Alcaraz tops Sinner to win Italian Open and send Roland-Garros warning

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain won the Italian Open after sweeping past home favorite Jannik Sinner of Italy 7-6(5), 6-1 in Sunday's final in Rome, firing a warning shot for the upcoming French Open at Roland-Garros.

Alcaraz, who will climb to World No. 2 behind Sinner on Monday, won his third title of the year ahead of the season's second Grand Slam, the French Open, which starts next weekend.

The Spaniard claimed victory in his fourth final of the campaign and sent a message to the rest of the men's tour going into Roland-Garros, where he will defend the title.

Sinner continues to top the world rankings, but his 26-match winning streak was ended by Alcaraz, who was also the last man to beat him in last year's China Open final.

Alcaraz is the only opponent to defeat Sinner in a Tour final since the start of 2024, when his Italian rival began his rise to the top of men's tennis and possession of three Grand Slam titles.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a hugely-impressive clay-court swing this season, despite a thigh injury costing him the opportunity to compete at the Madrid Open.

Alcaraz's victory in Rome secured his second Masters 1000 title of the year, to go alongside his victory at Monte-Carlo last month. He also reached the final in Barcelona.

Finishing as runner-up is still a highly-positive result for Sinner in his first tournament since the end of a three-month ban. The 23-year-old tested positive twice in March 2024 for traces of clostebol, a contamination that doping authorities accepted was accidental.

His progress in Rome also sets up the possibility of another final clash with Alcaraz at Roland-Garros, with the two young stars poised to earn the two top seeds in Paris.

Sinner was gunning to become the first Italian man to win at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta in 1976, but failed to make it a hat-trick of triumphs for home players in the Italian capital.

Earlier, Jasmine Paolini became the first woman since Monica Seles in 1990 to win the Rome singles and doubles titles, as she and Sara Errani beat Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-5.

Paolini secured that brace of victories a day after sweeping past former US Open champion Coco Gauff in straight sets, becoming the first Italian woman to win the Rome singles title since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.