After losing to Lorenzo Musetti, Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling French Open semi-final on Friday, edging him into his first Grand Slam final.
In his first Roland Garros final, world number one Sinner defeated record-holder Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) to defeat Frenchman.
The 23-year-old Sinner praised him as the best player in the history of our sport, saying, “It’s amazing to play against him here.”
“Of course, I try not to think about this, but you can feel the tension before entering the court.”
In a dramatic fight that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, Djokovic showed his signature fighting prowess, but his hopes of a comeback were ultimately undermined by three set points that were missed late in the third set.
Also read: Sabalenka Downs Swiatek As Gauff Ends Boisson’s French Open Run
Next month, the 38-year-old will make an attempt to claim a 25th Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, breaking the previous record.
Alcaraz earlier made up his mind for Sunday’s final when Musetti’s fourth set, which included a leg injury, was interrupted by Musetti.
Sinner, who hasn’t lost a set in the tournament yet, will be hoping to retaliate against Alcaraz after falling to the Spaniard in five sets in the semi-finals last year.
Alcaraz has won four of his matches against Sinner, winning the Italian Open final in May after Sinner resumed his three-month doping ban.
Let’s see what I can do, Sinner said, “Sunday will be very difficult because I know my head-to-head lately doesn’t look good against Carlos.”
In what appears to be a permanent changing of the guard, Djokovic’s exit ensures that Sinner or world number two Alcaraz will win a sixth successive major title.
The first Grand Slam final between two 2000-born men will be played.
Sinner and Alcaraz have never lost a major final.
The top two seeds will square off for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday in the first Grand Slam competition since the 2013 US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff facing off in the final.
Djokovic had opportunities, but Sinner consistently came out strong in the crucial moments, including when he broke right away after failing to serve the second set.
In the final 10th game of the third, the Italian fought off three set points in total, hitting 44 winners overall.
Musetti retires with injuries
When Italian Musetti called it quits due to a thigh injury, world number two Alcaraz was already leading 4-6, 7-6 (7 / 3, 6-0, 2-0).
The 22-year-old said, “It’s never great to go through or win a match when it’s this.”
He has had a fantastic clay season. I wish him the best of luck, a quick recovery, and a quick recovery.
In two days, Alcaraz will aim to claim his fifth Grand Slam.
He said, “It’s been three very difficult weeks, and I only have one step left.” I’ve been playing great tennis this tournament, and I’ll give it all on Sunday.
Before taking a one-set lead with a break in the tenth game, Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games.
However, Musetti’s attempted passing shot into the net gave the Spaniard the lead into the second-set breaker, giving him the advantage to reach the third set point.
Musetti briefly received treatment on his left thigh after being unable to handle the force coming from the other side of the net in the third set.
Alcaraz continued to dominate the set, where Musetti, the eighth seed, only managed five points in 22 minutes.
Alcaraz thumped a forehand into the corner to give Musetti another break, and the 23-year-old immediately swung to the net to shake his opponent’s hand.
Source: Channels TV
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