World number one Jannik Sinner shut down 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets, moving through his maiden Roland-Garros final, setting up a much-anticipated clash with title defender Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in Paris.
Competing in his second consecutive Roland-Garros semifinal, top seed Jannik Sinner dismantled the three-time champion Novak Djokovic with a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) win in a three-hour, 16-minute thrilling matchup, punching his ticket into his first clay-court major championship match on Friday evening.
In his on-court interview, he outlined: “It was such a special occasion playing against Novak in the semifinals of a Grand Slam. I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. It shows again what a role model he is for all of us.”
Next, the Italian player, yet to lose a set, will meet title defender Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier prevailed over injured Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0, forced to retire in the fourth set.
“It’s never easy to win a match like this. Lorenzo is a great player, and he has had an incredible clay season. He is one of the few players who achieved at least the semifinals in the biggest events on clay,” the Spaniard commented.
“That shows how incredible he is. I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery, and I’m pretty sure that we are going to enjoy his tennis pretty soon.”
The second semifinal of the day on Court Philippe-Chatrier saw a high-level contest, which eventually Sinner took by producing a commanding triumph over Djokovic, halting his run to achieve a historic 25th Grand Slam title on Parisian soil.
Sinner hit first, getting the better of his opponent in the extended baseline rallies, finding the edge to convert a break in the fifth game, firing a backhand down-the-line winner, and holding to earn a 4-2 lead.
From there, and despite Djokovic’s efforts, he never looked back, dictating play with his aggressive forehand, disrupting his adversary’s game.
Relentless on the tennis court, the 23-year-old dropped just four points behind his powerful serve across the opening set of the semifinal, showcasing his signature consistency.
Unbothered by the challenging conditions on a breezy evening in Paris, the San Candido native grabbed the first set 6-4 in 48 minutes.
Then, the 24-time major winner made a sharp start to the second set, holding to love, following to add pressure on the Italian delivery.
Unmoved, the latter stayed the course after a monumental 23-shot rally, in which the players exchanged deep groundstrokes until Italy’s No. 1 sentenced the game, setting level 1-1.
The world number six raised his level, capitalizing on his net approaches and great ability to create power and angle to take a 3-2 advantage.
With his impressive skill set on full display, Rome’s runner-up marched to claim the break in the seventh game.
Excelling in his return game, he made the 38-year-old work hard to keep his chances alive.
The Serbian generated his first break point opportunity, and he did not let it slip; seizing his moment at a crucial time, he leveled up 5-5.
It seemed a fourth set was on the line for the man who clinched an outstanding career milestone in Geneva, winning his title No.100 at tour level, but the three-time Grand Slam champion had other plans in mind, breaking straight back to end the late challenge.
In a pivotal 11th game, he served out 7-5 to inch ahead two sets to love.
As the second set concluded, Djokovic received medical attention from the physio courtside to treat his upper left leg.
As play resumed, a gripping third set unfolded, with small margins separating the players; both were dominant on serve, resulting in a dramatic tiebreaker that Sinner won 7-3 under the lights.
He hit 44 winners against 33 unforced errors, converted three of nine break points, and won 79 percent of the points on his first serve.
The Belgrade-born made the most of his experience, tactically brilliant, executing frequent drop shots with finesse, but the 19-time ATP titlist never lost control of the encounter, neutralizing the Serbian to emerge victorious.
In blistering form, the Italian saved three set points in the 10th game, coming out on top, maximizing his exquisite shotmaking to round up a stellar showing, extending his winning streak to 20 matches at Slam level.
World number two Alcaraz leads Sinner 7-4 in their series. Two young forces and only one of them will get to lift La Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday when they clash for the first time in a major final.
