World No. 1 Jannik Sinner dethroned Novak Djokovic's French Open streak with a dominant 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) win over the seven-time title holder in their highly-anticipated semifinal battle on Friday, paving the way for a highly anticipated final bout against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner beat the three-time Roland-Garros champion and 24-time Grand Slam titlist on Court Philippe-Chatrier with clinical accuracy from the baseline and forceful determination on his serve, reported Xinhua.
With the victory, Sinner is only the second Italian male to make it to the French Open final, following 1976 title winner Adriano Panatta in the records.
It was something really special for me to play against Novak in a semifinal of a Grand Slam," Sinner stated. "It's incredible, and I had to rise up and give the best tennis possible. I'm really pleased with how I managed the situation, but this is again showing what an example he is for all of us and particularly for us young ones.
What he's doing is unbelievable and I wish him all the best for the remainder of the season. I feel we're all extremely fortunate to be able to watch him play this level of tennis, it's incredible," he said.
In the first set, Sinner took an early break in the fifth game and held his lead to win it 6-4. Djokovic was more aggressive to begin the second set, but Sinner broke through with a 5-3 advantage. Djokovic broke back when Sinner served for the set at 5-4, but the Italian rallied quickly and broke again to seal the set 7-5.
The third set was hotly contested, and both players showed their best tennis. A gripping tiebreak determined the winner, where Sinner kept his cool to seal it 7-3.
At 38, Djokovic talked about his uncertain Roland-Garros future at the post-match press conference.
"This might have been the last time ever I played here, so I don't know. That's why I was a bit emotional even at the end," he conceded.
If this was my goodbye match at the Roland Garros in my career, then it was a great one in every sense of the atmosphere and what I received from the crowd."
"Do I want to play again? Sure. But will I be able to play here again in 12 months' time? I don't know. That's all I can tell you for now," he said.
Earlier today, Carlos Alcaraz reached the final after eighth-seed Lorenzo Musetti retired from a leg injury. Alcaraz was 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 up when the retirement occurred.
Sinner, who has not lost a single set in the tournament up to now, now looks for revenge against Alcaraz, who beat him in a five-set match during last year's semifinal.
Even with Sinner ranking No. 1 in the world, Alcaraz has the advantage in their recent encounters, having taken their last four contests—last month's Italian Open final included.
"Sunday is going to be very tough, I know my head-to-head recently doesn't look good against Carlos but let's see what I can do," Sinner said.
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