World no. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed the inaugural Six Kings Slam title after besting world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. The world’s best players played another entertaining final, with the Italian prevailing after two hours and 20 minutes following a single break on his tally in the decider. Thus, Jannik extended his incredible run in 2024 and conquered $6,000,000, the most impressive prize money in tennis history!
What do the numbers tell us?
Sinner kept his composure after dropping the opening set, losing serve two times from as many break points offered to Alcaraz and keeping the pressure on the other side. Carlos could not endure it and earn another win over his great rival in 2024, struggling behind the initial shot, especially in set number two, and finishing runner-up. Jannik let the 4-1 advantage slip away in the opening set, losing it in a tight tie break but maintaining his determination. He secured three breaks in the second set and gained a boost ahead of the decider. The Spaniard fought well in the first part of the set, saving an early break point and reaching 3-3. However, Sinner stepped in and rattled off the final three games to seal the deal and lift the trophy.
Jannik Sinner, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik makes a better start before Carlos answers
The two-time Major winner made a decisive start and forged a 4-1 lead before the four-time Major champion responded. The Italian drew an error from his rival in the opening game of the encounter for a hold at love. Alcaraz responded with a fine attack in the second game, closing it with a volley winner and getting his name to the scoreboard. World no. 1 clinched the third game with an ace and made a push on the return in the next one.
Carlos sprayed a forehand error and faced three break points, losing serve after Jannik’s forehand crosscourt return winner. Doing everything right so far, Sinner produced another fine hold in the fifth game and forged a 4-1 advantage in no time. World no. 2 held in the sixth game and made a push on the return in the next one, earning a break chance after the rival’s forehand error. Carlos caused Jannik’s mistake with a fine attack, pulling the break back and erasing the deficit. The Spaniard defended a break point in the eighth game with a forehand winner and held, locking the result at 4-4.
Carlos Alcaraz, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
The opening set reaches a thrilling enclosure
There were no break points in the remaining games, with two rivals heading toward a tie break. Sinner ended his downfall with a hold in game nine and made a push on the return in the next one after reaching three deuces. Alcaraz avoided break points and closed the game with a forced error, leveling the score at 5-5 and increasing the drama. The 11th game got to deuce before the Italian cracked a forehand down the line winner for a hold and a 6-5 advantage. Carlos served to stay in the set in game 12 and brought it home at love after a fine hitting, introducing a tie break.
World no. 1 missed a backhand in the third point and experienced a mini-break in the next one after a careless shot from his left wing. The Spaniard landed a serve & volley combo in the seventh point for 5-2 before losing a point on serve at 5-4, bringing his opponent back to the positive side. Alcaraz generated a set point with a service winner at 5-5 and converted it after Sinner’s backhand error, wrapping up the opener in 66 minutes.
Jannik Sinner, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik bounces back in the second set
As many times this season, the Italian made a fresh start in the second set and grabbed an early break that gave him momentum. He closed the second game with an ace and stepped in on the return in the next one. Jannik created a break chance after Carlos’ backhand error and caused another mistake from the rival’s left wing, delivering a break and moving 3-1 in front. Sinner landed a service winner in the fifth game, cementing the advantage and settling into a fine rhythm. The Spaniard experienced more issues behind the initial shot in the fifth game, playing against four break points.
He saved them and held, remaining within one break deficit and gathering momentum. World no. 1 lost his focus a bit, playing wayward forehands in the sixth game and experiencing a break at love, bringing his rival back to 3-3. Instead of building on that, Alcaraz played a terrible forehand on the second break point in the seventh game, losing serve and falling 4-3 behind. Jannik confirmed it with a hold at love and pushed again on the return at 5-3. He drew Carlos’ error for two set points and seized the first after the Spaniard’s backhand mistake, leveling the overall score and gathering a boost ahead of the decider.
Jannik Sinner & Carlos Alcaraz, Six Kings Slam 2024© Stream screenshot
Jannik seals the deal with a single break in the decider
World no. 1 provided five comfortable holds in the final set and emerged at the top with a strong run at 3-3. Alcaraz denied a break point in the second game and grabbed the fourth with a service winner for 2-2, remaining on the positive side. The Italian secured the fifth game with an ace and moved 4-3 up with another unreturned serve. The Spaniard could not follow that pace and extend his chances, placing a backhand wide in the eighth game and offering his opponent two break chances. World no. 2 hit a double fault on the second, losing serve and propelling Sinner closer to the finish line. Jannik served for the title at 5-3 and made no errors, holding at love with a forehand drive-volley winner and taking home the biggest prize money in tennis history.
