French Open: Alcaraz downs Sinner, to face Zverev in Sunday’s final
Carlos Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in an engrossing five-set battle on Friday to reach his first French Open final, where he will face Alexander Zverev who beat two-time runner-up Casper Ruud.
The two-time Grand Slam champion trailed 2-1 in sets to incoming world No 1 Sinner, but rallied in the Paris sunshine to win 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 after four hours and nine minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It was another gripping chapter in the pair’s burgeoning rivalry, with Alcaraz now leading their head-to-head 5-4.
The 21-year-old will be the favourite heading into Sunday’s final as he aims to become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts.
He has won both of his two previous major finals – at Wimbledon last year and the 2022 US Open.
But Zverev holds a career 5-4 winning record against Alcaraz, including a victory in their only previous Roland Garros meeting in the 2022 quarterfinals.
