On May 25, 2024, Ingrid Graham made history as the first ever female to be elected as President of the Jamaica Table Tennis Association.
Graham secured 14 votes compared to 10 received by her opponent Colette Palmer at the elections held at the Sports Development Foundation in Kingston.
“It’s really a great honour to be in that capacity,” Graham told Sportsmax.tv in an interview this week.
“It just tells to show our young ladies that the sky is the limit and nothing is unreachable to them as long as the interest is there and they love it and have a passion for it,” she added.
The journey to get to this point was not without its ups and downs according to the President.
“It was a strenuous journey and a tiresome one. Sometimes you think of giving up but when I look back on all the children and young ladies and the development of Table Tennis and where it really has taken them, I decided to continue,” she said.
Graham got right to work after winning the election with her immediate attention going to organizing trials to select Jamaica’s teams to the Caribbean Mini and Pre-Cadet Championships set for July 1-7 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
“In the one week that I was in office I was tasked with basically putting on a trial for the Under-11 and Under-13 Pre and Mini Cadets who should be going to the Dominican Republic from June 29.”
Graham says she has also reached out to a number of players and entities to try and send the “excellent” team of youngsters to the tournament.
“The good thing about this set is that we have five children on this team who are from the inner city and they are very talented. They love this sport and they put in their everything they have,” she said.
In addition to planning those trials, which were held at the Excelsior High School, Graham says her and her team are currently planning a one-day rally for Prep and Primary Schools.
“We have not had a proper competition since 2019. Last year, myself, Skills Unlimited Table Tennis Academy (SUTTA), the Kingston and St Andrew Table Tennis Association (KSATTA), and Supersonic Table Tennis Club and the JTTA, we all came together and hosted a one-day rally which was excellent and well supported by the schools. We even had sponsors come on board last minute to assist us,” she said.
“We’re doing the same thing this year. We’re currently planning that and I have to be seeking funding and resources for the team to leave on June 29 for the Pre and Mini cadet,” Graham added.
While admitting that a lot of work needs to be done, she remains confident that her and her team will be able to get the job done.
“It can happen and it will happen. It’s a lot of work but once the structures are in place and persons are dedicated to the cause, we will get there,” she said.
That team consists of First Vice President Andrea Murray, Second Vice President Simon Lei, General Secretary Sean Wallace and Treasurer David White. Wallace will be assisted by Konata Beluchi while White be assisted by Mark Edwards and Errol Howlett.
The Council members include former national champion Simon Tomlinson, current national champion Mark Phillips, Matthew Dawson, Kevin Peterkin and Lisette Wilson.
“We have a diverse team. We have persons in the field of media, accounting, persons who operate their own businesses. We are aiming for positive output, unity, transparency and accountability,” she said.
“We want the entire Jamaica to know that whatever we’re tasked with, we’re going to fulfil it. Each sponsor that comes on board, they will get a report of players participation as well as documentation of hos the resources were spent,” Graham added.
An emotional Jasmine Paolini says this year's French Open was "the best days of my life" following her final defeat to Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
It was the Italian’s maiden Grand Slam final after she saw off Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in the semi-finals.
Paolini was already assured of breaking into the top 10 in the WTA rankings on Monday, no matter her result in the final.
She also booked her place in the women's doubles final after coming from behind with partner Sara Errani and will be playing that showpiece on Sunday.
Speaking after the single’s final, Paolini said she could not believe the journey she had been on in the past two weeks.
"Thanks for coming. I really enjoyed playing today," a choked-up Paolini said.
"The best days of my life, I think. Tomorrow, I have the doubles final. It's been a very intense 15 days, and I'm really happy to be here.
"Today was tough, but I'm really proud of myself anyway. You were cheering for me and that is unbelievable.
"I have to say congratulations to you, Iga. Playing you here is the toughest challenge in the sport. You are doing a great job - world number one and many slams.
"I want to thank my team, my family, everyone who is cheering for me every day. Congratulations to everyone who made this tournament special."
Iga Swiatek thanked the fans at the French Open for giving her the belief she needed to win the tournament after nearly being knocked out in the second round.
The world number one won her fourth title at Roland Garros, and her third in a row with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday.
However, she almost made a shock early exit in the tournament at the hands of Naomi Osaka but pulled off an incredible comeback.
Swiatek saved a match point against the former world number one to come from 5-2 down to win the deciding set 7-5, setting her on her way to the trophy.
