Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz LIVE: Masterful Alcaraz wins Italian Open in straight sets
Alcaraz stormed to victory after a tightly-fought second set to silence the Sinner-partisan crowd
Carlos Alcaraz produced a masterful performance to dispatch World No 1 Jannik Sinner and be crowned Italian Open champion for the first time.
There was nothing to separate the pair in the first set as both held firm on serve, forcing a tiebreak. Against the home favourite, Alcaraz was able to register three mini-breaks to win the tiebreak 7-5.
Sinner then began to unravel as the second set got underway, unable to penetrate any winners beyond Alcaraz as the Spaniard broke twice to storm into 5-0 lead.
While Sinner was able to avoid a bagel, Alcaraz ensured there was no capitulation and sealed the straight sets victory, beating Sinner 7-6 6-1 to silence the Rome crowd.
Follow all the action from Rome in our live blog below:
Report: Carlos Alcaraz beats home-favourite Jannik Sinner again to win Italian Open
Carlos Alcaraz defeated top-ranked Jannik Sinner 7-6 (5), 6-1 to win his first Italian Open on Sunday and add another big clay-court title to his resume.
Since the start of last year, Alcaraz is the only player to beat Sinner more than once and now he's done it four straight times.
Alcaraz's victory before Sinner's home fans at the Foro Italico snapped the Italian's 26-match winning streak, which stretched back to October — when Alcaraz beat him in the China Open final in a third-set tiebreaker. Alcaraz now leads the career series 7-4.
Alcaraz beats home-favourite Sinner again to win Italian Open
Jannik Sinner does himself proud on his return
For someone who hadn’t competed in three months, Sinner didn’t look like he’d missed a step.
Alcaraz may have been too good on the day, but the World No 1 can take comfort from a strong campaign in Rome.
On to Roland Garros.
Carlos Alcaraz has eyes on Roland Garros
“I am just really happy to get my first Rome. I am hoping it will not be the last one,” said the Spaniard. “All eyes are on Paris now.
“Everyone is really focused. Beating Jannik, a win in Rome, both things mixed together give you a great confidence ahead of Paris.
“It is not about just playing in finals, it is about winning. I repeat that to myself.”
“This tournament is really really beautiful.”
No getting past Carlos Alcaraz
If any point sums up that second, it’s this. A brick wall.
Carlos Alcaraz gives props to the Italian crowd
“You were really respectful to me and when I wasn’t playing against Italian players, it was like playing at home,” Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard also congratulated the Italians for the great period of tennis the country is now enjoying, spearheaded by the likes of Sinner and Musetti.
Great sports, the pair of them.
Masterful Carlos Alcaraz dispatches Jannik Sinner in straight sets
GAME, SET & MATCH! Jannik Sinner 6-7 1-6 Carlos Alcaraz*
CARLOS ALCARAZ IS THE ITALIAN OPEN CHAMPION!
And that’s how you win it - another sublime drop shot forces Sinner to the net, and while the Italian is able to get a return over the net, Alcaraz is there to volley into the open court.
He was just too good for the World No 1. What a performance!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments