Carlos Alcaraz produced a commanding performance to defeat Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 in the Italian Open final, denying the home crowd a dream ending in Rome.
Tight first set swings Alcaraz’s way
Sinner, playing his first tournament since a three-month doping suspension, started strong. He earned two set points at 6-5 on Alcaraz’s serve but failed to convert either. Alcaraz capitalised in the tiebreak with two crucial aces and sealed the set 7-5.
Alcaraz dominates the second set
The second set was one-sided. Alcaraz quickly raced to a 5-0 lead, showing his full range of power and control. Sinner struggled to respond as Alcaraz closed out the match with ease.
The Foro Italico crowd, mostly backing Sinner, had little to cheer as their favourite faded. Despite the support, the Italian couldn’t shift the momentum once Alcaraz found his rhythm.
Key stats and historic context
Alcaraz’s win ends Sinner’s 26-match winning streak. That run stretched back to October, when Alcaraz also beat him in the China Open final. The Spaniard now leads their head-to-head 7-4.
Italy had hoped for a historic sweep after Jasmine Paolini’s win in the women’s final. However, Adriano Panatta remains the last Italian man to lift the Rome trophy, back in 1976.
Sinner’s controversial return and mixed emotions
Sinner returned to action under scrutiny after a doping-related suspension. The terms of his three-month ban allowed him to miss no Grand Slams and return at his home event.
Thousands of fans turned out in orange, chanting his name before the match. But he couldn’t deliver the title many had hoped for.
“I had chances in the first set, but after that, it got away from me,” Sinner said post-match.
Alcaraz builds momentum for French open
Alcaraz enters Roland-Garros as the clear favourite. This victory marks his third clay-court final of the season, following his title in Monte Carlo and runner-up finish in Barcelona.
He becomes the fifth man to win all three clay Masters 1000 titles—joining Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten, and Marcelo Rios.
Alcaraz also moves back up to world No 2 in Monday’s ATP rankings.