PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz can be seeking to set up himself as the brand new king of clay when he takes on Alexander Zverev within the males’s French Open ultimate on Sunday.
Alcaraz, 21, has lengthy been touted because the pure successor to Rafael Nadal, however his two Grand Slam titles have come at Wimbledon and the US Open. In reaching the ultimate at Roland Garros, he turned the youngest man to achieve a Grand Slam ultimate on all three surfaces.
Zverev, 27, reached 4 straight French Open semifinals, however that is his first ultimate. It’s his second Grand Slam ultimate general.
Here is how every participant may prevail within the French Open title match.
Why Carlos Alcaraz will win
Alcaraz got here into Roland Garros hampered by a forearm harm. He was compelled to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open, then misplaced in Madrid to Andrey Rublev and withdrew from Rome. So it was hardly an easy buildup to the French Open, and early within the event he was speaking about not having the ability to hit his forehand with 100% energy.
However we have seen Alcaraz construct every spherical, and regardless of any lingering concern along with his normally deadly forehand, he is managed to stave off all competitors. After overcoming J.J. Wolf within the opening spherical, he needed to navigate difficult qualifier Jesper de Jong earlier than seeing off Sebastian Korda in straight units. He got here by a probably powerful match with Felix Auger-Aliassime with ease after which received previous Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units within the quarters.
“The child is simply too good,” Tsitsipas mentioned afterward.
The semifinal with Sinner was hardest match. Alcaraz seemed sluggish within the opening set, however in a take a look at of endurance and precision, he finally received previous Sinner on Friday in 4 hours, 10 minutes — profitable 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Alcaraz’s recreation is completely suited to clay. He appears at house as he slips and slides alongside the baseline. His choice to make use of tempo to get to the online extra towards Sinner within the second set swung the match again in his favor.
“He is controlling the ball exceptionally nicely, and he is capable of simply change instructions so simply,” Tsitsipas mentioned. “He jogs my memory a bit of little bit of Novak [Djokovic] when he performs. The best way he constructs factors, the way in which he makes use of his thoughts to give you nice options and ways on a regular basis, he simply has solutions to all the pieces. He is a wise participant. He performs with an amazing tennis IQ.”
Alcaraz reached the semifinal of this event final yr, however had points with cramping and misplaced to Djokovic. Though he has struggled with cramps once more this yr, Alcaraz navigated his method by them.
“I am stronger mentally and I knew learn how to take care of this example; I do know the cramps will go away if I keep there,” he mentioned on Friday.
Alcaraz has a capability to seek out one other stage simply when he seems to be already working at most effectivity. “You must discover the enjoyment in struggling, that is the important thing,” he mentioned after the win over Sinner.
Why Alexander Zverev will win
After three semifinals in a row, Zverev lastly superior to his first French Open ultimate. In 2021, he was defeated by Tsitsipas within the ultimate 4, whereas in 2022 he was pushing Nadal to the restrict solely to tear some ankle ligaments and retire on the finish of the second set. Final yr, he fell in straight units to Casper Ruud.
However in 2024, he is on the verge of profitable the title. “A few of my worst and greatest recollections are on [Philippe-Chatrier] and I’ll give it my all on Sunday,” Zverev mentioned.
Zverev has loved an excellent Roland Garros. It began with an opening-round match towards Nadal. However he managed to come back by that in straight units earlier than overcoming David Goffin within the second spherical. Then, Zverev needed to grit out a five-set match towards Tallon Griekspoor earlier than enduring one other marathon towards Holger Rune within the fourth spherical. However he made fast work of Alex De Minaur within the quarterfinals.
In opposition to Ruud within the semifinals, he misplaced the opening set, however bounced again to interrupt Ruud initially of the second and he stayed in management. “I knew I needed to be much more aggressive,” Zverev mentioned.
Ruud is among the greatest clay court docket specialists on tour, however struggled with a abdomen bug. Zverev received 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Zverev holds a 5-4 benefit over Alcaraz, however he appears prepared for the second. “He serves rather well,” Goffin mentioned after his second-round loss. “He is stable, actually hits throughout the court docket and strikes round very properly.”
Zverev has additionally illustrated his tactical abilities right here, shifting issues when wanted with Griekspoor of their third-round match. “My first mindset was, OK, proper, I am down 4-1, however how do I give myself one of the best probability to come back again?” Zverev mentioned. “The No. 1 factor I had to remove was his serve and volley recreation, which was understanding very nicely right now for him. So I did that.”
Whereas Zverev has been enjoying at Roland Garros, a trial was being held in his house nation of Germany, the place he had been accused of home abuse by a former girlfriend. On Friday, it was introduced that Zverev had agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the lady.
What is going to occur?
Alcaraz has fond recollections of watching this event rising up. When he completed his faculty day in El Palmar, Spain, he ran house to observe the French Open on TV. “I needed to place my identify on that checklist of the Spanish names who’ve received this event,” he mentioned. He was impressed by Nadal, however he needs to sit down alongside Manuel Santana, Andres Gimeno, Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who’ve all received the event.
Alcaraz is already breaking the information of his illustrious friends — reaching a Grand Slam ultimate on all three surfaces at a youthful age than Roger Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. “It is one thing nice, breaking new information for me is nice and a hit for me,” Alcaraz mentioned. “However I do not wish to take into consideration that.”
Zverev is enjoying one of the best tennis of his profession and is assured clay is rapidly changing into his dominant floor.
“If not now, then when?” he mentioned on court docket after the Ruud win. “For those who’re within the ultimate of Roland Garros, you should be there, and that goes for [Alcaraz] as nicely. To win a Grand Slam it’s a must to undergo battles. If I’m able to win that trophy, it’s going to imply the world to me.”
Put together for a five-set marathon, with Alcaraz profitable it in a tiebreak.