Here’s the last word from Tumaini at Roland Garros this evening:
Our report should land before long. Thanks for reading and make sure to check back in for Tumaini Carayol’s take. That’s all from me though. Cheers and goodnight.
It won’t be much comfort for Djokovic, an obsessive competitor even in the late autumn of his career, but he produced some fantastic entertainment there. His drop shots didn’t always land, but they drew some of the biggest gasps and cheers of the evening. Sinner, meanwhile, is relentless in a way which recalls, well, maybe a younger Djokovic. Alcaraz has won their last four meetings but, even so, the Italian is a fearsome opponent for anyone.
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We’ve also got a report from Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Lorenzo Musetti earlier. Have a read.
We’ll have a full report to come but, in the meantime, why not cast your eyes over Tumaini Carayol’s preview of the women’s singles final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka? The pair face off on Court Philippe-Chatrier tomorrow afternoon.
Moving on to the final against Alcaraz, Sinner says: “It’s going to be very, very difficult. I know that my head to head lately doesn’t look great against Carlos, so let’s see what I can do.
“But, again, I’m very happy to be here in the final and then we’ll see what we can do.”
Sinner is asked how difficult it is to separate Djokovic the player from Djokovic the myth. “Yeah, that’s very difficult,” he says. “He has achieved so many things, he is the best player in the history of our sport and playing against him here, it’s amazing.
“Of course, I try not to think about this but before going on court you feel the tension, you feel what’s coming against you. But again, I always try to prepare myself in the best possible way, I try to be ready for every situation on the court and I’m very happy with how I did that today.”
Sinner is magnanimous in victory. “First of all, thank you so much for coming, for supporting us, me and Novak, that’s why we love to [play],” he says. “It was such a special occasion for me. Playing against Novak in the semi-final of a grand slam, it’s just amazing.
“I had to step up, I had to play my best tennis I could and I’m very happy with how I handled the situations. It shows again what a role model he is for all of us, especially for us young players, playing like this. What he’s doing is incredible so I wish him only the best for the rest of the season and I think we are all very, very lucky to see him playing such high level tennis. It’s amazing.”
Jannik Sinner (1) beats Novak Djokovic (6) 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3)
The pair go from sideline to sideline, Sinner winning the first point of the tiebreak after Djokovic sends an attempted winner wide. The Italian peppers the corners ruthlessly, clinching the second point after Djokovic scoops one long. The Serb looks to have pulled one back, but somehow finds the net with a forehand smash that looked a dead cert. Sinner allows Djokovic back into it, however, with two wayward shots to make it 3-2.
Sinner unleashes an explosive forehand which sends Djokovic into no man’s land for 4-2. He follows up with a huge serve which Djokovic is unable to return. On serve, Djokovic sends a loose shot long for 6-2. Sinner squanders his first match point, but not his second. He will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final. He still hasn’t dropped a set but, even so, that was a titanic contest.
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Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 6-6 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner starts with an ace. He forces Djokovic out of position with his next serve, but slices his attempted clincher wide. The pair trade points, Sinner again slicing wide, to make it 30-30. The Italian stays frosty, breezing through a couple more points to send the third set to a tiebreak.
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Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 5-6 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic is back on the drop shots, leaving Sinner stranded, but he then sends a cross-court blast wide for 15-15. Sinner follows up with a sliding forehand which leaves Djokovic standing like a statue. The next rally ends with Sinner finding the net, before Djokovic lashes one down the line. The Serb wraps up with a firework of an ace. We’ve passed the three-hour mark. Drink, anyone?
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Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 5-5 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner seems to lose concentration momentarily, dropping two points in quick succession. The crowd roars in response, not least those frantically waving Serbia flags. Sinner pulls one back, but Djokovic earns two break points after his opponent flubs one long. Sinner defends the first. He defends the second. Now it’s time for his fans to roar.
Djokovic seizes another break point, an exchange of angled cross-court shots ending with Sinner blasting wide. Djokovic goes for a winner down the line, but fluffs it. He ends up in a heated exchange with the umpire after his next tracer down the line is called out by millimetres, but he drags it back to deuce. Sinner keeps his cool to finally clinch the hold. That was the best game so far.
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Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 4-5 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic kicks things off with a drop shot which leaves Sinner skidding helplessly across the clay. The pair then trade points, Djokovic slightly overdoing a blast to the baseline. The Serb follows up by winning an energetic rally, but Sinner responds with a series of shots which leave his opponent chasing shadows. Djokovic clinches the hold with a crunching serve which Sinner has no hope of returning.
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 4-4 Djokovic (*denotes server) Morale never seems to remain boosted for long against Sinner. The Italian blasts through his service game with all the destructive force of Semtex, dropping a single point.
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 3-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server) The pair exchange a series of lobs, with Sinner eventually sending one long. Djokovic makes it 30-0 after coming forward aggressively. Sinner hits a return an inch long, then slams a shot into the net. That’s love hold for Djokovic. A much-needed morale boost?