Now, she is the second player in the Open Era to win all of her first five Women's Singles Grand Slam finals after Monica Seles.
From the round of 16 onwards, Swiatek dropped just 11 games combined on her way to securing the title, but following her win, she said it was the crowd in Paris that boosted her confidence following that game.
"I love this place, I wait every year to come back here," Swiatek said after winning her title.
"I was almost out in the second round so thank you for still cheering for me. I needed to believe that this was possible. It’s been an emotional tournament. Thank you for supporting me.
"I want to thank my team, my family, without them I wouldn't be here. I want to thank everyone who made this tournament possible."
Paolini played in her maiden Grand Slam final and also reached the doubles final on Sunday with partner Sara Errani.
Swiatek was full of praise for her opponent and wished her well in her upcoming showpiece.
"Congrats for an amazing tournament," she added.
"I'm really impressed with how you've been playing these last two weeks. I hope we'll have many more matches in final rounds."
Rocco Lopez and Mattea Issa are the early leaders at the Jamaica Golf Association's National Senior Trials which began on Friday at the Half Moon Golf Course in St. James.
Lopez ended the first round on even par 72 after being on one under par up to the 17th hole but bogeyed the 18th hole.
His scorecard showed three birdies on holes five, twelve and sixteen but they were cancelled out by the three bogeys on holes number one, three and eighteen.
Three former national golf champions Zandre Roye (the current champion), William Knibbs (2023) and Oshae Haye (2022) all shot four over par 76 for a three-way tie for second place.
Roye held the lead at the 13th hole with a two under par score but had a wretched time on the course after that after sending down four bogeys and a double bogey. Overall, he shot four birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey for the round.
Knibbs, who has been away from the local golf scene for a while, sent town six bogeys in the round including bogeys on holes 17 and 18 but he had two birdies in the back nine on holes 10 and 12.
Haye's scorecard showed four bogeys and a double bogey but his two birdies on holes 11 and 12 helped him to share the second spot.
Many time national representative Owen Samuda was one stroke back in fifth place on five over par 77.
Fresh off her first national female golf title was Mattea Issa leads the female section of the national trials by five clear strokes.
Issa closed the first round on four over par 76 after recovering from a rough start bogeying holes number one and two.
She followed up with a birdies on hole number seven but got into trouble again with bogeys on holes nine and sixteen plus a double bogey on hole number 11. She did get a reprieve with a birdie on fifteen.
Emily Mayne returned for the trials after coming off a successful college season in the United States where she helped her university to win the national collegiate championship.
She had a torrid time on the course, sending down 10 bogeys and a birdie for a first-round score of nine over par 81. She topped the national trials in 2022 at the same venue so she will be looking to improve in the second and third rounds.
The golfers will tee off at 10:00 am on Saturday as they seek to improve their scores and positions in order to gain a spot on the national team to represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship in July.
Iga Swiatek wins her third consecutive French Open title with a dominant straight-sets victory over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday.
The world number one's brilliant winning streak continued as she won 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and eight minutes on court Philippe-Chatrier.
Paolini, playing in her maiden grand slam final, caused a few nerves by getting an early break, but it was exactly what Swiatek needed to get her focus.
Swiatek won every game in the first set from that point, using power to force Paolini to cover more ground. As mistakes crept into her game, the Pole pushed harder and took the lead.
Swiatek upped her level once more in the second set, with the Italian struggling to find any answers to get back into the tie.
The 23-year-old worked her way through the gears neatly, earning another double break to storm through the first five games.
In her last chance to stay in the match, Paolini went on the offensive to ensure she did not end up on the wrong end of a bagel scoreline, but it only took one more game for Swiatek to wrap up her fifth grand slam title.
Swiatek chases down greats
Swiatek has been equalling records for fun this year, and that only continued with her French Open victory on Saturday.
She now has an impressive four titles at Roland Garros under her belt, and she is just the second women's player to win three consecutively since Justine Henin between 2005 and 2007, and the youngest since Monica Seles between 1990-92.
She is also just the second women's player to win all five of her finals in Grand Slams after Seles during the Open Era, having won the US Open in 2022 as well.
Not only that, but Swiatek is the first player to win three consecutive titles at a single Grand Slam tournament since Serena Williams dominated the US Open between 2012-14.
