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
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: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-6 Alexander Zverev*
Carlos Alcaraz looks a little rattled. He’s complaining about the lack of clay on the court and tells the umpire ‘it’s like a hard court.’ That’s just frustration boiling over for the Spaniard.
Alexander Zverev begins the next rally with a wonder serve and volley. He seems very confident now.
The German is gifted the next point too as Alcaraz continues to struggle to return the serve. Zverev gets drawn into a lengthy rally next up before being forced wide to the right. He looks to slice a stretching forehand back but doesn’t catch it right and Alcaraz gets a point on the board. 30-15.
The Spaniard starts to dictate. He repeatedly drills his shots at Zverev’s backhand and the German runs out of patience. He looks to go down the line and sends one wide.
That doesn’t bother him though as his next serve is exceptional! It lands right on the side line of the box and flies wide of Alcaraz’s racquet for an ace.
On set point, Zverev faults first up before serving to middle. Alcaraz defends with a couple of high shots before the rally develops into a backhand battle. The Spaniard wins it and brings the game to deuce.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-6 Alexander Zverev* - BREAK!
Alcaraz is looking to stop the onslaught from Zverev who has won the last three games. The Spaniard goes behind from his firs serve but follows up with a dainty drop shot that his opponent gives up.
Zverev attempts the same thing in the next rally but doesn’t execute it well. The ball bounces kindly for Alcaraz who slices a forehand too long! 15-30.
Pressure! Zverev is the one dictating the rallies and peppers Alcaraz with a few strong backhands. The Spaniard looks to switch to a forehand but spoons the ball wide. Two break points for Zverev here...
... He only needs one! Zverev will serve to win the third set. What a turnaround.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-5 Alexander Zverev
Alcaraz still has the chance to close out the set but will need to break the German here in this game. He shuffles around the court and prepares for the first serve.
Zverev sends it to the forehand and wins the point as Alcaraz’s return loops over the back of court. The German increases his lead after Alcaraz attempts to unleash on a second serve. He goes for it early but gets the angle wrong and scuffs the ball out of play.
The next point is won with an ace and Zverev secures the hold to love with ease. All square.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-4 Alexander Zverev*
Lovely stuff! The pressure is now on Alcaraz who goes for accuracy over power and pays the price. Zverev sprints across court to meet the shot and hooks in back into play before the Spaniard mishits a half-volley.
Zverev moves 0-30 up with a powerful return of serve before missing out on a very gettable backhand down the line.
The German then errs again with a wild forehand that smokes the ball well over the back of court and Alcaraz is back on level terms trying to close out the third set.
Break point! Alcaraz knocks one too long and will have to defend another break point. Can he do it?
No! Alcaraz goes up to the net but is met with a powerful backhand by Zverev. He throws himself towards the ball but can’t reach it and his opponent is back in this set.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-3 Alexander Zverev
Zverev finds himself needing to hold serve just to stay in this third set. He starts off with a sublime wide serve ace that beats Alcaraz for pace.
Next up he misses his first serve down the middle and a rally ensues. Alcaraz pushes him deep before delicately flicking a forehand over the net to wrongfoot his opponent. 15-15.
A miscue from the German puts Alcaraz into the lead as he scuffs a shot into the net before following up with a decent first serve that his opponent fails to get back. 30-30.
From here Zverev does the business. He’s aided by an error from Alcaraz before closing out the game with an ace.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 5-2 Alexander Zverev*
Incredible forehand attack from Alcaraz, as he comes into the net and puts away the smash.
Game point: Alcaraz drops and Zverev hits the net!
Three break points saved and he moves a game away!
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 4-2 Alexander Zverev*
Wow. Alcaraz looked to have turned this set after getting the first two points on serve, only for Zverev to come roaring back himself. He finds depth to push Alcaraz back, and swat away the smash.
A break point for the German: but he keeps his head and finds two baselines in a row, as Zverev’s backhand misfires!
Deuce. Double fault from Alcaraz! Zverev will have another break point. Big first serve from Alcaraz down the middle, then the smash!
The roof may come off if he holds serve here: but Alcaraz swing wildly at the forehand and gives Zverev another chance!
Drop shot from Alcaraz on break point! Steel from Alcaraz, Zverev reaches it, but Alcaraz finds the backhand pass!
DEUCE.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 4-2 Alexander Zverev - BREAK!
Oh now! Alcaraz stops the run of points against Zverev’s serve, and finds the moment to strike! Zverev suddenly becomes hesistant, as Alcaraz goes on the attack!
He flashes a backhand drive down the line and gets a look at three break points: INCREDIBLE! Alcaraz pings the backhand onto Zverev’s feet and the German swings at the backhand and shanks it out!
That came from nowhere!
That’s huge: Alcaraz sensed his moment after Zverev slipped at the baseline on the opening point, and Zverev not being able to reach the short return. Zverev couldn’t find a first serve and Alcaraz attacked on the forehand side, before putting away the smash.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-6 3-2 Alexander Zverev*
Another pressure point for Alcaraz to face at 15-15, but he whips a backhand winner down the line as Zverev closed the net. And that’s more like it! A stunning reverse drop-shot from Alcaraz.
But Zverev drags himself back, hanging on. He closes the net and Alcaraz can only stretch at the at the volley.
Alcaraz is feeling the tension: he switches to serve and volley, and pops the overhead into the open court.
Alcaraz yells again! He’s willing himself into this and roars as he thrashes the forehand winner down the line.
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