French Open Final: Alcaraz Fights Back in Thrilling Encounter

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was determined to secure back-to-back titles and succeeded in leveling this epic French Open final against Jannik Sinner!

The 23-year-old Sinner had initially surged to a two-set lead, taking advantage when Alcaraz was briefly hindered by clay in his eye.

However, Alcaraz ignited the crowd at Roland Garros by fighting his way back to level the contest after Sinner had crucial championship points slip away.

The winner of this compelling showdown would not only claim the Roland Garros title but also a significant prize money purse.

Match Updates (Fifth Set)

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 6-5 Alcaraz*

An ace starts the game for Sinner, 15-0. Alcaraz hits an incredible angled forehand winner, 15-15. Another ace for Sinner makes it 30-15. Alcaraz`s return goes long, 40-15. Sinner`s forehand goes long, 40-30. Sinner`s rushed forehand lands wide, deuce. Sinner navigates an Alcaraz let cord and mishit, then lands a crushing forehand winner for advantage. But Alcaraz battles back to deuce. Sinner gains advantage again with a big fist pump. He seems to have found extra energy. He hits another forehand winner into the corner, showing renewed spring in his step as they head to the chairs. Last time Alcaraz served after coming out of his chair, it was for the match. This time, he serves to stay in it and potentially force the first fifth-set deciding tie-break in a men`s Roland Garros final.

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 5-5 Alcaraz – Sinner breaks back

Alcaraz begins with a nervous forehand that flies beyond the baseline. Sinner attacks a weak second serve, forcing Alcaraz to scramble. It`s 0-30… The crowd is on their feet. Alcaraz shows composure, going on the attack, 15-30. Alcaraz`s drop shot looks perfect. But Sinner somehow finds the energy and speed to reach it before the second bounce and produces a perfect drop shot in return, 15-40. Sinner gestures to the crowd, who erupt as Alcaraz nets the ball. Both players have served for the match, and yet we are locked at 5-5 in the fifth set.

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 4-5 Alcaraz*

A wide serve followed by a powerful forehand winner gives Sinner a dream start to this must-win game. He backs it up with another point, leading 30-0, but guesses the wrong way as Alcaraz hits a clean winner down the middle. Alcaraz`s forehand goes long, and Sinner will serve to stay in the match. This contest began four hours and 59 minutes ago.

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 3-5 Alcaraz

Alcaraz recognizes Sinner`s physical struggles and employs drop shots frequently. However, his first attempt at 15-0 is poor, bouncing before the net. His response is an ace down the T and another service winner as Sinner`s return goes long, 40-15. Sinner hits a forehand onto the line to stay in the game but then puts a difficult backhand into the tramlines. Alcaraz is now one game away from defending his French Open title.

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 3-4 Alcaraz*

Sinner maintains his focus and hits a couple of lovely winners to establish a 40-0 lead. He then produces another stunning running forehand cross-court winner from a stretched position. A solid hold for Sinner. He remains within reach of victory, demonstrating his capability to hold. Now, can he secure the break he needs?

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 2-4 Alcaraz

The crowd is stunned. Alcaraz produces an unbelievable diving forehand volley just over the net on the opening point, drawing gasps of awe. Alcaraz then needs to clean himself up after being covered in clay, causing a brief delay, before hitting his seventh double fault, 15-15. Sinner hits a backhand up the line for 15-30. Alcaraz relies on his classic wide serve and forehand into the open court, 30-30. Sinner is unhappy about a ball called in that looked slightly out, which Alcaraz followed with a drop shot winner. Sinner then hits a ball narrowly out and slices another into the air in frustration as Alcaraz holds the game.

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 2-3 Alcaraz*

Alcaraz rushes to his chair between games to drink pickle juice, which helps prevent cramps. Facing Sinner`s serve at 15-0 down, Alcaraz somehow chases down a short ball and then sprints back to flick the ball past a bewildered Sinner, bringing the score back to 30-30. Sinner needs to hold this game, and he does. Alcaraz`s return goes long, then he nets a backhand return. This match has now become the longest French Open final at four hours and 43 minutes.

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 1-3 Alcaraz

His arms must feel incredibly heavy after nearly four-and-a-half hours on court, but Alcaraz displays superb touch with a neat drop shot that Sinner doesn`t chase. This happens again on the second point – Sinner doesn`t run for it, a very telling sign. Have his legs given out? He`s visibly struggling to move, and Alcaraz is dictating the points. After going down 40-30, Sinner shows emotion towards his team, the first sign of frustration he`s revealed. But moments later, Sinner has a break point… could he possibly? Alcaraz kicks in a second serve and sweeps away the winner. Incredible touch from Alcaraz with a drop shot cut just over the net, which Sinner reaches but cannot return effectively. However, the Italian fights back to deuce before hitting two consecutive double faults. A huge effort from Alcaraz to go on the offensive and save the break point in style. Sinner mishits a return and shows a small outburst of anger. He must be furious inside as Alcaraz eventually holds after a game lasting nearly ten minutes with a forehand winner.

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 1-2 Alcaraz*

Sinner is still hitting the ball powerfully, but Alcaraz is matching him, which wasn`t the case in many of the rallies during the first two sets. A Sinner ace was initially called out, but Alcaraz stepped in as a makeshift line judge to indicate it was in. Is there anything he can`t do? Well, keeping the ball in at 30-15 was one thing, and again at 40-15. A crucial hold from Sinner, who glances towards his box. Still very little outward reaction, but he has certainly experienced a rollercoaster of emotions this afternoon.

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 0-2 Alcaraz

Sinner`s level has clearly dropped, and who can blame him? This is his first fifth set since losing at Wimbledon last year. A relatively routine hold for Alcaraz to consolidate his early advantage in the final set.

Sinner 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 0-1 Alcaraz* – Alcaraz breaks

Alcaraz is pumped! He leaps from his seat and encourages the crowd. He has the momentum and the support of most of the 15,000 spectators in Chatrier. He quickly reaches 0-30 on Sinner`s serve, then 15-40, and then 30-40. On the second break point, he executes a drop shot that Sinner cannot reach, securing the break. Sinner doubles over, appearing to have injured his leg or be cramping. Either way, his legs are in trouble. Remember the statistics: Sinner had never won a match exceeding three hours and 50 minutes, while Alcaraz boasted a 12-1 record in fifth sets. The clock currently shows four hours and 20 minutes.