How Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in an epic French Open semi-final

As Jannik Sinner stole the third set away from Carlos Alcaraz in an absorbing French Open semi-final, it seemed as if the player who will be crowned as world No 1 on Monday was on his way to a first French Open final – yet this story had a twist in the tale.

It was 12 months ago that Roland Garros witnessed a similarly compelling semi-final clash, with Alcaraz taking on Novak Djokovic in a battle many believed could end with the Serbian legend losing his crown as the king of men’s tennis.

That proved to be a step too far for Alcaraz, but the story of last year’s semi-final was repeated in one key aspect in 2024.

Here is how Alcaraz found a way to beat Sinner and give himself a chance of winning a first French Open title to add to the US Open and Wimbledon crowns he has already collected at the of just 21.

THE ALCARAZ RECORDS

Alcaraz won 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 to become the youngest player to make grand slam finals on all three surfaces; hard-court, grass and the clay of Paris.

Italian Sinner, 22, struggled with cramp during the third set, but still went the distance in a contest lasting four hours and nine minutes.

There may be no Rafael Nadal this year – and this will be the first final not to feature one of the 14-time winner, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer since 2004 – but Roland Garros could be about to crown a new Spanish champion on Sunday.

THE CRAMPING ISSUE

A year ago, it was Alcaraz who suffered from cramping as he admitted the tension of his semi-final against Novak Djokovic played a part in his cramping on court.

This time, it was Sinner who suffered from the same issue, with cramp in his hand inspiring Alcaraz to believes he could get over the winning line.

“I saw him struggling a little bit,” said Alcaraz. “I was cramping, Jannik as well in the third set. You have to fight. Against Djokovic I was in the same position, but I learnt you have to stay there fighting because the cramp will go away.”

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SERVING STATS

The serve dragging Sinner out wide on the deuce side of the court was crucial to Alcaraz’s win.

As he served for a place in the final at 5-4, the Spaniard constantly sliced his serve out to Sinner’s forehand and took him out of his comfort zone time and again.

Sinner was looking back at coach Darren Cahill for answers to Alcaraz’s serving dominance, but he didn’t find it in time to fend off defeat.

Another key statistic in the match was Sinner’s relatively low percentage of 56 for first serves in court.

One of the big improvements he has made to his game in the last year has been on his serve, but it wasn’t firing when he needed it most against Alcaraz.

VERDICT

How significant was this win for Alcaraz in the battle to be the new king of men’s tennis?

That answer is yet to be resolved as these two great young players will play many more matches before a clear winner emerges and despite Alcaraz’s superiority in this Grand Slam contest, Sinner will take much from his run in Paris.

The Italian wasn’t sure he could even play at the French Open as he nursed a hip injury in the run-up to the tournament, but he played at a level that confirms he is worthy of his rise to the world No.1 ranking on Monday.

His lack of time on court ahead of Roland Garros may have caught up with him as he faced the ultimate test against Alcaraz, yet this match was on a knife-edge from first to last.

For Alcaraz, this win is huge.

He is now one match away from winning a third different Grand Slam title at the age of 21 and he has also found a solution to beating Sinner, which appeared to be beyond him at the back end of 2023.

Alcaraz now leads their head-to-head battles 5-4, but this is just the start of a story that could be the dominant rivalry in tennis for a decade and more.