No mercy in Rome as Alcaraz beats Sinner in Italian Open final

Carlos Alcaraz won the Italian Open on Sunday after beating rival Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the final and firing a warning shot for Roland Garros.

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Alcaraz, who will climb to world number two behind Sinner on Monday, won his third title of the season ahead of the French Open which starts next weekend.

The Spaniard claimed victory in his fourth final of the season and sent a message to the rest of the men’s tour for Roland Garros where he will defend the title.

Sinner tops the world rankings but his 26-match winning streak was ended by Alcaraz, also the man who had last beat him in last year’s China Open final.

Alcaraz is the only man to beat Sinner in a tour final since the start of 2024, when his Italian rival began his rise to the top of men’s tennis and three Grand Slam titles.

The 22-year-old has had a hugely impressive clay court swing this season even with the thigh injury which cost him the chance to compete at the Madrid Open.