Carlos Alcaraz has ended world No 1 Jannik Sinner's remarkable 26-match winning streak with a commanding 7-6 6-1 victory in the Italian Open final.
The four-time Grand Slam champion proved too strong for Sinner, who was competing in his first tournament since serving a three-month doping ban.
The Italian had hoped to become the first home men's singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976 but, in the end, was comprehensively outplayed.
After a tightly contested first set that went to a tie-break, Alcaraz showed his class in the second set, dispatching his opponent in just 33 minutes to claim the title.
Carlos Alcaraz has ended world No 1 Jannik Sinner's remarkable 26-match winning streak with a commanding 7-6 6-1 victory in the Italian Open final
REUTERS
"I'm just really happy to get my first Rome [title], hopefully it's not going to be the last one," said Alcaraz after his victory.
The Spaniard was gracious in victory, adding: "The first thing I want to say is that I'm just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level.
"I'm sure it wasn't easy for him coming back after three months and making the final is something insane, so I have to congratulate him."
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Alcaraz also expressed pride in his performance, saying: "I'm proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally.
"Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one."
He also thanked the Italian crowd for their support throughout the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner pose for photos after the Italian Open final
REUTERS
The match was a tale of two sets, with Sinner having opportunities in the first, including two set points which he failed to convert, hitting a backhand return wide to let Alcaraz off the hook.
After edging the tense tie-break, the 22-year-old Spaniard elevated his game dramatically in the second set, displaying masterful play that his opponent had no answer for.
Alcaraz sealed the title with an elegant cross-court volley at the net.
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Notably, this victory marks the second time Alcaraz has halted Sinner's momentum, having also defeated the Italian in the China Open final last October, which was the last time the Italian had tasted defeat before today.
The victory means Alcaraz will be the favourite heading into the French Open, which starts later this month.
The Spanish tennis star is the defending champion at Roland Garros, having overcome Alexander Zverev in a five-set epic last year.
Carlos Alcaraz is now the clear favourite to win the French Open after crushing Jannik Sinner in Rome
REUTERS
His dominant performance against the world No 1 will only strengthen his credentials as he looks to retain his title in Paris.
Alcaraz's combination of tactical awareness, mental strength and shot-making brilliance was on full display in Rome, suggesting he is hitting peak form at the perfect time ahead of the year's second Grand Slam tournament.
Whether he can Wimbledon for the third year on the trot this summer remains to be seen, too.
