France, June 9 -- Carlos Alcaraz saved three match points as he came from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner and retain his French Open title.

The epic finished 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 after five hours and 29 minutes on centre court.

Alcaraz pulled off his salvage operation when Sinner, up two sets to one, led 5-3 in the fourth set.

The 22-year-old Spaniard fell to 0-40 on his serve as Sinner appeared to have a clasp on the Coupe des Mousquetaires perched just behind him on the ledge of the presidential tribune at the Roland Garros Stadium.

But Alcaraz refused to yield. For a brief moment in legend, control replaced flamboyance allowing him to claw his way back and force Sinner to serve for match.

The 23-year-old, who lost to Alcara...