ATP Tour

Sinner sinks Djokovic to reach first Roland Garros final

Jannik Sinner and his scorching Roland Garros form proved too hot to handle even for Novak Djokovic on Friday night in Paris.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings notched a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) triumph in a heavyweight semi-final clash at the clay major. In a match featuring several exhilarating all-court points, Sinner’s power and precision from the baseline and on serve overwhelmed three-time champion Djokovic and helped the 23-year-old Italian set his first major final against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“It was such a special occasion for me, playing against Novak in the semi-final of a Grand Slam,” said Sinner in his on-court interview. “It’s just amazing, and I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. I’m very happy how I handled the situation, but this shows again what a role model he is for all of us and especially for us young players.

“What he is doing is incredible and I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. I think we are all very lucky to see him playing such high-level tennis, it’s amazing.”

Man on a mission 🤩@janniksin is final bound after an impressive 6-4 7-5 7-6(3) victory over Djokovic.@rolandgarros | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/9fcEDVUBYG

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 6, 2025

Despite the one-sided scoreline, Sinner and Djokovic’s first tour-level meeting on clay since 2021 did not lack thrills. The 38-year-old Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, produced plenty of trademark moments of quality. However, he let slip three set points on return at 5-4 in the third set and ultimately could not deny the relentlessly consistent Sinner a straight-sets victory.

Sunday’s mouthwatering final clash between reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner and defending Roland Garros titlist Carlos Alcaraz will be the first Grand Slam men’s singles final between players born in the 2000s. Alcaraz earlier advanced when Lorenzo Musetti retired from the pair’s last-four clash with the Spaniard leading 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0.

Having at one stage trailed 1-4 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with Djokovic, Sinner now leads 5-4. The Italian will enter the final against Alcaraz with an 18-1 record for the 2025 season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, a tally which includes his run to his second major title at January’s Australian Open. But Alcaraz will step on court Sunday having won his past four tour-level meetings with Sinner, including the Rome final last month.

“[Novak] achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport and playing against him here is amazing,” said Sinner. “Of course I try not to think about this, but before going on court you feel the tension and feel what is coming against you. I always try to prepare myself in the best possible way and prepare myself for every situation on the court.

“I’m very happy how we did that today and of course Sunday is going to be very difficult. Of course, lately my head-to-head doesn’t look great against Carlos, so let’s see what I can do. I’m very happy to be here in the final.”

In his first tour-level meeting with Djokovic on clay since 2021, Sinner dominated the early baseline exchanges to pile the pressure on Djokovic, and he also dropped just three points on serve in the first set. Sinner earned the first break of serve in the match in the fifth game with some typically razor-sharp returning and, although Djokovic later avoided dropping serve again by saving two break points for a gutsy hold at 2-4, the Serbian was unable to maintain any momentum in return games.

Djokovic frequently turned to his drop shot to try and disrupt Sinner’s rhythm on his groundstrokes, but the plan proved far less effective for the Serbian than it had in his quarter-final triumph over Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic continued to compete well into the second set and he prevailed in a thrilling 26-shot cat-and-mouse rally in the second game, after which he gave a beaming smile as the crowd roared. The Serbian had gone 45 consecutive return games without breaking against Sinner until the Italian later served for the second set at 5-4. But despite Djokovic finally managing to snap that streak, Sinner quickly reeled off the two games he needed for a two-set lead.

THIS POINT 👏 @DjokerNole | @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/SuW60RtpBg

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 6, 2025

Djokovic began showing signs of a potential upper leg issue in the second set and received a medical timeout ahead of the third set. The Serbian subsequently came out strong, but after he let slip his three set points at 4-5, Sinner took his opportunity to claim a straight-sets win with a rock-solid tie-break showing. The Italian finished the match having struck 44 winners to Djokovic's 35.

“Of course I enjoy these moments,” said Sinner, when asked whether he would have time to cherish his win before turning his thoughts to the final. “I think they are very rare and special moments. Tomorrow, we have a day off, when we are going to try and prepare for the match but again, I am very happy. This is a very special place for me.”