
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz to collide in French Open final
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz will meet in a Grand Slam final for the first time after prevailing in the semifinals of the French Open on Friday at Paris.
After Lorenzo Musetti retired in the fourth set of his match against Alcaraz due to a leg injury, Sinner set the Sunday showdown against the defending champion by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3) at Roland Garros.
Sinner is going for his third straight Grand Slam title after winning the 2024 U.S. Open and 2025 Australian Open. Per TNT, the 23-year-old Italian is the youngest player since Pete Sampras in 1993-94 to win 20 straight matches in majors.
Alcaraz is 7-4 against Sinner all-time, including at the final in Rome last month.
"My head-to-heads lately, they don't look great against Carlos, so let's see what I can do," Sinner said with a chuckle. "But again, I'm very happy to be here in the final and then we see what we can do."
Sinner broke Djokovic's serve in the fifth game of Set 1 and twice during the second set. The sixth-seeded Serbian, aiming to extend his record of 24 Grand Slam titles, looked poised to win the third set and held double set point in the 10th game.
But Sinner rallied to the first of three deuces in the game and finally broke through on advantage to tie it 5-5. They ended up in a tiebreaker, where Sinner took a 3-0 lead, absorbed two Djokovic points and then sped away.
"I enjoy these moments. I think these are very rare and special moments in my career, so of course we try to enjoy it," Sinner said in his on-court interview. "... This is a very special place for me."
Djokovic, 38, hinted that Friday's bout may have been his final appearance at the French Open, which he has won three times.
"This could have been the last match ever I play here, so I don't know," Djokovic said. "That's why it was a bit more emotional in the end, but if this was the farewell match of the Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd."
Sinner called Djokovic "the best player in (the) history of our sport" during his interview, drawing a round of cheers.
As for Alcaraz, the second-seeded Spaniard was leading 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 when Musetti was unable to continue the semifinal match. The Italian No. 8 seed received treatment on his left thigh during the third set.
"It's never great getting through or winning a match like this," Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. "Lorenzo is a great player. He has had an incredible clay season. (He is) one of the few players who achieved at least the semifinals at all the biggest events on clay. I think just four players had done that before ... I always wish him all the best, a quick recovery, and hopefully we are going to enjoy his tennis pretty soon."
Alcaraz improved to 6-1 against Musetti, including wins in the Monte-Carlo final and the Rome semifinals this year.
"The first two sets were really tough," Alcaraz said. "I had chances to break his serve in the match. I couldn't make the most of them. He was playing great tennis. When I won the second set, there was a little bit of relief, and then in the third set I knew what I had to do at the beginning: Just push him to the limit and try to be aggressive. Not let him dominate the game more and just be myself."
Alcaraz broke Musetti's serve to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth set. At that point, Musetti slowly walked toward the net and embraced Alcaraz to signify the end of the match.
"I felt at the beginning of the third when I was serving, I start losing a little bit of strength on the left leg behind, and definitely was going worse and worse, so I decided to stop," Musetti said. "I think was the right decision to make, even if it was not what I wanted. Tomorrow I will do exams."
Alcaraz, 22, has a 4-0 record in Grand Slam finals.
--Field Level Media
Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Stanley Cup Final live updates: Florida Panthers vs Edmonton Oilers, Game 3
The best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final is now essentially a best-of-5 set. After splitting the opening games in Edmonton, the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers now play the next two games in Sunrise, with the Panthers looking to take advantage of home ice in their quest to repeat as champions. Game 3 on Monday is set for an 8 p.m. puck drop, with the game televised on TNT and truTV and available on streaming via Max. Follow along throughout the game for live updates, news, analysis and commentary. Series schedule ▪ Game 1 — Oilers 4, Panthers 3 (overtime): The Panthers had a two-goal lead early in the second period but couldn't hold on as Edmonton tied the game early in the third and won it on a Leon Draisaitl power-play goal with 31 seconds left in overtime. ▪ Game 2 — Panthers 5, Oilers 4 (double overtime): The Oilers tied the game with 17.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime for a second consecutive game. Brad Marchand scored the game-winner 8:05 into the second OT period to secure the Florida win and even the series 1-1. ▪ Game 3: Tonight ▪ Game 4: Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise's Amerant Bank Arena ▪ Game 5: Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Edmonton's Rogers Place ▪ Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Sunrise's Amerant Bank Arena ▪ Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 20, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max, Edmonton's Rogers Place Pregame reading Need to catch up ahead of Game 3? Here are the highlights of the Miami Herald's coverage over the past few days. ▪ 'He just finds a way': Panthers' Brad Marchand, at 37, has another big playoff moment ▪ After excelling on road all playoffs, it's time for Panthers to produce at home in Cup Final ▪ Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final changes rinks. And, probably, little else ▪ Panthers know Bobrovsky's importance in Cup Final. 'We're not taking him for granted' ▪ Panthers' top line hasn't scored yet in Stanley Cup Final. Is it a cause for concern? ▪ Legendary lineages: Have the Panthers joined South Florida's sports dynasties from the past?
