Carlos Alcaraz has won Roland Garros for the second time in a row on Sunday. The Spanish tennis player was too strong for Jannik Sinner in an unprecedented spectacle.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz defeated the one-year-older Alcaraz in five sets: 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3) and 7-6 (2). At over five hours, it was the longest final on clay in Paris ever.
Alcaraz now has five Grand Slam titles to his name. In addition to his two tournament victories at Roland Garros, he has won Wimbledon twice (2023 and 2024) and the US Open once (2022).
The only thing missing from Alcaraz’s record is the Australian Open to complete a Career Grand Slam, winning all four Grand Slam tournaments. Earlier this year, the world number two again stranded in the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Sinner remains without a final victory at Roland Garros due to the defeat. The world number one did win the Australian Open for the second time earlier this year. Last year he also won the US Open.
Alcaraz survives three match points in fourth set
Under the watchful eye of Clarence Seedorf and actor Dustin Hoffman, among others, Sinner and Alcaraz made it a wonderful battle from the start. Alcaraz provided the first break at 2-2, but immediately handed it in again. Sinner then started serving stronger and took the set via a break in the tenth game.
In the second set, Sinner immediately took a break lead. The Italian ran out to 5-2 and seemed on his way to an easy victory. But Alcaraz fought back and forced a tiebreak. In it, Sinner still came out on top with 7-4.
Sinner also immediately took a break lead in the third set, but this time Alcaraz immediately restored the balance. The Spaniard then ran out to 5-2 and got the chance to serve out the set. He handed in his service, but still took the set a game later. It was Sinner’s first set loss during this tournament.
Sinner and Alcaraz were evenly matched at the start of the fourth set, but in the seventh game the Italian took a break lead. At 5-3 he got three match points on the service of Alcaraz, but he ruined them. The Spaniard broke back a game later, won the tiebreak and forced a decisive set.
Also in that fifth set, the two presented the audience with wonderful rallies and beautiful winners. In it, Alcaraz immediately took a break lead, while Sinner started to look increasingly tired. The Spaniard was allowed to serve for the title at 5-4, but handed in his service. A super tiebreak had to provide the deciding factor and Alcaraz came out on top in it.