Sinner and Alcaraz thriller proves rivalry here to stay

A first major final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two best players in the world, always promised to deliver.

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But even the most optimistic could not have anticipated it would reach the heights it did during a breathtaking five hours and 29 minutes.

The two generational talents played out an instant classic at Roland Garros, in which Spain's Alcaraz recovered from two sets down - and saved three championship points - to retain his French Open title after a fifth set match tie-break.

Alcaraz is only the third man to win a major final after saving a championship point since the Open era began in 1968.

It was a fifth major triumph for Alcaraz, 22, who has now shared the sport's past six major titles with Italy's world number one Sinner, 23.

Sunday's blockbuster, which broke the record for the longest French Open final in history, was the first Grand Slam men’s final to feature two players born in the 2000s.

If any doubt remained, this was confirmation of the dawn of a new era in men's tennis.