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
‘She is a fighter': Coco Gauff's former coach says she knew she would be a star -- even at 7
'She is a fighter': Coco Gauff's former coach says she knew she would be a star -- even at 7 A young tennis phenom with ties to metro Atlanta is basking in the glow of her big win at the French Open. Cori Coco Gauff was born in Del Ray, Florida, but grew up in metro Atlanta. One of her first tennis coaches told Channel 2's Kary Greer that she knew the 7-year-old at the time was destined for greatness. Advertisement 'I wrote it down in my HEDZ. I looked in the mirror. Even after that first set, I thought, I will be a French Open champion. I can do this. Just the feeling. You have to psych yourself out,' Gauff said. Gauff appeared on Good Morning America on Monday after her first French Open win, her second grand slam title in her career since winning the U.S. Open in 2023. TRENDING STORIES: 'One thing I know about Coco is that she is a fighter. She was a fighter when she was seven. You know, when we would be out there on the court, it didn't matter what the drill was, she was going to do the drill to the best of her ability,' Gauff's former coach, Jewel Peterson, told Greer. Advertisement Peterson coached the tennis phenom when she was just 7 years old. She even remembers picking her up from elementary school. 'I've just been so excited to see how she just keeps getting better and better each year, handling the pressure, handling the big stage, handling playing in France and all around the world, and you know, it is just so exciting to be able to see her make those kinds of adjustments,' Peterson said. Up next for the 21-year-old Coco: the U.S. Open 'I'm excited about the U.S. Open. Obviously, she knows how to play and how to win there. And every time she's there, the crowd is on her side, and she plays her best tennis. And it's hardcore. I mean, come on. So, I know that she's gonna do well there. I know Savalinka is probably ready for vengeance, but Coco will be ready for her,' Peterson said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Inter Milan Aim Targeting Parma Duo As Part Of Backbone For New-Look Cristian Chivu Team
Inter Milan are targeting Giovanni Leoni and Ange-Yoan Bonny as part of the backbone of a new-look team under Cristian Chivu. This according to Italian outlet FCInterNews. Inter Milan have officially confirmed the appointment of Cristian Chivu as their new coach. Advertisement The Nerazzurri had already decided upon the 44-year-old to replace Simone Inzaghi a few days ago. On Thursday, Inter chose Chivu, concluding a search of a couple days. This search had seen them try for Cesc Fabregas, and also reportedly consider Patrick Vieira. However, in the end, Inter went with Treble-winning former defender Chivu. They called the Romanian, and he agreed to step up. Inter Milan Eye Up Leoni & Bonny As Backbone Of New-Look Team Under Chivu UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 01: Giovanni Leoni of Parma reacts at the end of the Serie A match between Udinese and Parma at Stadio Friuli on March 01, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by) According to FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri are looking at a couple of players from Chivu's former side Parma as candidates to sign this summer and allow the coach to put his own stamp on the team. Advertisement Firstly, there is striker Ange-Yoan Bonny. The Frenchman had already been a target for Inter. And as FCIN note, Parma had in fact asked Inter for Francesco Pio Esposito as part of talks for Bonny. However, that had been while Chivu was still at the helm/ Therefore, FCIN note, Chivu will want to have a look at Pio Esposito in training before he makes any decisions on the teenage striker's future. However, the Nerazzurri are far from the only club tracking Leoni. AC Milan, Juventus, and Bournemouth have all shown an interest in the 18-year-old.