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 1-1 Alexander Zverev* - BREAK!
A nervous start on serve, from both players! Now Alcaraz double faults to hand Zverev a look at 0-30. Zverev ramps up the forehand bit can’t find the pass, as the German’s volley drifts wide!
Alcaraz doesn’t do enough with the drop shot. Zverev races into it and puts away the forehand winner. Two break points for Zverev now: his forehand return is clipped wide.
But Zverev gets the break back! Alcaraz shanks a backhand wide and can’t take advantage of the opening break.
French Open: *Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Alexander Zverev - BREAK!
Wow. Zverev with two double faults in a row to start the final! The German changes his racquet after just two points, with Alcaraz looking at 0-30 in the opening game.
The change helps: Zverev thunders down a first serve straight away as Alcaraz hits a couple of forehands out of play, the Spaniard had a chance at 15-30 but went for too much on the forehand.
Zverev pushes wide so this opening game will go to deuce - Alcaraz moves in well and puts away a stunning slice volley! He will have an early break point.
Zverev can’t find the first serve, and Alcaraz strikes! The Spaniard leaps into the forehand winner and chases after it as it beats Zverev. The perfect start from the 21-year-old, but a nightmare for Zverev after two opening double faults!
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz 0-0 Alexander Zverev*
Handshakes done, warm-ups over, pictures taken. We’re ready to go.
Alcaraz won the toss and chose to receive, so Zverev will serve first.
*denotes next server
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
While a right forerm injury limited Carlos Alcaraz to just four matches on clay before the French Open, Alexander Zverev played tournaments in Monte Carlo, Munich, Madrid and Rome - where he won six matches in a row to win his biggest title on clay.
The German was sharp when he defeated Rafael Nadal in his first-round opener. Alcaraz, meanwhile, has had to build his way through the tournament and rediscover his confidence. But has been able to reach the final and now stands on the brink of a third grand slam title.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Here we go! Alexander Zverev will be the first out on court as the German emerges from the tunnel into the light on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 27-year-old has spent more than 19 hours on court so far this tournament, which is considerably more than his opponent.
Now here comes Alcaraz - still sporting that right arm sleeve. The Spaniard has never lost a grand slam final and is the slim favourite here. He seems to be the favourite among the crowd, too. We’re almost ready to go, after the warm-ups.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz on facing Alexander Zverev: “Sascha, he’s playing great tennis on clay. Big serve, big shots, really solid. It’s going to be a really interesting final.”
On his victory over Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals: “The cramps in this match, it wasn’t as much here as last year. I’m going to say I’m stronger mentally. I knew how to deal with these situations. I knew that the cramps are going to [go] away if I stay there. I know everything what I have to do [in] the situation.
“But the cramping, I knew that I had to stay there. I knew that probably I had to make shorter the points. So I knew much better how to do it this year than last year.”
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev on Carlos Alcaraz rivalry: “We had very tough battles in the past. It’s going to be a difficult match. It is a Grand Slam final. If you’re in a Grand Slam final, you deserve to be there. That goes for both of us. I think both of is are expecting a tough battle.”
Zverev on coming back from his US Open final defeat in 2020 and his ankle ligament injury in 2022: “You either come back stronger and you come back hungrier, you come back wanting to win more, which I feel like I did in 2021... Or you kind of go into yourself. You drop mentally a bit, as well. I’m happy that I was the sort of person that took the first path.”
French Open: Keys to Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev key stats
During the French Open
Aces: Carlos Alcaraz - 22 | 64 - Alexander Zverev
First serve: Carlos Alcaraz - 70% | 75% - Alexander Zverev
Second serve: Carlos Alcaraz - 59% | 52% - Alexander Zverev
Net points: Carlos Alcaraz - 71% | 65% - Alexander Zverev
Break points: Carlos Alcaraz - 48% | 44% - Alexander Zverev
Receiving points: Carlos Alcaraz - 47% | 42% - Alexander Zverev
Winners: Carlos Alcaraz - 226 | 272 - Alexander Zverev
French Open: Keys to Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev’s improved serve has been key to his performances on clay this season: the German made 86% of his first serves in his semi-final win against Casper Ruud and similar stats today would put him in a great position against Alcaraz.
The Spaniard is a brilliant counter-puncher, but Zverev dominated on serve in the pair Australian Open quarter-final earlier this season - with Alcaraz having a look at just five break points across the four sets.
Alcaraz made a slow start to that match in Melbourne, as he did in the semi-final against Sinner, and can’t afford another against such a big server. Alcaraz’s variety and speed will always give him a certain advantage against Zverev, especially if his first serve percentage dips and Alcaraz can attack the second.
French Open: Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev arrivals
Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev arrived at Roland Garros bright and early this morning. It’s a sunny, clear day in Paris, which should lead to conditions that favour big-serving and attacking play from the baseline. Both players had to slog it out during the first week, where the roof was often closed and resulted in a very different tournament.
One final arrival 👋🇪🇸#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PMf2L8TO92
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
Ready for today's titanic clash: @AlexZverev 👋#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/muAq0igvGf
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
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