Jannik Sinner heaps pressure on Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Monte Carlo Masters final and first 2026 meeting

Callum Vurley
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:22:31 +0000

Jannik Sinner stormed into the Monte Carlo Masters final on Saturday afternoon, dismantling Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4 in just 83 minutes to set up a highly anticipated showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

The victory marked Sinner's eighth consecutive triumph over the German and extended his remarkable Masters 1000 winning streak to 21 matches, putting him within touching distance of Rafael Nadal's third-longest run of 23.

Sunday's championship match will be the first encounter between the sport's two dominant forces in 2026, with their "Sincaraz" rivalry resuming on the clay courts of Monaco.

The Italian secured his maiden Monte Carlo final appearance before Alcaraz had even stepped onto court for his semi-final against Valentin Vacherot.

The world number one ranking hangs in the balance heading into Sunday's final, with the four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner poised to dethrone Alcaraz should he emerge victorious.

Alcaraz, who claimed the Australian Open earlier this year to become the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam, enters as defending champion in Monaco with seven major titles to his name.

Sinner has been in scintillating form throughout the American hard court swing, capturing both Indian Wells and Miami to complete the Sunshine Double, becoming only the fourth player to reach the final at the season's opening three Masters events.

Sinner wasted no time in heaping pressure on his Spanish rival, delivering a pointed message before Alcaraz had even completed his semi-final.

"These are matches why I practice, why I wake up," Sinner declared. "And it's great to have at least one match before Roland Garros against him. That's for sure a big test for me."

The Italian insisted he approaches Sunday's final without burden, adding: "I have nothing to lose. Coming here and making the final means a lot to me."

Sinner's comments carry particular weight given his French Open ambitions, having squandered three championship points against Alcaraz in last year's Paris final before losing in five sets.

Alcaraz holds a commanding 10-6 advantage in their head-to-head record as the pair prepare for their ninth final against one another.

Both players are chasing their 27th career title on Sunday, though their clay court credentials differ markedly.

The Spaniard boasts two French Open crowns and four Masters 1000 triumphs on the red dirt, whilst Sinner has yet to claim a significant title on the surface.

Alcaraz also dominates their Masters final encounters, leading 5-1 after victories in Rome and Cincinnati last year.

Should Sinner fall short, he will nonetheless reduce the ranking points gap from 1,190 to 690.