Swiatek had already previously picked up silverware at the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, Madrid Open and Italian Open in 2024 before adding the Grand Slam title.
She was the favourite going into Saturday's match-up and looked unstoppable, and many will be left wondering just how far she will be able to go in the rest of the year.
A French Open run to be proud of for Paolini
Labelled as a late-bloomer, Paolini is the third player in the last decade to reach her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros after turning 28, along with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (2021) and Lucie Safarova (2015).
It was always going to be a tough ask for Paolini to get her hands on the French Open trophy going up against as formidable an opponent as Swiatek.
Though she had already pulled off a big upset against Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, and it looked like she could be on for another shock after a strong opening, she struggled to match her opponent's aggression.
2024 has already seen Paolini undergo huge changes – she came into the year with a losing record of 78-87 and one career title.
Since the turn of the year, she is 22-10 with one trophy and has the French Open doubles final to look forward to on Sunday with partner Sara Errani.
She is already confirmed to move into the top 10 of the rankings following the end of the tournament, having said before the final that she never dreamed this far ahead, only taking each match as it came.
Adelaide Thunderbirds produced what was arguably their best performances of the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League season so far to turn the tables on leaders West Coast Fever, with an emphatic 68-50 victory at a sold-out Entertainment Centre, on Saturday.
Having lost the first meeting between the two by one goal in a nail-biting encounter, the Thunderbirds –comprising Jamaicans Romelda Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson –were out for revenge against their Jamaican counterparts Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shanice Beckford and Kadie-Ann Dehaney, and they delivered it in a swift and vicious manner with the 18-goal romp that handed Fever their second loss of the season.
In fact, the win for the Thunderbirds also marked a rebound from last week’s shock defeat to Queensland Firebirds, as they capitalised on 19 gains against the uncharacteristically careless, out-of-sorts Fever.
Aiken-George, as always, led the Thunderbirds from the front with 50 goals from 60 attempts, backed by Lauren Frew, who had nine goals from 13 attempts, while Georgie Horjus had five goals from six attempts, and Lucy Austin scored four goals from five attempts.
Meanwhile, Fever’s attacking front saw Fowler-Nembhard tally 41 goals from 46 attempts, as Alice Teague-Neeld (four goals from five attempts), and Olivia Wilkinson (three goals from four attempts) offered some support. Beckford failed to score from her three attempts.
As expected, the encounter started at a decent tempo, as Fever accounted for the first two goals, before Thunderbirds responded, finding free targets and keeping pace in a goal-for-goal opening term.
Sterling-Humphrey made her presence felt early, when she got her hands on the ball within the first two minutes, though she couldn't quite secure it to make it count. Still, she went on to Sterling-Humphrey tally eight intercept possessions by halftime.
Jamaican Shamera Sterling-Humphrey of Adelaide Thunderbirds soars above her West Coast Fever opponent to win possession.
The Fever defenders focused on protecting the backspace with a split circle, aiming to stifle the tall timber, Aiken-George, but it was to no avail.
Latanya Wilson later pulled off a crucial intercept, which assisted Thunderbirds, the reigning champions, to a two-goal lead heading into the Power Five, where they added three more goals to open a five-goal lead a 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Tayla Williams also shone early for Thunderbirds, as she racked up 53.5 Nissan Net Points, with eight goal assists, 11 feeds, and a deflection in the first term alone.
Much like she ended the first, Wilson started the second quarter in a similar vein, as she soared for another intercept, and kept possession in play even as she flew out of bounds. That play extended the Thunderbirds' lead and they duly maintained the momentum from there to take the quarter 19-9 for a 39-24 lead at half-time.
The Fever stepped up their game in the third quarter and that resulted in a slight momentum shift. For the first and only time in the contest, they outscored Thunderbirds 17-12 to cut the deficit to 10 goals at 51-41 heading into the final quarter.
Though Fever showcased moments of fluid play that signalled a notable shift in energy and momentum at the top of the final quarter, their hopes of a comeback victory dwindle, as Thunderbirds regained their rhythm just before the Power Five and accelerated to cap a tidy victory.
Max Verstappen admitted it was not an "ideal" start to his Canadian Grand Prix after enduring technical trouble with his car on Friday.
The practice session in Montreal was heavily disrupted by intermittent rain, causing the headline lap times to be effectively meaningless.
