Jannik Sinner continued to display his remarkable form at Roland Garros by overcoming a resolute Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3), to reach his first French Open final. The world No 1’s victory marked his 20th consecutive grand slam match win and set up a much-anticipated final against second seed Carlos Alcaraz, highlighting the dawn of a new era in men’s tennis.
Sinner’s journey to the final has been nothing short of impressive. He has yet to drop a set in Paris this year, a testament to his dominant play and mental toughness on the clay courts. His victory over Djokovic means he now joins an elite group of men in this century who have reached three consecutive grand slam finals, following in the footsteps of legendary players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. With two major titles already under his belt, Sinner will be aiming to secure a third straight grand slam crown, a feat few have achieved in recent times.
The upcoming final will be historic in its own right, as it pits the two top players of the new generation against each other. Carlos Alcaraz, the world No 2, advanced to the final after a tough match against Lorenzo Musetti, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 ret. This match will mark the first time two players born in the 2000s meet in a major final, underscoring the generational shift happening at the top of men’s tennis.
Despite Sinner’s success on hard courts over the past 18 months, the final will be his first serious test on clay against an opponent who recently bested him on the surface in Rome. Alcaraz has won their last four encounters, making this final a crucial opportunity for Sinner to prove his versatility and adaptability on different surfaces.
Djokovic, a seasoned veteran at 38, returned to Court Philippe-Chatrier with hopes of becoming the oldest Roland Garros finalist in history. After a stunning win over Alexander Zverev two days earlier, Djokovic’s battle against Sinner was an intense display of grit and determination. While Djokovic has continued to secure victories against some of the best players worldwide, Sinner’s relentless pace, accuracy, and court coverage proved to be just beyond reach.
From the outset, Sinner imposed a high tempo, applying constant pressure with powerful, precise shots and solid defense, which limited Djokovic’s opportunities and forced errors. Djokovic, known for his resilience, fought valiantly, throwing himself into every point and rally, earning admiration from the crowd for his unwavering effort and competitive spirit.
The crowd’s support for Djokovic was palpable, and the Serbian star openly expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the rare encouragement he received during the match. Despite the pressure from the crowd and tense moments on the court, especially in the later sets, Sinner maintained focus and composure, delivering clutch shots when it mattered most. After narrowly missing the chance to serve out the second set at 5-4, Sinner immediately broke back and held serve to clinch the set. The third set was a nail-biter, with Sinner saving three set points at 4-5 before closing out the match with a composed tiebreak performance.
Djokovic’s frustration was evident throughout the match, but his relentless spirit never faded. He fought from behind on the scoreboard but was unable to find a breakthrough against the world No 1’s superior play. As he left the court, Djokovic took a moment to absorb the atmosphere, touching the red clay in a poignant gesture that reflected his deep connection to Roland Garros, a venue where he has celebrated multiple grand slam titles and his Olympic gold medal.
Emotional yet graceful, Djokovic hinted that this might have been his final appearance at the French Open but admitted uncertainty about the future. “I don’t know what tomorrow brings at this point in my career,” he said, smiling. “I’m going to keep on keeping on.”
With Djokovic’s era gradually giving way to new stars, the final between Sinner and Alcaraz promises a thrilling clash between two rising talents eager to cement their place at the top of the sport. For Sinner, the French Open final represents not only a chance to claim his first major clay-court title but also an opportunity to further establish himself as the leading force in men’s tennis today.
