Best of three

Alcaraz, 21, becomes youngest man to achieve a trifecta of Grand Slam titles on different surfaces

As Carlos Alcaraz began constructing his comeback against Alexander Zverev in Sunday's French Open final, there arrived the sort of magical shot the Spaniard is making a regular part of his varied repertoire.

It was a running, then sliding, down-the-line, untouchable forehand passing winner that Alcaraz celebrated by thrusting his right index finger overhead in a "No 1"sign, then throwing an uppercut while screaming, "Vamos!"

No, he is not ranked No 1 at the moment — the man he beat in the semifinals, Jannik Sinner, makes his debut at the top spot on Monday — but Alcaraz has been there before and, although a "2" will be beside his name next week, there is little doubt that he is as good as it gets in men's tennis right now. And, with his 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Zverev to claim a first championship at Roland Garros and third Grand Slam title in all, more accomplished than any man ever was at his age.