Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz's frustration boiled over during the Roland Garros final against Alexander Zverev, as he voiced his displeasure with the court conditions. Alcaraz, who was serving for the third set at 5-2, saw his lead evaporate as Zverev fought back to take the set 7-5.The Spaniard's frustration stemmed from the playing surface, which he felt was too hard and not conducive to clay-court tennis. During the final changeover, Alcaraz confronted chair umpire Renaud Lichtenstein, expressing his dissatisfaction."Do you think it's normal? We are playing a final of a Grand Slam on clay court, but it seems like it's hard court," Alcaraz exclaimed. "It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable. Unbelievable."Zverev capitalized on Alcaraz's frustration, serving out the set to take the lead for the first time. However, Alcaraz responded with a dominant performance in the fourth set, winning the first four games and eventually forcing a decider by taking the set 6-1.Despite his complaints about the court, Alcaraz praised Zverev's performance and acknowledged that the German deserved to win. "He played an incredible match," Alcaraz said. "He was the better player today."The incident highlights the importance of court conditions in tennis, particularly on clay. The surface can significantly impact the style of play and the outcome of matches. Alcaraz's frustration serves as a reminder that even the best players can be affected by suboptimal playing conditions.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion, will face Alexander Zverev in the French Open 2024 men's singles final on Sunday, June 9. The match will be played at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris and will start at 6:30 PM IST.Alcaraz, who is just 20 years old, is aiming to become the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. He has already defeated world no. one Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon last year.Zverev, on the other hand, is chasing his maiden Grand Slam title. The 27-year-old German will be playing his first major final since an agonizing defeat by Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open.Zverev holds a 5-4 winning record over Alcaraz heading into Sunday's final. However, Alcaraz won their last Grand Slam meeting last year during the US Open (quarterfinal).The French Open 2024 Men's Singles Final will be telecasted on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on SonyLiv's app and website.

Ben Stiller, the renowned actor and tennis enthusiast, has become a regular fixture at Grand Slam events, particularly those featuring the rising stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. After witnessing their epic 2022 US Open encounter, Stiller was eager to catch their next Grand Slam clash in person.On Friday, Stiller joined the thousands of spectators at Roland Garros who were captivated by the thrilling five-set semifinal between Alcaraz and Sinner. The match, which lasted over four hours, showcased the exceptional talent and determination of both players.Stiller's passion for tennis extends beyond his role as a spectator. He is an avid player himself, having taken up the sport later in life. His love for the game has led him to develop a close friendship with Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player.Stiller's appreciation for tennis stems from its parallels to acting. He believes that both pursuits require individuals to be responsive and adaptable to the actions of others. In tennis, players must adjust their game plan based on their opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, in acting, actors must react to the cues and emotions of their fellow performers.In recent years, Stiller has been particularly impressed by the rise of Alcaraz. He witnessed the Spaniard's epic victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final and was present at Roland Garros to watch Alcaraz defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.With Alcaraz poised to compete for his third Grand Slam title on Sunday, it remains to be seen whether Stiller will make it a hat trick of appearances at the young star's matches. Regardless, his presence at Roland Garros is a testament to his admiration for the sport and its rising stars.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, has etched his name in tennis history by becoming the youngest player in the Open Era to reach Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces: hard, grass, and clay. His remarkable achievement was secured with a hard-fought 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of Roland Garros on Friday.Alcaraz's triumph marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. He has already captured Grand Slam titles on hard and grass, winning the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023, respectively. By reaching the final of Roland Garros, he has completed the career set, becoming the first player to achieve this feat at such a young age.The previous record holder was Andre Agassi, who was 22 years old when he reached the Wimbledon final in 1992, having previously reached the Roland Garros and US Open finals. Alcaraz's accomplishment underscores his exceptional talent and versatility, as he has proven his ability to excel on all surfaces.Alcaraz's victory over Sinner was a testament to his resilience and determination. After dropping the first set, he fought back to win the next two, only to lose the fourth. However, he refused to be denied, digging deep to secure the fifth set and book his place in the final.The Spaniard's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. He has consistently pushed himself to the limit, seeking to improve his game and overcome any challenges that come his way.As Alcaraz prepares for the Roland Garros final, he will face the daunting task of defeating Rafael Nadal, the 14-time champion who is seeking to extend his dominance on the Parisian clay. However, Alcaraz has proven that he is capable of anything, and he will undoubtedly give Nadal a run for his money.

Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, has once again proven his mettle by overcoming a formidable challenge at the Roland Garros semifinals. A year after his heartbreaking loss to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz returned to Court Philippe Chatrier with a vengeance, battling through a grueling five-set marathon against Jannik Sinner.The match was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two young players. Sinner, the Italian sensation, started strong, taking the first set with ease. However, Alcaraz fought back, showcasing his resilience and determination. He clawed his way back into the match, winning the second set and taking a 2-1 lead.The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions. Alcaraz struck first, but Sinner responded with a break of his own. A right-hand cramp appeared to hinder Sinner, but he fought through the pain, erasing four break points before receiving medical attention. Sinner eventually took the third set, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.In the fourth set, Alcaraz's forehand came alive. He hit blistering shots and tracked down drop shots with ease. The crowd erupted in chants of "Carlos!" as he forced a fifth set.The final set was a battle of wills. Alcaraz broke Sinner early on and held his nerve throughout. Sinner made one last stand, pushing Alcaraz to deuce, but the Spaniard held firm, sealing the victory with a backhand crosscourt winner.Alcaraz's triumph marks a significant milestone in his career. He is now the youngest man in the Open Era to reach major finals on three different surfaces. His victory also extends his unbeaten record in five-setters to an impressive 10-1.The match was a showcase of the future of tennis. Alcaraz and Sinner are two of the most promising players in the world, and their rivalry is sure to produce many more memorable moments in the years to come.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged as the semifinalists at the 2023 Roland Garros, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on Friday. Alcaraz, the No. 3 seed, continued his impressive run by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4.Alcaraz dominated the opening set, breaking Tsitsipas in the first game and wrapping it up with another break in the eighth. The second set was more competitive, with Tsitsipas breaking back after trailing 2-0. However, Alcaraz regained control in the tie-break, winning four consecutive points to take the set.In the third set, Alcaraz broke Tsitsipas early and held on to his serve to secure the victory. The match was marred by some controversy, as Tsitsipas complained to the umpire about Alcaraz's grunting.Earlier in the day, Sinner defeated Grigor Dimitrov in three sets, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Sinner controlled the match from the start, breaking Dimitrov twice in the first set and once in the second. Dimitrov fought back in the third set, but Sinner proved too strong in the tie-break.Alcaraz and Sinner have now both reached 50 career Grand Slam wins, becoming the first men born in the 2000s to achieve this milestone. Alcaraz has advanced to the semifinals or better at five of the past six majors he has entered, while Sinner has reached the quarterfinals or better at four of the past five.The semifinal clash between Alcaraz and Sinner promises to be a captivating encounter. Alcaraz has won four of their previous eight meetings, but Sinner has prevailed in their only clay-court clash. With both players in excellent form, the match is likely to be decided by fine margins.

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerged victorious in their respective matches at the French Open on Sunday, setting up intriguing quarterfinal clashes.Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish sensation, produced a dominant performance to defeat Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Despite a recent injury setback, Alcaraz showcased his exceptional talent, hitting 34 winners and displaying impressive consistency. He will now face Stefanos Tsitsipas, who overcame a spirited challenge from Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling four-set encounter.Meanwhile, Swiatek, the world number one, continued her relentless pursuit of a third consecutive Roland Garros title with a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Anastasia Potapova. The Polish star conceded a mere 10 points in the shortest completed match of her career, showcasing her unwavering focus and determination.In other men's action, Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. The Italian will face Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.Coco Gauff, the 2022 French Open runner-up, cruised past Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1, 6-2. The American will now take on Ons Jabeur, who defeated Clara Tauson in straight sets.As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, with Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Swiatek, and other top contenders vying for a place in the semifinals. The French Open continues to captivate tennis fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world's No. 3 seed, has continued his impressive return to form at Roland Garros, defeating Sebastian Korda in straight sets to advance to the second week of the tournament.Alcaraz, who has been hampered by a persistent right forearm injury this season, has shown no signs of discomfort in Paris, playing his best tennis when it matters most. Against Korda, the Spaniard hit through any lingering doubts, showcasing his trademark power and precision.The match started slowly, with both players struggling to find their rhythm. However, Alcaraz gradually gained the upper hand, breaking Korda's serve in the sixth game to take the first set 6-4.Korda fought back in the second set, leveling the score at 3-3. But Alcaraz's forehand, which has been the most affected by his injury, came to the fore in the tiebreaker, helping him secure a 7-6 (5) victory.The third set was a more straightforward affair, with Alcaraz breaking Korda's serve early on and holding his own serve comfortably. He eventually sealed the match with a volley into the open court, winning 6-3.Alcaraz's victory sets up a potential quarterfinal clash with Italian rival Jannik Sinner, who is also in the same half of the draw. However, Alcaraz must first face the winner of the rain-delayed match between American Ben Shelton and Canada's Félix Auger-Aliassime.Alcaraz has a 1-0 record against Shelton but trails Auger-Aliassime 2-3 in their head-to-head. However, the Spaniard has won their last two matches, including a victory on clay at the Madrid Open earlier this year.

Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who turned 23 on Friday, narrowly escaped a second-round upset against Naomi Osaka, saving a match point to advance to the third round. The Polish star, who boasts a 30-2 record at Roland Garros, will face 42nd-ranked Marie Bouzkova in her next match.Swiatek's victory over Osaka was a testament to her resilience and determination. After dropping the first set, she rallied to win the final five games and secure a hard-fought victory. The win also marked her 30th consecutive victory on clay, extending her impressive streak.On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are both aiming for a place in the last 16. Alcaraz, who has been battling an arm injury, overcame a scare in the second round against Jesper de Jong. He will now face American Sebastian Korda, who defeated him in their previous meeting on clay.Sinner, the Australian Open champion, has looked impressive in Paris despite concerns over his health. He will play Pavel Kotov, who upset Stan Wawrinka in the last round. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2021 Roland Garros runner-up, is also in action, while sixth seed Andrey Rublev faces Matteo Arnaldi.The French Open is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with several top players vying for the title. Swiatek remains the favorite in the women's draw, while Alcaraz and Sinner are the frontrunners in the men's competition.