Alcaraz survives thriller for second Paris title

It did not disappoint – not even close. 

First blood Alcaraz, who powered to an epic 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) victory in the longest Roland-Garros men’s singles final in Open era history in five hours and 29 minutes. 

Alcaraz, who saved three championship points while serving at 3-5 in the fourth set, improves to 5-0 lifetime in major finals. The 22-year-old Spaniard is now the second – and youngest – male player to have won his first five major finals, and the first man to save championship points and win a Roland-Garros final since Gaston Gaudio in 2004. 

“It’s a privilege to share the court with you, in every tournament, making history with you,” Alcaraz, who rallied from two sets down for the first time in his career, said to Sinner at the trophy ceremony.

How to describe a matchup that defies logic? In their 12th career meeting, Sinner and Alcaraz drove the packed house to a frenzy on Sunday as each produced otherworldly shotmaking and embodied the never-say-die attitude, creating an atmosphere for the ages to celebrate a final for the history books. 

“Congrats Carlos, amazing performance, amazing battle, I’m very happy for you and you deserve it,” Sinner said, before adding to his team: “We tried our best today, we gave everything we had. I won’t sleep very well tonight, but it’s okay.” 

Like a pair of world-beating boxers, Sinner and Alcaraz threw jabs at one another across a searing 62-minute opening set, with Sinner emerging from the scuffle and scoring the late break for 6-4. 

As it turns out, it was just a delectable amuse bouche – one of several, in fact.  

The bigger blows continued to come off the racket of the Italian for much of the second set, as Sinner dominated the short exchanges and was quicker off the mark with his breathtaking power game.

Sensing a runaway train, the 15,000 inside Chatrier took to action, sending up a rowdy chorus that reverberated through the rafters to urge the Spaniard on. 

On cue, Alcaraz’s intensity rose, and the din grew louder as the Spaniard engineered an inspired break with Sinner serving for the second set. Sensing his moment, Alcaraz pumped his fist to the crowd in tribute. 

The 23-year-old Italian, who saw his career-best Grand Slam winning streak snapped at 20, had a stern reply.  Alcaraz’s fire was doused by the icy Italian, who capped a flawless tiebreak with an improbably good running forehand moments later. 

In two hotly contested sets, all the biggest blows had been launched from Sinner’s racket. It was now time for Alcaraz to shine. 

The setting sun now casting shadows on the west flank of the court as the match clock tipped over three hours, Alcaraz broke in the 10th game to end Sinner’s run of 30 consecutive sets won at the majors, to take the third set 6-4. 

For nearly two years, Alcaraz had been the thorn in Sinner’s side, reeling off four consecutive victories against his rival heading into Sunday’s clash. Perhaps it was the fear of a fifth consecutive loss to Alcaraz that drove Sinner to the brink of victory in the fourth. He won 11 of 12 points to arrive at triple championship point, leaving Alcaraz stunned as he prepared to serve to stay alive. 

No dice, said the Spaniard — bedlam in Chatrier instead. 

Two games later the pair headed to a tiebreak, Sinner hoping for another chance to close it out, but momentum was now firmly in Alcaraz’s hands. He won seven of eight points to force a decider. 

Four sets, well over four hours, and nothing decided. 

A stunned Sinner looked ready to tap out, down a break early in the fifth and reeling, both mentally and physically. But the world No.1 refused to relent. The battle waged on, Sinner recovering the break as Alcaraz served for the title at 5-4. 

To put Sinner away, nothing but a knockout blow would suffice. 

It came in the deciding tiebreak, the fading sun hinting at nightfall as the second-longest major final in the Open era continued. 

After a scorching display led him to a 9-2 lead, Alcaraz rocketed a final forehand winner on championship point and dropped to his back in jubilation. 

Just before nightfall, the first Alcaraz vs Sinner Grand Slam final had come to a close. It was everything we wanted, and it left us wanting more. 

We can only hope that it isn't the last.