Carlos Alcaraz won the Italian Open on Sunday by defeating his rival Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in the final. This victory sends a strong message ahead of the French Open, which starts next weekend.
Alcaraz, who will move up to world number two behind Sinner on Monday, has now won three titles this season. This was his fourth final of the year and he’ll head to Roland Garros ready to defend his title.
Even though Sinner is currently top of the world rankings, Alcaraz ended his 26-match winning streak. He’s also the only player to have beaten Sinner in a final this year – their last meeting was at the China Open final in 2023.
Alcaraz, 22, has been in great form on clay courts, despite missing the Madrid Open due to a thigh injury. His win in Rome gives him a second Masters 1000 title this year, after winning in Monte Carlo. He also made it to the final in Barcelona.
For Sinner, finishing second in his first tournament back after a ban is still a good result. He was suspended for three months last year after twice testing positive for clostebol. However, it was accepted that the positive tests were due to accidental contamination.
Sinner had hoped to become the first Italian man to win in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976. However, the dream didn’t come true this time.
On the women’s side, Jasmine Paolini made history by winning both the singles and doubles titles in Rome. She and her partner Sara Errani beat Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-5. Paolini had earlier beaten Coco Gauff in straight sets, becoming the first Italian woman to win the singles title since 1985.
