Zverev-Alcaraz, episode 10 of a recent but intense rivalry

This Sunday, not before 2:30 p.m., Roland-Garros will give its final performance. To round off this exciting edition in style, we're going to witness a highly anticipated duel that's far more indecisive than you might think. Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz will battle it out for the Paris crown. It promises to be an exciting encounter, and the balls are sure to fly on Court Philippe Chatrier.

With the match fast approaching, it's time to take a look back at what's at stake in this Roland-Garros 2024 final.

- A much more balanced duel than you might think

The two men already know each other very well. It may not be obvious, especially given the Spaniard's young age, but they've already played each other on several occasions. Although their first duel only dates back to 2021, they have already met 9 times, with Zverev winning 5 to 4. This final will be their 10th match, and 3rd this season.

That said, each of these matches is not necessarily instructive. Indeed, in their first two duels (in Acapulco and Vienna in 2021), 'Carlito' was barely 18 years old. At the time, the hope of an entire nation was dominated by the majority on both occasions (defeated 6-3, 6-1 in Mexico, then 6-3, 6-3 in Austria).

Since then, the native of El Palmar has confirmed the good things people thought of him, and the duels have become much more evenly matched. So much so, in fact, that the 21-year-old will take to the court on Sunday as one of the title favourites. This is due in no small part to some very quick victories over his German rival.

These include his victory in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells in March (6-3, 6-1), as well as his wins in Madrid in 2022 (6-3, 6-1) and 2023 (6-1, 6-2).

However, it would be a little daring to jump to conclusions. It would even be wrong to think that the world number 4 doesn't have the weapons to destabilize the Spaniard.

Zverev has often embarrassed the 21-year-old on major occasions. In fact, the German is ahead in Grand Slam head-to-heads (2-1). Although he lost by a wide margin at the 2023 US Open (6-3, 6-2, 6-4), he perfectly muzzled Alcaraz in Australia this year (6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4) and especially at the French Open two years ago (6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6).

So, without going into too much detail about their confrontations, it seems fairly obvious that this duel won't be easy for either of them, and above all that this final could well drag on and on. We're already buzzing with anticipation!

- A match likely to become a classic

It won't necessarily be the match that symbolizes an entire generation. But even if this confrontation doesn't have the same historic potential as an Alcaraz-Sinner, it has every chance of becoming one for the ages.

Alcaraz, 21, has everything it takes to reach the pinnacle of tennis for many years to come. Zverev, on the other hand, may already be 27, but it looks as though he still has several years of top-level tennis left in him.

In fact, the careers of these two champions share a number of obvious similarities. Both arrived on the circuit at a very early age, as they were still minors when they played their first professional match. Both were also quickly heralded as the sport's future world No. 1s.

The only difference is that, at the age of 21, the Spaniard already has a far more flattering record than his opponent on Sunday. Indeed, in eleven years on the circuit, Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam title (despite a final played and lost at the 2020 US Open against Dominic Thiem).

For 'Carlito', the story is far more reassuring, as he already has two Major titles to his name (US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023) and has even occupied the top spot in the ATP rankings (in 2022).

Be that as it may, the two men, and perhaps the German even more, remain models of consistency and solidity. It's very rare to see the German lose early in a tournament, and the same applies to Alcaraz (when he lines up).

So it's safe to assume that the two athletes are likely to play a few more good games.

Asked about the duel that awaits him in the final, Zverev feels ready, but knows that his opponent will be too: "When you reach the final of a Grand Slam, there are no easy matches and no easy opponents. If you're in the final of the French Open, it's because you deserve to be there.

That goes for Carlos too. He played a great match today, and a great tournament in general. I'm expecting a tough match."

In the end, he's not