Carlos Alcaraz defeated the newly crowned world no.1 Jannik Sinner to storm into the finals of the French Open 2024 men's singles on Friday, June 7. The world no.3 Alcaraz produced his best game of the 2024 season to end Sinner's dream run in the five-set thriller at Philippe Chatrier.
Sinner took the opening set and displayed his red-hot form in the initial stages but the Spaniard made a sensational comeback to record a 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over the Italian. Alcaraz entered the Roland-Garros final for the first time in his career and became the youngest tennis player of the open era to reach the final of Grand Slams on three surfaces - hard, grass and clay.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz broke the legendary Andre Agassi's record when the American reached the final of the Wimbledon in 1992. Alcaraz won the Wimbledon last year and the US Open in 2022 to achieve this major feat proving his skills on all three surfaces.
Alcaraz, who had to retire due to an injury in the 2023 French Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic, termed today's match the toughest of his career and hailed Sinner for his fighting performance. Alcaraza took a 5-4 lead over Sinner in the head-to-head record and now has won two of three meetings in majors.
"The toughest matches that I have played in my short career have been against Jannik," Alcaraz said after beating Sinner. "The US Open in 2022, this one. Jannik is a great player. The team he has as well and the great work he puts in every day and I hope to play him many, many more matches like this against him. One of the toughest matches that I have played for sure."
Alcaraz will meet either Casper Ruud, the runner-up at 2023 Roland-Garros or the world no.4 Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday, June 9.
