French Open 2023: Real thriller between Altmaier and Sinner

Anyone who has watched this match from start to finish is shaken up, carried away and wipes their eyes at the end. What had happened is almost impossible to believe. On paper, things were clear: Jannik Sinner from South Tyrol was the clear favorite. The number 9 in the world rankings was one of the clear favorites for the tournament, as he has already won several tournaments and made life difficult for many a great champion on the tennis court. On the other hand, a relatively unknown Daniel Altmaier from Germany had played his way into the second round. Daniel has been a professional since 2014, which means he has been playing for almost 10 years, but he has never made it beyond 53rd place in the world rankings, and he has yet to win a tournament on the ATP Tour. So it was clear: Daniel Altmaier is the underdog with little chances and Jannik Sinner would easily and confidently move into the third round today. The match was set. And so the match went in Jannik Sinner's favor, as he immediately won the first set, but he certainly would not have imagined it to be so tough. Altmaier showed ambition and stubbornness and managed to win the second set in a tie-break. Now, to everyone's surprise, the set was tied. It was clear that Sinner now stepped up a gear and swept the dear Daniel off the court with a clear 6:1. Now the matter seemed clear. The favorite had shown the underdog who is master on the court. Now it seems that Jannik is done for. At 5:4, 40:40, Jannik Sinner got two advantages and two match points for the final victory. But Daniel Altmaier manages to turn the whole thing around, as unbelievable as it seems. He fends off both match points and takes the 5:5 and then the fourth set. Now the momentum has turned. And now he probably senses the morning air. This could be his big chance. He continues to play his solid baseline game and both players keep making mistakes. Both break each other, one takes the game from the other, nerve-racking, until it is 5:5. Now the German Sinner breaks again and the score is 6:5 for Altmaier. He now serves and has the match in his hands. He plays the set almost confidently at 0:40 for Altmaier and has three match points to win. More than an hour ago, exactly the opposite was the case. And you wouldn't believe it, Jannik Sinner can catch up to 40:40 and now it turns to the other side again. Sinner could save himself into the tie-break and decide the match for himself there. So the match goes back and forth. Altmaier gets a fourth match point and Sinner fends it off and again threatens to equalize the set and enter the tie-break of the fifth set. But on the 5th match point, luck is on Daniel Altmaier's side and he finally gets the victory he deserves. Altmaier cries out and later bursts into tears, he almost can't believe it himself. Thanks to a lot of fighting spirit, perseverance and heart, the German underdog manages to throw the favorite out of the tournament and wins the recognition and hearts of the spectators.