Memorable match: Alcaraz pulls the plug on Sinner

Jannik Sinner's run of success has stopped, the French Open is over for him. In an incredibly intense semi-final lasting more than four hours, the South Tyrolean was literally defeated by Carlos Alcaraz.

June 07, 2024

From: fop

Carlos Alcaraz is in the Roland Garros final for the first time! The world number three from Spain defeated the new world number one 2:6, 6:3, 3:6, 6:4, 6:4. After 4 hours and 12 minutes of play, Sinner trotted off the pitch completely exhausted. He delivered an exceptional performance, but in Alcaraz he met his match that day. He was therefore denied his second Grand Slam final. It was Sinner's only third defeat in all of 2024.

One thing first: For a long time it wasn't the top-class tennis that many people had wanted. Both opponents had too many weak phases for that, and alternately. However, that should change after around two hours of play. Then began the absolute thrill, high tension and a battle of strength between two superstars that went to the limit of pain and beyond.

Sinner clearly got off to a better start. He went at a hell of a pace in the first few minutes, Alcaraz was completely flabbergasted and made the simplest of mistakes. He only managed one of the first five service games. The first set was over after just 42 minutes. But the tide turned quickly because Alcaraz was suddenly better in the second round. Sinner seemed a bit careless at first, then unsettled. The result was 6:3 for the Spaniard.

Sinner struck

As clear as the matter initially seemed for Sinner, the game unexpectedly developed into an absolute thriller when the score was 1:1. Sinner's forearms suddenly started to ache and a little later he had to have his thighs massaged by the physio. The intense days in Paris had obviously left their mark after the week-long injury break. But just when the Pusterer seemed to falter, he reared up impressively. He gritted his teeth, smashed the balls forcefully onto Alcaraz's baseline and won the third set 6-3.

Carlitos Alcaraz bit into the game impressively. © APA/afp / ALAIN JOCARD

With Sinner's comeback, the tug of war between the two youngsters came to a head. The 21-year-old Alcaraz now seemed really fired up and suddenly unleashed his very best punches. But the 22-year-old Sinner resisted. And so the hoped-for world-class duel finally developed. In this, Alcaraz set the next highlight: with the first set point and at the same time the first break point of the entire fourth set, he won it 6:4.

Alcaraz like from another planet

Alcaraz was now energized, sprinting from one corner to the other and unleashing incredible cross forehand shots on the defensive. Sinner really has nothing to blame himself for, but he was only able to score sporadic pinpricks against the Spanish clay court specialist. A break at the start of the fifth set paved the way for the Iberian to win.

Alcaraz will now face the on Sunday (15 p.m.). German Alexander Zverev, who defeated Casper Ruud (Norway) in the second semi-final, fighting for his first French Open victory. Sinner, on the other hand, can now rest in view of the lawn season. He will officially appear as number one in the world rankings from Monday.

Jannik Sinner's Grand Slam semifinals:

Wimbledon 2023
Novak Djokovic – Jannik Sinner 6:3, 6:4, 7:6

Australian Open 2024
Jannik Sinner – Novak Djokovic 6:1, 6:2, 6:7, 6:3

French Open 2024
Carlos Alcaraz – Jannik Sinner 2:6, 6:3, 3:6, 6:4, 6:4