However, Verstappen, who was 18th fastest in the second session, suffered a problem with the energy recovery system (ERS) in Practice Two after just four laps, with the Red Bull trailing smoke before returning to the pits.
Red Bull are investigating the cause of the fault ahead of Saturday's qualifying.
"It's not ideal," said Verstappen.
"I would have liked to drive more laps, some other people had a few more laps in the dry and a few more laps in the wet.
"It's definitely not how I would have liked to get on in FP2 but it's more important to figure out what actually happened and what kind of implication it will have for this year and the rest of the year."
Verstappen has won just one of the last three Grand Prix, with Red Bull now holding just a 24-point lead over Ferrari in the championship.
Alexander Zverev is looking to put previous disappointments in major tournaments behind him when he faces Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final on Sunday.
Zverev booked his place in his maiden final in the competition with a comeback victory over Casper Ruud, who was affected by illness, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Zverev previously reached the US Open final in 2020, which he lost to Dominic Thiem, before having to retire in the French Open semi-final in 2022 after just two sets.
It has not been a smooth journey to the final this year, as he has been forced to go the distance and come from behind in most matches, but Zverev is confident that will only make him stronger.
"No, I think, look, to go deep and to win a Grand Slam, you have to go through difficulties, and you have to go through a lot of ups and downs," Zverev said after his win on Friday.
"Normally to win a Grand Slam you have to go through battles. You have to come back in tough five-set matches. You have to come back from difficult moments. I'm happy about the way and the path I had. I'm happy to be in a Grand Slam final and give myself the best chance to win on Sunday."
"Going from the US Open final where I was two points away to then being rolled off in a wheelchair here two years ago. It's all the path of my journey.
"Look, I'm in the final. I haven't won yet. But I just want to play my best tennis and give myself the best chance. If I am able to lift that trophy, it will mean the world to me."
Zverev has already won the Italian Open this year, his sixth Masters title, and his first since 2021.
Aiming to win his first major title, the 27-year-old looked back at his previous tournament experiences, noting how they pushed him to where he is now.
"There was one of two ways to come back from two situations," he added.
"You either come back stronger, and you come back hungrier, which I feel like I did in 2021 when I had my best year on tour so far. Didn't win a Grand Slam, but felt like I had opportunities, won the gold medal, won the most titles on tour by any player that year.
"Or you kind of go into yourself. You drop mentally a bit, as well. I'm happy that I was the sort of person that took the first path.
"Here I am. I want to give myself the best chance, and that's what I'm doing at the end of the day. We'll see how Sunday goes."
Nelson Velazquez's run-scoring fielder's choice capped a three-run 9th inning and the Kansas City Royals rallied from an eight-run deficit for a stunning 10-9 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
The Mariners scored seven runs in the first inning – highlighted by Mitch Haniger's bases-clearing double and Ryan Bliss's first career homer.
They took a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth but were without injured closer Andres Munoz. Ryne Stanek walked Nick Loftin before Garrett Hampson hit an infield single that third baseman Josh Rojas threw wildly to put runners on second and third.
After Maikel Garcia's groundout scored a run, Bobby Witt Jr. tripled home the tying run. The Mariners intentionally walked the next two batters and Velazquez hit a potential double-play grounder to shortstop J.P. Crawford, who bobbled the ball and the throw to first was late.
Ty France’s RBI double in the fourth stretched the lead to 8-0, but the Royals responded with four runs in the bottom half. Velazquez's infield single scored a run and MJ Melendez followed with a three-run homer.
Seattle tacked on a run in the sixth before Kansas City closed to 9-7 in their half. Melendez knocked in a run on a groundout and Hunter Renfroe had a two-run single.
Teams trailing 7-0 after one inning had lost 75 straight games, a streak that dated back to 1995.
Dodgers end Yankees' streak in 11 innings
Teoscar Hernandez lined a two-run double in the 11th inning to break up a scoreless game and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 2-1 victory, ending the New York Yankees' eight-game winning streak.
With automatic runner Shohei Ohtani on second, Freddie Freeman walked against Ian Hamilton before Will Smith lined out. Hernandez then drilled a shot into the left-center field gap to easily score both runners.
Aaron Judge singled home a run with one out in the bottom half, but Yohan Ramirez struck out Giancarlo Stanton and got Anthony Rizzo to foul out for his first save of the season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto limited New York to two hits over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Dodgers' bullpen allowed three hits and an unearned run over the next four innings.