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Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 3-3 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner draws first blood with a forehand smash at the net. He follows up with a massive ace to the line which sends a puff of chalk up into the air. Djokovic botches an attempted lob in the next rally. Sinner holds to love, sending another winner down the line.
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Both men get a little loose with their shot selection, trading mishits on the way to 30-30. Djokovic overhits a shot to gift Sinner break point, but he swipes at his attempted return to cede deuce.
Djokovic finds the net after another gruelling exchange, offering up another break point. Again Sinner fails to take it, ballooning a cross-court shot wide. Djokovic earns advantage, forcing Sinner into another wild swing. The Serb holds on, wrongfooting his opponent at the net.
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Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner opens with a chunky ace, his seventh of the match. He overcooks a shot to make it 15-15, but wins the next rally after an unforced error from Djokovic which leaves the Serb screaming in frustration.
Djokovic hits back, sending a whipped backhand beyond his rival after Sinner comes to the net. Sinner responds with another rocketed ace, but Djokovic monsters him at close quarters to take it to deuce. Djokovic earns break point with a drop shot which leaves Sinner flailing, but Sinner defends it with a huge serve and, from there, closes out the game.
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic doesn’t really know how to lose, even when he’s losing. He roars to 40-0 before Sinner pulls back a point with a pinpoint forehand return. Djokovic sees out the game with a volleyed winner at the net.
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Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner powers through his first service game of the third set with laser focus, dropping a single point as Djokovic’s weary returns fly wildly around Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic takes the opening point, but Sinner hits back by winning an 18-shot rally which leaves his opponent leaning on his racket in exhaustion. Djokovic isn’t done yet, though, holding serve and producing one enormous ace in the process.
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Djokovic is ready to continue. He has zero margin for error if he intends to earn a place in the final against all odds.
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Djokovic is now taking a medical timeout, with the physio seemingly working on his left thigh.
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Sinner takes the second set 7-5
This time, despite Djokovic taking the game to deuce, Sinner does the business. Djokovic upped his level in the second set, but the outcome was ultimately the same. Sinner still hasn’t dropped a set at Roland Garros this year. Djokovic has dwindling opportunities to change that.
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Djokovic takes a break to consult the physio. He’s been stretching off his leg, looking uncomfortable, for much of the second set.
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Sinner 6-4, 6-5 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Sinner tries to wrest back the momentum, winning the first point, but Djokovic skims the lines with a couple of beautiful winners to make it 30-15. Sinner sends one long, but earns another point with a ruthless forehand having dragged Djokovic out of position. Djokovic attempts another audacious drop shot, but it skews wide to take the game to deuce. Djokovic cedes and defends break point, but coughs up another and, after sending his opponent scrambling desperately across the court, Sinner breaks back immediately with an emphatic smash.
Sinner* 6-4, 5-5 Djokovic (*denotes server) Well, well, well. Djokovic shows there’s a sting in the tail, knocking Sinner off his stride to earn two break points. Sinner defends the first, but can’t repeat the trick. Djokovic clenches his fist in defiant celebration.
Sinner 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic may be in trouble but he isn’t planning to go quietly. He battles through his service game to hold, leaving Sinner to serve for the second set.
Sinner* 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes server) Djokovic looks understandably deflated, his accuracy waning as he fails to mount a challenge to Sinner’s serve. The Italian drops one point on his way to a comfortable hold, producing another superb drop shot winner along the way.
Sinner 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Sinner makes life difficult for Djokovic with a vicious return, but the Serb wins the opening rally with an unstoppable shot that kisses the line. Sinner hits back, forcing his opponent into a shot which drifts long. Sinner makes it 30-15 with a fizzing forehand, but Djokovic drags it back to 30-30. Sinner gives Djokovic a taste of his own medicine with a perfectly executed drop shot to earn break point, taking it after a rally featuring a succession of outrageous drop shots, lobs and slices ends with Djokovic sending a forehand beyond the baseline.
Sinner* 6-4, 3-3 Djokovic (*denotes server) Djokovic wrangles an opportunity, Sinner dropping a couple of points after trying and failing to find the absolute outer limits of the court. The Serb fails to take his chance, misfiring badly as Sinner rattles off four points in a row.
The pair take a well-deserved break to rehydrate. Both started to show the strain in that last game, Djokovic roaring with every shot and Sinner making noises of frustration.
Sinner 6-4, 2-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server) The pair go at it hammer and tongs, swapping alternate points. At 30-30, a brutal rally ends with Djokovic leathering a shot into the net to give his rival break point. Djokovic defends it well before the battle resumes at deuce. After squandering his first advantage, Djokovic closes out the game at the second time of asking.
Sinner* 6-4, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner hands Djokovic a point with an overhit forehand, but immediately claws one back after his opponent misses a return by a couple of inches. The pair trade points, Djokovic leaving Sinner rooted to the ground with a flash down the line. Sinner keeps his head at 30-30, reeling off a couple more points to hold. Djokovic has upped the pressure but his opponent is mounting a steely resistance.
