Jannik Sinner 'more fresh' but Carlos Alcaraz the favourite ahead of 'dream final' at French Open? Roland-Garros legend gives verdict

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner takes on world No. 2 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final on Sunday at Roland-Garros. Both are playing incredibly well, both know how to win major titles, and both have had to overcome tough opponents in Paris, but only one man can lift the trophy - and TNT Sports' experts have given their views on who might prevail.

'The best matches I've ever seen' - Experts on 'favourite rivalry' between Sinner and Alcaraz

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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are set to resume their rivalry at the top of the men’s game, as they get ready to do battle for the French Open title in Paris.
The pair collide on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
For Sinner, it is just his second tournament back following a three-month suspension from the tour. He made the final in Rome in his comeback event, falling in the final to none other than Alcaraz.
The Spaniard won in straight sets that day, but the experts are predicting a much closer battle at Roland-Garros, especially given Sinner has played himself into some world-class form in Paris.
That form was on show in Friday’s semi-final, when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
"The [semi-final was the] best level of any match in the tournament," said three-time French Open winner Mats Wilander on TNT Sports. 
"Novak played absolutely incredibly - I can’t believe he can still play that level at 38 years old.
"But Jannik Sinner is the world No. 1 and he plays so hard and so fast, and to be in the final is absolutely brilliant - on a different surface is incredible. We are looking at greatness for both players.
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Highlights: Sinner sinks Djokovic in straight sets to reach final at Roland-Garros

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"It’s special for [Sinner] to come back after three months off, and he will feel more fresh. The three months seem to have done something good for him.
"I can’t believe we’re getting the final between No. 1 and No. 2 - Sinner v Alcaraz - that’s a dream final for me."
Alcaraz won this title 12 months ago, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final after beating Sinner in the semi-finals.
That in itself was an epic match - Sinner taking the opening set, before Alcaraz bounced back. In the end, the Spaniard won in five sets, and it would surprise no-one if the final in Paris goes the distance.
"Sinner and Alcaraz have shown in the past two years they are the best players in the world," added Wilander. 
"Everyone knows that when Sinner and Alcaraz play, they have unbelievable matches because they move so well and hit the ball so hard.
"Alcaraz probably goes in as a little bit of a favourite as his head-to-head is a little bit better than Sinner’s, but it is very open."
Alcaraz leads their head-to-head by seven matches to four, and has won the last four times they have met.
But three of those four latest wins went the distance - only Rome last month a more one-sided encounter. 
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Highlights: Alcaraz roars into French Open final as Musetti retires injured

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Alex Corretja thinks Sinner can learn from Lorenzo Musetti, who pushed Alcaraz hard in their semi-final until injury wrecked the Italian’s chances of an upset.
Corretja said: "I think Alcaraz didn’t have the same feeling he had against [Tommy] Paul as he played slower, but Lorenzo didn’t allow him to play.
"I thought he might have more chances to dictate but I was impressed at how Lorenzo was dictating the backhand and with the slice. 
"In my mind, Carlos wasn’t sure the way he needed to play tactically. He was tested, but once he won the second and third set, it was quite easy.
"So, I think he will be ready for the final because it would have been very difficult for him to have carried the level from the other night."
This is the fourth meeting between the two rivals in a Grand Slam - but the first final.
Alcaraz needed five sets to get past Sinner in New York in 2022, while Sinner beat Alcaraz earlier that summer at Wimbledon. 
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'Slight advantage' - Agassi gives verdict on Sinner and Alcaraz as final looms

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"This is the first Grand Slam final, and we hope we are going to see many of them as for me, the matches between Sinner and Alcaraz that I’ve seen have been the best tennis matches I have seen in terms of level," added Wilander. 
"Because they play so quick, and they seem to anticipate where the other is going, because how else are they able to run everything down? It is so good."
Wilander is not alone in marvelling at this rivalry - Tim Henman is another to revel in what these two can produce on a tennis court.
The Brit said: "Sinner is relentless in his ball striking at the back of the court, he doesn’t stray away from big forehands and backhands.
"Alcaraz has so many strings to his bow, he’s looking to come forward, he uses the drop shot, sometimes goes for the slice. It really is a fascinating match-up to finish this tournament."
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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