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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played a thrilling five-set match in the 2024 French Open semifinal. The Spaniard came out on top after going a set down and reached his first-ever final at the Paris Slam.
Alcaraz and Sinner faced each other for the ninth time in their careers on Friday, (June 8) in the French Open semifinal. Alcaraz's 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win gave him a 5-4 lead in their head-to-head record.
In the opening sets of the match, the pair were having difficulty settling and struggled to find their best selves. They were tied at 1-1 after two sets but Sinner started facing trouble with his arm in the third set. He had a trainer come in to help him out with what seemed like cramps.
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However, Sinner managed to take home the third set but lost the plot in the last two. Alcaraz produced some inspired tennis to win two sets in a row and advance into his first-ever French Open final. He celebrated his achievement with a huge roar as his name was announced. Watch the video below:
The 21-year-old Spaniard achieved several records with his win. He becomes the youngest man to advance to a Grand Slam final on all three surfaces. The Spaniard also becomes the second-youngest men's finalist at the French Open after 14-time winner Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz also became only the fifth man in the Open Era to win 10 of his first 11 five-set matches in Grand Slams. The last to achieve this feat was Pete Sampras in 1994.
Carlos Alcaraz heaped praise on his French Open 2024 SF opponent Jannik Sinner
After their hard-fought semifinal, Carlos Alcaraz was all praise for his opponent Jannik Sinner. The World No. 3 believes his toughest matches have been against the soon-to-be World No. 1.
"The toughest matches that I have played in my short career have been against Jannik," Alcaraz said after the French Open 2024 semifinal (via ATP).
"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," he added.
In the final, which will take place on Sunday (June 9), Alcaraz is set to meet the winner between Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.
