Reaction & analysis as Sinner and Alcaraz reach French Open final

BBC News

11 hours ago

Update:
Date: 22:00 BST 6 June
Title: Thanks for joining us
Content: That's everything from us as the men's semi-finals draw to a close.
So, it's world number one Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to meet in the final on Sunday.
We'll be back tomorrow for the women's singles final when it's also world number one Aryna Sabalenka against second seed Coco Gauff.
We will also be covering the men's doubles final when British duo Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury meet Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos.
Here's a little bedtime reading in the meantime:
Update:
Date: 21:59 BST 6 June
Title: What is the prize money?
Content: Victory for Jannik Sinner keeps him on track for a huge payday if he comes through against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
The total prize money for the French Open is 56.352m euros (£47.5m) - an increase on last year of 5.21%.
The men's and women's singles champions will win 2.55m euros (£2.15m), with the runner-up taking home 1.275m euros (£1.07m).
Update:
Date: 21:57 BST 6 June
Title: Top-tier finals
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
The top-two players in the world have reached the finals in both the men's and women's singles at a single Grand Slam event for the first time since the US Open 2013 (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka).
Update:
Date: 21:55 BST 6 June
Title: 'It will be an amazing final'
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
The thing that Novak Djokovic tried to do today is Carlos' natural game.
The variation, the drop shots, coming to the net. Novak can do it, but he would like to be as machine-like as Jannik Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz will play very well within a comfort zone. I'm sure it will be an amazing final and I can't wait for it.
Update:
Date: 21:52 BST 6 June
Title: Post
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
On Sunday, two players born in 2000s - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner - meet in a men's singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time.
Let's do an early poll.
Thumbs up if world number one Sinner wins or thumbs down for defending champion Alcaraz.
Update:
Date: 21:50 BST 6 June
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
The way Djokovic played as a 38-year-old just shows me how far away Sinner is to his level at his peak. Best male tennis player to grace the game. To be the sixth best player in the world at his age is an indictment on the talent pool at the moment.
Lauren, Oldham
Update:
Date: 21:47 BST 6 June
Title: 'My head-to-head doesn't look great against Carlos'
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Jannik Sinner on facing Carlos Alcaraz in the final: "My head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos, but let's see what I can do.
"I am happy to be here in the final, and we will see what we can do.
"Of course, I enjoy these moments. These are rare and special moments in my career.
"This is a special place for me. Thank you for being so nice to me throughout the full tournament."
Update:
Date: 21:42 BST 6 June
Title: 'Djokovic is the best player in the history of our sport'
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Jannik Sinner on his win: "Well, first of all, thank you so much for coming and for supporting us, me and Novak.
"It was such a special occasion for me playing against Novak in a semi-final of a Grand Slam.
"It was so amazing, I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players.
"What he is doing is incredible. I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis.
"He achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport. Playing against him here is amazing.
"Of course, I tried not to think about this, but before you're on court you feel the tension. I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way.
"I am very happy with how I did that today."
Update:
Date: 21:41 BST 6 June
Title: Post
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Jannik Sinner now boasts four successive wins over Novak Djokovic, dating back to November 2023.
He is yet to drop a set at this year's French Open and will delighted to have seen off Novak Djokovic in straight sets as he now switches his attention to Carlos Alcaraz.
Let's hear from the Italian.
Update:
Date: 21:37 BST 6 June
Title: Stunning Sinner
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Jannik Sinner is just the second Italian in the Open era to reach the men's singles final at Roland Garros after Adriano Panatta in 1976.
The 23-year-old is the youngest player to reach three consecutive men's singles finals at Grand Slams since Pete Sampras in 1994.
He is also the first player to reach eight consecutive ATP-level event finals since Novak Djokovic did so in 2015.
Update:
Date: 21:35 BST 6 June
Title: Post
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Novak Djokovic's quest for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam goes now switches to Wimbledon next month.
The Serb just couldn't find a way to chip away at world number one Jannik Sinner this evening.
He took his bag off and took a moment to wave at the crowd before leaving Philippe Chatrier. Was it a farewell? Will we see him again at the French Open?
Update:
Date: 21:31 BST 6 June
Title: 'Take a bow Djokovic'
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
Those were three hard-fought sets. High quality sets and
take a bow Novak Djokovic. The way he played today, I think he should be in the circle
of contenders at Wimbledon.
Update:
Date: 21:30 BST 6 June
Title: Sinner reaches French Open Final
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic
Novak Djokovic puts into the net and Jannik Sinner is through to his first French Open final.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz awaits.
Changing of the guard?
Update:
Date: 21:28 BST 6 June
Title: Tie-break
Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (6-2) Djokovic
Novak Djokovic goes long and Jannik Sinner has four match points.
Update:
Date: 21:26 BST 6 June
Title: Post
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic*
Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
It's like in football when you have a team pressing on you and at one point you will make a mistake.
That's how it feels to play Jannik Sinner.
Update:
Date: 21:26 BST 6 June
Title: Tie-break
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic*
Jannik Sinner with a booming forehand and Novak Djokovic, forced deep behind the baseline, can only return into the net.
Djokovic needs a break back quickly or his dream of winning a 25th Grand Slam title will be put on pause until Wimbledon.
A couple of holds and Sinner is firmly in control.
Update:
Date: 21:25 BST 6 June
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Before this ends and we give Sinner his rightful plaudits. A word for Djokovic at 38 years of age, still fighting with the best young player in the world and battling like he's the same age. Too disliked in his time, he will be better recognised once he's gone.
Zac
Update:
Date: 21:24 BST 6 June
Title: Tie-break
Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-2) Djokovic
Back on serve and Novak Djokovic quickly moves on from that error.
A couple of points in the bag will do his mood the world of good.
Update:
Date: 21:23 BST 6 June
Title: 'Djokovic stopped moving his feet'
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic*
Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
We just had a replay and Novak Djokovic stopped moving his feet.
Update:
Date: 21:23 BST 6 June
Title: Tie-break
Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic*
Jannik Sinner with another wide serve to extend his lead.
Oh no.
Novak Djokovic is teed up with the easiest of shots to volley but he gets it's all wrong and it's straight into the net.