sunday would see him head to the Australian Open next January seeking a career Grand Slam.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner arrived in Paris under an injury cloud, gradually finding their best level over the course of the tournament to set up a meeting billed as the match “everybody wants to see”.

The ninth chapter of an enthralling rivalry destined to shape the future of the sport was the youngest Grand Slam semi-final pairing since Andy Murray beat Rafael Nadal at the 2008 US Open.

It was their first Grand Slam meeting since a spectacular five-set quarter-final two years ago in New York, and while perhaps not as exhilarating this one was no less gripping.

Carlos Alcaraz, who was hampered badly by cramp in last year’s semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, had said that playing Jack Sinner was like running a marathon, and it was the Spaniard doing much of the chasing early.

Sinner pinned Alcaraz on the back foot straight away as he broke in the very first game, blending impenetrable defence with searing groundstrokes as he went on the attack.

After holding with ease the Australian Open champion belted a forehand winner for another break opportunity in the third game, sweeping 3-0 in front following an Alcaraz miscue.

Alcaraz finally got on the board in the fifth game before retrieving a break, but he handed it right back and Sinner bagged the first set when the Spaniard dumped a drop-shot into the net.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Jack Sinner began the second set in identical fashion, earning another break after a loose Carlos Alcaraz service game and consolidating for a 2-0 edge on a picture-perfect day in Paris.

Alcaraz belatedly spluttered into life though as Sinner struggled to maintain his sky-high standards from the opening set and presented his rival three break points with a double-fault.

A brilliant cross-court winner hauled Alcaraz back on serve, with the Spaniard soon accelerating 5-2 ahead following another break as Sinner sprayed his forehand wide.

Sinner temporarily slowed the Alcaraz charge, ending his five-game winning stretch, but the third seed levelled up the match the next game.

The early onslaught from Sinner felt a distant memory as Alcaraz pounced to break for a 2-1 lead in the third set, flicking a sublime backhand passing shot beyond a powerless Sinner.

Yet the momentum was quickly back with Sinner.

He ripped a blistering one-two combination of forehands to get back on serve and then resisted four break points in a lengthy fifth game before holding for 3-2.

Sinner received a massage from the physio for apparent cramp in his right forearm, but he brushed off any physical issue as he hammered a backhand return past Alcaraz to break again.

A tame Alcaraz forehand into the net handed Sinner the third set. A sense of calmness enveloped the fourth, with not a single break point on offer until a sizzling Alcaraz backhand brought about a set point.

He didn’t flinch and sent the match to a decider with a winner into the open court.

Alcaraz’s approach to grind Sinner down coupled with timely shotmaking allowed him to strike the critical blow in the second game of the fifth set.

Sinner, while visibly flagging more than his re-energised rival, did not go down without a fight, but Alcaraz finally put him away after four hours of another seismic showdown.

READ: Canada stun Ireland as T20 World Cup 2024 marks another upset