Ohtani went 0 for 5 and is batting .195 with three homers and 10 RBIs since May 16 to drop his average from .364 to .312.
The Yankees loaded the bases in the eighth after Judge worked a 10-pitch walk but Blake Treinen got Stanton to fly out.
Juan Soto missed his first game of the season for New York due to a sore left forearm.
Cody Poteet gave up two hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in his third start of the season.
Reds hold off Cubs for 6th straight win
Nick Lodolo pitched six strong innings and Tyler Stephenson had a two-run double to lift the Cincinnati Reds to their sixth consecutive victory, 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs.
Lodolo limited the Cubs to one run and four hits while walking two and striking out seven to win his third straight start.
Alexis Diaz gave up a run in the ninth but struck out Patrick Wisdom with the tying run on second for his 13th save.
Cincinnati has won 11 of 14 to pull even with Chicago for second place in the NL Central, both at 31-33.
The Cubs have lost 11 of 15.
Stephenson's double off Justin Steele in the fourth came after Spencer Steer reached on a strikeout/wild pitch and Elly De La Cruz's walk.
Nelson Velazquez’s run-scoring fielder’s choice capped a three-run 9th inning and the Kansas City Royals rallied from an eight-run deficit for a stunning 10-9 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.
The Mariners scored seven runs in the first inning – highlighted by Mitch Haniger’s bases-clearing double and Ryan Bliss’s first career homer.
They took a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth but were without injured closer Andres Munoz. Ryne Stanek walked Nick Loftin before Garrett Hampson hit an infield single that third baseman Josh Rojas threw wildly to put runners on second and third.
After Maikel Garcia’s groundout scored a run, Bobby Witt Jr. tripled home the tying run. The Mariners intentionally walked the next two batters and Velazquez hit a potential double-play grounder to shortstop J.P. Crawford, who bobbled the ball and the throw to first was late.
Ty France’s RBI double in the fourth stretched the lead to 8-0, but the Royals responded with four runs in the bottom half. Velazquez’s infield single scored a run and MJ Melendez followed with a three-run homer.
Seattle tacked on a run in the sixth before Kansas City closed to 9-7 in its half. Melendez knocked in a run on a groundout and Hunter Renfroe had a two-run single.
Teams trailing 7-0 after one inning had lost 75 straight games, a streak that dated back to 1995.
Dodgers end Yankees’ streak in 11 innings
Teoscar Hernandez lined a two-run double in the 11th inning to break up a scoreless game and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 2-1 victory, ending the New York Yankees’ eight-game winning streak.
With automatic runner Shohei Ohtani on second, Freddie Freeman walked against Ian Hamilton before Will Smith lined out. Hernandez then drilled a shot into the left-center field gap to easily score both runners.
Aaron Judge singled home a run with one out in the bottom half, but Yohan Ramirez struck out Giancarlo Stanton and got Anthony Rizzo to foul out for his first save of the season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto limited New York to two hits over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Dodgers’ bullpen allowed three hits and an unearned run over the next four innings.
Ohtani went 0 for 5 and is batting .195 with three homers and 10 RBIs since May 16 to drop his average from .364 to .312.
The Yankees loaded the bases in the eighth after Judge worked a 10-pitch walk but Blake Treinen got Stanton to fly out.
Juan Soto missed his first game of the season for New York due to a sore left forearm.
Cody Poteet gave up two hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in his third start of the season.
Reds hold off Cubs for 6th straight win
Nick Lodolo pitched six strong innings and Tyler Stephenson had a two-run double to lift the Cincinnati Reds to their sixth consecutive victory, 3-2 over the Chicago Cubs.
Lodolo limited the Cubs to one run and four hits while walking two and striking out seven to win his third straight start.
Alexis Diaz gave up a run in the ninth but struck out Patrick Wisdom with the tying run on second for his 13th save.
Cincinnati has won 11 of 14 to pull even with Chicago for second place in the NL Central, both at 31-33.
The Cubs have lost 11 of 15.
Stephenson’s double off Justin Steele in the fourth came after Spencer Steer reached on a strikeout/wild pitch and Elly De La Cruz’s walk.
Sara Errani will prioritise helping doubles partner Jasmine Paolini ahead of her French Open final against Iga Swiatek this Saturday.
The Italian duo beat Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse 1-6 6-4 6-1 on Friday to book their place in the women's doubles final, where they will face Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova.
