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World No. 1 sets blockbuster title match with defending champ Alcaraz
June 06, 2025
Jannik Sinner is pursuing his first Roland Garros title.
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner is pursuing his first Roland Garros title.
By Andy West
Jannik Sinner and his scorching Roland Garros form proved too hot to handle even for Novak Djokovic on Friday night in Paris.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings notched a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) triumph in a heavyweight semi-final clash at the clay major. In a match featuring several exhilarating all-court points, Sinner’s power and precision from the baseline and on serve overwhelmed three-time champion Djokovic and helped the 23-year-old Italian set his first major final against his great rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“It was such a special occasion for me, playing against Novak in the semi-final of a Grand Slam,” said Sinner in his on-court interview. “It’s just amazing, and I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. I’m very happy how I handled the situation, but this shows again what a role model he is for all of us and especially for us young players.

“What he is doing is incredible and I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. I think we are all very lucky to see him playing such high-level tennis, it’s amazing.”

Despite the one-sided scoreline, Sinner and Djokovic’s first tour-level meeting on clay since 2021 did not lack thrills. The 38-year-old Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, produced plenty of trademark moments of quality. However, he let slip three set points on return at 5-4 in the third set and ultimately could not deny the relentlessly consistent Sinner a straight-sets victory.

Sunday’s mouthwatering final clash between reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Sinner and defending Roland Garros titlist Carlos Alcaraz will be the first Grand Slam men’s singles final between players born in the 2000s. Alcaraz earlier advanced when Lorenzo Musetti retired from the pair’s last-four clash with the Spaniard leading 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0.

Having at one stage trailed 1-4 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with Djokovic, Sinner now leads 5-4. The Italian will enter the final against Alcaraz with an 18-1 record for the 2025 season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, a tally which includes his run to his second major title at January’s Australian Open. But Alcaraz will step on court Sunday having won his past four tour-level meetings with Sinner, including the Rome final last month.

“[Novak] achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport and playing against him here is amazing,” said Sinner. “Of course I try not to think about this, but before going on court you feel the tension and feel what is coming against you. I always try to prepare myself in the best possible way and prepare myself for every situation on the court.

“I’m very happy how we did that today and of course Sunday is going to be very difficult. Of course, lately my head-to-head doesn’t look great against Carlos, so let’s see what I can do. I’m very happy to be here in the final.”

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In his first tour-level meeting with Djokovic on clay since 2021, Sinner dominated the early baseline exchanges to pile the pressure on Djokovic, and he also dropped just three points on serve in the first set. Sinner earned the first break of serve in the match in the fifth game with some typically razor-sharp returning and, although Djokovic later avoided dropping serve again by saving two break points for a gutsy hold at 2-4, the Serbian was unable to maintain any momentum in return games.

Djokovic frequently turned to his drop shot to try and disrupt Sinner’s rhythm on his groundstrokes, but the plan proved far less effective for the Serbian than it had in his quarter-final triumph over Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic continued to compete well into the second set and he prevailed in a thrilling 26-shot cat-and-mouse rally in the second game, after which he gave a beaming smile as the crowd roared. The Serbian had gone 45 consecutive return games without breaking against Sinner until the Italian later served for the second set at 5-4. But despite Djokovic finally managing to snap that streak, Sinner quickly reeled off the two games he needed for a two-set lead.

Djokovic began showing signs of a potential upper leg issue in the second set and received a medical timeout ahead of the third set. The Serbian subsequently came out strong, but after he let slip his three set points at 4-5, Sinner took his opportunity to claim a straight-sets win with a rock-solid tie-break showing. The Italian finished the match having struck 44 winners to Djokovic's 35.

“Of course I enjoy these moments,” said Sinner, when asked whether he would have time to cherish his win before turning his thoughts to the final. “I think they are very rare and special moments. Tomorrow, we have a day off, when we are going to try and prepare for the match but again, I am very happy. This is a very special place for me.”

Italian reflects on semi-final win
June 06, 2025
Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic on Friday night at Roland Garros.
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic on Friday night at Roland Garros.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner advanced to his first Roland Garros final on Friday when he ousted three-time tournament winner Novak Djokovic. The Italian controlled nearly the entirety of the match, and maintained his focus remarkably well to eliminate the 100-time tour level titlist.

Sinner knew the danger who stood across the net and made clear how much respect he has for Djokovic, who after their clash admitted, “This could have been the last match ever I played here”.

“I saw him practising yesterday, or [a] couple of days ago. He's very precise in everything he does. It's a true role model for all of us,” Sinner said. “But if that's the case, I'm happy to be part of this, because it's a part of history also.”

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The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings has had a close-up view of Djokovic since before he broke onto the ATP Tour. When Sinner was younger, he trained with Riccardo Piatti and spent time in Monaco with Djokovic. The three-time major champion learned a lot from the Serbian.

“Many things, because I was lucky enough to practise with him when I was very young. In Monaco we practised a lot,” Sinner said. “Every time when I asked questions, he answered me in a very honest way.”

The 23-year-old raved about Djokovic’s kindness and how helpful the Serbian is. He also addressed the question of how similar their games might be.

“I have learned many things from him. I feel like my game style, it's not the same, because we are different, but at times similar. So I have watched a lot with his videos,” Sinner said. “I was lucky that I could share the court with him some times ago in matches that you see things, how work, and if they work well or not.


“He's very important for me as a player and also as a person. I really appreciate his kind words, because it means that I'm most improving as a player, which as I said before, is the most important part.”

The pair’s semi-final clash finished in straight sets. But the encounter was far from straightforward.

Djokovic, who is now 21-8 this season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, consistently engaged the crowd and was ready to pounce on any opportunity the Italian afforded him. The 24-time major champion even earned three set points in the third set, but was unable to convert.

Sinner remained poised throughout those moments of pressure, which proved key Friday evening, and has been essential during his run to the final.

“There is a lot of stress. It's important to calm down. It's important to take your time. It's important to understand the moments of the match, which I think today I made very good. The mental part was in a good spot today,” Sinner said. “But yeah, it's always very stressful.”

It All Adds Up

The top seed, who has not lost a set, now leads Djokovic 5-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The focus will now turn to Sinner’s upcoming showdown with Carlos Alcaraz, but Djokovic was a significant hurdle to clear.

“It's a very difficult challenge. I think we saw that the match was a very tough match for both of us. I tried to stay there, mentally trying to play every point in the right way with the good intensity,” Sinner said. “I’m very, very happy. As I said on court, it's amazing to see him still playing this kind of level he produces, and the physical shape he's in, it's amazing. So that was a very, very tough match, but I'm very happy to be in the final here.”