Alcaraz overpowers Sinner despite muscle cramps.
In a thrilling encounter between young tennis stars, Carlos Alcaraz comes out on top against Jannik Sinner, advancing to the finals of the French Open. The intensity of the match sees the lead change hands as Alcaraz sets a record for the youngest professional-era player to reach a Grand Slam final on various court surfaces: sand, grass, and hardcourt. This significant achievement adds to his previous wins at the US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023. On Sunday, Alcaraz will face either Alexander Zverev or Casper Ruud at the Roland Garros Stadium for the ultimate showdown. As the competition progresses, the second semifinal is to take place later on Court Philippe Chatrier.
A Dynamic Match
Prior to the match, Carlos Alcaraz showcased immense respect for his Italian opponent, Jannik Sinner, acknowledging him as the top ranked player in the world, with Alcaraz commenting, "Everything he does, he does perfectly." Sinner seemed to confirm this early on with a leading 2-0 advantage -- breaking serve twice -- in just 16 minutes. This displayed a seemingly advantageous start for the South Tyrolean, with bouts of applause from the audience to spur on the struggling Alcaraz.
However, Alcaraz quickly adapted, dominating during long rallies in the second set against the then hip-injured Sinner, who had been sidelined for weeks. Sinner attempted to make a comeback in the third set but couldn't quite manage, as he struggled with serve accuracy, distressing mistakes, and slower response to his opponent.
Sinner faced challenges throughout the encounter, including needing to be attended to by the physiotherapist due to cramps in his arm and leg. Ultimately, the exhausted Sinner couldn't outpace his quick-moving rival. This match, which featured the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist since 2008 (featuring Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the US Open semifinals), became unstable due to a spectator fainting. In the midst of this, Alcaraz asked for, "Water for them," as the play was momentarily halted.
