Christophe Aena/AP
Carlos Algaras won the French Open trophy with a five-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
CNN
—
Carlos Algarz won his third Grand Slam title French Open On Sunday, Alexander defeated Zverev 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2.
With the win, Algarz, 21, became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam title on each surface, having won the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon last year.
He came in a tense game against Zverev Court Philippe-Satrier To add to his collection of trophies, march down one of the two sets in impressive style.
In windy conditions, the Spaniard showcased his fearless brand of tennis in front of a lively Parisian crowd.
He saved several break points to hold on to lead in the deciding set and went to double break before rallying for victory in four hours and 19 minutes, sinking to the ground and pumping his fists in joy.
Algarez remains unbeaten in Grand Slam finals and is the youngest French Open winner since compatriot Rafael Nadal won the third of his 14 singles titles in 2007.
“From the first match until today (for me), the crowd has been great,” Algaraz said in his on-court interview, thanking his team and family. “I have good words for you guys for the support I’ve received not only in matches but also in practice … You’ve made this tournament so special.”
It was a tight affair after Ika Sviatek won the women’s singles title in straight sets on Saturday.
The pair traded breaks in a tense break early in the match before Algaras got the upper hand at 2-2.
He started to close out the set with a forehand winner, but from there Zverev increased his intensity and produced some very good tennis in the second set.
He had an 83% first-serve success rate in the second set as he leveled the match at double break in the 2020 US Open final, losing to Dominic Thiem in five sets en route to winning his first Grand Slam title. .
In the third set Algaras saved three break points to lead 5-2 and seemed to regain control of the match. Suddenly, however, his game dropped and Zverev roared back, winning the next five games to take the tournament lead for the first time.
Jean-Francois Badias/AP
Zverev, playing in his first French Open final, is chasing a shot against Algaraz.
The world No. 3 had to respond and did so in style. A ferocious whipping forehand put Algarez up 2-0 in the fourth set, before a well-executed drop shot set up another break of Zverev’s serve two games later.
There was an exchange of breaks either side of clinical time for Algaraz, who then held his serve to force a decider.
It was only the second time since 2005 that the men’s French Open final had gone to 5 sets, and Zverev’s string of unforced errors – including a double fault – was a sign that the pressure was starting to take its toll.
After leading by a break, Algaras had to dig themselves out of a 0-40 hole in the following game.
With the finish line in sight, a stunning backhand passing shot helped him to another break, and from there a third Grand Slam title – on hard courts, grass and now clay – was just a formality.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Algaraz is celebrating his third Grand Slam title — all before his 22nd birthday.
Zverev had his best run at the French Open in the wake of an assault case, and on Friday, a Berlin court announced that he and his former partner had agreed to a plea bargain.
Asked about the pre-final reconciliation, the world No 4 said he was “glad it’s over” but “didn’t want to ask another question about the matter again”.
He had to come from two five-set matches – against Dalen Kriegspoor and Holger Roone – in the run to the final, as well as coming back from a set down against Casper Rutt in the semi-finals.
Algaraz, in contrast, spent less time on court than his opponent despite suffering a hand injury before this year’s French Open. He improves his record to 11 wins and just one loss in five-set matches – a remarkable statistic for such a young player.
One of those marathon wins was in the semifinals against Australian Open champion and soon-to-be world No. 1 Janic Sinner, making Alcaraz the first man in the Open era to win a final and a semifinal in five sets.
He may not have been at his best throughout the final against Zverev – hitting 56 unforced errors with 52 winners – but his latest Grand Slam victory is further proof that Algaraz thrives when playing under high-stakes matches.
It was another milestone performance in a remarkable tennis career.
