Roland Garros, Sinner beats Djokovic in three sets and flies to the final against Alcaraz

The most awaited final is served. Jannik Sinner against Carlos Alcaraz, the first two players in the world finally against each other in the last act of one Slam. To give it to us is this Roland Garros 2025, with the unquestionable verdict of the two semifinals. The blue and the Spaniard are, at this moment, of another category, with all due respect to the exceptional Lorenzo Musetti and an infinite Novak Djokovic, who at 38 is always there but Sinner perhaps this evening made him understand, once and for all, that with him around the Slam number 25 for the Serbian will remain what it is now: a dream. The final score eloquent: 6-4 7-5 7-6 (3) in 3 hours and 13 minutes, and it was certainly not the best version of the Ranking n.1. Against Alcaraz he will have to do more. After 49 years, therefore, there will be an Italian in the final in the men’s singular in Paris, from that magical 1976 triumphant of Adriano Panatta. For the number one in the world (it will certainly be even after the end of Wimbledon) is the third consecutive Slam final (like him only Djokovic, Nadal, Murray and Federer in the 2000s), the fourth in total (equaled Nicola Pietrangeli) and an unbeatability in the Majors that lasts from 20 games, seventh place all time with Borg and Mcenroe. Monstrous.

the game

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The game is wind, a lot of wind, on the chatrier, with rent that looks around wondering why you do not play with the roof closed, but it is an outdoor tournament and the regulation is clear. If it doesn’t rain, nothing to do. The beginning is tense by both, with Djokovic who heads the reaction on Sinner and Jannik’s short balls to become familiar with what is around him, especially straight, but without problems. The balance does not last long. On 2-2 the first tear of the number one in the world arrives: from the bottom the blue is clearly higher, especially on the reverse side, solid and granite, Djokovic tries to break the rhythm with the dampened but with poor results. First Break ball that Jannik converts, also thanks to a smooth rent. Sinner takes the operations in his hand and conquers 8 points in a row, the Djoker tries to stem the difference on the field with every possible “makeup”, but for him it is hard. Sinner has two balls of the double break, the Serbian is saved and lengthens the partial, but he can only do that. Jannik with the service does what he owes with 45% of the first (but with 89% of converted points) and first set closed 6-4 without too much effort.

second set

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On 1-0 Djokovic, Sinner is forced for the first time in the match to the advantages. The Serbian tested closet, changes of rhythm, accelerations, but there is nothing to do for the former n.1: after some exchange it must “get out” because the rhythm, for him, today, is too high. In its current limits, however, it is an excellent Djokovic, especially in the service, which keeps it afloat. On the 2-2 Sinner has the first break ball of the set, but Nole is good at canceling it and going on 3-2. On 3-3 a dampened gives Sinner the second break ball of the match, and this time I rent it away long by losing the service. However, it is not a Jannik Deluxe version (quite another) species of straight, with continuous (inexplicable) sliding but enough to keep under control without worries the 24 times Slam winner. But Nole is Nole, and it will always be. On 5-4 and service to close the partial, Sinner plays passive, too passive, and Djokovic chastings it as in the good times: 5-5 and set reopened set. The illusion for the Serbian people does not last long, a moment: Nole does not close the game of 40-15, it gives a lot and Jannik with a slap on the fly resumes the break of advantage. And this time it is not wrong. The blue conquers the second partial with two, very heavy, placed at the best time. The proof of Jannik’s superiority is enclosed in a 7-5 obtained with a “miserable” 47% of the first raw materials, and with a surrender different from that of the first partial (65%).

third set

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Djokovic knows perfectly that the game is closed, that there is K2 to climb with bare hands, but it is not a type to surrender and gets a break on 1-1, immediately defused by Sinner. Who has two on 2-2, but Nole is saved. You arrive without large jolts at 5-4 for Djokovic, when Jannik runs out in another round no with the service: 15-40 and two sets Point Nole. The first saves him with a straight and a slap on the fly, the second with a winning first one. It is not enough, there is also a third, but which rent throws off wide, forgetting to be a killer. On 40-40 there is a contested point, with Djokovic not too convinced of the call (wide ball) and Jannik who “resolves” the situation, explaining to the Serbian the decision, which he finally accepts. After an infinite game, however, it is 5-5. Nole keeps the service and on 6-5 the “ola” of the Chatrier starts. Deserved. We go to the tie break. Immediately MiniBreak Jannik, Djokovic is produced in the replay of the legendary “Smashonzo” on the Chatrier (Ricordi, Nadal?) By throwing away an easy point. We go towards the end in an instant, four Match Point Jannik, and the second is the good one, closing the 29th set in a row won in the Slam and the match. For Sinner it is the victory number 47 in the last 49 games played. The only one who beat him, from Cincinnati to today, was Carlos Alcaraz. Sunday, in the first Slam final only with players born after 2000, we will see some beautiful ones.