Paris, 8 June (H.S.): World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz face off in a Grand Slam final for the first time, reigniting their rivalry that has already seen 11 matches, with Alcaraz leading 7-4 overall. Both players come in undefeated in finals—Alcaraz at 4-0 and Sinner at 3-0. Alcaraz holds a four-match winning streak over Sinner, including a recent victory in Rome, but Sinner’s run to the French Open final includes a straight-set win over Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz aims to defend his Roland Garros title with a remarkable 17-match win streak, while Sinner is making his first appearance in a French Open final after recovering from a brief injury.

Tactical changes have benefited Sinner, notably in his return stance, enhancing his forehand and enabling him to break Djokovic three times. This adjustment will be crucial against Alcaraz, who targets the forehand during pressure situations. Sinner has a 4-3 record against Alcaraz when he wins at least 37% of points on Alcaraz’s serve, a mark he’s achieved only once in their last four matches. Alcaraz’s strategy will focus on breaking down Sinner’s defense, which has seen opponents only attain a 15% winner rate during the tournament. The final may hinge on which player minimizes backhand errors, as both possess powerful forehands.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar