Djokovic appears to bid farewell to Roland Garros after defeat by Sinner
The rueful kiss that Novak Djokovic planted on Court Philippe-Chatrier said it all. The new guard is here, and his days of winning majors may be at an end. Hence the special salute that Djokovic gave to the French fans on his way off the court.
Djokovic had played some eye-catching stuff in the semi-final, but his best shots bounced off Jannik Sinner – the world No 1 who seemed to be firing a Kalashnikov while Djokovic had come armed with a flintlock pistol.
“This could have been the last match ever I played here,” said Djokovic after his 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 defeat. “That’s why I was a bit more emotional even in the end.
“Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months’ time here again? I don’t know.”
Djokovic added he had been happy with his own performance, and felt like the margins were tight. He even had three set points at 5-4 in the third. But Sinner saved the first two with irresistible play. And then, on his next opportunity, Djokovic pulled the trigger on a forehand up the line early in the rally. He pushed it wide.
The very fact that he went for that low-percentage shot was a sign of how rattled he was by Sinner’s sheer quality. “These kind of guys, Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz, are constantly on you,” Djokovic explained after the match. “When the opportunities are presented, they’re very rare, so [it] makes you a little more anxious, I guess, and you want to go for the shot. That’s what happened. I missed.”
As a result, Sinner will join Alcaraz in the final everyone has expected since these two leading names played for the trophy in Rome three weeks ago. Here is a tantalising contest to look forward to, and an event that will only reinforce their growing dominance over the rest of the field.
This will be the 12th edition of “Sincaraz” on the tour, but their first major final – and also the first major final to be contested by two men born in the 21st Century. They have already established themselves as a new “Big Two” by parcelling out the past five grand-slam titles between them, with Sinner taking the hard-court events while Alcaraz triumphed on clay and grass.
Earlier, Alcaraz had subdued a tiring Lorenzo Musetti in the first semi-final of the day. He actually lost the first set, partly through a misfiring first serve, and partly because Musetti was keeping him guessing with the same sort of creativity and hand skills that are usually Alcaraz’s province.
But the intensity and relentless pace of this match began to tell on Musetti, who began to lose traction early in the third set, winning only five of 29 points as he suffered a 6-0 bagel.
The trainer came out at 5-0 and gave him a massage on his thighs, but it did not seem to help as he remained well off the pace, allowing Alcaraz to establish a nine-game winning streak. Eventually Musetti walked to the net and shook hands while trailing by a 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 2-0 margin.
“In the grand slam, I’m thinking that I’m gonna come back if I lose one or two sets,” said Alcaraz after what turned out to be a relatively smooth passage into the trophy match. “But it [the serve] is something that I have to improve on Sunday.”
While Alcaraz eventually escaped with a match duration of just two hours and 25 minutes, Sinner-Djokovic was one of those cussed three-setters where every game is a battle and every set lasts an age, so that you end up playing for three hours and 16 minutes.
After the match, Djokovic paid tribute to the 15,000 fans on Chatrier, speaking of “a great sense of gratitude for the kind of support that I received tonight”.
“Was incredible,” said Djokovic. “I don’t think I have ever received this much support in this stadium in my career in big matches against the best players in the world. So very, very honoured to experience that, obviously.
“Not the happiest because of the loss, but, you know, I tried to show my gratitude to the crowd, because they were terrific in the moments when, you know, it seemed like it was going all of his way, and then they would lift me up and encourage me and give me strength to keep going and fight to the last ball, which I did.”
09:48 PM BST
Sinner’s on-court interview
09:29 PM BST
Sinner wins 6-4, 7-5, 7-6
Djokovic, serving first, goes long with a backhand to hand Sinner the mini break. 1-0 Sinner.
Sinner wins the next point after a few blistering forehands. 2-0 Sinner.
Another extended rally sees the Italian come out on top as Djokovic nets an overhead. 3-0 Sinner.
Djokovic registers his first point as Sinner goes long with a backhand. 3-1 Sinner.
The Serbian wins the next point as Sinner makes an error with a forehand. 3-2 Sinner.
Sinner sees a Djokovic forehand fly wide. 4-2 Sinner.
Djokovic hits a forehand return long to fall further behind. 5-2 Sinner.
The Serbian then sprays a forehand wide to give the Italian four match points. 6-2 Sinner.
First one is saved as Sinner hits a forehand error. 6-3 Sinner.
Sinner, serving for it, gets it done as Djokovic nets a return!
The Italian wins 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
09:20 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 6-6 Djokovic
Sinner starts with an ace before spraying a backhand wide. The Italian then moves to 30-15 as Djokovic goes long with a forehand return. The Serbian draws level at 30-30 as Sinner goes wide with a forehand.
