The French Open

JANNIK SINNER had two hands on the French Open crown – or at least nine fingers…

But fans reckon he was then hit by the very same curse that struck Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final six years ago.

5

5

Nothing less than that of “The Cursed Finger”.

Sinner was leading Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 in sets and 5-3 in the fourth, before earning three match points at love-40 on the Spaniard’s serve.

And it was then that some Sinner fans gleefully raised a finger in anticipation of the World No1 clinching his first Roland Garros title.

That’s also what happened to Federer in the SW19 seats when he had two match points on his own serve against big rival Novak Djokovic back in 2019.

Both times fingers went up. Both times fortunes went down for the man on top.

Djokovic clinched a five-set epic, then Alcaraz did just that too on Sunday – retaining his French crown via the longest-ever Roland Garros final.

Naturally, fans couldn’t resist making creepy comparisons.

One wrote: “If it’s not a cursed finger again” – cruelly adding crying-with-laughter emojis.

5

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

Others taunted Sinner fans – as the Italian went on to lose 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in five hours and 29 minutes.

The 23-year-old might also have thought the spirits were against him for another reason – during the fourth set.

He sportingly gave up a point after telling the chair umpire an Alcaraz shot had wrongly been called out.

But replays showed line judges had been right to call it long.

Three-time Slam winner Sinner admitted afterwards it was tough to speak after losing from such a strong position.

The rueful runner-up said: “It’s easier to play than talk now.

“I’m still happy with this trophy – I won’t sleep very well tonight but it is OK.”

Alcaraz praised his beaten rival – perhaps knowing the pair are way ahead of the world’s rest in the men’s game.

He told Sinner: “The level you have is amazing.

“It is a privilege to share a court with you in every tournament and in making history.”

5

5

JANNIK SINNER paid for WRONGLY awarding Carlos Alcaraz a point in their sensational French Open final.

Poland’s World No.1 sportingly but incorrectly told the umpire an Alcaraz forehand was in – only for replays to show it went LONG.

2

The Spaniard had earlier saved THREE Championship points in that fourth set.

And Alcaraz went on to complete a comeback of incredible quality, winning 4-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 7-6 in five hours and 29 minutes.

Unlike the three other Grand Slam tournaments, Roland Garros does NOT use HawkEye technology to check line calls.

And midway through the final set Sinner looked frustrated when an Alcaraz shot was called in – with replays suggesting it 31mm out.

And although fans praised Sinner for his sportsmanship in the fourth, many viewers blasted the French Open for being stuck in their ways.

The tight line call came when Alacaraz served to go 6-5 up in the fourth.

Line judges called it out and the chair umpire got down from her seat to examine the mark.

But as she strode quickly across the court, Sinner signalled  he thought the ball was good.

She immediately acknowledged that with a raised hand and returned to her seat.

2

BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK

However, freeze-frame replays  of the incident suggest the ball had clearly landed beyond the baseline.

And that led to observers hailing both players for the spirit in which they played such a gripping contest, but also questioning the tournament for snubbing HawkEye.

One fan said: “They are both acting like saints here.”

Another described them as “class acts all around”.

A third posted: “So nice to see some civility in the world!”

And a fourth wrote: “That is why they are 2 favourites.”

But another moaned: “So many missed called because they refuse to use technology. Joke of a tourny .”

And another viewer said: “Honestly thought it looked clearly out at full speed. A number of very questionable calls at the end of that set…”

Around 90 minutes after the line shout, Alcaraz clinched his victory from two sets down with a dominant 10-2 Championship tie-break in the fifth.

Sinner* 6-4 7-6 4-6 6-7 1-3 Alcaraz

His arms must feel so heavy after virtually four-and-a-half hours on court but Alcaraz shows superb touch with the nifty drop shot – and Sinner does not run for it.

Literally a carbon copy in the second point. Again Sinner does not chase it down – that is very, very telling.

He has been running those down for the whole match until now.

Have his legs gone?

He is really struggling to move and it is Alcaraz that is deciding which way the points go – winners, errors or forcing Sinner into mistakes.

After going down 40-30, Sinner lets out some emotion towards his team – that is the first sign of any frustration he has allowed out.

But fast forward a couple of minutes and Sinner has a break point… surely he can’t can he?

Alcaraz kicks in a second serve and brushes the winner away.

Oh my word – how has he pulled that drop shot off? That is staggering from Alcaraz as he cuts a forehand just over the net and though Sinner chases it down, it is simply too good.

But back comes the Italian to deuce before two serves clip the net and go out – not the time for a double fault!

Huge from Alcaraz to go on the offensive and save it in style.

Sinner mishits a return and has a small outburst of anger – and he will be seething inside as Alcaraz eventually holds after nearly ten minutes with a forehand winner.