'Alcaraz patience pays off'published at 17:06 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-3 Alcaraz*
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Carlos Alcaraz stayed patient in the rally, he held back, and it has paid off.
Summary
Carlos Alcaraz wins epic French Open final against Jannik Sinner
Spaniard battles back from two sets down to win 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (10-2)
Alcaraz saved three championship points in fourth set
Longest Roland Garros final in history at five hours and 29 minutes
World number one Sinner was bidding for third major title in a row
Listen to live radio commentary from Roland Garros (UK only)
'Alcaraz patience pays off'published at 17:06 British Summer Time 8 June
Alcaraz breaks in third setpublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-3 Alcaraz*
The crowd on Philippe Chatrier rise to their feet as Carlos Alcaraz continues his recovery.
From a break down to a break up in this third set in the space of four games.
Image source, Getty ImagesBreak point Alcarazpublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz
We've already had two breaks - one apiece - in the opening three service games and Carlos Alcaraz is desperately seeking another.
Deucepublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner still continues to look a little below the extremely high standard he reached in the first two sets - a 40-15 lead quickly becomes deuce.
Postpublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz
You voted overwhelmingly in favour of Carlos Alcaraz just before this match got under way (see below).
It's going to take some effort for him to deliver now, but that break back a few moments ago shows he still has the hunger.
'Alcaraz's resilience shines through'published at 16:57 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC SoundsWe have to be impressed with the resilience Carlos Alcaraz is showing.
His head was dropping there after being broken in the opening game, and we were thinking that it could be one-way traffic in this third set, but his resilience shines through.
His forehand is starting to fire now - and that is something that has really let him down today.
Alcaraz holds servepublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-2 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz shows his frustration amid groans from the crowd as he misses a forehand, but Jannik Sinner has come off his near-perfect level slightly.
The top seed nets to relieve the pressure on the Spaniard and, after another miss, Alcaraz closes out with a very satisfying ace to edge in front in the set.
Image source, Getty ImagesAlcaraz breaks back in third setpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-1 Alcaraz*
Has Carlos Alcaraz rediscovered his mojo?
After an immediate setback in the third set, the defending champion offers a perfect response to draw level. That was a great game for the Spaniard.
Image source, Getty ImagesBreak point Alcarazpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Alcaraz
Shottt!
Carlos Alcaraz pummels a forehand into the back of the court for break point.
Postpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz fails to put Jannik Sinner under pressure as he misses the baseline, but Jannik Sinner returns the favour to bring his opponent to deuce.
How Alcaraz could do with an immediate reply here.
Postpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Alcaraz
Much better from Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard wrestles control of a rally and then hits a thunderous forehand into the corner for 30-30. The crowd respond, rallying behind the defending champion.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz desperately needs to find a way of disrupting Jannik Sinner here.
It's one-way traffic right now as the Italian pulls away to 30-0, but Alcaraz unleashes a ferocious return to get on the board. He packaged up a lot of frustration into that one.
Sinner breaks at start of third setpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 8 June
*Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 1-0 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz looks shell-shocked.
Jannik Sinner is beginning to stride out as he begins his push to the finish line.
A break of serve at the start of the third set puts the world number one in complete control on Court Philippe Chatrier, and now Alcaraz really does need to summon a miraculous recovery.
Image source, Getty Images'Sinner's tactics have been perfect'published at 16:45 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 0-0 Alcaraz*
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC SoundsJannik Sinner looks very clear in what he needs to do today.
His tactics have been perfect. His concentration has been excellent. Even when Carlos Alcaraz came back in that second set, he just didn't blink and he just stuck with it.
The shot that has been so key for him is the running forehand when Alcaraz goes into pace on that side. He is able to get there and regenerate with pace cross-court to force the error.
This is a mountain to climb for Alcaraz.
Break points Sinnerpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 0-0 Alcaraz*
A tremendous passing forehand from Jannik Sinner, who punishes a slice from Carlos Alcaraz for 15-15.
Another forehand beats Alcaraz as the Italian edges in front, before the defending champion overhits under pressure.
Two break points coming up. Alcaraz shows his frustration. These are huge moments now.
Alcaraz serving first in third setpublished at 16:43 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 0-0 Alcaraz*
While he has an outstanding record in five-set matches, never before has Carlos Alcaraz come back from two sets down to win.
But that is the task facing the world number two if he is to retain his French Open title here.
The Spaniard will serve first in a must-win third set.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 8 June
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland GarrosThat's difference between these two. Sinner's level does not waver in the most important moments. Alcaraz's does.
Sinner looks about as excited as we've ever seen him on a court after securing the two-set lead.
He does a slight jig on the spin and multiple shakes of the fist.
Game and second set - Sinnerpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 7-6 (7-4) Alcaraz*
Jannik Sinner tightens his grip on this final.
Carlos Alcaraz puts a forehand into the net and is left with a mountain to climb if he is to retain the French Open crown.
Image source, Getty Images'Sinner is the most tenacious'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 6-6 (6-4) Alcaraz*
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC SoundsJannik Sinner is really lifting his game in this tie-break.
The Roland Garros quote is: 'Victory belongs to the most tenacious' and I have to say he is looking the most tenacious of the two out on court.
Tie-breakpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 8 June
Sinner 6-4 6-6 (6-4) Alcaraz*
Under immense pressure, Carlos Alcaraz might have just played the shot of the match.
The Spaniard with a cross-court winner to further reduce Jannik Sinner's lead.
Image source, Getty Images