The Italian then comes up with a forehand winner in the next point and secures the game after drawing an error from the Serbian.
Tie-break will decide this third set.
09:13 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 5-6 Djokovic*
Djokovic plays a perfectly executed backhand drop shot to start things off before making a mess of an overhead to go 15-15.
Sinner then moves to 15-30 with a clean forehand winner down the line. Djokovic levels up as the Italian nets from the baseline and then gets to 40-30 after a nice forehand down the line... and the Serbian holds with an ace.
09:09 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 5-5 Djokovic
Sinner, serving to stay in the third set, goes long with a backhand in the opening point and then shanks a forehand to fall 0-30 behind.
The Italian then steadies things with a forehand winner cross-court that followed an excellent wide serve. 15-30.
Djokovic then gets to set point after some incredible scrambling! Sinner saves the first set point with a forehand drive-volley. A big first serve snuffs out the second set point. Set point Djokovic again as Sinner goes wide with a backhand. Djokovic sprays a forehand wide to go back to deuce.
A Djokovic backhand is called out as the Serbian disputes the call. Hawkeye had the ball 3mm out. Advantage Sinner. Djokovic puts away an overhead to get back to deuce. A superb serve-plus-one gets Sinner back to advantage and the Italian eventually holds as he forces an error from the Serbian on the backhand wing.
Clutch tennis from the world No 1!
08:56 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 4-5 Djokovic*
Djokovic wins the opening point after deploying a backhand drop shot. The Serbian then gets to 30-0 as Sinner nets a return.
A backhand error from the Serbian sees Sinner get on the board at 30-15 before Djokovic moves to 40-15 after following in a nice angled forehand.
Sinner shows his incredible recovery skills to win the next point with a backhand winner before Djokovic holds to 30.
08:52 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 4-4 Djokovic
Sinner puts away a short forehand to start things off before seeing Djokovic hit a forehand long.
The Italian gets to 40-0 before Djokovic hits a clean backhand winner off a second serve but more ruthless hitting from Sinner allows him to close out the game to 15.
08:47 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 3-4 Djokovic*
Djokovic wins the opening point after some unconventional moonballing from both. A beautiful forehand volley sees the Serbian move to 30-0. Sinner then goes long with a forehand return before Djokovic eventually holds to love.
08:44 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 3-3 Djokovic
Sinner races to a 30-0 lead before getting to 40-0 after a Djokovic attempted forehand long sails long.
The Italian puts away a forehand down the line to hold to love.
08:40 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 2-3 Djokovic*
Sinner wins the opening point as Djokovic nets a backhand. The Italian returns the favour as the score moves to 15-15 and then 30-15 after a good first serve from Djokovic.
The Italian then gets to 30-30 as Djokovic goes long with a forehand. Sinner gets to break point but it is quickly snuffed out by Djokovic who throws down a good first serve out wide.
Sinner gets an eighth break point opportunity that is saved by Djokovic who forces the Italian to spray a forehand out... and the Serbian holds.
08:33 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 2-2 Djokovic
Sinner starts with an ace before seeing a forehand sail long to go 15-15. Djokovic then nets a routine forehand to fall 30-15 behind. Djokovic then digs a out a backhand pass to move to 30-30.
Another ace, this time out wide, brings up game point for the Italian. Djokovic gets to deuce with a forehand volley and then advantage with another following a nice drop shot.
Quality T-serve saves break point for the Italian who then throws down a wide first serve to get to advantage... and the Italian holds!
08:24 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 1-2 Djokovic*
Return error sees Djokovic get on the board first before moving to 30-0 after a strong first serve.
Another good first delivery sees Sinner hit a return winner out on the stretch. The Italian then pounces on a Djokovic second serve for a clean winner to go 40-15 but Djokovic is able to hold.
08:22 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 7-5, 1-1 Djokovic
Sinner starts with a backhand winner to go 15-0 ahead and then puts away a forehand down the line to move to 30-0. The Italian then goes wide with a backhand before throwing down an ace to move to 40-15.
The Italian then sees a Djokovic forehand sail long. 1-1!
08:18 PM BST
Third set: Sinner 6-4, 7-5, 0-1 Djokovic*
Djokovic wins the opening point before Sinner gets to 15-15 after an extended rally.
The Serbian then wins the next two points and eventually holds to 30 as a Sinner backhand goes long.
08:12 PM BST
Medical timeout for Djokovic
A medical timeout has been called for Novak Djokovic.
The physio is applying some treatment to the Serbian’s left leg.
