Jannik Sinner won the Six Kings Slamtournament played in Saudi Arabia with up for grabs six million dollars. The world no.1 beat his Spanish friend and rival Carlos Alcaraz in the final in three sets with a score of 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. Although it is only an exhibition tournament, today’s match was the most profitable match in history: Sinner will receive 6 million dollars.
The match was beautiful and reached the third set, where the South Tyrolean – who confirms that he deserves the place as number 1 in the world (even if this tournament does not award points) – broke Alcaraz, who was a little less lucid in the end , perhaps due to tiredness. The break in the last set came at 4-4 due to a double fault by the world number 2, with Sinner then serving confidently for the match.
It is Sinner’s first victory against Alcaraz in 2024: he had lost the other three matches, in Indian Wells, in Beijing and at Roland Garros, in the semi-final, a slam then won by the Spaniard. The overall precedents are now 6-4 for the Spaniard.
23:31
Sinner: “I hope our rivalry lasts as long as possible”
“I want to thank everyone who makes this event possible. I will be back again next year. Rivalry with Alcaraz? We try to push each other to the limit. I’m very happy with this, with being able to give 100% every time. We are happy with the show we offered.” So Jannik Sinner after the success at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. “I hope this rivalry can last as long as possible”, added the world number 1.
23:21
Sinner’s first victory of the season over Alcaraz
So far this year Alcaraz had always won: in the semi-finals at Indian Wells and Roland Garros and in the final in Beijing.
23:10
Sinner finishes 6-3 and wins the tournament
Devastating sinner on serve: he finishes with a volley and triumphs in the Six Kings Slam. The South Tyrolean’s first victory of the season over the Spaniard. Fantastic match.
23:07
Sinner breaks: 5-3
Running straight knockout for Sinner: Alcaraz feels the blow and goes haywire. The game ends with a double fault by the Spaniard. 5-3, Sinner serves for the match.
23:04
There are no breaks: 4-3 Sinner
Sinner still holds serve without struggling and takes the lead at 4-3. The weight of the challenge shifts to Alcaraz’s shoulders.
23:00
Another game resolved by the serve: 3-3
Alcaraz holds serve without too much effort. Fatigue begins to emerge.
22:57
Sinner closes with an ace: 3-2
The set follows the trend of the serves: Sinner nails the ace to make it 3-2.
22:52
Alcaraz takes the lead to 2-2
The Spaniard doesn’t concede break points and takes the lead at 2-2. The match is now very balanced.
22:49
Sinner holds serve: 2-1
Rather calm game on serve for Sinner: 2-1.
22:46
Alcaraz cancels a break point: 1-1
Sinner reaches the break point, then Alcaraz shows his pride and makes it 1-1.
22:40
Sinner immediately in the third set: 1-0
Down by 15, then everything was easy for Sinner: 1-0. The n.1 travels at 75% of first serves.
22:35
Sinner wins the second set 6-3
Sinner wins the second set 6-3: the final will be decided in the third game. After Alcaraz’s break, three consecutive games for a very solid Jannik mentally. The match remains very intense.
22:32
Sinner holds serve at zero: 5-3
Sinner extends the set: 5-3 without granting a 15 to Alcaraz.
22:26
Sinner comes back ahead by a break: 4-3
Game of exaggerated beauty: Sinner wins a break point and immediately takes advantage of the opportunity. In between amazing shots on both sides of the court. The match is very real and so is the show.
22:23
Alcaraz breaks without conceding points to Sinner: 3-3
The Spaniard breaks Sinner’s serve, without granting him any points. The second set is back to a draw: 3-3.
