Carlos Alcaraz thrashes Jannik Sinner to win maiden Italian Open title against world No. 1 in Rome ahead of French Open defence at Roland-Garros

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Carlos Alcaraz claimed the Italian Open title with a sensational straight-sets victory over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Rome. The Spaniard came past the home favourite 7-6(5) 6-1 in an hour and 45 minutes to win a maiden Italian Open title and tee himself up brilliantly for his French Open defence at Roland-Garros in a week's time. You can stream the French Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Highlights: Alcaraz beats Sinner in Italian Open final

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carlos Alcaraz produced a sublime second-set showing to dispatch world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and win his first Italian Open title in Rome.

Alcaraz, the world No. 3, was playing in his first tournament back since withdrawing from the Madrid Open with muscle injuries, which he blamed on tennis’ tight schedule.

The week before, he had lost the Barcelona Open final to Holger Rune in two sets.

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But here, against the returning home favourite, Alcaraz, sporting a black nasal strip that he first donned back in Rotterdam to aid his breathing, was back to his scintillating self. Just in time, too, with his first French Open defence just a week out.

In a tight first set, both players started cautiously, feeling each other out as the magnitude of the occasion took hold.

They traded service holds throughout the opening exchanges to force a first-set tie-break, but not before Sinner had threatened a late breach of the Alcaraz serve, earning himself two break and set point opportunities in the 12th game.

Alcaraz fended them off superbly to take it to a deciding first-to-seven, which the Spaniard took control of immediately.

He conjured a mini-break in the opening point of the breaker, before supplementing that with a strong hold to go 3-0 up.

He was broken back at 4-3, before the pendulum swung straight back in his favour the following point, regaining him the upper hand as Sinner faltered.

That misstep would give Alcaraz an opportunity to serve out the set, but he was broken by the top seed, only for Sinner to surrender on his own delivery once more and hand the world No. 3 first blood.

Things were far more one-sided in the second, as Alcaraz’s dynamism and match sharpness came to the fore.

He hit 18 winners in a breathtaking second-set display, racing into a 4-0 lead thanks to a double-break where he had lost just one point in two return games.

Sinner regained his serving rhythm momentarily as he notched a tally onto the scoreboard with a serve to love at 5-0, but it was all about Alcaraz as he served out the affair.

Typically, he had to do it the hard way, needing three bites of the cherry to finally earn himself a maiden Italian Open final and move into Roland-Garros in hot form as he prepares for his title defence.

The 22-year-old spoke of his delight post-match, saying: "I'm just really, really happy to get my first Rome [title].

"I hope it's not going to be the last one. I'm really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level. It wasn’t easy for him, coming from three months without playing, and in the first one he plays, making the final for a Masters 1000 here in Rome is something insane.

"I have to congratulate him for a great week. I'm just super happy to see him around again. I’m proud; proud of myself, about the way that I approached the game mentally. Tactically, I did pretty well. I didn't [want] a rollercoaster, so I maintained my good level during the whole match. I’m really, really proud about everything I've done today."

Alcaraz, the four-time Grand Slam champion, emphasised that "all eyes are on Paris" as he returns to the hallowed dirt of Roland-Garros for the first time since his defeat in the Paris 2024 Olympics final by Novak Djokovic.

"Everyone is really focused on that tournament," the Spaniard said.

"Beating Jannik, winning Rome; both things mixed together give you great confidence going into Paris. The final is not about playing the final, it is about winning - to go for it. I repeated that to myself all the time that I'm going to approach a final. I’m really happy.

"I’m going to enjoy this moment with my family, with my team and friends that came from home, and have a few days' rest, just to realise what I achieved. That is important as well and then my focus is on Roland-Garros."

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