08:09 PM BST
Sinner wins the second set 7-5
Sinner wins the opening point as Djokovic goes long with a forehand from the baseline.
Some good defensive tennis sees Djokovic get to 15-15 before Sinner retakes the lead after pouncing on a forehand.
A clever forehand return sees Sinner, on the stretch, hit the next ball into the net but the Italian replies in the next point with an ace. Set point.
Djokovic saves it as Sinner goes long with a backhand. Ace out wide then brings up a second set point for the Italian who this time sees out the game and the second set.
08:02 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 6-5 Djokovic*
Djokovic nets a forehand after a 13-shot rally as Sinner looks to up the intensity. The Serbian, on the backfoot, then lets rip with a forehand winner down the line to level things up at 15-15 and then moves to 30-15 with another huge forehand.
Sinner then goes long with a forehand return to move the scoreboard to 40-15 before getting to 40-30 with a big forehand winner of his own.
An ugly attempted backhand drop shot spills into Sinner’s tramline and the Italian gets to advantage after another erratic play from the Serbian, this time on the forehand wing. Back to deuce, as Sinner nets a forehand from a dominant position. A good return from Sinner gives the Italian his second break point... and he takes it in style with a forehand drive-volley!
07:55 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 5-5 Djokovic
Djokovic goes wide with a forehand return before winning the next point after causing the Italian to stretch for a forehand.
The Serbian then wins the next two points to get his first break points of the contest.
Sinner saves the first with a forehand winner after some relentless chasing but the Italian is unable to save the second as he nets a forehand. Djokovic is back in this!
07:49 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic*
Djokovic nets a forehand to fall 0-15 behind. A good overhead then sees the Serbian level things up at 15-15 before moving to 30-15 as Sinner hits a backhand out on the stretch.
A well worked point then sees Djokovic move to 40-15 after a nice forehand putaway. The Serbian goes wide with a forehand wide in the next point but eventually holds.
Over to Sinner to serve out this second set, as Djokovic asks for the physio at the next changeover.
07:45 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic
Sinner, with some clean hitting from the baseline, wins the opening point before going 30-0 up with a forehand touch-volley.
The Italian then goes long with a forehand as Djokovic gets on the board at 30-15. The Serbian is unable to keep a forehand down the line in as Sinner gets to 40-15 and the Italian holds with a forehand winner.
07:39 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic*
Djokovic cracks a forehand down the line to go 15-0 ahead. Sinner then gets to 15-15 after some impressive defensive work.
The Italian takes advantage of a short ball on his backhand wing for a clean winner before Djokovic levels up at 30-30. A drop shot winner from Sinner brings the Italian break point and he gets it after some scrambling forces an error from Djokovic.
07:33 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 3-3 Djokovic
Sinner goes long with a forehand in the first point and then sprays another wide as Djokovic gets to 0-30.
Djokovic then misses a fairly routine forehand as Sinner gets to 15-30 and then 30-30 as Djokovic goes long with a forehand return.
A good second serve out wide brings up game point for the Italian who holds to 30.
Good recovery from 0-30 down.
07:29 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 2-3 Djokovic*
Sinner nets a forehand off a rally ball but then sees Djokovic do the same on the backhand wing after forcing the Serbian to come in.
Djokovic then sees an attempted forehand down the line fly wide before finding good length on his groundstrokes in the next point to draw an error from Sinner.
The Serbian then nets a forehand to give the Italian break point. Djokovic saves it with a huge forehand up the line and celebrates in animated fashion afterwards. The Serbian gets to advantage but is unable to close out the game as Sinner jabs a backhand winner down the line. Djokovic does eventually hold to stay in front in set two.
07:20 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 2-2 Djokovic
Djokovic wins the opening point before going long with a return that sees Sinner get to 15-15.
The Serbian then pushes a backhand wide as Sinner moves to 30-15 before Djokovic shows incredible accuracy with a forehand winner down the line.
A good serve out wide brings up a game point for Sinner who holds to 30 as Djokovic nets a forehand return.
07:15 PM BST
Sinner 6-4, 1-2 Djokovic*
Djokovic races to a 30-0 lead after a couple of quick points before getting to 40-0 with a forehand cross-court winner... and the Serbian holds to love!
07:12 PM BST
Sinner* 6-4, 1-1 Djokovic
Djokovic sneaks 0-15 ahead before Sinner draws level after some dominant baseline play.
The World No 1 then throws in his first double fault to fall 15-30 behind before levelling up at 30-30 as Djokovic sees another backhand drop shot spill into the net.
Another dominant display from the baseline sees Sinner finish the point with a forehand winner to go 40-30 before Djokovic gets to deuce off the back of a forehand return winner.