Paolini has been partners with compatriot and five-time grand slam doubles champion Errani since the start of 2024, and the pair have quickly created a special partnership, having triumphed at the Linz Open and the Italian Open.
The world number 15 will play in her first grand slam singles final one day before her doubles fixture but faces a sizeable task in stopping Swiatek from claiming a third straight title in Paris.
However, she has the backing of her doubles partner, with Errani hoping the 28-year-old can enjoy the occasion this weekend.
"It's a special moment. Of course, being in a slam final is amazing. For sure, I will speak with Jasmine. If I can help a little bit, for me it would be amazing. I don't really know what to say," Errani said.
"I hope she enjoys it. I hope she believes. I believe in her. It's a really tough match, but I think she's an amazing player."
It proved to be a difficult opening set for the Italian pairing, but they were able to recover from that slow start.
"Today was a really tough match," Paolini said. "The first set, I mean, we didn't see any ball. They were just passing, and we were there and trying to fight.
"Then we said, okay, this cannot go worse. We managed to come back. It was a really tough match, but we are happy to be in the final."
Alexander Zverev roared into his second grand slam final by beating Casper Ruud 2-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 at the French Open, the Norwegian affected by illness as he wilted on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Ruud entered Friday's semi-final rested after benefitting from Novak Djokovic's withdrawal in the last eight, and he controlled the baseline rallies with confidence as he took the opener.
However, a long forehand gifted Zverev a break in the opening game of the second set and the German did not look back from there, winning 92 per cent of points behind his first serve as he levelled things up.
More mistakes crept into Ruud's game and he told the umpire he was feeling unwell three games into the third, when Zverev continued to press home his physical advantage.
Ruud left the court after going 2-1 down in a bid to recompose himself, but Zverev set the tone for another dominant set by crashing home a big forehand winner for an opening-game break, and Ruud never looked like hitting back as the big-serving German advanced.
Data Debrief: Zverev's clay form rewarded
Zverev has become increasingly comfortable on the clay this year, winning the Italian Open and reaching his first final at Roland Garros.
He is just the fifth player in the last two decades to reach the men's singles final at both events in the same year, after Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
He will take on Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's showpiece match, having won five of his nine tour-level meetings with the Spaniard.
Carlos Alcaraz described his five-set French Open semi-final triumph over Jannik Sinner as one of the toughest matches of his career.
The Spaniard overcame the soon-to-be world number one 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to become just the fifth player in the last 30 years to make the men's singles final at Roland Garros before the age of 22.
It marks the first time the 21-year-old has reached the final of the competition, also making him the fifth-youngest player to get his fifth win against a top-five opponent in grand slam events since the ATP Rankings were first published in 1973.
Speaking shortly after his win, Alcaraz acknowledged the magnitude of the result but pointed out that he had to suffer to emerge victorious in Paris.
"You have to find the joy in suffering, that is the key," he said.
"Here on clay at Roland Garros, long rallies, four-hour matches and five sets, you have to suffer, but I was told by my team many times that you have to enjoy suffering."
The pair have enjoyed thrilling encounters in previous meetings, and despite the latest instalment of their flourishing rivalry lasting four hours and 10 minutes, it was not the longest time they have spent together on court, having played for five hours and 15 minutes at the US Open in 2022.
Alcaraz prevailed in that encounter to reach his maiden major semi-final, going on to win the tournament. He ranks his latest meeting with the Italian among the toughest matches of his career.
"The toughest matches I have played in my short career have been against Jannik," he said.
"There was the US Open in 2022, this one. That shows the great player that Jannik is, the team that he has as well, and the great work he puts in every day.
"I hope to play many, many more matches like this one against Jannik, but it was definitely one of the toughest matches I have played in, for sure."
Alcaraz will face either Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz is into his first French Open final after an incredible comeback against Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Dubbed as the match "everybody wants to watch", it certainly lived up to its billing as Alcaraz won 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in four hours and 10 minutes on the court.
Sinner, who had dropped just one set coming into the final, started quickly, getting an early double break to cruise to a 4-0 in the opener, and though Alcaraz fought back, he was quickly seen off.
The Spaniard responded well in the second despite another slow start, and Sinner had few answers as Alcaraz dragged himself level.
Sinner began to struggle in the third, needing medical treatment for hand cramp, but it did not slow him down as he once again held his nerve to take the set. He stayed in the fight in the fourth as well, matching Alcaraz until the final game, when his serve was broken.
