French Open: Djokovic beaten by Sinner, to face Alcaraz in Sunday's final
Jannik Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic in a gripping French Open semifinal on Friday to book a first Grand Slam final meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard saw off Lorenzo Musetti.
The will was there for Novak Djokovic, but the efforts he put forth couldn't overcome the top-level Jannik Sinner in the French Open semifinals as he crashed out of his bid to win a 25th Grand Slam crown
Jannik Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic in a gripping French Open semifinal on Friday to book a first Grand Slam final meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard saw off Lorenzo Musetti.
World No 1 Sinner held off a record-chasing Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) win on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his maiden Roland Garros final.
"He is the best player in the history of our sport, playing against him here is amazing," said the 23-year-old Sinner.
"Of course, I try to not think about this but before coming on court you feel the tension."
Djokovic showed his trademark fighting qualities in a dramatic contest that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, but three missed set points late in the third set ultimately put paid to his hopes of a comeback.
The 38-year-old will next attempt to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon next month.
Alcaraz earlier booked his place in Sunday's final when opponent Musetti retired with a leg injury in the fourth set of their last-four tie.
Sinner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will be hoping to gain revenge on Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in five sets in the semifinals last year.
Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner, including in the Italian Open final in May when Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban.
"Sunday is going to be very difficult, I know my head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos but let's see what I can do," added Sinner.
Djokovic's exit ensures that a sixth successive major title will be lifted by either Sinner or world No 2 Alcaraz, in what appears increasingly likely to be a permanent changing of the guard.
It will be the first Grand Slam final to be played between two men born in the 2000s.
The final will be played on Sunday at Roland Garros Centre Court from 4 pm Kenyan time.
