Sinner Has An Aura: Alcaraz

Top-ranked Italian, meanwhile, calls world No. 2 'the man to beat' at Roland Garros

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PARIS - Carlos Alcaraz will arrive at Roland Garros brimming with confidence after taking down rival Jannik Sinner in Rome, but the defending champion expects the Italian to be an even tougher proposition after shaking off the rust following his doping ban.

The resurgent Alcaraz, who climbed back to world No. 2 this week after his Italian Open victory, has been placed in the opposite half of the draw from top-ranked Sinner, creating the possibility of another thrilling championship match between two of tennis' most exciting young talents.

Alcaraz has won 15 of 16 matches on clay this season, triumphing at Monte Carlo and reaching the Barcelona final, before going all the way in Rome after missing the Madrid Open with a thigh injury.

He has gained the upper hand against Sinner recently, emerging victorious in their last four encounters to establish a 7-4 lead in their head-to-head record, including a five-set triumph in the 2024 French Open semi-finals.

His success on May 18 ended Sinner's run of 26 successive victories.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz believes the challenge of playing Sinner brings the best out of him.