Alcaraz defies odds in epic French Open win
Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has defied all odds by saving three match balls in a marathon match that lasted five hours and 29 minutes. He defeated Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) to secure the French Open title – in the longest match ever in the tournament’s history.
This victory marks Alcaraz’s fifth Grand Slam title, and at just 22 years old, he has achieved the same feat as his idol Rafael Nadal at the same age.
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One of the greatest finals of all time
The final, which is already hailed as one of the best ever, saw Alcaraz make an incredible comeback against world number one Sinner. After losing the first two sets and facing three goal balls in the fourth set, the Spaniard showed exceptional fighting spirit by winning 13 of the next 14 points to force a decisive fifth set.
“The fight is not over until he wins the last point,” Alcaraz said after the final, reflecting on his mentality during the intense moments.
“I just wanted to be one of those players who saves goal balls in a Grand Slam final and still wins. He credited his unwavering confidence for the turnaround.
A match filled with high drama
The match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts and high-quality tennis – a duel even non-tennis fans could sit down and admire. Sinner, who came in with a winning streak of 20 consecutive Grand Slam matches, dominated first with his exceptional movement and powerful strokes. But Alcaraz, the reigning champion, gradually found his rhythm, matched Sinner’s intensity and delivered moment-deciding smash shots.
“Today there were moments in the game where the level was absolutely insane,” Alcaraz admitted. He praised Sinner’s game and acknowledged that at times he wondered what he could do to resist it.
Sanger, disappointed but humble, promised to learn from the defeat:
“Hard to accept now, because I had a lot of chances. But that’s the beauty of the sport,” he said, emphasizing his determination to improve.
You see highlights on YouTube
Historic tiebreak decided
The fifth set was a nerve-wracking affair that culminated in a 10-point tiebreak. Alcaraz took control of crushing forehand wieners and took advantage of Sinner’s fatigue, before running away and securing the victory – and writing himself into the Roland Garros history books.
You can watch the press conference on Youtube.
Verdict of the Legends
Tennis legends commented on the epic duel:
- John McEnroe thought Alcaraz and Sinner could challenge even a top form Rafael Nadal.
- Tim Henman called it “one of the best fights I’ve ever seen.”
- Mark Petchey (Emma Raducanu’s coach) highlighted the importance of the match to the sport and compared the rivalry to the “Big Three” era.
A new chapter in the history of tennis
This was the first Grand Slam final between two players born after the year 2000, and it confirmed the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry as a defining part of the sport’s present. With his fifth Grand Slam title, Alcaraz has cemented his status as a dominant force in men’s tennis.
Were you lucky enough to watch the game live? Then you witnessed history at the time of writing – a masterpiece that will be remembered for years to come.
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