Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner on Friday in the semi-final of Roland-Garros. He will play his first final at Porte d’Auteuil on Sunday against the winner of the match between Ruud and Zverev.
Published on: 06/07/2024 – 6:49 p.m. Modified on: 06/07/2024 – 6:55 p.m.
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They are said to be the successors of the Big Three – Nadal, Federer, Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner delivered an intense match full of twists and turns on Friday June 7 in the semi-final of Roland-Garros. Between the tension and physical problems, the two men did not deliver their best tennis but put on a great show for five sets and more than four hours. And, in the end, as is often the case at Porte d’Auteuil, it is a Spaniard who qualifies for the final.
Sinner – Alcaraz: already a tennis classic
Sinner-Alcaraz had everything in the final before its time, as the rivalry between these rough diamonds of 22 and 21 years old has already reached heights. It was the ninth duel between the two men with, before the game, a perfect tie with four victories on each side, almost always obtained by hard struggle.
If the Spaniard was the first to win a Grand Slam, the US Open 2022, then a second, Wimbledon 2023, the Italian followed suit in January, at the Australian Open, debunking Djokovic in the process. Sinner was almost untouchable during the first quarter, as he also won in Rotterdam and Miami, conceding only one setback in 23 matches, inflicted by… Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-final.
Also read: Djokovic, Alcaraz, Ruud, Tsitsipas, Sinner, Zverev… Who can win Roland-Garros?
Unsurprisingly, the start of the match was very close between the two young talents. The first game, served by Carlos Alcaraz, is particularly contested. The two men fight blow for blow until 40/40. But the Italian ends up taking the advantage and makes the entry break on his opponent.
However, surprisingly, what follows is more disjointed. Carlos Alcaraz tenses up and loses his tennis. The new world number 1 took advantage and inflicted a shutout on his service, making a second break immediately before confirming on his own service game (4-0). Carlos Alcaraz must stop the bleeding. He manages to add more volume to his ball strikes and win his first game (4-1).
The comeback is near. The Spaniard breaks and believes it. On his service game, he offers himself three balls of 4-3. But Jannik Sinner holds his ground, erases them one by one before taking the game (5-2). The first round came back to him quickly (6-2). The second begins under the same auspices as the first after a break following five unforced errors from Alcaraz then his service (2-0).
“Vamos! Vamos! Vamos” The Spaniard speaks to himself to get back into the match which is escaping him and to relieve his excitement. Obviously, the method paid off: he won the following five games (5-2). His blows are more powerful, better adjusted. Opposite, Jannik Sinner seems lost and physically lacking. If the Italian wins one last game, Carlos Alcaraz wins the set (6-3).
Alcaraz adopted the same technique as in Indian Wells, he moved back, and by being far behind his line he pushed Sinner to put more, or even to do some variations, which is not his game.
Carlos can finally give himself time with his movement speed.
Just— Valentin 🎾 (@ValTieBreak) June 7, 2024
The Italian seems close to collapse. His hip pain, which affected his preparation for Roland-Garros, is waking up. He has cramps in his hands and arms. He is now struggling to serve. Double faults are increasing. The world number 1 grits his teeth despite his body failing him and saves his third game (3-2).
A strange match
Is this magnanimity in memory of what he suffered from Djokovic last year? Still, Carlos Alcaraz is unable to take advantage of the Italian’s weakness. Worse, he concedes a break (4-2), then the round.
While both men are used to tough duels, their semi-final was strange. It’s more about holding on and playing less badly than your opponent. On one side, a physically failing Sinner. On the other, an Alcaraz who is struggling to free himself.
Fortunately, everything will change in the fourth set. The Italian seems to be recovering from his cramps while his opponent finally begins to regain his game. The clash finally arrives: 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4… The two men don’t give up but Carlos Alcaraz made the difference at the best moment on Sinner’s fifth serve and therefore offered himself a decisive set.
The salt of the Grand Slams, the fifth set is also a specialty of Carlos Alcaraz: in his young career, he has already played 10 for 9 victories. He adds one more by taking the lead thanks to an entry break. Victory followed a few minutes later.
Announced as the successor to Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz will play his first final for his fourth participation at Porte d’Auteuil. He will face the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.
