Jannik Sinner beat Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals and will now face Carlos Alcaraz for the title. (AP)
Jannik Sinner advanced to his first French Open final after defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) at Roland Garros on Friday. Sinner’s victory ended Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in a match that lasted three hours and 16 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. Because we are both very young, we are both different, but talented,” said Sinner, but for sure, the tension you feel before the match and during the match is a little bit different in a way,.
He won here last year, so let’s see what’s coming. The world number one will face Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final, marking the first Grand Slam final between two players born in the 2000s. “The stage, it doesn’t get any bigger now. Grand Slam finals against Carlos, it’s a special moment for me and for him, too.
“This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don’t know. Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I’m going to do everything possible to get myself ready,” Djokovic stated. Sinner dominated the first set, securing a break in the fifth game and closing it out with a backhand winner. Despite Djokovic’s strong start in the second set, he couldn’t break Sinner’s serve. The Italian claimed the second set with a resilient service game featuring two aces, including one on a second serve.
The Italian, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will look to avenge his five-set semifinal loss to Alcaraz from last year’s French Open. Djokovic received treatment on his left leg before the third set and later had three set points in the tenth game, but Sinner saved them all.