The Times of India at Roland Garros : Carlos Alcaraz fell on his back where he lay, looking up at Paris’ early evening sky. He had taken all of five-hours and 29-minutes to defend his French Open title, collecting his second Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy.
The Spaniard – a whole new vibe for the sport, muscular frame and expressive play - battled back from the brink, saving three match points in the fourth set, then overcame a wobble in the fifth to claim his fifth Major title, he remained unbeaten in Major finals. The world No.2 scored a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) win over No.1 Jannik Sinner.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The first Grand Slam men’s championship match between two players born in 2000s – 21 months apart, and polar opposites in play and personality, the ice and spice of the sport – was one for the ages.
It was to those notes that the French Open final teed off too on a cold, windy afternoon, with the first game of the match lasting all of 12 minutes. Sinner warded off three breakpoints in the game as the afternoon was poised to stretch into a long evening.
Alcaraz, who appeared to have some trouble with his eyes in the first set, perhaps some specks of clay had got in the way, had the trainer attend to it. When play resumed Sinner closed out the set.
Sinner, who looked more settled in the second set, opened up his arms, striking the ball freely, took a 3-0 lead. The Spaniard, who was entertaining the crowd with his tennis, even overruled a call on Sinner’s serve, giving the Italian the point.
In the tie-break, Sinner jumped ahead 6-2, but the crowd, near 15,000 and almost all of it for the Spaniard, egged Alcaraz, who responded with the brilliance only he is capable of crafting, mixing powerful play with caressing drop shots, to narrow the lead, but Sinner dug deep.
The Italian struck right back. While the 23-year-old Italian doesn’t give much away by way of expression, the glances he throws at his box, at the end of virtually every point is hard to miss. Where his team is seated, is his lighthouse. It is where he turns for support and direction.
In the third set, Sinner broke in the opening game, but Alcaraz won the next four to take a 4-1 lead much to the delight of the full house, who screamed themselves hoarse with calls of, come on Carlos, erupting in a wildfire of cheer.
- 5hr 29m - Alcaraz andSinner final isthe longest in the French Openhistory. The previous longest finalwas in 1982 when Mats Wilanderwon in four sets against GuillermoVilas in 4 hours and 47 minutes.
- 8 - Alcaraz is the eighthman in the Open Era(since 1968) and justthe third this century tosuccessfully defend hisRoland Garros crown.
- 3 - He is the thirdyoungest man inhistory (22) toreach that milestoneafter Bjorn Borg (21)and Rafael Nadal (22)
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