Carlos Alcaraz's historic comeback: Saves match points in 5-hour marathon to defend Roland Garros title

Both players defended their service games without major complications to take everything to a tie-break. The Italian world No. 1 was more focused in the critical moments, managing to win five consecutive points from 1-2 to 6-2, a lead that was insurmountable for Alcaraz. Sinner, on his third set point, closed the set 7-6(4) and took a significant lead in pursuit of the title.

The two-time Aussie Open champion had won 75% of points on his first serve against Alcaraz's 67%. Both converted the only break opportunity they had throughout the set, respectively, and were almost equal in winners: 13 for Sinner and 12 for Alcaraz.

Third Set

The third set was a rollercoaster, with Sinner taking the lead in the first game with a break, but failing to maintain the advantage after Alcaraz broke back. The Spaniard gained great momentum, securing two consecutive breaks and going from 0-1 to 4-1. The Spaniard showed good service games and maintained his lead.

Alcaraz was serving at 5-3 with the possibility of closing the set, but he couldn't convert, and Sinner recovered his break. This time, the Italian had the chance to level with his serve, but he failed to hold his service game, and Alcaraz closed the set to love at 6-4, rekindling hope in the match.

The Spaniard had been much more aggressive this time with 14 winners against only 7 from his opponent, in addition to fewer unforced errors with 9 against Sinner's 11. In the set, five set points were played, and all were converted: 3 for Alcaraz and two for Sinner.

Alcaraz managed to stay alive by coming back from a break down in the third set.

Fourth Set

Both came out looking for a break but couldn't create chances. Alcaraz saved a break point in the third game, and everything remained even until 3-3. At that moment came the key moment of the match, when Sinner got a break to love, taking advantage of a couple of unforced errors from his opponent. The world No. 1 then held his service game to take a 5-3 lead and seemed ready to close out the victory as soon as possible.

On Alcaraz's serve, the Spaniard was down 0-40 – giving his opponent three match points – but Sinner failed to convert them, and Alcaraz got out of a difficult moment.

The Spanish player wouldn't give up so easily, and when Sinner served for the win, he again suffered a break from his opponent, who resisted handing over the match. Alcaraz went on a good run of points, taking the lead up to 6-5. The tie-break started with Sinner having an advantage with a 2-0 mini-break, but again Alcaraz's resilience was greater; he won 7 of the next 8 points and took an epic set 7-6(3).

Fifth Set

In the 5th set, Alcaraz capitalized on the momentum and got an early break, then went ahead 2-0 with his serve. From then on, the Spaniard had to cling to his serve, with Sinner easily winning his service games and getting a couple of break chances around the middle of the set.

However, Alcaraz knew he was close to one of the most important victories of his career and remained firm on his serve. In an epic encounter, both players managed to hold their service until 5-4, at which point the tension was at its maximum, and Alcaraz could close out the victory with his serve. However, Sinner wouldn't give up, and increasing the uncertainty in the final even more, he managed a break that brought him back into the fight. 5-5 and more than five hours of play without a clear winner. The Italian held his service game, and then Alcaraz took everything to a tie-break.

The ending would be lamentable for Sinner. At the moment of greatest tension, Alcaraz brought out his best level and won 7 consecutive points, stripping his rival of all hope. The Spaniard defended his title with a nearly perfect super tie-break to close out the victory 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6[10-2].

Match Statistics Sinner vs. Alcaraz