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Sinner 6-4, 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic wins the opening rally with an angled forehand. He slices and smashes his way through three more points to hold to love. That’s much better from the Serb. Sinner looks a little fallible all of a sudden.
Sinner* 6-4, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server) Djokovic makes it five points in a row, but his mini-run comes to an end with an overhit return. Sinner then produces his first double fault of the match. Djokovic responds with another undersold drop shot, which is proving to be a hit-and-miss tactic so far. Sinner survives a series of slices and lobs to win the next point, but Djokovic takes it to deuce.
An unforced backhand error from Djokovic hands his opponent advantage, but the Serb then wins an incredible point after the pair stretch and strain their way through an exchange of outlandish drop shots. The screams of delight from the stands turn to dutiful applause as Sinner finally clinches the hold.
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Sinner 6-4, 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic reels off his first service game of the second set to love, landing a backhand on a postage stamp in the far corner along the way.
Sinner wins the first set against Djokovic 6-4
Sinner opens with a barrelling ace, starting as he means to go on. He wins a frantic rally, dragging Djokovic around like a ragdoll. A tired-looking Djokovic sends a return into the net to hand his opponent set point. Sinner doesn’t need to be asked twice. The whole first set has been a statement of intent from the Italian.
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Sinner 5-4 Djokovic* (*denotes server) The pair trade thunderous blows, earning huge roars of approval from the crowd. At 15-15, Sinner slips as he tries to reach Djokovic’s blast down the line. The Serb follows up with an ace. He sees out the hold with another howitzer of a serve.
Sinner* 5-3 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner gets new balls but loses the opening point, looking at his racket disapprovingly after sending a forehand beyond the baseline. Djokovic sniffs an opportunity, battling to 30-0. The Serb then scoops an attempted return well wide. He loses an epic rally after Sinner gets to a tantalising drop shot and thrashes it beyond his reach, with the Italian seeing out the game from there.
Sinner 4-3 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Suddenly Djokovic is on the slide, dropping the opening two points. Sinner lets him off with a couple of returns which go just long. At 30-30, Djokovic tries to pull off a tricky drop shot which tumbles into the net. Sinner lets him off again, however, squandering break point. The Italian earns another but that, too, goes begging. Djokovic rallies to close out the game. He’s steadied the ship, for now at least.
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Sinner* 4-2 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner looks far more relaxed than his rival, Djokovic throwing out his hands in frustration after losing the opening point. Sinner’s serve is just too powerful at the moment. Again, he holds to love. That’s six points in a row now.
Sinner 3-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server) A high-tempo opening rally ends with Djokovic skewing another attempted drop shot into the net. He then showcases the power of his serve, splitting the court in two with a thunderous ace. Sinner drags him about the court in the next rally to pull ahead again. Djokovic returns the favour, finishing off with a lob, but then hands his opponent a first break point with a needless error. An unexpected bounce catches Djokovic cold and, just like that, Sinner is ahead in the first set.
Sinner* 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes server) Djokovic holds up well to Sinner’s forehand, weathering the opening rally until his opponent whips a shot wide. Sinner follows up with a screaming ace to make it 15-15. Djokovic goes for the drop shot again, but this time it falls the wrong side of the net to draw an audible gasp from the crowd. The Serb’s shotmaking goes a bit haywire in the final two points and Sinner sees out the game.
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Sinner 1-2 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Djokovic coughs up the opening point after sending a shot marginally long. The pair trade drop shots, but Djokovic gets the better of the exchange to make it 15-15. Now it’s Sinner’s turn to send a shot marginally beyond the baseline, a call so tight it requires the umpire to leave his chair to double check. Djokovic monsters the next rally, but drops another point after Sinner foils another ambitious drop shot. At 40-30, Djokovic blasts a killer shot down the line to hold.
Sinner* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server) Sinner claps back with an ultra-confident service game, dealing with an aggressive drop shot deftly on his way to holding to love.
Sinner 0-1 Djokovic* (*denotes server) Sinner wins the opening point of the match, Djokovic driving a shot wide after an energetic rally. Djokovic pulls it back to 15-15, his opponent unable to return a whipped forehand. Sinner then sends an attempted return long and another wide. Djokovic follows up with a barrelling serve and Sinner can only find the net. It’s a decent hold.
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The warm-up is complete, the match is about to get under way. Djokovic will serve first.
The TNT Sports pundits are backing Sinner to edge this. Can Djokovic prove them wrong?
Djokovic is out on Court Philippe-Chatrier to a huge cheer. He looks hyped up, a little wide-eyed. Sinner follows him out, looking a bit more relaxed. That’s the final vibe check over and done with.
Tim Henman is giving his thoughts on the match in his role as a TNT Sports pundit. “Djokovic has to take some risks, maybe unsettle Sinner with the drop shot, maybe the slice,” he says. “It will be interesting to see if Djokovic can make life difficult for Sinner – which hasn’t happened in this tournament – and how Sinner will respond.”
