ISLAMABAD: Carlos Alcaraz delivered a legendary performance on Sunday, saving three championship points to defeat world number one Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller and claim the French Open title.
In what turned out to be the longest final in Roland Garros history, the 22-year-old Spaniard rallied from two sets down to win 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/2).
The gripping contest lasted five hours and 29 minutes, showcasing not only athletic brilliance but also mental strength from both players.
Alcaraz now boasts an unbeaten record in Grand Slam finals, having won all five he’s contested so far.
Historic Feat at Roland Garros
This was Alcaraz’s first-ever comeback victory from two sets down in a Grand Slam.
With this win, he becomes the third-youngest male player in history to lift five major titles, behind legends Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
The match shattered previous records, surpassing the 1982 French Open final in duration and intensity.
Sinner, who came into the final riding a 20-match Grand Slam winning streak, fell just short of a historic third straight major title.
His previous victories include the 2024 US Open and back-to-back Australian Open crowns.
Clash of a New Generation
Sunday’s final marked the first Grand Slam championship meeting between two players born in the 2000s.
Despite holding three match points, Sinner couldn’t close it out against a resilient Alcaraz, who now leads their head-to-head record 8-5.
Their intense rivalry has become one of the most anticipated in modern tennis.
This latest showdown adds another chapter to their growing legacy and hints at many more electrifying encounters in the future.
Alcaraz also previously defeated Sinner in Rome, a tournament that marked the Italian’s return after a doping-related suspension.
