The French Open has reached the final stage for 2024, with Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev to battle for the men’s singles championship on Sunday afternoon in Paris.
In the women’s singles on Saturday, Iga Swiatek won a fourth Roland-Garros title – an astonishing feat as a 23-year-old.
It’s a different story for today’s competitors, though.
While Alcaraz has won two grand slam tournaments in his young career, the Spaniard hasn’t triumphed on clay yet.
As for Zverev, the German has yet to win a major since turning pro in 2013.
The Sporting News will follow all the action as we await a maiden Roland-Garros champion to be crowned.
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Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev live score
*denotes most recent server
Set 1Set 2Set 3Set 4Set 5Carlos Alcaraz*62 Alexander Zverev31
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev live score, updates, highlights from French Open 2024 men’s final
All times CEST/local
*denotes server
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 2-1 Alexander Zverev
Alcaraz hits a stunning forehand winner – arguably the point of the match so far – down the line to make it 40-15. Zverev hits yet another unforced error into the net, and yells towards his team in frustration.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 1-1 *Alexander Zverev
A much quicker game this time. Zverev appears to have grown in confidence this set, but is still struggling to clear the net on some points.
*Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 1-0 Alexander Zverev
Alcaraz begins the game in exciting fashion and goes up 40-0. He mixes up his shots to perfection, ensuring Zverev can’t get into a rhythm. Zverev fires back though, winning four consecutive points and bringing up break point. In fact, he brings up a trio of break points throughout this 10-minute game. Somehow though, Alcaraz manages to serve his way out of trouble and avoids a bad start to the set.
Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 *Alexander Zverev – ALCARAZ WINS THE FIRST SET
Both players struggle to clear the net in the opening chunk of this game, exchanging unforced errors for the first four points. Alcaraz then brings up the first set point of the match and wins it emphatically, moving Zverev around the court with ease and finishing with a commanding cross-court smash.
*Carlos Alcaraz 5-3 Alexander Zverev
The nerves are dissipating and the match is opening up nicely. This game is full of entertaining rallies, with Alcaraz executing some impressive volleys at the net. He is one game away from the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz 4-3 *Alexander Zverev
Alcaraz dictates the first two points, using a mixture of drop-shots and powerful forehands. He has two break points but hits it into the net on both occasions. A timely ace at deuce helps Zverev secure a much-needed hold.
*Carlos Alcaraz 4-2 Alexander Zverev
A strong game sees Alcaraz consolidate his break. In longer rallies against Zverev, he’s got the edge.
Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 *Alexander Zverev
Alcaraz breaks Zverev’s serve again! The German begins the game in a shaky manner, hitting a ball with the side of his racquet. Alcaraz then plays some great rallies to force his opponent into a few unforced errors, breaking him to love.
*Carlos Alcaraz 2-2 Alexander Zverev
Some strong serves help win Alcaraz the first two points before Zverev outpowers him in a rally to make it 30-15. The Spaniard goes on to hold, though.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-2 *Alexander Zverev
Zverev has his confidence back while serving, sending some absolute rockets Alcaraz’s way. He makes one unforced error but is faultless otherwise. First serves will be crucial in this match, it appears.
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Alexander Zverev
Break back! Now it’s Carlos’ turn to be nervous… He sends an errant shot into the stands before double-faulting to make it 0-30. Zverev plays aggressively at the net for the remainder of the game to win to 30.
Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 *Alexander Zverev
Zverev starts the match with consecutive double faults… He then changes his racquet before delivering a powerful ace down the middle. Both players send some forehands wide to bring it to deuce. Alcaraz executes a beautiful volley at the net and then hits a powerful winner to break Zverev’s first service game. A cracking start for the 21-year-old.
3:10 pm: Alcaraz wins the toss and will receive first. Not long to go now, players are warming up.
3:05 pm: Both players are being introduced onto the court. Here we go!
Two remain. One will rise. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/52ewglRx9I
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
3:00 pm: It’s been a fairly rainy tournament, but today’s final is set to be dry. The temperature will hover around 21 degrees Celsius with no rain forecast.
2:45 pm: An opening musical ceremony is taking place on Philippe-Chatrier, so the players should be out on court shortly.
2:30 pm: Zverev nearly suffered a shock elimination to Tallon Griekspoor in the third round but kept his composure to win in five sets. This was followed by another marathon clash against Holger Rune.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, has only played one five-setter this tournament – that came against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.
If this final goes the distance, Zverev may be more seasoned, although Alcaraz could be fresher, having played two fewer sets this tournament.
2:00 pm: A quick refresher on both players’ respective journeys to the final:
Carlos Alcaraz
R1 – def. J.J. Wolf 6-1 6-2 6-1R2 – def. Jesper de Jong 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2R3 – def. Sebastian Korda 6-4 7-6 6-3R4 – def. Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 6-3 6-1QF – def. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 6-4SF – def. Jannik Sinner 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3
Alexander Zverev
R1 – def. Rafael Nadal 6-3 7-6 6-3R2 – def. David Goffin 7-6 6-2 6-2R3 – def. Tallon Griekspoor 3-6 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-6R4 – def. Holger Rune 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 6-2QF – def. Alex de Minaur 6-4 7-6 6-4SF – def. Casper Ruud 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2
1:30 pm: Coco Gauff and Kateřina Siniaková are Roland-Garros champions! The duo take out the women’s doubles final against Jasmine Paolini – who featured in the women’s singles final – and Sara Errani, winning 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.
First time playing together, Grand Slam winners!
Gauff/Siniakova reign in Paris as the women’s doubles champions.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/aBbIFjKMqs
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2024
1:15 pm: This afternoon’s match is scheduled to begin no earlier than 2:30 pm local time (1:30 pm BST / 8:30 ET / 10:30 pm AEST). It will follow the women’s doubles final, which is currently in the second set.
1:00 pm: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of this afternoon’s French Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz is favoured by the bookmakers coming into this clash, but Zverev does have the overall head-to-head advantage (5-4) against his opponent.
On clay though, the Spaniard has a 2-1 record when playing the German.
How to watch the French Open men’s final: TV channel, live stream, start time
This year’s Roland-Garros men’s singles decider will be played in Paris, France on Sunday, June 9.
It is scheduled to start no earlier than 2:30 pm local time but is likely to begin closer to 3:00 pm.
RegionTV channelLive streamApprox. start timeUSANBC, Tennis ChannelFubo, Peacock, Sling TV9:00 am ETCanadaRDS, TSNTSN Direct9:00 am ETUKEurosport discovery+2:00 pm BSTIndiaSony TENSonyLiv6:30 pm ISTAustralia9GemStan Sport, 9Now11:00 pm AEST