In an extraordinary five-set showdown, Jannik Sinner was outplayed by Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final.
Flipping the Script at Roland Garros: Alcaraz's Epic Comeback
Paris (Special Report).- The King of Roland Garros keeps his crown. Crown defender, Carlos Alcaraz, defeated Jannik Sinner in a thrilling comeback following a tense battle, ending with a victory of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), and 7-6 (10-2).
Alcaraz, fueled by the affection of the crowd and his rebirth on the Philippe Chatrier, honors the legendary Iberian tradition of reigning supreme in the second grand tournament of the season. Over the past 32 years, 21 titles - from Sergi Bruguera to Alcaraz – have stayed with Spain.
This extraordinary contest, comparable to the most extraordinary matches in this sport since its professionalization, left an indelible mark on history as it surpassed the longest final in Roland Garros, previously held by Guillermo Vilas and Mats Wilander, who battled for four hours and 42 minutes on the Main Court back in 1982.
Recapping the Grand Clash
Alcaraz, who received the trophy from the Musketeers with a legend, the American Andre Agassi, achieved the fifth Grand Slam title of his career. He lifted the US Open Title 2022, Roland Garros 2024, Wimbledon 2023, and 2024.
Given the global stature of the ones battling it out, it's no surprise that the top-seeded combatants displayed their best abilities. But, the outstanding level of Alcaraz and Sinner along with some exceptional points, elevated this match to the pinnacle of competition. Their performances have set the bar incredibly high, providing viewers with an unmatched spectacle fit for royalty in the mid-afternoon in Paris.
First Steps: Alcaraz's Words of Praise
When Alcaraz took the floor to address the audience, his first act was to acknowledge Sinner: "Jannick, it's a pleasure to play against you. I congratulate you and your team. I know how hard you work, and how well you do it. You're a champion, and it's an honor to cross paths with you and make history together in these prestigious tournaments."
On the other hand, the No. 1 ranked player summarized: "I’ll be honest, I probably won't get a great night's sleep tonight, but whatever!"
The tantalizing start
From the onset, the match exhibited the parity between the two competitors. Both players displayed their mettle, and it wasn't until after 12 minutes, 15 points, that Sinner defended his serve in the first game. In the fifth game, he lost his serve, allowing Alcaraz to claim a 3-2 lead. Subsequently, No. 1 retrieved the break in the following game, thereby returning on an equal footing at 3-3.
During the 5-4 break in favor of Sinner, the Argentine therapist Alejandro Resnicoff attended to Alcaraz, addressing some discomfort in his eye. Consequently, No. 1 took advantage of the opening to break again and close out the first set with a narrow margin of 6-4.
The steady acceleration of Sinner
Sinner intensified the scenario in the second set and once again crept past Alcaraz's guard by breaking his serve in the second game. Meanwhile, Alcaraz faced some open frustration, sharing words with his team. Playing against Sinner demands maximum vigilance, and Alcaraz struggled to maintain consistency. Nonetheless, the Spaniard displayed his survival instinct by breaking Sinner's serve after the latter held 5-3 in the second set. This resilience had an impact on Sinner, who noticeably seemed to decrease the intensity of his game.
The match reached a tiebreak where the Italian secured two mini-breaks. Alcaraz fought back with determination, recovering one, but the second set had already slipped away (7-4 in the tiebreak). With the defending champion facing a difficult situation, having never come back from two sets down, and evident signs of desperation in his communication with his team during the third set, a win for Sinner would have made him the third Italian to claim the Musketeers' Cup, emulating Nicola Pietrangeli in 1959-60 and Adriano Panatta in 1976.
The Third Set: The Pendulum Swings
Sinner broke early in the third chapter. Alcaraz recovered the break in the subsequent game, demonstrating his fighting spirit with aggressive returns and a fierce 165 km/h right-handed winner. Sinner's unforced errors proved costly, resulting in a leveled third set. As Alcaraz served at 5-3 with the potential to pocket a third set of the match, Sinner once again gave chase, breaking, and mounting pressure on Alcaraz. With the crowd rallying for Carlitos, Sinner struck a blow to Alcaraz's chin. Yet, Alcaraz demonstrated remarkable composure, breaking immediately and seizing the third set (6-5), followed by winning the game to close it out.
The Riveting Fourth Set
Resilient after losing the third set, Sinner returned. He clinched a decisive break in the seventh game to lead 4-3 with his serve. An edge in the fourth set, crucial for trying to claim his first Roland Garros title. Serving at a 3-5 deficit, Carlitos overcame three match points when down 0-40 and rekindled the crowd's spirit. To make his unwavering resolve clear, he retaliated by breaking his adversary to level the score at 5-5. By this point, the match had surpassed four hours. With every fiber of his being, Alcaraz ended the set in the tiebreak (7-3) after several Sinner errors. This electrifying set lasted 68 minutes, enchanting the crowds.
The Final Set: Alcaraz Triumphs
As if Sinner had lost some energy, Alcaraz broke at the beginning of the decisive set, noticing that the number one player was becoming more lackadaisical. With an air of unshakable conviction, Alcaraz defended his title. Despite falling behind 4-2, Sinner couldn't handle a drop and immediately contested with the line judge, claiming his opponent's shot was out. Neither the umpire nor the line judge saw the mark, and Sinner responded emotionally by throwing a ball. Remarkably, Sinner still managed to break back in the situation where it seemed all was lost. In the climactic moments, Carlitos outlasted Sinner in the long tiebreak to the delight of the Roland Garros spectators and Spanish tennis enthusiasts.
By Sebastián TorokRoland Garros* Carlos Alcaraz* Jannik Sinner
Further Readings
Additional Roland Garros News
Tennis made a triumphant return to the Philippe Chatrier for an epic clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, showcasing two skillful athletes who raised the bar in sports. With Alcaraz already holding three Grand Slam titles, this latest victory at Roland Garros in 2024 crowned him as the sportsman to watch.
In a riveting final set, Alcaraz demonstrated resilience, outlasting Sinner in a grueling match that surpassed four hours, setting a new record for the longest contest in Roland Garros history.
