Third seed Carlos Alcaraz produced a performance of verve and enterprise on Friday afternoon to advance to his first final at the French Open.
Virtually a year after nerves and tension led to cramps while playing Novak Djokovic on the same court, the 21-year-old Spaniard beat second seed Jannik Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in four hours and three minutes toof the future of men's tennis.
"You have to find the joy in suffering," said Alcaraz after the ninth meeting between the two on the senior circuit.
"Long rallies during four hours. You have to fight and suffer. You have to enjoy suffering."
Sinner, who will become the world number one when the new ATP lists are published on Monday, raced away with the opening set.
The 22-year-old Italian also got an early break in the second but could not consolidate. Alcaraz regrouped and worked his way back into the encounter with a break of serve to lead 4-2. His toil was eventually rewarded.
At one set apiece, it was Alcaraz who had the early lead in the third set but he was reeled in and without dazzling, Sinner claimed it.
Challenge
The fourth appeared to be heading to a tiebreak but serving to level at 5-5 and at 30-15 up, Sinner overhit a smash.
Alcaraz seized on the hesitancy to snaffle the next two points and the set.
Suitably buoyed and varying his game with his drop shots, dinky slices and brutal power, Alcaraz surged into a 3-0 lead.
And the held his nerve to reach his first final in Paris. "It was one of my toughest matches," said Alcaraz. "Jannik and his team put in a lot of great work. I hope to play many, many more matches against him."
Alcaraz will play the fourth seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final. The 27-year-old German dropped the first set against Casper Ruud but won the next three to move into his first French Open final.
