ESCAPE FOR ALCARAZ

Carlos stages comeback from two sets down in one of the greatest-ever finals at Roland Garros

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

A FRENCH Open which started with a ceremony to celebrate 14-time champion Rafa Nadal finished with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz retaining the trophy on his own march into tennis history.

And after winning his fifth Major title in a five-set, five-hour classic, the Wimbledon champion is destined to be also recognised as one of the greatest players of all time.

The world No.2 became the first player to win the French Open title after saving three match-points in the final. And he won for the first time from two sets down to beat world No.1 Jannik Sinner 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6 in five hours and 29 minutes.

He is also the youngest player to retain the title since Nadal as he won his fifth Grand Slam crown at exactly the same age as his idol - 22 years, one month and three days old.