French Open 2025: Men's Final, Alcaraz vs Sinner Preview and Prediction
In a clash of the "New Two" Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner battle for an edge in the new era.
The generational transition felt complete as Novak Djokovic gathered his tennis bag and other on-court belongings after his semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, the lingering reminder of the once-dominant Big Three, touched the clay at Roland-Garros and left the court to applause and gratitude, leaving Sinner to bask in victory’s glow.
Sinner, No. 1, will face No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open men’s final on Sunday at Roland-Garros. It’s the first time these two have met in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. Alcaraz is the defending champion. Sinner is the winner of the last two Grand Slam tournaments.
The “New Two,” Sinner and Alcaraz, will add another chapter to this evolving rivalry.
With $2.9 million in prize money awaiting the winner, the following is the preview and the prediction for Alcaraz vs. Sinner.
Head-to-Head
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 7-4 and has won their last four matches, including the Italian Open last month. Alcaraz is 2-1 against Sinner on clay, with Sinner’s only win coming at a 250-level tournament in Croatia in 2022.
Alcaraz’s Road to the Final
Alcaraz faced a tough draw in the second week. He dropped a set against big-serving Ben Shelton in the fourth round but held off the American, 7-6 (8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Alcaraz rolled past Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.
Sinner will be the third Italian Alcaraz has faced in the tournament. In the semifinal, Alcaraz faced Lorenzo Musetti, who took the first set 6-4. However, Alcaraz raised his level in the second-set tiebreaker. After Alcaraz won the third set 6-0 and went up 2-0 in the fourth set, Musetti retired due to an upper left leg injury.
"It's never great to get through or win the match like this," Alcaraz said after the match. "
Players Alcaraz defeated on the way to the final:
Semifinals: No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti (Italy)
Quarterfinals: No. 12 Tommy Paul (USA)
Fourth Round: No. 13 Ben Shelton (USA)
Third Round: Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Second Round: Fabian Marozsan (Hungary)
First Round: Giulio Zeppieri (Italy)
Sinner’s Road to the Final
Sinner hasn’t dropped a set in this tournament. Perhaps rested from his three-month suspension, Sinner looked unfazed through his matches. Even against all-time great Djokovic, Sinner always appeared to have the match on his racket.
After the match, Djokovic said of Sinner, “He’s very physical. He’s very fit, and he’s striking the ball incredibly well.”
Players Sinner defeated on the way to the final:
Semifinals: No. 6 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Quarterfinals: Alexander Bublick (Kazakhstan)
Fourth Round: No. 17 Andrey Rublev (Russia)
Third Round: Jiri Lehecka (Czech Republic)
Second Round: Richard Gasquet (France)
First Round: Arthur Rinderknech (France)
Possible Game Changers
Alcaraz has developed a habit of disappearing in matches, almost gifting opponents a set like he did against David Goffin at the Miami Open. Alcaraz can't afford that lapse against Sinner, the game's best frontrunner.
Sinner looked healthy except for early in the match against Djokovic. He appeared to have injured his ankle and walked limply before shaking it off. Even a minor ankle injury can be a major problem in a long clay-court match.
Prediction
Sinner looks fresh and focused. But Alcaraz is at home on the clay. Before his match against Musetti, Alcaraz took a photo of the plaque of Nadal's footprint on Philippe Chatrier. Alcaraz honored the past while embracing the now. Of the New Two, Alcaraz is the current King of Clay.
Alcaraz in four sets: 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Who do you think will win?