Carlos Alcaraz claimed his third Grand Slam title and his first at the French Open on Sunday, defeating Alexander Zverev in a gripping five-set match with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. This victory makes the 21-year-old Alcaraz the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title on every surface, having previously won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023.
The match on Court Philippe-Chatrier was intense, with Alcaraz rallying from two sets to one down to secure his win. Despite the windy conditions, the Spaniard displayed his fearless tennis style, much to the delight of the lively Parisian crowd. Alcaraz saved multiple break points in the final set, eventually winning with a double break and sealing the match after four hours and 19 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in French Open final for third Grand Slam titlehttps://t.co/II5UzfzLop pic.twitter.com/asmW0rbkFo
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Alcaraz remains undefeated in Grand Slam finals and is the youngest man to win the French Open since Rafael Nadal claimed his third title in 2007. Reflecting on his win, Alcaraz expressed his gratitude to the crowd and his team, highlighting the support he received throughout the tournament.
The match against Zverev was a tight affair, with momentum shifting between the two players. After a nervy start, Alcaraz broke Zverev at 2-2 and wrapped up the first set with a powerful forehand winner. However, Zverev raised his game in the second set, achieving an 83% first-serve success rate and leveling the match with a double break.
Alcaraz seemed to have control in the third set, leading 5-2 before Zverev staged a comeback, winning five consecutive games to take the set. But Alcaraz responded emphatically in the fourth set, taking a 2-0 lead with an impressive forehand and securing another break with a well-placed drop shot. Despite a medical timeout, Alcaraz held his serve to push the match to a deciding fifth set.
This final marked only the second time since 2005 that the men’s French Open final extended to five sets. Zverev, under mounting pressure, committed several unforced errors, including a crucial double fault. Alcaraz broke Zverev’s serve early in the final set and then saved a 0-40 deficit to maintain his advantage. A stunning backhand passing shot helped Alcaraz secure another break, and he served out the match to clinch his third Grand Slam title.
Carlos Alcaraz wins his first French Open title, defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling final.pic.twitter.com/H5knpNshVm
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Zverev’s journey to the final included two five-set matches and a comeback from a set down against Casper Ruud in the semifinals. His performance at the French Open was his best ever, despite being overshadowed by an ongoing assault case, which was settled in a Berlin court without any admission of guilt from Zverev. He expressed relief that the case was over and focused on his tennis.
In contrast, Alcaraz had a less taxing path to the final, even though he was managing an arm injury. His record in five-set matches is impressive, with 11 wins and only one loss. This includes a marathon win against Australian Open champion and soon-to-be world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinal, making Alcaraz the first man in the Open Era to win both the semifinal and final of the French Open in five sets.
Despite 56 unforced errors, Alcaraz’s triumph is a testament to his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. His latest Grand Slam victory cements his status as a formidable player and signals the potential for an extraordinary career in tennis.
Key Points:
i. Carlos Alcaraz secured his third grand slam title and first at the French Open by defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling match.
ii. At 21 years old, Alcaraz is the youngest man to win a grand slam title on all surfaces, having previously won the US Open and Wimbledon.
iii. The match saw Alcaraz rally from a set down, showcasing his fearless style of tennis and impressive mental resilience.
iv. Despite a tight contest, Alcaraz’s aggressive play and ability to handle pressure helped him secure victory in four hours and 19 minutes.
v. This win further solidifies Alcaraz’s status as a rising star in tennis, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes matches
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News