22:16
Sinner wastes 4 break points, Alcaraz holds serve even if he remains behind: 3-2
Sinner gets three break points. Alcaraz nullifies the first two with the serve, then the third with a splendid forehand. The blue then wastes another one and Alcaraz remains attached to the set: Sinner serves ahead 3-2
22:13
Sinner does not betray on serve: 3-1 for him in the second set
Same situation as the first, but the blue seems more convinced
22:07
Sinner breaks in the third game and leads 2-1 in the second set
The light goes out for a second, a point that seemed to be in Alcaraz’s control stops: at 30 all Sinner gets a break point. Exploited immediately thanks to a long ball from Alcaraz
22:06
Sinner with personality: 1-1
A delicate return of serve started with a 15 under: then Jannik keeps the situation under control
22:04
Alcaraz starts well in the second set
The Spaniard holds serve despite an angry reaction from Sinner to the loss of the previous set
21:53
Alcaraz wins the first set in the tie-break
Perfect volley by Alcaraz that goes 5-2. Alcaraz scores on Sinner’s serve: 5-3. Short exchange, Sinner shortens again: 5-4. Mini break Sinner: Alcaraz goes to the net but makes a mistake. then service from the Spaniard who goes 6-5 and gets a set point. At the first opportunity Alcaraz scores thanks to an error from the blue
21:49
Tie-break, we go to the pitch with Alcaraz ahead 4-2
Sinner’s heavy serve: 1-0. Alcaraz keeps his shifts and goes 2-1. Mini break Alcaraz: Sinner hits the tape and the ball goes out. Ace of the blue: 3-2. Sinner misses the short ball: 4-2 for the Spaniard
21:46
Alcaraz holds serve to zero: it goes to the tie-break
Short exchange, Sinner misses the measurement: 15-0. Lob from Alcaraz, who scores the smash against Sinner’s frantic defense. 30-0. The Spaniard persists and closes to zero
21:44
Sinner maintains serve: 6-5
Now Alcaraz serves to stay in the set and take it to the tie-break
21:34
Alcaraz stop Sinner: 5-5
Sinner reached by Alcaraz at 5-5 in a hard-fought game. We move forward.
21:26
Sinner ahead 5-4
The level of play remains very high: Sinner holds serve.
21:19
Alcaraz reaches Sinner: 4-4
Alcaraz cancels a break point and returns to parity: 4-4. Great battle, a very real match between the two.
21:17
Alcaraz’s reaction: counterbreak for 3-4
A feeling of pride for the Murcian, who gets the counterbreak and comes within a game of Sinner. Now Alcaraz serves to equalize the game.
21:13
Alcaraz interrupts the series: 4-2
After 3 consecutive games, Alcaraz interrupts the negative streak: the advantage of a break remains for the n.1 ATP.
21:09
Sinner extends further: 4-1
The n.1 ATP dominates the match: 4-1. Alcaraz half in the corner from an extremely aggressive Sinner.
21:04
Break Sinner: 3-1
Sinner breaks serve with two phenomenal points: the South Tyrolean takes the lead at 3-1.
21:01
Sinner comeback from 0-30: 2-1
Sinner takes the game by coming back from 0-30.
20:59
Alcaraz holds serve: 1-1
The Spaniard immediately responds to Sinner and brings himself to a draw.
20:53
Anger parte forte: 1-0
Sinner holds the first round of service scoreless and immediately takes the lead. Jannik has never beaten Alcaraz in 2024.
20:42
Sinner and Alcaraz enter the field
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the Six Kings Slam finalists, enter the court.
20:34
Djokovic: “Don’t leave tennis, Rafa”
“You are an incredible athlete and person. Our rivalry has been very intense, I hope that one day we can have a drink on a beach. I know how many sacrifices are needed in the career of a great champion. It was a pleasure and an honor to share the field with you. It’s a day, an exciting moment. Don’t leave tennis yet, stay with us”: this is how Novak Djokovic addressed Rafael Nadal at the end of the final for third place in the Riad Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament won by the Serbian. Djokovic then addressed the Saudi public: “I have been here twice, I found one of the most passionate audiences, you have shown respect for the players and for this sport”.
20:24
Nadal’s greeting
Nadal awarded with a golden racket: the Spaniard will retire after the Davis Cup finals in Malaga in November.
19:54
Djokovic beats Nadal 6-2 7-6
In the end Djokovic wins: 6-2 7-6: success number 32 in the 61 matches between the two for the Serbian. Djokovic-Nadal is the most played match in the history of tennis.
19:51
The Djokovic-Nadal third place final is underway
Waiting for Alcaraz-Sinner, the challenge for third place in the Six Kings Slam between Nadal and Djokovic.
19:10
Sinner against Alcaraz, the 6 million dollar challenge in Riyadh
Final act of the ‘Six Kings Slam’ between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in Riyadh. It is the 12th match between the two, but it will not be included in the statistics given that it is an exhibition match, albeit a very rich one. At stake for the winner is 6 million dollars, almost double the 3.6 million dollars earned by the US Open champion. An enormity even compared to the loser who will ‘only’ collect the attendance fee that is due to all the participants of the ‘Six Kings Slam’, i.e. 1.5 million.
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