Sinner sinks Djokovic to set up final clash against Alcaraz at French Open
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner notched a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) triumph against three-time champion Novak Djokovic in a heavyweight semifinal clash
Published on Jun 7, 2025
By IANS
- PARIS — World No. 1 Jannik Sinner notched a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) triumph
against three-time champion Novak Djokovic in a heavyweight semifinal clash at
the French Open on Friday, and will meet defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in
the final.
-
- Djokovic, the men's record 24-time Grand Slam champion,
was overwhelmed by Sinner's power and precision from the baseline and on serve
on Court Philippe-Chatrier, reports Xinhua.
-
- Sinner became only the second Italian man to reach the
final at Roland-Garros after Adriano Panatta, the 1976 champion.
-
- "It was such a special occasion for me, playing
against Novak in the semifinal of a Grand Slam," said Sinner. "It's
just amazing, and I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. I'm very
happy how I handled the situation, but this shows again what a role model he is
for all of us and especially for us young players."
-
- "What he is doing is incredible and I wish him only
the best for the rest of the season. I think we are all very lucky to see him
playing such high-level tennis, it's amazing."
-
- In the first set, Sinner performed more steadily, taking
the opening set 6-4 with a break in the fifth game.
-
- Djokovic started stronger in the second, but it was
Sinner who broke first for a 5-3 lead. Djokovic held serve in the ninth game
and then broke Sinner's serve in the 10th game while serving for the set,
leveling the score at 5-5.
-
- Sinner stayed composed and secured another break,
eventually taking the second set 7-5.
-
- Both players delivered top-level tennis in the third set,
which ultimately went into a tense tiebreak. Sinner proved to be more clutch in
the decisive moments, winning the tiebreak 7-3.
-
- In his post-match press conference, 38-year-old Djokovic
reflected on the uncertainty of his future following the loss.
-
- "This could have been the last match ever I played
here, so I don't know. That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the
end," said Djokovic.
-
- "If this was the farewell match of the Roland Garros
for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what
I got from the crowd."
-
- "Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be
able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. That's all I can say
for the moment," he added.
-
- Earlier in the other semifinal, Alcaraz led 4-6, 7-6(3),
6-0, 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a
leg injury.
-
- Sinner, who has yet to lose a set in the tournament, is
now looking to avenge his loss to Alcaraz in last year's semifinal, when he was
defeated in five sets.
-
- Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner,
including the Italian Open final in May when Sinner returned from a three-month
doping ban.
-
- "Sunday is going to be very difficult, I know my
head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos but let's see what I can
do," said Sinner.
-