The Serbian then sees a backhand sail into Sinner’s tramline to give the Italian game point.
An incredible 26-shot rally sees Djokovic finish the point with a backhand volley to get back to deuce. Sinner wins the next point after another drawn out exchange leaves Djokovic on his haunches and the Italian holds as the match hits the one-hour mark.
07:03 PM BST
Second set: Sinner 6-4, 0-1 Djokovic*
Djokovic takes the lead as a Sinner forehand sails long.
A couple of winners from the Serbian see him get to 40-0 and eventually hold.
06:58 PM BST
Sinner wins the first set 6-4
Sinner throws down an ace to get things started before showing good reactions to eventually put away a short forehand to go 30-0.
Djokovic then nets a backhand and Sinner holds to love!
Brilliant first set from the world No 1.
06:55 PM BST
Sinner 5-4 Djokovic*
Djokovic forehand down the line just misses as the Serbian falls 0-15 behind. A huge forehand cross-court winner gets the Serbian to 15-15 before another up the line moves the scoreboard to 30-15.
An ace then brings up two game points for the Serbian who closes out to ask the question of Sinner in the next game.
06:51 PM BST
Sinner* 5-3 Djokovic
Sinner, serving with new balls, falls 0-15 behind after going long with a forehand. The Italian then falls 0-30 behind as Djokovic hangs in another extended rally. A forehand error from Djokovic sees Sinner get on the board at 15-30.
Both men then show their incredible shot tolerance during a 17-shot rally that sees Sinner win the point with a backhand winner. The world No 1 then wins the next two points to hold and edge closer to wrapping up this first set.
06:45 PM BST
Sinner 4-3 Djokovic*
Djokovic starts with a double fault before missing a backhand volley after following in a second serve to fall 0-30 behind.
The Serbian eventually gets on the board as a Sinner forehand sails long. The Italian then sees another groundstroke from the same wing fall behind Djokovic’s baseline to bring the score to 30-30. Djokovic then fails with an attempted backhand drop shot to give Sinner another break-point look which is saved as the Italian nets a return.
A great defensive play from the Italian sees Djokovic net an overhead. The sixth seed eventually holds to stay in touch in this first.
06:37 PM BST
Sinner* 4-2 Djokovic
Sinner, looking to consolidate the break, starts strongly and races to a 30-0 lead after a couple of huge winners from the back of the back of the court.
A drawn out rally sees Djokovic force a forehand long to bring up three game points for the Italian who holds to love.
06:33 PM BST
First set: Jannik Sinner 3-2 Novak Djokovic* (*denotes server)
Djokovic draws level at 15-15 with an ace before Sinner gets to 15-30 with a thunderous forehand that had the Serbian stretching on his baseline.
Djokovic then has Sinner running around in circles as he draws level at 30-30 before Sinner gets to 30-40 following a backhand error from the Serbian... and Sinner strikes first with a backhand return winner!
06:29 PM BST
Battle begins
06:25 PM BST
Alcaraz awaits in the final
Good evening and welcome to coverage of the second men’s semi-final at Roland Garros between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
Sinner, the world No 1, is on a 19-match winning streak at the majors dating back to his victory at the US Open last summer. The 23-year-old Italian, who also won the Australian Open at the start of the year before serving a three-month suspension, has looked flawless in Paris.
Last year, the then world No 2 lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. The Spaniard of course went on to win the title and he awaits the winner of this contest after coming through his semi-final earlier against Lorenzo Musetti – the Italian was forced to retire in the fourth set with the score at 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 2-0.
Getting back to Sinner, the Italian’s path to the last four has been seamless. He has not dropped a set in any of his five matches and ended his last outing in statement fashion – bagelling Jack Draper’s conqueror Alexander Bublik in the third of the quarter-final.
The three-time grand slam champion also handed out chastening beatings to Richard Gasquet in the Frenchman’s final match before retiring in the second round (6-3, 6-0, 6-4), talented Czech Jiri Lehecka in round three (6-0, 6-1, 6-2) and 17th seed Andrey Rublev in round four (6-1, 6-3, 6-4).
As for Djkovic, a three-time winner here, the 38-year-old has looked just as impressive as his Italian opponent. Before his quarter-final victory against Alexander Zverev, Djokovic had won all of his four matches in straights. The Serbian deployed the drop-shot play more than 30 times against Zverev in what turned out to be a tactical masterclass from the 24-time grand slam champion.
After his victory on Wednesday, Djokovic, who was quite rightly pleased with his masterful performance, said: “Tonight is one of the reasons why I still keep playing.” Scary.
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