Another reminder: Sinner has not dropped a set on his run to the semis. He’s not so much got momentum behind him as the kinetic energy of a runaway train.
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A reminder that, despite Sinner’s recent dominance, he and Djokovic are tied at 4-4 on head to head. The Italian is looking to put his opponent in the rearview mirror here. Djokovic will have other ideas.
Hello! Thanks to Daniel for the earlier coverage, but it’s now me, Will Magee, at the helm. Will Novak Djokovic rage, rage against the dying of the light and summon up another epic late-career triumph this evening? Or will Jannik Sinner extend his three-match winning run against his grizzled rival and power through to the French Open final? Let’s find out.
Righto, that’s us … but only for now. We’ve already had bare fun today, Alcaraz v Musetti a glorious contest for two sets, with the prospect of loads more. Join us in just under an hour for Jannik Sinner (1) v Novak Djokovic (6), then tomorrow at 1.30pm BST for Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Coco Gauff (2).
Until then, though, peace out.
Tomorrow, of course, we’ll be bringing you the women’s final between the top two seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. It’s hard to look beyond the former, who’s playing better and absolutely devastated Iga Swiatek in the deciding set of the semi. But Gauff has a terrific temperament and an equally good backhand, knows she can win a major, and that she’s facing an opponent who isn’t totally at home on clay and still has a collapse in her. Sabalenka remains a warm favourite, but she is pregnable.
TNT have just shown a great little spot with Andre Agassi, who says that of the three best movers on tour, De Minaur and Paul are 5% slower on clay, where Alcaraz is only 1 or 2% down. Then on sinner, he explains that if you can’t hit fro the backhand corner you’re stuffed against him because he’ll pin you there, then hit to the opposite side and can’t miss because the space is so big. Finally, he reckons Sinner is best on a surface that doesn’t move, but if it’s slippy underfoot, Alcaraz is the man.
If Djokovic plays as he did against Zverev, he’s a chance. He’ll need to keep Sinner moving, and I wonder if he’ll look to keep the points short, on the basis that the longer they go on, the more opportunity the world no 1 has to unleash. I’d also expect serves out wide and perhaps some serve-volleying to mix it up; Sinner will do what he always does.
So now it’s time to look forward to what’s next: Jannik Sinner (1) v Novak Djokovic (6). They’ll get going at 6pm BST.
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Ah, and there’s more. Referencing his own travails in maintaining equilibrium when things aren’t going as expected, he praises Alcaraz for “maturing in a beautiful way”. If he keeps improving, he can win a load more majors – he has four already and he’s only 22.
Mac notes that he’s never seen Musetti play better, saying he was serving great and hitting his forehand as well as Alcaraz. He thought part of the problem was emotional as the champ upped his level, restating that Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are the best ever – though Laver was his hero – but he’s never seen someone as complete as Alcaraz at so young an age.
And, though Alcaraz can hit himself into as well as out of trouble, he’ll be tough to beat.
Also going on:
Mats notes that we didn’t see when and how Musetti hurt himself, speculating that sheer weight of matches – he’s gone deep in the all the clay-court tournaments – told. Looking again at the footage, the issue looks to be a hammy which, if so, makes Wimbledon a problem. But he’s establishing himself at the top of the game, and not many are able to give Alcaraz the aggro he did for two sets.
Alcaraz will not get away with playing as inconsistently if it’s Sinner he faces in the final. It’s true that Sinner doesn’t like facing perhaps the only player able to hit through him – Alcaraz leads the head to head 7-4 and won a five-setter in last year’s semi. But Sinner is a much better and more confident player now, ensconced at the top of the men’s game and in rare form. If it’s him – and I think it will be – I’d make him favourite.
For the second time in three years, what a shame. For two sets, this was the best match I’ve seen in this tournament – and I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a few. But the stress of playing Alcaraz eventually told on Musetti’s body – and, I’d reckon, on his mind. When he looks back, he’ll be seriously proud of how he performed today, and desperate to get back out there and deploy all the little bits he’s learned from the experience. His injury didn’t look too bad, inasmuch as I can diagnose from my seat at home with no medical expertise; let’s hope he’s good for Wimbledon.
Alcaraz says it’s not great to win the match like this. Musetti, he says, is a great player who’s had an incredible clay season and one of the few players who’ve achieved at least semi-finals in the biggest tournaments on clay; he’s only the fifth ever to do that.
The first two sets were really tough but he couldn’t take his breaking opportunities, so it was a relief to win the second. Then, at the start of the third he knew he had to be aggressive, pushing Musetti to the limit while being himself. He was calmer, could see things more clearly, and play great tennis.
He’ll definitely take in tonight’s match, kvelling that it’s one of the best match-ups in the game and he loves tennis. He’ll watch it, enjoy it, and take tactical notes.
