THERE'S NO ESCAPE FROM ALCARAZ

Spanish star battles back to beat Sinner in five-set epic and admits: You have to find joy in suffering

- NEIL MCLEMAN

CARLOS ALCARAZ declared: "You have to find the joy in suffering" after battling back to beat new world No.1 Jannik Sinner and reach his first French Open final.

A year ago the Spanish superstar succumbed to cramps and Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals here.

And the Wimbledon champion suffered from a nightmare start and more nerves as the 22-year-old Italian raced to the first set in 40 minutes and then took the third set despite needing treatment for his sore arm.

This slow-burning semi-final between the two young hotshots of the game finally caught fire in the final two sets.

And on the warmest day of the tournament. Alcaraz finally found his hottest form to triumph 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 in four hours and nine minutes.