Alcaraz ends Sinner’s streak to win Italian Open

Jannik Sinner’s 26-match winning streak was ended by Carlos Alcaraz in the Italian Open final, 7-6, 6-1.

Sinner hoped to become the first Italian men’s singles champion since Adriano Panatta in 1976 when he competed in his first tournament since receiving a three-month doping ban.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz was a class above in the second set, only needing 33 minutes to defend the title after edging a tense tie-break.

In the first set, Sinner scored two set points before falling wide in the backhand to let defending French Open champion Alcaraz go.

The 22-year-old Spaniard won the match with a cross-court volley at the net to seal the title.

Alcaraz expressed his satisfaction with his first Rome title, saying, “hopefully it won’t be the last one.”

“First of all, I want to let you know that I’m really happy Jannik is back at this incredible level.

I have to congratulate him because I know it wasn’t easy for him to come back after three months and make the final is insane.

“I’m proud of myself for how I mentally handled the match.” I believe I played fairly well from the beginning until the end.

Sinner won the China Open final against Alcaraz in October, continuing his winning streak.

There have been some difficult months, according to Sinner.