Otherwise, he’s feeling great at the end of three intense weeks, but there’s one step left to take. He’s playing well, is confident, and he’s been doing great things in the tournament, now it’s time to give everything and go for the final on Sunday.
He is such a mensch.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) beats Lorenzo Musetti (8) 4-6 7-6(3) 6-0 2-0
*Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-6 0-2 Alcaraz Alcaraz misses with a backhand cross, just, then Musetti finds his best shot for a while, a flat forehand, that the champ can’t return. Nevertheless, you get the sense that if he can prolong the points, his opponent won’t have the juice to stick in them, and from 30-0 he makes 30-all before a double puts him in big trouble. If Musetti can’t get out of this game, I fear he may retire hurt, and when Alcaraz frames a winner on to the corner, that’s exactly what happens. That’s a sad end to a glorious contest, and the champ is spot-on in pointing to Musetti then applauding him off. Two years ago, it was Alcaraz whose couldn’t cope with the pace of a semi – he cramped against Djokovic, a reflection not just of physical effort but of nerves, which is to say Musetti will be back, better and stronger; I couldn’t be more impressed with his performance today. But it’s the champ who goes through, and though he’ll have to play much better than he did today to win the final, he and we know he can.
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Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-6 0-1 Alcaraz* Musetti isn’t moving well now, trying to stretch and shake some liveliness into his limbs; meantime, Alcaraz is bouncing about like Sonic. He holds to love, the Italian barely able to move towards the forehand winner that seals the deal; this next service game will tell us if the match is effectively over.
Carlos Alcaraz wins the third set 6-0 to lead Lorenzo Musetti by two sets to one
*Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-6 Alcaraz Musetti calls for the trainer, who examines knee and groin, but he’s back on court in seconds; good. But at 15-0, he waves a tired, hopeful drop into the net, then flaps a forehand long before sitting up a half-courter that Alcaraz quickly gives the treatment. At 0-40, the champ has three set points and, handed a tame second serve even by the standard, he slaps a backhand winner and looks to have taken total control of the match.
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Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-5 Alcaraz* It’s also fair to say that as Musetti has faded, Alcaraz has increased the contrast, a little less wild and a little more confident, buggy-whipping a forehand down the line to seal a love hold. When he plays like this, there are few more compelling to watch in any sport.
*Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-4 Alcaraz Yeah, Musetti tiredly wafts long, then sends down a double; it’s like the breaker punctured his being. And shonuff, Alcaraz plants feet and lashes a forehand winner, raising three points for the double break, whereupon he gets too excited, looking to dematerialise a ball when a simple winner was there for him. But Musetti has, I’m afraid, gone, tamely slapping wide, a combination of fatigue and disappointment too much for him to combat.
Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-3 Alcaraz* Chalé! Down 30-0, an inside-out forehand erupts off Musetti’s racket, one of the best shots he’s played today, needing timing, daring and strength. But Alcaraz has hit a seam, holding to 15; the match now looks as we thought it would.
*Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-2 Alcaraz Both players know this is a colossal game and at 15-all, Alcaraz outlasts Musetti, who then serves into the net; chance for the champ. Again, he’s almost at the service-box when the ball arrives, punishing a return that allows a vicious flat forehand; 15-40, Alcaraz again saluting the crowd, and here comes the biggest point of the match so far. And again, Musetti plays it well, except he can’t quite put it away … then again, Alcaraz misses a forehand down the line with time and space on his side; 30-40. Second go, though, he’s too good, and much as I’m loving the Italian’s work, I wonder if all the running he’s been forced to undertake is beginning to tell.
Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 0-1 Alcaraz* There really is nothing better than elite sport – all the more so if it’s during the working day. I’ve just discovered I’m literally on the edge of my seat, and the question now is whether Musetti, who played as well as he can for almost two full sets, can maintain his level after dropping in the breaker. Alcaraz holds to love; check to him.
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Carlos Alcaraz levels match with Lorenzo Musetti after tie-break
Musetti 6-4 (3)6-7 Alcaraz …and he does, another fantastic point, full of terrifying forehands, levelling the match. I can’t wait to see what happens next. MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE.
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Musetti 6-4 6-6 Alcaraz (3-6) A serve out wide makes 6-1, then two booming deliveries from Musetti – he’s not wilting or deviating under pressure – force the champ to serve for it..
Musetti 6-4 6-6 Alcaraz (1-5) And though Musetti then gets himself on the board, a backhand into the net means the set is close to lost, all the more so when a Alcaraz drop hits the tape … and somehow clambers over to the other side. Mortified, the champ raises a hand in apology; he’s two points away from 1-1.
Musetti 6-4 6-6 Alcaraz (0-3) A brilliant point to start from Alcaraz, a terrifying forehand and violent overhead arranging the mini-break, quickly endorsed with two excellent service points.
