Carlos Alcaraz secured his first-ever French Open final appearance with a remarkable comeback win over Jannik Sinner, prevailing 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev also bounced back from a slow start to defeat Casper Ruud 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the championship match.
Initially, Alcaraz struggled to find his usual brilliance in the match. However, he capitalized on Sinner’s hand cramps and managed to level the playing field. After a grueling battle lasting just over four hours, Alcaraz emerged victorious in the deciding set.
At only 21 years old, Alcaraz has already achieved Wimbledon and U.S. Open triumphs. Now, he has become the youngest male player to reach the finals of all three Grand Slam tournaments, across different playing surfaces. With this historic feat, Alcaraz aims to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countrymen and claim victory at Roland Garros.
Reflecting on his journey, Alcaraz expressed his deep connection to the tournament, recalling how he would rush home after school just to watch the French Open matches on TV. This personal connection adds an extra layer of significance to his presence in the final.
“Undoubtedly, Rafa Nadal reigned supreme in this tournament for 14-15 years, which is truly remarkable. My aspiration was to etch my name alongside the esteemed Spanish players who have triumphed in this tournament… (Juan Carlos) Ferrero, (Carlos) Moya, (Albert) Costa, all legends of our sport.
If I aspire to be among the best players in the world, I must excel on every surface, just like Roger (Federer), Novak (Djokovic), Rafa, (Andy) Murray. The greatest players have achieved success on all types of courts.”
Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, has now reached his fourth consecutive semi-final in Paris, breaking through to become the second German man in the Open Era to reach the Roland Garros final and equal Michael Stich’s accomplishment from 1996.
In addition, he has overcome painful memories of a severe ankle injury suffered during the 2022 semi-final against Nadal, while also navigating through challenging matches this year.
“To make a deep run and win a Grand Slam, one must overcome obstacles and experience numerous highs and lows,” stated Zverev, who ultimately emerged victorious in the match as Ruud was hindered by a stomach issue.”
“You won’t secure a Grand Slam victory by winning every match in straight sets of three. While players like Roger and Rafa have achieved this feat a few times, the usual path to Grand Slam success involves enduring battles and overcoming tough five-set matches. It’s about making a comeback from difficult moments. I’m delighted to have reached the Grand Slam final, giving myself the best opportunity to win on Sunday.”
Zverev’s triumph came on a day when he reached a settlement following accusations of physical abuse from the mother of his child. A German court subsequently closed the case.
Ruud lamented that his stomach issue had disrupted what could have been an exhilarating clash. “It’s not a serious problem or something that will persist for long, but it unexpectedly surfaced in the first set,” he explained. “Then the last three sets went by quickly because Zverev played well, but my limited physical condition prevented me from playing with the intensity I prefer.”
Sinner suffered a setback with his defeat by Alcaraz. Nevertheless, he is set to ascend to the world number one ranking on Monday. The 22-year-old expressed excitement about continuing their rivalry, although he acknowledges that it has yet to reach the level of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
“Well, you can’t expect to win a Grand Slam by triumphing in every match with straight sets. Some players manage to do it occasionally, like Roger and Rafa, but typically, winning a Grand Slam entails enduring tough battles and coming back from challenging five-set matches. I’m pleased to have made it to the Grand Slam final, giving myself the best chance to claim victory on Sunday.”
Zverev’s victory coincided with the resolution of a settlement following allegations of physical abuse made by the mother of his child. The case was subsequently closed by a German court.
Ruud expressed disappointment that his stomach issue hindered what could have been an exciting clash. “It’s not a major issue or something that will persist for a long time, but it unexpectedly arose in the first set,” he explained. “Then the last three sets went by quickly because Zverev played well, but my limited physical condition prevented me from playing with the intensity I prefer.”
Sinner experienced a setback with his loss to Alcaraz. However, he is set to become the world number one on Monday. The 22-year-old is looking forward to continuing their rivalry, although he acknowledges that it has not yet reached the level of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
