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)
*Sinner 6-4 4-2 Alcaraz
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Carlos Alcaraz is just shell-shocked because Jannik Sinner is playing about as well as you can.
The Italian has upped his level once again in this final and he has been absolutely brilliant.
He is making this match look rather easy.
*Sinner 6-4 4-2 Alcaraz
That's more like it from Carlos Alcaraz.
The defending champion gets to advantage and then a lovely drop shot is returned long by Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz pumps out his chest. He needed that.
Image source, Getty Images*Sinner 6-4 4-1 Alcaraz
Luck is just not on Carlos Alcaraz's side today as the ball skips off the net cord and over his racquet. Maybe Jannik Sinner is on to something wearing that green t-shirt?
A double fault from Alcaraz takes the game to deuce.
Sinner 6-4 4-1 Alcaraz*
Plenty of famous faces among the crowd on Philippe Chatrier today.
A nod of approval and polite applause from Formula One driver George Russell as Jannik Sinner opens up a 30-0 lead.
And then, having fired wide, Sinner goes off to dry his face with a towel and two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman is just a couple of feet away.
Sinner gets the hold and remains firmly in control.
Image source, Getty Images*Sinner 6-4 3-1 Alcaraz
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
I think Carlos Alcaraz just lost his way with what he wanted to do out there.
He is back down the end of his coaching team now and they can just give him a little bit of instruction and direction.
He needs something new to focus on to regain that belief that he can come back and win this match.
*Sinner 6-4 3-1 Alcaraz
The winner of the final's opening set has eventually won the title in 42 of the previous 57 men's singles Roland Garros' finals in the Open era.
Jannik Sinner has won his last 29 matches after taking the opening set.
The last time he lost from that position? Against Carlos Alcaraz in Bejing last season.
*Sinner 6-4 3-1 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has lost five games in a row, if that becomes six then he can almost kiss goodbye to this second set.
A booming forehand from the baseline offers hope of breaking the chain as Alcaraz leads 30-0.
Alcaraz leans on the serve and volley to get a vital hold.
Image source, Getty ImagesSinner 6-4 3-0 Alcaraz*
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Jannik Sinner is focused out there, he isn't giving Carlos Alcaraz anything. He needs to respond now because he is in trouble.
The way Sinner turned that point around was just insanity and he finished it with the most beautiful volley.
That is like a body blow to a boxer on a knockout punch because Alcaraz did everything right.
Sinner 6-4 3-0 Alcaraz*
It took 17 minutes to get through the opening two games of the opening set but we're already through three in the second with just 16 minutes on the clock.
What a rally. 23 shots of pure quality. Jannik Sinner forces Carlos Alcaraz wide before stepping up to the net to volley the winner for 40-15.
Alcaraz into the net and the scoreboard is looking a little ominious.
Image source, Getty Images*Sinner 6-4 2-0 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz sends Jannik Sinner out wide with his serve but it's beautifully returned and the Spaniard eventually goes long.
A huge break early in the second set for the world number one.
Image source, Getty Images*Sinner 6-4 1-0 Alcaraz
Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Carlos Alcaraz hasn't reached up and rubbed his eye since receiving medical attention.
I do think it did take a bit of momentum away from him. I don't think he has really recovered from the break of serve either, so there are just a few things going on that are distracting him at the moment.
The energy of this match really feels like it has shifted. I don't think he feels as energised or impactful in his play.
*Sinner 6-4 1-0 Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has lost three games in a row and five of the last six. It feels like the defending champion is on the ropes a little. He needs a hold to settle into this second set.
Ah.
It's not going according to plan as Jannik Sinner has two break points.
Sinner 6-4 1-0 Alcaraz*
Jannik Sinner with a couple of big serves - those long arms really do come in handy when trying to generate power - to get the hold.
Image source, Getty Images
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros
Following the elongated opening games which started the match, things quickly sped up at the business end.
Wonder if that eye issues had anything to do with Alcaraz losing his precision? We will find out afterwards.
After a gripping set lasting over an hour, droves of fans disappear off court for a breather.
The Roland Garros fans really can't keep still, can they?
*Sinner 6-4 0-0 Alcaraz
Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
An incredible first set.
Jannik Sinner has just been the most solid and most consistent. He is playing the percentage tennis under pressure with some deep returns.
Carlos Alcaraz is trying to be a little too extravagant and it is proving costly.
*Sinner 6-4 0-0 Alcaraz
A set in the bag and back on serve, Jannik Sinner has the chance to continue building momentum as the second set gets under way.
And it looks like that's the case as Sinner leads 30-0 but a couple of unforced errors from the world number one bring it back to 30-30.
Carlos Alcaraz vents at his coaching box when a serve return ends up long. Frustration starting to build.
But he hangs on in there during the net point to get to deuce.
*Sinner 6-4 0-0 Alcaraz
A series of unforced errors see Carlos Alcaraz hand the first set over to Jannik Sinner after an epic 63-minute opening to this final.
Still a long, long way to go in this, you suspect.
Image source, Getty ImagesSinner 5-4 Alcaraz*
Frustration for Jannik Sinner, who nets with both players on a point apiece as the Italian looks to strike here.
A miss from Carlos Alcaraz leaves the world number one two points from the set, however, and another brings up a first set point after 62 minutes.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros
Quite the peculiar situation. But we all know how irritating getting a speck of something in your eye is.
Alcaraz rightly gets it checked out before resuming with a round of applause ringing in his ears.
Sinner 5-4 Alcaraz*
Eye issue dealt with, Carlos Alcaraz returns to the court to try and stay involved in the opening set.
I say dealt with. He misses a seemingly routine volley at the net, sending the ball well wide of the mark.
Image source, Getty Images