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French Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev result and reaction from five-set thriller in men’s final

Alcaraz fought from two sets to one down to become the first player in men’s tennis history to win his first three grand slam titles on different surfaces

Jamie Braidwood,Michael Jones
Sunday 09 June 2024 20:00 BST
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Djokovic has animated exchange with wife during French Open fightback

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev to win the French Open for the first time and lift a third grand slam title at the age of just 21. The Spaniard became the youngest player in tennis history to win grand slam titles on all three surfaces and defeated the German fourth seed in an epic five-set thriller at Roland Garros, battling from behind to win 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in four hours and 19 minutes.

In what was the first French Open men’s final without either Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer since 2004, Alcaraz held his nerve to defy defeat and he produced a stunning series of passing shots in his comeback. The third seed took a medical timeout in the fourth set but prevailed to extend his perfect record in grand slam finals to three wins from his first three appearances.

Alcaraz, who had previously won the US Open and Wimbledon, is now an Australian Open title away from completing the career grand slam. Meanwhile, Zverev missed the chance to win his first grand slam title, with the 27-year-old losing the US Open final from two sets up against Dominic Thiem in 2020. The German was a set from glory before Alcaraz produced a stunning escape to win the title.

Follow all the latest tennis scores and results from the final day at the French Open below.

French Open: A historic French Open final

This afternoon’s French Open final will be the first without either Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic since 2004, as a new French Open men’s champion will be crowned.

Nadal won 14 French Open titles between 2005 and 2022, with Federer winning his first in 2009 and Djokovic claiming victory in 2015, 2021 and 2023. Stanislas Wawrinka also beat Djokovic in two finals.

Nadal was beaten in this year’s French Open first round by Alexander Zverev, while Djokovic withdrew before his quarter-final due to a right knee injury.

(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 10:40

French Open: Iga Swiatek says fourth Roland Garros title ’emotional’

Iga Swiatek on an “emotional” French Open title after victory over Jasmine Paolinin:

“When I talk about pressure, I usually put pressure on myself because of pressure of the outside,” she said.

“Obviously I’m a perfectionist, so there is always pressure behind me. But I think I’m fine with handling my own pressure.

“It’s when the pressure from the outside hits me, then it’s a little bit worse. But I managed it really well at this tournament.

“It was an emotional win, because I felt a lot of stress yesterday and today in the morning. And I knew if I’m going to just focus on tennis I can kind of fight through it, and at the end it all went how I wanted. So I just felt really proud of myself.”

French Open champion Iga Swiatek with the ball kids
French Open champion Iga Swiatek with the ball kids (AP)
Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 10:15

Iga Swiatek races to third straight French Open title with victory over Jasmine Paolini

Iga Swiatek swept to a fourth French Open crown to keep her Queen of Clay title at Roland Garros.

The world number one from Poland brushed aside Italian underdog Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-1 in and hour and eight minutes.

King of Clay Rafael Nadal may have played his last French Open this year but Swiatek comprehensively proved once again she is also Roland Garros royalty.

She is the first woman to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Justine Henin in 2007 and only the third to achieve the feat in Open history, along with Monica Seles.

Swiatek is undefeated in Paris since 2021, 21 matches ago, and has won 34 of her 36 matches here, a record matched only by Seles and Chris Evert.

Swiatek races to third straight French Open title with victory over Paolini

The world number one brushed aside Italian underdog Jasmine Paolini in 68 minutes.

Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 09:45

French Open: Carlos Alcaraz on his first Roland Garros final

Carlos Alcaraz wants to continue Rafael Nadal’s dominance of the French Open and keep the Spanish titles coming in Paris.

“I have a special feeling about this tournament,” said the 21-year-old, who plays in his first French Open final today.

“I remember when I finished school, running to my home just to put the TV on and watch the matches here in the French Open.

“I watched a lot of matches. Of course Rafa Nadal dominating this tournament for, let’s say, 14, 15 years. It’s something unbelievable.

“I wanted to put my name on that list of the Spanish players who won this tournament.

“Not only Rafa. Ferrero, Moya, Costa, a lot of Spanish players, legends from our sport that won this tournament, I really want to put my name on that list, as well.”

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals (AP)
Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 09:20

French Open: Women’s doubles final coming up first

Jasmine Paolini may have lost the women’s singles final to Iga Swiatek yesterday, but the Italian could yet taste silverware at Roland Garros as she bids for glory in the women’s doubles final at 10:30am.

Paolini and Italian playing partner, the former World No 1 Sara Errani, are taking on the team of US Open champion Coco Gauff and Czech player Katerina Siniakova.

This is Gauff’s third grand slam final in doubles, but the American is yet to win one. She lost the French Open final with Jessica Pegula in 2022, the same year she lost to Swiatek in the singles final.

Paolini is playing in a grand slam doubles final for the first time. Yesterday was her first singles final, so it’s been quite the weekend for the 28-year-old.

(Getty Images)
COCO GAUFF ABIERTO DE FRANCIA
COCO GAUFF ABIERTO DE FRANCIA (AP)

Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 09:04

French Open: Is Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev on TV?

When is it?

The French Open men’s final between Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz will not start before 1:30pm BST.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the final live on Eurosport 1, with build-up on the channel from 1.00pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via Discovery+.

Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 09:01

Good morning

A new French Open men’s champion will be crowned when Carlos Alcaraz faces Alexander Zverev this afternoon, in the first Roland Garros men’s final to be played without Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic since 2004.

Both Alcaraz and Zverev came through difficult semi-finals to earn a place in their first French Open final. Spaniard Alcaraz, 21, overcame Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set encounter on Friday. In doing so, he became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach singles finals in grand slams events on clay, grass and hard courts.

Zverev, who defeated Nadal in the opening round of the tournament, beat two-time finalist Casper Ruud in four sets on Friday and the German, 27, is appearing in his second grand slam final. THe fourth seed lost his first from two sets up against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final. Alcaraz has won both of his grand slam finals, at the US Open and Wimbledon.

Follow all the latest tennis scores and results from the final day at the French Open in today’s live blog.

Jamie Braidwood9 June 2024 09:00

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