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 1-1 Alexander Zverev
A very similar game to the previous one as Alcaraz battles back from 40-15 to deuce, as Zverev fails to deal with the Alcaraz forehand.
Zverev lands a big first serve out wide, leaving Alcaraz no room to return from. Another big first serve from Zverev and he lands the smash.
He holds and will need to continue that serving into the second set.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 1-0 Alexander Zverev*
A second break point for Zverev, as Alcaraz lets a lob drop inside the baseline, but Alcaraz replies with the one-two strike as he lands the forehand winner.
Double fault from Alcaraz! Zverev will have another look at break point: but the fourth seed once again can’t land his return.
Alcaraz pushes on the serve out wide, as Zverev fires wide on the forehand - another missed return.
Alcaraz makes no mistake! Backhand winner, fired from the hip! Alcaraz holds serve in 10 minutes. A huge moment early in this second set.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 0-0 Alexander Zverev*
Now then. Alcaraz jumped into a 40-0 lead at the start of the second set, but suddenly throws away the lead as Zverev gets back to deuce. Alcaraz’s backhand lob drifts long and all of a sudden Zverev has a look at break point.
Alcaraz finds a first serve but Zverev can’t return! Chance missed. Zverev misses again on the backhand, pushing long, and has to restrain himself from smashing his racquet in frustration.
Zverev does well to follow in the forehand down the line, getting back to deuce.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 Alexander Zverev - SET!
A window for Alcaraz he meets a Zverev volley at the net and the German gets the ball stuck under his feet, but Alcaraz then cracks the net on the forehand.
30-30, but Zverev blinks on the foreand and fires long!
Set point to Alcaraz: and a winner to seal it! The ball sits up for Alcaraz in midcourt and the 21-year-old thrashes away the forehand winner to take the set!
There were nervous moment early on, but Alcaraz is loving this!
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Alexander Zverev*
Lightning hands from Alcaraz! Zverev sensed a chance after racing to reach the drop shot and flick a forehand down the line, but Alcaraz was there to meet it on the volley.
Alcaraz then moves to 40-15 after controlling the forehand volley, met brilliantly after moving his feet. Alcaraz moves a game away as Zverev clips the netcord on the forehand crosscourt.
Alcaraz is enjoying this.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 4-3 Alexander Zverev
Sublime from Alcaraz, as Zverev continues to struggle. Alcaraz pulls the German in with a deft drop shot, as Zverev fails to clear the net. It’s 0-30, and Zverev’s first serve has gone missing, too.
Alcaraz finds great depth to the baseline and Zverev can’t adjust as his forehand sails long. There will be two more break points: Alcaraz defends brilliantly and had the chance to pass Zverev at the net! He grins, after netting on the forehand!
Stunning defence from Alcaraz again to retrieve the Zverev smash - only to net again on the backhand! Zverev hangs on to get to deuce.
ACE from Zverev - timely. And that’s a big hold as Alcaraz pushes the backhand out.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 Alexander Zverev*
It’s all flowing Alcaraz’s way right now, with Zverev struggling from the baseline. Alcaraz is throwing all sorts of balls at him and the German is having to hit on the run, react to spin and different depths. Alcaraz isn’t having to hit many winners yet but holds to take a 4-2 lead in this first set.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 Alexander Zverev - BREAK!
A chance for Alcaraz, as the Spaniard becomes solid on the baseline to force Zverev into consecutive errors into the net. Three break points: Alcaraz finds a lovely angled forehand, and Zverev nets on the forehand on the run. He gets the break to love!
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Alexander Zverev*
Zverev’s heavier hitting is finding some success early on, but Alcaraz holds with touch as he pulls Zverev short and then holds with a lovely angled drop shot. Six-time French Open champion Bjorn Borg watches on from the first row.
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