Alcaraz and Sinner renew rivalry – Second Serve

Alcaraz and Sinner renew rivalry – Second Serve

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BBC Tennis reporter Jonathan Jurejko discusses the conflict between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the most recent issue of Second Serve, our weekly tour snapshot.

An exciting rivalry can be transformed into a powerful, lasting duel transcending the sport due to a number of factors.

the main talent. the personality fusion. the thrilling encounters on the biggest stages.

All of those elements are present in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’ tussle, which is ranked one and two in the men’s game.

The most crucial component is that each player is being pushed to a higher height by the other, which is also present.

In the final of the Italian Open, Sinner and his rivalry came back after receiving a three-month ban for failing two doping tests. It was fitting to bring an end to the men’s singles competition.

Italy’s Sinner won their seventh meeting with a victory over Spain’s Alcaraz, who had more matches in the tank to benefit from.

Sinner, 23, has won 85 of his 92 matches and won nine titles as the ATP’s dominant player for the past 18 months.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner pose with their Italian Open trophiesGetty Images

Alcaraz is aware that Sinner, who was on a 26-match winning streak heading into the Rome final, needs to move somewhere else.

The 22-year-old Spaniard is a talented and occasionally flashy shot-maker who can lose concentration and miss the target.

A disciplined performance against Sinner did not accomplish that.

Alcaraz later said, “It’s impossible to beat him if I don’t play at my best.”

“That’s why I’m more focused when I’m playing against him, or I feel a little different when I’m facing him,” I said.

Everyone was anticipating the final many in the sport had hoped for.

And it was yet another enthralling reminder of how the Alcaraz and Sinner rivalry, which the ATP Tour has long hoped will fill the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic void, could be a blockbuster for years to come.

Alcaraz continued, “I’m not going to say I’m feeling like when Rafa and Roger are playing.”

“But I think our energy is different when we face off from other players,” I feel.

A graphic showing the words Talking Point next to a tennis ball
  • Although it was never going to be a long-term arrangement, many people were surprised to learn that Andy Murray’s coaching stint with Novak Djokovic ended before the French Open and Wimbledon.
  • Italian fans have been anticipating a victory in Rome’s home singles competition for 40 years. That run was ended on Saturday by a jubilant Jasmine Paolini.
A graphic showing the words 'Movers & Shakers' next to arrows pointing diagonally up and down
Iga Swiatek had a lot of ranking points to defend, and it couldn’t have gone much worse for the four-time French Open champion. At the start of the clay-court match, we discussed how.

Swiatek will be seeded outside of the top four at Roland Garros, having fallen to fifth place in the WTA rankings.

Aryna Sabalenka leads the WTA rankings, followed by Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Iga Swiatek
Alcaraz moved up one place to reach eighth in the ATP rankings, while Lorenzo Musetti, who lost to the Spaniard in the semi-finals, moved up another spot.
Jannik Sinner still leads the ATP rankings, followed by Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper
A graphic showing the words 'Brit-watch' next to a magnifying glass which has the British flag inside it

Simply put, call her “Clay-tie.”

After winning the WTA 125 title on the red dirt, Katie Boulter rebranded as a “her” self.

The 28-year-old has struggled to adapt her aggressive baseline game to the highest level because of her limited experience in clay.

Boulter will become more confident before the French Open, where she is still aiming to win a main-drawn match, if she wins the Paris tournament on a tier below the main WTA Tour.

After her run to the Rome final 16, where Gauff showed the gap between the Briton and the world’s top players, Raducanu has risen to 43rd.

By reaching the quarter-finals in the Italian capital, Jack Draper once more demonstrated how powerful he is becoming as a clay player.

In the final stages of the men’s doubles, Britain actively participated.

A graphic showing the words 'Coming Up' next to a calendar that has tennis balls on it

Bonjour Paris ! Before Sunday’s main draw begins, the majority of the leading players will leave the competition for Roland Garros.

However, there are options for playing in tournaments for those who feel like they need a little more match practice.

Novak Djokovic will compete in Geneva’s ATP 250 match, while Jessica Pegula and Raducanu will compete in Strasbourg’ WTA 500 event. Alexander Zverev will travel to Hamburg.

The qualifying events begin on Monday for those who are not ranked high enough to gain direct entry to the French Open.

Any inquiries?

Second Serve will take a break from the French Open before making a return appearance on June 9th.

Have any burning tennis questions you’d like us to respond to in the interim?

Our Ask Me Anything team will be able to connect you with a network of contacts, including our experts and pundits, by submitting your questions below.

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Source: BBC

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