Sinner vs. Djokovic: Roland Garros Final Defined
Jannik Sinner, the world number one, defeated Novak Djokovic with scores of 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3) this Friday, securing his place in the French Open final. He will face the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, holder of the record of 24 Grand Slam titles, could not counter Sinner’s precision and powerful forehands on the Philippe Chatrier court.Sinner became the second Italian to reach the Roland Garros final, following in the footsteps of Adriano Panatta, champion in 1976.
In the other semifinal match, Alcaraz was leading 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the Italian, eighth seed, retired due to a leg injury.
Sinner will seek his fourth Grand Slam title, while Alcaraz goes for the fifth. Djokovic fought in the third set, but conceded in the tiebreak, missing an easy volley at the net and losing on the second match point when his forehand hit the net.These are rare and special moments. I am very happy.
Jannik Sinner
Sinner extended his winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open.
Djokovic was seeking his 38th Grand Slam final, and his eighth in Paris, where he has won three times. However, he spent much of the semifinal defending from the baseline, sliding and making loud grunts as Sinner forced him to move from side to side.
A cross-court backhand winner from Sinner in the ninth game of the third set was executed with impeccable timing, drawing applause even from Djokovic.
Sinner barely gave him any opportunities, but there was a glimmer of hope in the tenth game, when Djokovic had four chances to break Sinner’s serve.
The crowd chanted “Nole! Nole!” when Djokovic forced two break points at 15-40.
Sinner saved both. The tension was rising.The audience began to self-regulate when a couple of noisy fans shouted while Sinner was preparing to serve, telling the offenders “Chut!” (French for “Shh!”).
Djokovic’s forehand went wide on his third break point opportunity, resulting in a deuce. The chair umpire, Damien Dumusois, came down to check the mark. Djokovic disagreed and approached, saying “It’s on the line.” Then, Sinner came to the net and had a brief discussion with Djokovic, who lost the point but won the next with a smash for a fourth set point, which Sinner saved again.
According to betting odds, Alcaraz started as a -125 favorite to defeat Sinner (-105) in the final.
