Alcaraz is the king of Paris: he defeats Sinner and triumphs at Roland Garros after an epic match

The throne of Paris remains his, of Carlos Alcaraz , master of the red clay that rises from the abyss into which an alien like Jannik Sinner had pushed him for long stretches, after an endless battle that lasted over 5 and a half hours with no holds barred. The Spaniard cancels three consecutive match points in the fourth set when it seemed he was about to abdicate.

And with nerves, physique and a mental endurance above average, the exclusive prerogative of great champions, down two sets he takes the match to the fifth and in the super tie-break he takes his fifth Slam title, the second at Roland Garros, denying the champion from Alto Adige the joy of his first triumph on the noble Parisian clay. It ends 4-6 6-7 (4) 6-4 7-6 (3) 7-6 (2) but the winner is tebnbnis and this match is destined to go down in history for its rare intensity , the quality of the shots, the resilience of two warriors who challenged each other and found the energy to re-emerge. Alcaraz scored 193 winning shots, one more than Sinner, a trifle that made the difference between a smile and bitterness. "We gave it our all and our best, now it's difficult to talk, I won't sleep very well tonight but that's okay. See you next year" commented Sinner on the spur of the moment.

Compliments from Alcaraz

"Congratulations to Jannik, I know how much you wanted to win this tournament. I know you will win it many times , it is a privilege to share all this with you. I am happy that we can rewrite the history of this tournament, you are an example and a source of inspiration not only for me but for everyone". Alcaraz said immediately after winning the tournament. "I am lucky because many people from Murcia came to cheer me on. You encouraged me the whole time" he added.

The Spaniard, world number 2 and second seed, came from behind to defeat the Italian Sinner, number 1 in the ATP ranking and first seed. It was the longest final in history at Roland Garros . Great disappointment for the South Tyrolean who, at 5-3 0-40 in the 4th set, missed three match points. For the Spaniard, this is the fifth Grand Slam title, out of five finals played , in addition to the two Roland Garros, he also boasts two titles at Wimbledon and one at the US Open. For Sinner, this is the first defeat in a Slam final, after having won the first three, two at the Australian Open and one at Wimbledon.

The film of the match

In the first game of the 4th set the score was even until 40-40, then Alcaraz got out of trouble with two service winners, both with the second serve . Sinner won the service to love and 1-1. In the third game the Italian earned a break point but the Spaniard cancelled it with a backhand on the line, then he won two more points for 2-1 and shouted “vamos”.

In the fourth game Sinner flies to 40-0, Alcaraz goes all out and comes back to 40-30, the number one closes with a forehand passing shot that excites Chatrier. The "on serve" continues also in the fifth and sixth game: 3-3.

In the seventh game Sinner is perfect, he breaks his opponent's serve to love and breaks the balance, then he flies to 5-3 with a service game won at 15 without any particular problems. In the ninth game Sinner is phenomenal on the return and goes up 0-40, then Alcaraz reacts and also taking advantage of a bit of an armbar from his rival, he scores five points in a row, saves three match points and stays alive. When it's time to serve for the match Sinner is not helped by the first serve, the Murcian doesn't make any mistakes, he presses him and goes to 5-5. Alcaraz holds his serve to love and puts the arrow on 6-5.

Sinner also holds serve and it goes to a tie-break. Here the Italian starts well, taking the lead 2-0, then it's a Spanish monologue until 7-3. It goes to the 5th set. Sinner pays for his less than optimal physical condition and immediately loses his serve, the Spaniard confirms the break and flies 2-0. The number one tries to resist and stays in the slipstream , winning the third game at 15. In the 4th game Sinner gets two break points but Alcaraz cancels them with his serve and goes up 3-1.

The Italian puts his heart into it and with his little remaining strength holds serve at 30. In the sixth game Alcaraz from 30-30 scores two points with a drop-shot and a return out and takes the lead to 4-2. Sinner holds serve at love and 3-4. At the 5-hour mark, the world number 2 holds serve at 15 and takes himself to one game from victory.

The Italian doesn't give up and also holds his serve, conceding only one point and goes to 4-5. Alcaraz also trembles at the decisive moment and Sinner takes advantage with a winning forehand and return. Sinner goes 0-30, with a drop shot he earns two break points and immediately scores with an opponent's error. Then he holds serve at advantage without conceding break points and sends Alcaraz to serve to stay in the match. From 15-30 he saves himself with champion shots and goes to a super tie-break. At the decisive moment Alcaraz takes the stage, makes no more mistakes, runs away 7-0 and closes 10-2.