Musetti 6-4 6-6 Alcaraz* We wondered if Alcaraz breaking early in the set would herald the match we expected to see but Musetti struck back immediately and makes 15-all here, then a double follows! Before serving again, Alcaraz takes a moment to inhale deeply, but as they go cross-court and backhand to backhand, Musetti conjures a pearler, one-handed from the sideline to break it on the other side, raising two break-back points! And again, he only needs one, Alcaraz dropping fractionally long, and the Italian is playing the big rallies magnificently! Here comes a second-set breaker, and we’ve not a clue who’s going to win it!
*Musetti 6-4 5-6 Alcaraz A succession of rally-balls, then Musetti nets a forehand and Alcaraz will be desperate to jump on him when he serves into the net. To the end, he’s almost mid-court when the second delivery arrives, and when the Italian loops a lazy forehand long, he’s in trouble. Alcaraz, though, then nets a forehand of his own, an ace punished out wide follows, and again, Musetti’s will and skill under pressure is fantastic. But when he plays a further brilliant rally he can’t quite finish it, the champ grows into the rally, and error hands him his third break point of the match – he’s 0./3 to his opponent’s 1/1 … but this time, a big forehand facilitates an overhead that’s good enough. Alcaraz punches the air at the crowd and will now serve for one set all; was that the turning point?
Musetti 6-4 5-5 Alcaraz* Once bitten, forever smitten twice shy: Alcaraz holds to 15, and on we go. This is so intense now, an absolute joy to enjoy.
*Musetti 6-4 5-4 Alcaraz Down 0-30, two awesome forehands – the second in response to the second serve Musetti has been hiding pretty well – give Alcaraz parity, and he’s immediately facing another. This time, though, his return is long then, when we wind up at deuce, he directs a poor serve into the net; again, and it bears restating, Musetti is playing the big points better … though, as I type, he’s directed from corner to corner until there’s a chance to hit a winner. That’s much better form Alcaraz; patience is his friend. The advantage rally, though, he wins in short order, zetzing an overhead from on top of the net, and might this be a turning point? No! He goes for too much with a backhand when he really didn’t need to, but the sense remains that for now, at least, the set feels on his racket and a backhand return skids off the chalk to raise another breaking opportunity. But a fantastic serve – the hardest to hit, out wide – is too good, though it’s worth noting Musetti followed it in, a clever move. As far as his game goes, he is playing pretty much perfectly and, as I type, two more excellent points secure a crucial hold! Pressure on Alcaraz, who won’t have forgotten he lost the first set from precisely this position. here we go…
“This feels like we’re in a weird tennis limbo ,” writes Kerrith britland. “Sinner is crushing everyone; Alcaraz is the only one (seemingly) who can beat Sinner; but Carlos looks more temperamental. It’s like a full season’s worth of the 2009 RG.
As for Musetti - I’ve been telling everyone he hasn’t got what it takes, and Carlos would win in straight sets. What do I know!? It’s been fun to watch Musetti’s evolution – I like the invocation of Stan right now because I suspect Musetti is upping his shot quality as much as Stan did but their styles are so different, the end product is incomparable. I jinxed Iga yesterday so I won’t show any overt support. ANDIAMO!”
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Musetti 6-4 4-4 Alcaraz* If given decent gear, would Alcaraz be winning? A point worth pondering. Meantime, at 30-all, he annihilates a clean-up inside-out forehand to the corner, and from there secures the hold. As we again reach the business end of a set, tension ratchet up yet further, both players cognisant that one error could see it lost.
*Musetti 6-4 4-3 Alcaraz At 15-all, Musetti sends down his first double of the match, pretty good given we’re a set and a half in; a service winner then makes 30-all. And from there, he closes out beautifully, a lob forcing Alcaraz to try a tweener before he puts away a volley at the net. He is on a right buzz here; it’s beautiful to behold because however much he told himself he could compete like this on this stage, he didn’t know for sure because he couldn’t. He does now, though!
Musetti 6-4 3-3 Alcaraz* An error from Alcaraz presents 30-all, his concentration not where it needs to be. A much better point, though, big serve out wide and volleyed putaway, though, takes him close to his hold, and an oblique forehand forces Musetti to swipe wide. This is a great contest.
“G’day,” begins Jazba, “this has all the hallmarks of a shock. Alcaraz been careless on break points and his concentration wanting. Musetti liking the indoor conditions similar to Federer.”
Yup, the lack of wind increases Musetti’s margin for error and facilitates his spins; he can focus on playing his shots secure in the knowledge the ball will do what he tells it to.
*Musetti 6-4 3-2 Alcaraz I mentioned the two routes to victory available to Musetti, and it makes sense that he’s eschewing the Warinkapproach because Alcaraz, not over-endowed with patience, is going for high tariff, low percentage shots rather than working his angles to set up easier finishing opportunities. He makes 30-all, though, now standing a bit further back on Musetti’s first serve to give himself a little more time to see it … for all the good it does him! The Italian makes 40-30 then, during a tremendous rally featuring mainly backhands, he finds a gorgeous angle to cart a flat top-spinner – not an oxymoron – that breaks the sideline for a winner. Whatever happens from here, he’s turned up on Chatrier to face the champ and given us the best version of himself. It’s seriously impressive behaviour.
