All Italians in the final except number 1: Sinner “leaves” Roland Garros in Alcaraz

Very tough semi-final, the Spaniard wins in 5 sets. In Paris the happy ending belongs to the "other" Azzurri: Paolini, Errani, Bolelli and Vavassori

ROMA – Everyone except number one. Sinner discovers the solitude of the prime number in Paris: all the Roland Garros finals are “Italian”, except his. Paolini , Errani, Vavassori and Bolelli. I’m coming too? No, not you: Carlos Alcaraz takes the final – snatches it from him. In five sets, to confirm the rule of the enemy, and the cruelty of the epic Slam. 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Alcaraz wins his first challenge as pretender to the throne, in the transition of state of that stuff only dreams are made of. Solid and no longer gaseous, the Spanish. From Djokovic (operated, convalescent) to the new generation of phenomena, it is an ecological transition. Alcaraz confirms himself as the great present and future rival on Philippe Chatrier. On the field, for today, he wins.

A very tough, tactical, at times painful semi-final. A Vietnam of variations, “buckshot”, dropshots and ballistic feats. Errors, too. Some cramps. For both the itch to remain attached to the lengths of the five sets, explosiveness and endurance: the parallel dimension of the Slams. “Easy” first set for Sinner, second to suffer the Spaniard’s reaction, the sliding door at the beginning of the third set – give in to suffering or return to life – then won. And finally the real battle, freer, looser. The fourth set turns for a point, a smash sensationally missed by Sinner which would have taken it to 4-5 40-15. Instead, a few centimeters change the score. 6-4, and fifth set. Alcaraz asserts his best physical form, “breaks” immediately and finishes off his opponent with an undeformable theory of short balls and lobs, lines and winners. Implacable. When the other goes to bat for the match, he smiles kindly. A brand now.

In the club of 29 number 1s that tennis has collected since 1973, only one has not won at least one Slam, Marcelo Rios. Sinner had already certified his pass in Australia. He arrived in Paris with a twisted hip, after having skipped Rome. Alcaraz was the man to beat to validate his new superiority over world tennis. There is no happy ending. Maybe next time. Wimbledon is in July.

READ ALSO: There are no more “ifs”: Djokovic has surrendered, Sinner is world number 1