The 21-year-old wore Sinner down with his aggressive play, and produced moments of magic, earning an early break. He kept his fate in his own hands then, seeing out the victory.
He will face either Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday.
Data Debrief: More records broken for Alcaraz
Alcaraz (21 years and 33 days) is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach the men's singles finals in Grand Slam events on clay, grass and hard court.
He is also the fifth-youngest player to get his fifth win against a top-5 opponent in men's singles Grand Slam events since the ATP Rankings were published in 1973.
The Spaniard is keeping good company, as he is just the fifth player in the last 30 calendar years to make the men's singles final at Roland Garros before the age of 22, behind Alberto Berasategui, Gustavo Kuerten, Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal.
Only Michael Chang and Bjorn Borg (12 each) have won more Grand Slam five-setters than Alcaraz before turning 22 in the Open Era (10, equalling Marat Safin).
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes are "not far away" from competing at the front of the grid after implementing upgrades ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
Mercedes have endured a torrid start to the 2024 season, which will be Hamilton's last with the team before he joins Ferrari for 2025.
Neither Hamilton nor team-mate George Russell have finished higher than fifth in any race, with Russell achieving that finish in the opening race at Bahrain and in Monaco two weeks ago.
The Silver Arrows – who have only won one race since 2021 – introduced a new front wing to Russell's car last time out and were encouraged by his pace. Both cars will be sporting the upgrade in Montreal this weekend.
Asked whether he thought Mercedes could close the gap to constructors' champions and current leaders Red Bull, Hamilton said: "I don't think it's far away.
"We've got the upgrade, both cars have the upgrade this weekend, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that feels on the track."
Max Verstappen initially looked set for another dominant campaign, but recent victories for McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc have led some to suggest we could still see a title battle.
Hamilton added: "The car's continuing to improve. I think everyone's obviously taking that step, hopefully getting closer to the Red Bulls and I think that's been really positive.
"I'm incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory, how hard everyone's working and how resilient everyone is. Everyone is staying focused, the morale is really great in the team.
"So I'm hoping that we can get closer to these guys and start actually competing at the front."
Hamilton has won the Canadian Grand Prix seven times, a tally only matched by Michael Schumacher.
His last victory came 53 races ago at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, but a surprise win in Montreal would see him equal his record for most triumphs at a single event (eight in Hungary and Great Britain).
Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari have what it takes to beat Red Bull to the F1 championship this year.
Leclerc won at Monaco for the first time in his career last time out, and a double podium for Ferrari in that race means they are just 24 points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
Red Bull have won the constructors' title for the last three years in a row, but this year they could be in a tough battle with Ferrari and McLaren.
Speaking before the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, Leclerc says he has faith that Ferrari mount a good challenge against Red Bull.
"I have to believe it [that Red Bull are beatable], and I believe in it," Leclerc told Sky Sports F1.
"However, let's say that I think the last two races have been not the tracks that favour Red Bull or show their strengths. I don't think that this one is a track that will show their strength either, so it might be an opportunity again for us.
"From Barcelona [the race after Montreal] onwards, I think we will see back the Red Bull that we have seen at the beginning of the year, which, if this is the case, might be more difficult to beat.
"But my hopes remain high. We still have some things that we want to bring to the car, and if that is enough to close the gap, then that's great. And we'll put them under more pressure.
"When you are under a bit more pressure, hopefully, we can push them into more mistakes and take our chances. For now, I don't feel like we are quite there yet. But looking at this weekend, I feel like it can be an opportunity."
Lando Norris, who won the Miami Grand Prix, has tipped Ferrari as the favourites to win in Canada, while Max Verstappen also thinks it will be another tough race after finishing in his lowest position for 18 months in Monaco.
Leclerc, however, is not fazed by those predictions.
"They always say that! Whether it's Helmut [Marko] one weekend, Lando the other," he added.
"Everyone doesn't want to hear they are the favourites, so you are never going to hear me say we are the favourites and same with them.
"I think the reality is we are so closely matched between three teams, that it will be down to the ones who do the better job, as well as the rain will be here, and we haven't really driven here with these cars yet in the rain."
Jaylen Brown hailed Kristaps Porzingis after the Boston Celtics power forward returned from injury with a "monster game" against the Dallas Mavericks.
