Carlos Alcaraz won his second straight French Open title on Sunday in one of the longest and most dramatic finals in tournament history. The 22-year-old Spaniard defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2) in a match that lasted five hours and 29 minutes—just shy of the all-time major final record.
The showdown was the first Grand Slam final meeting between the two top-ranked players, and it lived up to expectations from the first serve. Sinner, fresh off a dominant run in Paris without dropping a set, surged to a two-set lead and held three championship points in the fourth. But Alcaraz, showing the grit and creativity that have defined his rise, held off elimination and clawed his way back.
Sinner had the momentum early, using his length and steady groundstrokes to push Alcaraz into difficult angles. Up 5-3 in the fourth set and with the trophy in reach, Sinner faltered. He missed a series of key shots, including a backhand into the net and a forehand long, allowing Alcaraz to stay alive. With the crowd at Roland Garros roaring, Alcaraz saved all three match points, broke Sinner’s serve, and took the fourth-set tiebreak.
Both players showed signs of fatigue in the fifth. Sinner, battling through physical strain, managed to push the match into a deciding 10-point tiebreaker after breaking Alcaraz while trailing 5-4. But it was Alcaraz who rose to the moment, racing to a 7-0 lead in the breaker and sealing the title with a stunning passing shot on match point.
Alcaraz has now won five major titles in as many final appearances. He is the third-youngest man to reach that total in the Open Era, joining legends like Rafael Nadal and Björn Borg. This victory also marked the first time he has come back from two sets down in a Grand Slam match.
The match was a display of elite shotmaking, stamina, and mental strength. Alcaraz’s mix of baseline power, drop shots, and dazzling defense often forced errors from Sinner, who nonetheless pushed the champion deeper than any opponent has in recent memory.
Sinner, 23, remains world No. 1 in the ATP rankings, having reached the final and extended his run of wins at majors after taking the first two sets. Though he missed his chance at a first French Open title, Sinner’s performance further cements his place at the top of the sport alongside Alcaraz.
This rivalry is expected to shape men’s tennis for years to come. With each player now holding multiple Grand Slam wins and continuing to push each other to higher levels, their future matchups are already among the most anticipated events in the sport.
For now, Alcaraz has the edge. On the clay of Paris, in a match packed with tension and dazzling rallies, he proved once again why he’s already one of the most formidable players in tennis.
This image is the property of The New Dispatch LLC and is not licenseable for external use without explicit written permission.
