In a nail-biting semi-final at the 2024 French Open, Carlos Alcaraz triumphed over Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set encounter. The Spaniard mounted a remarkable comeback from being down 1-2 in sets, ultimately securing victory with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. This victory not only advanced Alcaraz to his first Roland Garros final but also improved his head-to-head record against Sinner to 5-4.
Early Struggles and a Determined Fightback
The match began unfavorably for Alcaraz, who struggled to find his rhythm, allowing Sinner to dominate and take the first set 6:2. Despite losing his serve early in the second set, Alcaraz’s relentless offensive play saw him claw back and even the match at one set apiece with a 6:3 win. However, the third set saw Sinner capitalizing on Alcaraz’s dip in form, breaking the Spaniard twice to take a 5:2 lead and eventually clinching the set 6:3.
Resilience in the Fourth Set
Both players were acutely aware that every service game in the fourth set could determine the match’s outcome. Alcaraz, serving first, maintained a slight edge and seized a crucial break in the tenth game, converting a set point to take the set 6:4, forcing a decisive fifth set.
Dominance in the Decisive Set
Riding the momentum from his fourth-set victory, Alcaraz quickly established a 3:0 lead in the final set. Despite Sinner’s attempts to fight back, the confident and composed Spaniard held firm, eventually sealing the match on his third match point. This hard-fought victory after four hours and nine minutes of intense play marks Alcaraz’s first appearance in the Roland Garros final.
Aiming for a Third Grand Slam Title
Alcaraz, already a Grand Slam champion with titles at the US Open (2022) and Wimbledon (2023), now sets his sights on clinching his third major trophy on the clay courts of Paris. Awaiting him in the final is either Germany’s Alexander Zverev or Norway’s Casper Ruud, promising another exciting showdown for tennis fans worldwide.