Expert picks are back for the blockbuster French Open men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. A three-team panel makes its predictions for Sunday’s showdown at Roland Garros.
Ricky: Now that we have seen the last Big 3-vs.-Big 3 matchup, it does not get any bigger than this on the ATP Tour–especially not in a Grand Slam final. This is the first such meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz, but their 13th overall. Although Alcaraz leads the head-to-head series 8-4 (7-4 on the main tour), Sinner shouldn’t be too concerned. At least I’m not. The top-ranked Italian is the best player in the world right now and I think that will become clear on Sunday, even on clay. Yes, Alcaraz has had the upper hand in their matchups. Many of them, though, have been instant classics. It’s not like the Spaniard completely owns this rivalry. Most importantly, Sinner has been the best player all tournament long. It’s no surprise, either. While everyone else was put through the wringer on the grueling clay-court grind, Sinner was resting up while suspended for three months. This is exactly what I thought would happen. Sinner is fresh both mentally and physically, and he is too solid for everyone–a more erratic Alcaraz included–over the course of a best-of-five. Sinner in 4: 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(6).
Cheryl: The most exciting rivalry in men’s tennis is about to add a 13th chapter: Sinner and Alcaraz, world Nos. 1 and 2, playing for the highest stakes. Their contrasting styles alone would make this match a must-see event regardless, but they also consistently produce highly entertaining and competitive matches. Sinner is cool and unflappable, a surgeon with a scalpel, carving winners from the baseline with ruthless precision. He’s a groundstroke economist–every shot made with purpose and intention. Alcaraz is all heart and passion. He’s a natural showman whose game sizzles and flashes. He produces one long “can you believe he just did that?!” highlight reel and creates clean winners off shots nobody should even attempt–much less pull off with success. Tennis crowds eat him up. Sinner? Maybe not so much. And it’s a truth universally accepted that precision, high-percentage tennis should beat out sparkly tennis over the long haul. Except it hasn’t in this case (or hasn’t yet, anyway). Alcaraz holds an 8-4 record over the Italian and perhaps more interestingly, he has won their last four matches. Sinner, in short, has an Alcaraz problem. No matter who lifts the trophy on Sunday, we all win with a Sinner-Alcaraz final…. But I’m pretty sure it’s going to be Alcaraz. Alcaraz in 5: 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
Pete (Tennis Acumen): The 2025 Roland Garros semifinals featured all three medal winners from the Olympics last year in Paris: Djokovic (Gold), Alcaraz (Silver), and Musetti (Bronze) as well as Sinner–the world No. 1 and 2025 Australian Open champion. After playing a flawless quarterfinal against Tommy Paul, Alcaraz had his usual wobbles against Musetti in his semifinals. The Italian played exceptionally well for half of the match in each of his three clay-court meetings with Alcaraz this year, including during the first two sets on Friday. Nonetheless, the Spaniard prevailed once again to advance to the final. Sinner charted a significantly more convincing path to the title match, not dropping a set and staving off a determined Djokovic in his semi. In fact, Sinner was challenged in just two of the 15 sets he won en route to the semis prior to his joust with Djokovic. Despite being No. 1 in the world for 52 weeks, Sinner has won just a single clay-court tournament in his career–nearly three years ago at the Umag 250. Ironically, he defeated Alcaraz in that final. Alcaraz has won the last four H2H, including at the Rome Masters a few weeks ago as well as in last year’s Roland Garros semifinals. Alcaraz is simply a better clay-court player, as evidenced by his 10 clay titles–including four Masters 1000s and Roland Garros last year. The defending Champion will make it happen again. Alcaraz in 4: 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4).
WWW?
Sinner the winner. Easy pick to be honest. Short sightedness to just focus on the recent loss in Italy compared to all the tanks Carlos has committed the past 1.5 years.
I will never doubt Carlos again. He has humbled me. I will admit defeat. When Djoko leaves tennis, I will leave with him. Into the sunset.
I could see Sinner taking the first set, but Carlos in 4 or 5.
Easy call sinner in 4 it’s a grand slam sinner is by far the most dominant player on tour and the world #1 for a reason. He didn’t have enough reps In and wasn’t ready for Carlos last time. It’s pretty obvious who the better player is at the moment. You can argue and say Carlos is Jannik’s kryptonite but it’s clear as day who will raise the trophy upon completion of this match.
Well it’s clear that Sinner has to somehow try and figure out a way to beat Alcaraz, since Alcaraz has had his number for awhile now, last year int eh French SF Sinner had a 1-0 and a 2-1 lead on Alcaraz, but Alcaraz ran away with the last 2 sets, so Sinner could not get it done and unfortunately for him Alcaraz is even better on clay now this year, yes Sinner has improved too, but he’s missed a lot of tennis this year, until Sinner finds a way to beat Alcaraz, this is Alcaraz’s match, Alcaraz in 5.
12 minute first game