*Musetti 6-4 2-2 Alcaraz Ooh, Musetti makes 15-30 then Alcaraz unloads the suitcase at a hopeful forehand, on the run, gets nowhere near and will now face two break points. But Musetti only needs one, landing another crucial return close to the line, enough to elicit the netted riposte! He is playing the big points brilliantly!
*Musetti 6-4 1-2 Alcaraz Perhaps. A netted forehand ends a long rally and means 0-15, then a second serve, taken early, is swatted down the line for a winner. Next, a forehand return on to the line elicits an error that makes 0-40; Musetti saves the first break point with a big serve on to the T. But when he tries a drop, somewhat desperately, Alcaraz runs it down and tickles a far better version of the same. That was a very good game from the champ who, forced to up his level, has responded well.
Musetti 6-4 1-1 Alcaraz* Now it’s Alcaraz with the straightforward hold, but can he put Musetti under pressure on serve?
*Musetti 6-4 1-0 Alcaraz There are two ways of beating a superior player of Alcaraz’s level: the Wawrinka approach, which is going after everything and hoping for a good day, or hanging in there and winning the big points. So far, Musetti is pursuing the latter, and it’s also worth flagging what Coach Calv said about Alcaraz and his ability to lose focus or play slightly wildly; it looked to me like both were the case in the game that settled set one. Anyroad, Musetti holds easily at the start of the second, and his confidence will be through the roof, still on for reasons unclear.
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Lorenzo Musetti takes first set against Carlos Alcaraz
Musetti 6-4 Alcaraz* Now then! Musetti takes a forehand early, murders a cross-court winner, and makes 0-15, then Alcaraz bashes a corner to corner forehand long; 0-30! And though the champ quickly halves the deficit, he again goes long to hand over two set points, then serves into the net! Pressure! And it’s Alcaraz who buckles., forced to backpeddle when Musetti hits a decent forehand length, such that he can’t control his riposte, blazing wide! Musetti takes a first set in which he’s been inferior but excellent, and who knows where he can go from here?!
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*Musetti 5-4 Alcaraz A better hold from Musetti, who’s giving his first serve everything he’s got. He’s a game away fro the set, but can he get his return-game going? Coach Calv warned us he’d have to…
“Lorenzo has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past two years,” says Nick Gooch, “and a little like Federer, he has learned to make his one-handed backhand a different kind of weapon. When he’s on a streak, the great thing about his play is just how much he mixes it up, slowing down and speeding up seemingly at will to break down the rhythm of his opponent. And in that, he’s pretty much like Alcaraz himself! Don’t count him out!”
Problem is, everything he does, Alcaraz does better. He’s playing at maximum capacity to stay level, whereas the champ has several gears he’s yet to engage.
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Musetti 4-4 Alcaraz* Musetti is struggling to make any impression on the Alcaraz serve, and though he plays a nice drop for 40-15, a leaping overhead ends another one-sided point. As we near the business end of the set, pressure is growing.
*Musetti 4-3 Alcaraz Not for the first time, Alcaraz plays a terrific first point, then nets his volley. It feels unlikely such behaviour will span the entirety of the match and when Musetti paints a drop wide for 30-all, you fear for him. Shonuff, an excellent return, backed up by a wrong-footing backhand, raises break point … but a decent first serve is hooked wide on return; deuce. And hold tight Lorenzo Musetti: he closes out in short order and is playing pretty much as well as he can. He needs to.
Musetti 3-3 Alcaraz* Alcaraz swipes a +1 backhand wide, then next point takes the centre of the baseline and sticks Musetti on his bike until he can’t take any more … then again, before levelling things once more. Real talk, though, it looks a matter of time until the champ converts his superiority into games.
*Musetti 3-2 Alcaraz Alcaraz doesn’t seem to respect Musetti’s second serve, receiving it from inside the baseline, and he attacks one at 0-15, only to net his volley having done the hard work. Next point, the same thing happens again, Alcaraz planting his return on to the line before finishing the point shortly afterwards, and he’s starting to break his opponent down. Blessedly, though, Musetti then lands a first serve which enables him to dictate the rally, but the standard he’s having to hit in almost every point he wins, along with the running he’s being forced to do, does not augur well, and we move to deuce when Alcaraz nails a return, sends his man to both corners, then finishes with an overhead. Musetti, though, is taking every chancehe can fashion to go for his shots, running around his backhand to shriek a forehand winner down the line, and another big serve allows him to secure his hold. He’s hanging on, in a manner that is impressive but does not look sustainable.
Musetti 2-2 Alcaraz* A fine return, down the line and on to the chalk, earns Musetti 15-30 – he does not need asking twice – but Alcaraz takes the next three points in typically bouncing style and my sense is that if he’s to lose, at least two of three sets will need a tiebreak.
