TOPSHOT – Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning the men’s singles final match against … More
Before Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz had been 0-8 when losing the first two sets in major matches
But the world No. 2 roared back from that deficit to beat No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to defend his Roland Garros title and win his fifth major championship. The match featured thrilling shot-making and incredible defense by both players, and is already being called one of the greatest matches ever played.
It certainly ranks up there with John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg in the 1980 Wimbledon final and Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final.
Sinner was up 5-3, 0-40 on Alcaraz’s serve in the fourth set and the Spaniard saved three championship points.
Alcaraz has now beaten Sinner – who had won 20 straight major matches – five straight times.
“I want to start with Jannik,” Alcaraz said. “It is amazing the level you have. Congratulations for an amazing two weeks. Amazing tournament. To you and your team, I know the hard work you’re putting every day. It’s huge. Honestly I know how hard you’re chasing this tournament and every tournament. I’m pretty sure you’ll be champion not once, but many many times. It’s a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament. Making history with you. I’m just really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament, in other tournaments. You’re a huge inspiration for young kids and for everyone. And for myself.”
Sinner (3) and Alcaraz (3) have now won the last six major titles. They shared an extended embrace after the instant classic.
“First of all Carlos congrats,” Sinner said on court. “Amazing performance. Amazing battle. Amazing everything. To you and your team, amazing job. I’m very happy for you. You deserve it. Congrats.” “It’s easier to play than talking now. My team, thank you so much for putting me in this position. We tried our best today. We gave everything we had. Some time ago we would’ve signed to be here. Still an amazing tournament even though it’s very very difficult right now. But it’s ok.”
Prior to the match, John McEnroe proclaimed that either would be the favorite against 14-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal, who was honored before the tournament with his footprint on Philippe-Chatrier.
“They would be favourite to beat Nadal at his best!”” McEnroe said.
It was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, won by Alcaraz in five sets after Sinner led two sets to one.
Alcaraz will take home $2.9 million with the title, while Sinner earns $1.4 million.
In the decisive fifth set, Alcaraz broke and took a quick 1-0 lead before holding for 2-0.
He served for the match at 5-4, but was broken for 5-all.
Sinner held serve by crushing a forehand winner up the line to go ahead 6-5.
With Alcaraz serving at 5-6, he hit a backhand passing shot to force the tiebreak and then cupped his hand to his ear.
Alcaraz jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the 10-point tiebreak.
With Sinner serving at 2-9, Alcaraz ripped a down-the-line forehand winner to capture the match and fell to the court on his back.
Alcaraz earned a break for 3-2 in the first set but was bothered by some dust in his eye and called for the trainer after the ninth game.
Serving at 4-5 he was broken on a net cord shot that went wide and Sinner led one set to love.
In the second set, Alcaraz broke to get within 4-5 when Sinner sailed a forehand long.
But in the tiebreak, Sinner hit a blazing crosscourt winner to take a two-sets-to-love lead.
Sinner then immediately earned a break to start the third set up 1-0.
But Alcaraz roared back to win the third set, punctuating it with a forehand volley into the open court that snapped Sinner’s streak of 32 straight sets won at majors.
In the fourth set, Sinner earned the critical break to go up 4-3.
He served for the match at 5-4, but Alcaraz broke for 5-all with a vicious forehand down the line that Sinner returned deep.
These two figure to dominate tennis for the next decade or so and if they continue to play at this level, they will take tennis to even greater heights.
