COMEBACK KING

Sinner stunned by escape of Alcaraz

- By Neil McLeman

A FRENCH Open that began with a ceremony to celebrate Rafa Nadal ended with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz retaining the title on his own march into tennis history.

And after winning his fifth Grand Slam in a five-set classic, the Wimbledon champion from Spain is surely destined to go down as one of the greatest of all time.

The world No.2 became the first player to capture the crown after saving three match points in a final.

And Alcaraz won for the first time from two sets down as he beat the world No.1 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6 in 5hrs 29mins. He is also the youngest player to retain the trophy since 14-time winner Nadal, below, having landed a fifth Major at exactly the same age as his idol, aged 22 years, one month and three days.