ATP Tour

Alcaraz on facing Sinner: ‘He's destroying every opponent’

Carlos Alcaraz enters the Roland Garros final with plenty in his favour. The Spaniard is the defending champion, unbeaten in major finals (4-0) and riding a four-match winning streak against Jannik Sinner in their thrilling Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

A two-time ATP Masters 1000 winner on clay this year, Alcaraz’s biggest test awaits on Sunday. Sinner has steamrolled his way into the championship match in pursuit of his first trophy at the Paris major.

“He's the best tennis player right now,” Alcaraz said of the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I mean, he's destroying every opponent.”

The blockbuster final will mark a milestone moment in the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry. It will be their first clash in a Grand Slam final. Fittingly, their two most recent encounters have come in a championship match, including less than three weeks ago in Rome, where Alcaraz improved to 7-4 against Sinner in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

When Alcaraz and Sinner meet, it is must-watch viewing.

“I love that battle. But most of the time is just about suffering, because [he pushes] you to the limit,” Alcaraz said. “It gives you feedback of how I can be a better player. I think that's important, and that's beautiful. Even if I win or not, it gives you a lot of stats and gives you feedback.”

On Friday, the 22-year-old Alcaraz advanced past Sinner’s countryman Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals to become the fifth-youngest man to reach five Grand Slam finals. Alcaraz led Musetti 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 when the Italian retired due to a left leg injury.

The second seed owns a 33-2 record on clay since last May, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Standing in his way of lifting another Coupe des Mousquetaires is a familiar foe in Sinner, who is seeking his fourth major trophy.

Alcaraz said: “It's going to be a really great Sunday for fans of tennis."