Carlos Alcaraz Beats Zverev for 1st French Open Title as Fans Applaud Finals Comeback

For the second time in as many matches, Carlos Alcaraz battled back from the brink of elimination.

This time, it won him his first French Open.

Alcaraz stormed back from a 2-1 set deficit to defeat Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 and put himself within one major victory of completing the career Grand Slam. The 21-year-old has now won a Slam in three straight years as he continues to establish himself as the budding face of men's tennis. He's also the youngest player to win a major on all three surfaces.

Sunday's triumph was an exercise in perseverance.

Alcaraz overcame six double-faults and 23 break points to come back against Zverev, who undoubtedly feels like he left his first Grand Slam championship on the table. The German completed only six of his break-point chances, compared to a 9-of-16 break rate from Alcaraz.

Zverev's loss continues to establish him as one of the greatest tennis players in history to never win a major. His career prize money ranks among the highest in the history of the sport, and this is the eighth time he's reached at least the semifinals of a Grand Slam before falling short.

The French Open continues to be Zverev's best option, as he's reached the semis or finals in four straight years.

Both of Zverev's major finals have also been heartbreaking losses. He dropped a 2-0 set lead to Dominic Thiem and lost in a tiebreak at the 2020 U.S. Open and again fell short after taking a lead Sunday against Alcaraz.