*Musetti 2-1 Alcaraz Musetti looks to be targeting Alcaraz’s backhand, a tactic that makes him 15-all, and a big serve backs it up. Then, at 30-15, the rally of the match so far, Alcaraz clobbering a backhand return that looks good enough to secure the point, but his +1 isn’t good enough. No matter: he dominates the point nevertheless … only for Musetti to stick in it in classic clay-court style, every extra ball he asks his opponent to hit giving him a better shot at stealing it. And he does, there are the net to put away a volley before quickly securing his hold. He may not win, but one thing we can say for sure: he’s turned up.
Musetti 1-1 Alcaraz* How can you be sponsored by Nike and turn up in beige and cream? Someone needs to ave a word wiv someone. Up 15-0, Alcaraz plays the shot he missed on break point, a spiteful forehand down the line, but at 40-15 a hopeful and, dare I say it, lazy drop, gives Musetti a sniff. For all the good it does him: a backhand falls long and the champ looks good. Of course he does.
Musetti 1-0 Alcaraz (*denotes server) A netted forehand gives Alcaraz 0-15, then a long backhand restores parity and a good point for each players takes us to 30-all; already Musetti is under pressure. And when Alcaraz wallops a forehand from the backhand corner to the Italian’s backhand corner – exactly the kind of shot we talked about earlier – he can’t control his response and must now face break point. Alcaraz quickly manipulates the rally to open a passing lane down the line … only to hit the net, a let-off for Musetti. And from there, he closes out a highly necessary hold.
Musetti to serve, ready … play.
And what a reception Alcaraz gets. He looks ready to have fun; the roof is closed, for no obvious reason.
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Here come our players…
Musetti is one of very few top players with a one-handed backhand, and with good reason – it’s disadvantageous. Even Roger Federer, his idol, had problems with his, and I’d expect Alcaraz to attack it with pace whenever possible, so look out for the forehand down the line.
Another potential issue for Musetti is that usually, his arsenal of spins is something he has over his opponents, but Alcaraz is able to impart serious top, and the consequent bounce, even on clay will be an issue.
Jim Courier is the spit of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
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So how does Musetti win? This is the question I put to Coach Calv, our resident expert, and his response – “Hope he has one of his wild days” – reminds me of when the England cricket team were making plans to get Jacques Kallis out and the best they could come up with was “run out candidate early in his innings”. So I push him, and this is what comes back: “He has concentration lapses as well and his serve at the elite level isn’t the best. The analysts do this grading thing for each shot and his serve is something like 14th in the top 20. You have to have a good day returning.”
Musetti has enjoyed an impressive tournament. In round one and two, he dismissed inferior opponents in straights, then in three, four, and five, he came from behind to see off Marino Navone, a clay-court specialist before despatching Holger Rune and Francis Tiafoe, all in four sets. He’s a much bigger man than he was, but big enough to hit through Alcaraz? We shall see.
Preamble
Salut et bienvenue à Roland-Garros 2025 – 13ième jour!
Maintenant alors! Just yesterday, we experienced the end of an era. Iga Swiatek may well return to win more French Opens and grand slams, but after her defeat – and the manner of it – she is, now and forever, fully vincible. The pack are coming.
Today, though, we might just experience the end of an aeon. Novak Djokovic is indisputably the greatest men’s tenniser of all time, satisfying both the number test and the eye test. He’s not the most beautiful, charismatic or creative, nor does he have the best hands or feel. But if you needed someone to play for your life or your chilli McCoys, you’d have no choice but to pick him.
However, he’s not won a major since September 2023 and in that time, Jannik Sinner, his opponent this evening, and Carlos Alcaraz, playing this afternoon, have completed their coup, sharing the five subsequent titles between them. Sinner, winner of 19 grand slam matches in a row, has sauntered through the draw without dropping a set; Alcaraz has improved through the rounds and is the defending champion.
It’s true that Djokovic produced a performance astounding even by his astounding standards to eliminate him in the last eight of the Australian Open, but the hamstring strain the process forced upon him meant he could not complete his semi-final. And, though he is currently fit, we can no longer be certain that the ultimate bionic man has in him another performance of the quality and intensity that devastated Alexander Zverev on Wednesday. And make no mistake, he will need one.
But first, Alcaraz takes on Lorenzo Musetti, the surging young Italian who also made the last four of last year’s Wimbledon. The pair have met twice on clay recently, Alcaraz winning over three sets in the Monte Carlo final and in two tight sets in the Italian Open semis. Which is to say Musetti a very fine and very stylish all-court player, full of confidence and zest … who hasn’t yet shown us he has the firepower necessary to beat the best on the biggest occasions.
So as we wait for a potentially epochal day to unfold, the likelihood is that the new firm asserts itself once more, Sinner and Alcaraz too good, too young and too nasty to be denied. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that with Djokovic and with tennis, the impossible is possible. On y va!
Play: 2.30pm local. 1.30pm BST.
