Jannik Sinner to face Carlos Alcaraz in French Open final
World number one Sinner beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3)
Djokovic had been bidding for standalone record 25th Grand Slam title
Defending champion Alcaraz advanced after Lorenzo Musetti retired injured while trailing in fourth set
Listen to live BBC radio commentary from Roland Garros (UK only)
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 4-5 Djokovic
Andrea Petkovic
Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
In these moments the best and only thing you should think about is the next step. It is a big mountain to climb.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 4-5 Djokovic
Image source, Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic has been working the drop shot since the start of this match and it finally pays off as he gets his first drop shot winner.
Djokovic can only applaud Jannik Sinner when the Italian converts a cross-court winner.
But the Serb gets the hold when Sinner fails to return a serve deep into the corner.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 4-4 Djokovic*
Andrea Petkovic
Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
I think the team Novak Djokovic has built around him have done a great job.
At the Australian Open he got very annoyed and they just laughed at him. It brought him back to the ground.
With Djokovic, he is picking the rallies where he puts everything into it.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 4-4 Djokovic*
After winning seven successive points on serve, Jannik Sinner finally concedes one when Novak Djokovic meets a rising ball and crashes it off the baseline.
Sinner stands firm on the next point to pull through a 17-shot rally and get the hold.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 3-4 Djokovic
Image source, Getty ImagesNovak Djokovic might have his back against the wall but he is happy to let out smile after an exchange of lobs eventually leads to him winning the opening point.
And that smile widens further as he completes a hold to love.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 3-3 Djokovic*
Andrea Petkovic
Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
I do think you can see the history between the two.
The way Jannik Sinner is trying to increase the intensity is because he knows Novak has the capacity to come back from a 2-0 deficit.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 3-3 Djokovic*
Jannik Sinner isn't tiring in the slightest.
A hold to love for the world number one.
Image source, EPA*Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-3 Djokovic
It's scrappy but effective from Novak Djokovic as he drags Jannik Sinner one way and the other.
Djokovic gets back to third deuce and before moving to advantage.
Two crucial break points saved and Djokovic wraps up the hold.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-2 Djokovic
Andrea Petkovic
Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
Novak Djokovic is clearly trying to find the depth to keep Jannik Sinner behind the baseline, but twice the ball has flown long.
You can tell Jannik Sinner's pressing down on the gas pedal.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-2 Djokovic
It's only a brief moment of respite for Novak Djokovic as Jannik Sinner gets another look at break point.
Image source, Reuters*Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-2 Djokovic
Jannik Sinner has rarely put a foot wrong in this match but his return skews off the rim of the racquet and we go back to deuce.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-2 Djokovic
We've just seen some high-level serving from Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic is stepping up too.
The problem is Sinner's huge frame helps him recover and get across the baseline so quickly.
Sinner fights his way back into the game and gets break point.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 2-2 Djokovic*
Image source, Getty ImagesSaved.
Two power serves from Jannik Sinner flip the script and put him on the verge of holding.
Novak Djokovic hits into the net.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-2 Djokovic*
Novak Djokovic leans on that trusty drop shot and volleys a winner off the return.
Could this be a turning point in the match?
Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-2 Djokovic*
Andrea Petkovic
Former world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
Now we know why Jannik Sinner hasn't come to the net more often. Novak Djokovic is still one of the best passing shot hitters in the world.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-2 Djokovic*
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother sign of frustration from Novak Djokovic as he looks up to the darkening evening sky and lets out a scream after placing a forehand into the net.
What a way to respond, though. Jannik Sinner looks to have Djokovic on the back foot as he stands and defends at the net but the Serb digs out a cross-court backhand winner.
Ace. Sinner with a statement of his own.
The net cord plays into Djokovic's hands and he has deuce.
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-2 Djokovic
The light is fading in Paris - it's 21:37 local time - and the floodlights are beaming on to the clay.
We've had two hours and 15 minutes of play. How much longer will this one run?
*Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-2 Djokovic
Just as Novak Djokovic is racing to a hold to love, Jannik Sinner steps into the court to hit a serve-winner.
That's as good as it gets for the Italian in this game, though, with Djokovic volleying to see it over the line.
Sinner 6-4 7-5 1-1 Djokovic*
Novak Djokovic has overturned a two-set deficit once previously against Jannik Sinner - he managed to achieve that feat in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2022.
Sinner had never made it to a Grand Slam final at that point in his career and he's a different beast now.
Djokovic needs something to turn in his favour and quickly.
Image source, Getty Images#bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I am sure that the Sinner vs Alcaraz duopoly will eclipse the record 14 Grand Slam finals between Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in 1975–86.
Opeyemi, Lagos
