Izuchukwu Okosi
Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday night retained his men’s Roland Garros title after five hours and 29 minutes of intense final against Jannick Sinner, reports Prime Business Africa.
The final thus became the longest singles final in Paris in the Open era, and the second longest across all four Grand Slams behind the Raphael Nadal versus Novak Djokovic Australian Open final in 2012 that lasted for five hours and 53 minutes.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe victory on Sunday was the fifth Grand Slam success and the second at the French major for Alcaraz. Alcaraz, 22, with the win now claims two French Open, two Wimbledon and one US Open. Alcaraz trailed Sinner by two sets to one and was 3-5-40 at some stage.
With the clock winding down in Paris, Alcaraz rallies back to win the contest 4-6, 6-7, (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2).
Alcaraz is now the third youngest man in history to win five singles majors after Bjorn Borg who was 21 years old and Raphael Nadal who was 22 years old.
READ ALSO: Alcaraz Set To Dethrone Djokovic In ATP Top Ranking After Queen’s Club Title
In terms of saving match points, Alcaraz joins an exclusive club of tennis greats that includes Gaston Gaudio (Roland Garros 2004) and Novak Djokovic (Wimbledon 2019).
Jannick Sinner’s defeat may significantly affect his ATP world ranking. The Italian is currently the world’s men number I tennis player.
Earlier on Saturday night, Coco Gauff lifted the Roland Garros trophy in the women’s final. The American beat Aryna Sabalenka in a game that lasted a little over two hours.
The winner of the men’s singles event receives the Coupe des Mousquetaires, named after The Four Musketeers of French tennis: Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste.
The event was not held from 1915 to 1919 because of the First World War and was held unofficially as the Tournoi de France under German occupation from 1941 to 1944, during the Second World War.
Rafael Nadal has won 14 French Open titles which is a record for any player, male or female, in any major tournament.
The Spaniard also holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the Open Era, with five from 2010 to 2014.
Max Decugis won eight French Championships prior to the Open Era.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
