Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jannik Sinner In Epic Five-Set Match To Enter French Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz has advanced to his first French Open final following a remarkable comeback against Jannik Sinner on Friday. The match, highly anticipated by fans, did not disappoint as Alcaraz triumphed 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a gruelling four hours and 10 minutes on the court.

Sinner, who had lost just one set en route to the final, started strongly with an early double break to lead 4-0 in the opening set. Although Alcaraz fought back, Sinner quickly closed out the set. In the second set, despite another slow start, Alcaraz responded well and levelled the match as Sinner struggled to find answers.

The third set saw Sinner needing medical treatment for hand cramp but he managed to hold his nerve and take the set. The fourth set was tightly contested until the final game when Alcaraz broke Sinner's serve. The 21-year-old Spaniard wore down his opponent with aggressive play and secured an early break in the fifth set, ultimately seeing out the victory.

Alcaraz will face either Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday.

Alcaraz (21 years and 33 days) is now the youngest player in the Open Era to reach the men's singles finals in Grand Slam events on clay, grass, and hard court. Additionally, he is the fifth-youngest player to secure his fifth win against a top-5 opponent in men's singles Grand Slam events since the ATP Rankings were introduced in 1973.

The Spaniard joins an elite group as he becomes just the fifth player in the last 30 years to reach the men's singles final at Roland Garros before turning 22. He follows in the footsteps of Alberto Berasategui, Gustavo Kuerten, Carlos Moya, and Rafael Nadal.

Only Michael Chang and Bjorn Borg (12 each) have won more Grand Slam five-setters than Alcaraz before turning 22 in the Open Era (10, equalling Marat Safin).

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— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2024