Top-ranked Jannik Sinner delivered a masterclass in precision and power to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3) on Friday evening, securing a place in the French Open final where he will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, the men’s all-time leader with 24 Grand Slam titles, was unable to match Sinner’s consistent accuracy and punishing forehands on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Italian’s unwavering performance made him only the second man from Italy to reach a Roland-Garros final, following in the footsteps of 1976 winner Adriano Panatta.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz was in firm control of his semifinal clash against Lorenzo Musetti, leading 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 2-0 when the eighth seed retired due to a leg injury.
Now, Sinner eyes his fourth Grand Slam title, while Alcaraz is chasing his fifth.
Djokovic mounted a fightback in the third set, but faltered in the decisive tiebreaker, notably fluffing a routine smash at 3-0 down.
He eventually succumbed on the second match point, misfiring a forehand into the net.
“These are rare and special moments,” Sinner said. “I’m very happy.”
The victory extends Sinner’s winning streak in Grand Slam matches to 20, a run that includes his recent triumphs at the US Open and Australian Open.
Djokovic was aiming for a record 38th appearance in a Grand Slam final and his eighth at Roland-Garros, where he has lifted the trophy three times.
But the 37-year-old Serb was often left scrambling behind the baseline as Sinner dictated play, making him stretch and slide like a windscreen wiper across the clay.
In a highlight of the match, Sinner cracked a sublime two-handed backhand cross-court winner in the ninth game of the third set, struck so cleanly it drew appreciative applause from Djokovic himself.
Despite limited openings, Djokovic saw a window in the 10th game, earning four break points. With chants of “Nole! Nole!” echoing from the crowd, he pushed Sinner to 15-40.
Sinner stayed cool, saving both break points. As tension grew, some disruptive fans were silenced by others shouting “Chut!”, French for “shush”, urging decorum during serves.
On Djokovic’s third break point, a forehand sailed wide, bringing up deuce. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois inspected the mark, prompting Djokovic to protest, “It’s on the line.”
Sinner approached the net to exchange a few words with him.
Djokovic responded with a sharp overhead smash to create a fourth break point, but again Sinner held firm and denied him.
The Italian will now face Alcaraz in what promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of the brightest stars in the sport.
