Jannik Sinner’s Key Attribute That Could Take Down Carlos Alcaraz in Thrilling Roland-Garros Showdown

A thrilling encounter is poised to unfold at the Roland Garros as Jannik Sinner aims to secure his second grand slam title of the year against the formidable Carlos Alcaraz.

This historic final marks the first time two players born in the 2000s will compete at this level, heralding the dawn of what could be the next great tennis rivalry.

Out of their 13 professional encounters, Alcaraz has emerged victorious in seven, and he enters the court boasting a win in three of their last four meetings.

On his path to the final, Alcaraz has lost only four sets, while his high-ranked opponent, Sinner, has yet to drop a set throughout the tournament.

“This is a highly anticipated clash,” stated Wally Masur on Stan Sports’ Grand Slam Daily.

“Right now, Jannik is likely hitting the ball better.”

“During that match against Djokovic, I thought ‘Novak, it’s your own fault’ because great champions elevate the sport.”

“Novak’s defensive skills from the backhand corner with that open stance are extraordinary. Well, Sinner has taken that and built upon it. He’s outstanding.”

“(Sinner) is becoming increasingly well-rounded. I believe his finest tennis is still in his future, yet he’s currently in superb form and playing quite cleanly.”

“But I sense that everything crystallises for Alcaraz when he faces Sinner. That’s the standard he aims to measure himself against.”

“(Alcaraz) moves brilliantly, has a strong desire to defend, can effectively capitalise on dead ball situations, and possesses an array of skills. His creativity is remarkable, though at times it can be a disadvantage.”

“When he plays at his peak, he’s the finest player in the world on clay. To beat Sinner, he will need to get gritty.”

Between the two players, they have claimed seven major titles in recent years, and for Alcaraz, the final presents an opportunity to etch his name further into the annals of history.

If he can triumph over Sinner, the reigning Roland Garros champion could become the first since Rafael Nadal to successfully defend the French Open title.

However, Alcaraz acknowledges that the pressure of defending his title is something he’s “trying not to dwell on.”

“At times, you feel the need to defend a title… but if you dwell on it, you’re just adding pressure on yourself,” Alcaraz explained to Stan Sport.

“Whether I defend the title or not, that’s alright. What matters is that I’m proud of my level of play. Winning isn’t everything.”

“The way we present ourselves on the court can resemble (fire and ice),” he elaborated.

“He’s the ice, I’d say. He keeps a constant expression, and it’s hard to tell if he’s winning or losing. He seems unfazed at times, which can be intimidating.”

“I can be fire; I sometimes display my frustrations during matches, which can be interesting.”

Catch all the action from Roland Garros 2025 live & on-demand on Stan Sport, with two courts available in 4K UHD. Certain matches will be broadcast free-to-air on 9GemHD and streamed on 9Now

Sinner’s last encounter with Alcaraz in a final occurred at the Italian Open in May, marking his return to professional play after a three-month hiatus.

That match ended with a win for the Spaniard, who triumphed with a score of 7-5, 6-1.

Until now, their riveting rivalry hasn’t graced the “big stage.”

“There’s no bigger stage than this,” Sinner remarked following his semi-final victory over Novak Djokovic.

“Facing Carlos in a grand slam final is a significant occasion for both of us. He triumphed here last year, so we’ll see what unfolds.”

“I think if we examine all the rivalries, they have always had a tactical aspect. You don’t just step on court and hit the ball.”

“I believe a great match is not only enjoyable to watch, but also to play.”

When it comes to predicting the outcome, Masur finds himself uncertain.

“At the beginning of the tournament, I declared Carlos Alcaraz to be my favourite, but my confidence is wavering,” he admitted.

“Sinner has been exceptional, and the match he played against Djokovic was impressive.”

“The ability of either player to turn a number of defensive points in their favour when pressured might ultimately determine the outcome of this match. Both are quite adept at that.”