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HomeNewsLatest NewsAlcaraz Defeats Zverev To Win First French Open Title

Alcaraz Defeats Zverev To Win First French Open Title

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz kisses the trophy after winning against Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day fifteen of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 9, 2024.

The 21-year-old overturned a 1-2 set deficit despite suffering cramps to win a thrilling match in 4 hours and 19 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6:2. .

Alcaraz added the French Open crown to his Wimbledon titles, won last year against Novak Djokovic and at the 2022 US Open.

He will head to nextyear’s Australian Open with a chance to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam.

Fourth-seeded Zverev is still waiting for his first major title after settling a German lawsuit over domesticviolence allegations two days ago.

He also lost in five sets in his only previous Grand Slam final, when he blew a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.

Zverev had high hopes of finally getting across the line — he has also lost six Grand Slam semifinals — but Alcaraz was too strong in the key moments to tie the match at 5-5.

Zverev’s Nervy Start
Germany’s Alexander Zverev gestures after losing to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz at the end of their men’s singles final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day fifteen of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 9, 2024.

Alcaraz,who said before the final that he wanted to join a list of his country’s men to win a title at Roland Garros,including his idol Rafael Nadal, collapsed in the sand in disbelief and celebrated becoming the eighth Spanish champion, with his head in his hands.

Zverev got off to a disastrous start, double-faulting on the first two points of the match and conceding abreak in the first game.

But Alcaraz was not spared the nerves of his first French Open final. He smashed a forehand shot into the stands in regulation but also double-faulted while getting the break back soonafter.

But the Spaniard didn’t take long to get going, breaking to zero in the fifth game to sink the first set.

The youngster had to fend off three break points in the first game of the 10-minute second set to hold atlove, but failed to avoid two more, another forehand hit into the crowd to go behind at 2-3. Suddenly

Zverev was fired up again, and Alcaraz struggled at the back of the field, where he conceded a double break with a double fault. Zverev finally ended the one-sided second set by serving to zero.

The German took twomore at the start of the third set to make it three consecutive service games. Afterwards Alcaraz celebrated with clenched fists for emerging unscathed from a tricky service game. One who had beendefending for a long time. Zverev’s serve was hit by increasingly strong winds, and Alcaraz’s return was surprised over the net. The Spaniard managed to keep the score at zero.

But a sharp passing shot from Zverev secured the break and prevented him from finishing the set.

Alcaraz’s spirit seemed to falter temporarily as he failed to take control of the match, eventually losing five straight games to lose the set.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning his men’s singles final match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day fifteen of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 9, 2024.

But Alcaraz didn’t give up without a fight, and in the fourth set, a running game that included a break led to a 2-0 lead with some great curling winners.

Just seconds earlier, Zverev had angrily challenged a clearly correct line call, drawing boos from the crowd.

The German was restless, and his serve began to abandon him. Alcaraz fought his way through the fourth set and fought off chances to decide it, but at 4-1 he had to take a medical timeout to treat apparent cramps.

Zverev had won 10 of his last 11 five-set matches at Roland Garros, but was broken by Alcaraz on a silver platter in the third game of the fifth set.

Alcaraz himself stumbled and fell behind in the next game, 0:40.

He appeared to double-fault on his second break point, but the chair umpire overruled the line judge’s decision despite Zverev’s angry protests, before Hawk-Eye replays showed the ball was out.

Alcaraz held on for a punch, but this proved to be the decisivemoment of the match.

Zverev was trailing by a double break in the seventh game as Alcaraz thrilled fans with an incredible winner before hitting a forehand shot down the line.

He sealed the historic victory with a thunderous forehand that Zverev couldn’t return.

AFP

Ayodeji Adelusi
Ayodeji Adelusi
Senior Editor
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