Porzingis, who has been absent for five weeks with a calf strain, played a starring role from the bench against his former side, as the Celtics drew first blood in the NBA Finals with a 107-89 win in Game 1.
Having not played since Game 4 in the first round against the Miami Heat, the Latvian marked his return with 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks at TD Garden.
And Brown, who top-scored for the Celtics with 22 points, paid tribute to his team-mate.
"Kristaps had a monster game for us," he said. "Just his presence shooting the ball and then him being able to attack those switches and mismatches, he made them pay every time, and that's what we need going forward in the series."
Porzingis was understandably thrilled to make up for lost time with his inspired display for top seeds Boston, who are targeting a record-breaking 18th NBA title this year.
"The adrenaline was just pumping through my veins," he said. "Obviously, it wasn't ideal that I was out for such a long time.
"But, I did everything I could to prepare mentally for this moment coming back, and it paid off, and we got the job done tonight and had a good game, and happy about the result.
"Tonight was an affirmation to myself that I'm pretty good, you know? Maybe I'm not perfect, but I'm pretty good and I can play like this and I can definitely add to this team."
Trent Grisham doubled his season totals with a home run and three RBIs as the New York Yankees completed a season sweep of the Minnesota Twins with their eighth straight win, 8-5 on Thursday night.
Yankees slugger Juan Soto left the game with left forearm discomfort following a 56-minute rain delay before the sixth inning.
Gleyber Torres had a two-run double and Giancarlo Stanton walked three times as New York broke a tie with Philadelphia for the best record in the majors at 45-19. The Yankees have won 25 of 31 and extended their longest winning streak since a nine-game run in June 2022.
They went 6-0 this season against the Twins and outscored them 36-12. New York are 123-44 in the series since 2002 – including playoffs.
Carlos Correa homered and drove in two runs for Minnesota, who had won nine of 12 before getting to the Bronx.
De La Cruz homers for surging Reds
Elly De La Cruz belted a three-run homer and Hunter Greene pitched into the seventh inning as the Cincinnati Reds won their fifth straight, 8-4 over the Chicago Cubs.
After Seiya Suzuki's two-run homer staked the Cubs to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, De La Cruz followed Will Benson's single and TJ Friedl's walk with his 11th home run, a shot to right field that came off the bat at 114.7 mph.
Christopher Morel's two-run homer in the sixth gave Chicago a 4-3 lead, but Cincinnati scored twice in the bottom half on Jonathan India's RBI single and Friedl's run-scoring double.
Greene allowed four runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and two walks to win his fourth straight decision.
Red Sox hammer lowly White Sox
Tanner Houck pitched seven strong innings and was backed by home runs from Jarren Duran and Emmanuel Valdez as the Boston Red Sox handed the Chicago White Sox their franchise-record 14th straight loss, 14-2.
The White Sox, who have lost 18 of 19, surpassed a mark set by the 1924 team and dropped to a major league-worst 15-48.
Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela each had four of Boston's season-high 24 hits, including two off White Sox infielder Danny Mendick in the ninth inning.
Houck did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and allowed two runs and three hits with nine strikeouts.
P.J. Washington urged the Dallas Mavericks to "stay connected and together" following defeat to the Boston Celtics in their NBA Finals opener.
The Mavs' first championship series since they were crowned champions in 2011 began with a 107-89 loss against the top seeds of this postseason at TD Garden.
It was Dallas' lowest scoring total during the playoffs, while their tally of just nine assists was the fewest in any match this term as they struggled against a strong Boston defense.
"We just have to stay connected [and] stay together," said P.J. Washington. "We are a great team. They are a great team at the end of the day. We're all right. It's only one game. We'll be better for Game 2."
"The ball has got to move a little bit more," added Kyrie Irving, whose 31.6 per cent shooting from the floor was his lowest in 14 career Finals games.
"That starts with me just being able to push the pace, get us some easy opportunities, and just adjust to what they are throwing at us.
"It's a fun series. It was fun going into the game. It's still going to be fun. But there's going to be a level of chess that still has to be played."
Mavs coach Jason Kidd also issued a rallying cry to his players, who he insisted must not be held back by the occasion.
"Give the Celtics credit," he said. "They did a great job defending, making it tough on us.
"I think this is the best team in the NBA, and they are good for a reason. They play their style of basketball at a high rate. Nerves or not being in this situation, we can't use that as an excuse. It's just basketball."
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