Top seed Jannik Sinner teed up the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz that many expected after edging past Novak Djokovic in a tense last-four contest.
Italy’s Sinner won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to end Djokovic’s hopes of winning a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, 38, looked emotional as he put his racquet bags down on Court Philippe Chatrier and waved farewell to an adoring crowd.
Defending champion Alcaraz moved into his second successive Roland Garros final after eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final earlier on Friday.
Sinner, playing only his second tournament back after a three-month ban for failing two doping tests, meets the Spanish second seed on Sunday.
The pair were the clear favourites before the clay-court Grand Slam tournament and will now write another chapter in their developing rivalry.
Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 when Italy’s Musetti, aiming to reach his first major final, was forced to end the match early.
“It’s never fair. I want to win but not like this,” said Alcaraz.
Age is clearly catching up with Djokovic – but the nature of this defeat showed just how much he still offers at the top of the game.
The Serb was aiming to become the oldest Grand Slam men’s singles champion by lifting the trophy on Sunday for a fourth time.
Djokovic’s quality and fight enabled him to stay within touching distance of the 23-year-old Sinner, who has taken the reins as the world number one.
