Staff Reporter.
Carlos Alacaraz beat world number one Jannik Sinner 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday (18 May) to claim his third title of the 2025 season.
Since the start of last year, Alcaraz is the only player to beat Sinner more than once, and now he has done it four straight times.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz dictated play in the second set, taking a commanding 5-0 lead after breaking the Italian in the second and the fourth games.
It was all over after one hour and 45 minutes. Sinner had not lost in straight sets in his last 94 matches while Alcaraz is the first player to win 30 matches this season.
“Just proud about myself, the way that I approached the match mentally. Tactically think I did it pretty well from the first to the last point,” Alcaraz said. “I maintained my level during the whole match.”
It was Sinner’s first tournament back after a three-month doping ban.
“I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level,” Alcaraz said. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him coming back from three months without playing. Making the final here is something insane.”
Alcaraz also solidified his status as the favorite to defend his title at the French Open, which starts next Sunday.
Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, will move back up to No. 2 in the rankings Monday after his third final in three clay-court events this season. He won the Monte Carlo Masters and finished runner-up in the Barcelona Open before withdrawing from the Madrid Open because of injury.