I'll Beat You in Paris: Sinner

World No. 1's words, said in jest after fourth straight loss to Alcaraz, sets up showdown

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PARIS - Jannik Sinner's dazzling winning streak ground to a halt ahead of the French Open, but the world No. 1's top-notch return from a three-month doping ban suggests he will be the main challenger to Carlos Alcaraz in Paris.

The 23-year-old had won 26 straight matches before losing 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 to Alcaraz in the Italian Open final last weekend.

The defeat also ended a streak of 94 consecutive matches in which he had won at least one set - a run dating back to 2023, when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals.

Sinner agreed to a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) in February and began an immediate three-month suspension, after authorities accepted that the anabolic agent clostebol had entered his system via massages from his physiotherapist.

The three-time Grand Slam champion had not played since winning the Australian Open in January and he viewed the Italian Open as a chance to rebuild his momentum ahead of Roland Garros, which starts on May 25.

Despite failing to get his hands on the trophy, the Italian left Rome with encouraging signs.