Sinner beats Alcaraz in straight sets in Monte Carlo final to reclaim No. 1 ranking
MONACO (AP) — Jannik Sinner beat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Sunday to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time and reclaim the No. 1 ranking from his biggest tennis rival. “The result is amazing,” Sinner said.
“Getting back to No. 1 means a lot for me. ” Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner met seven-time major winner Alcaraz in their ninth final in what is often called the “Sincaraz” rivalry.
Sinner trimmed Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead to 10-7 in clinching his 27th career title overall and his first Masters title on clay. The 24-year-old Italian will return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings on Monday.
Sinner rallied from 3-1 down in the second set amid blustery conditions at the Monte Carlo Country Club and served out the match, clinching it on his first match point when Alcaraz returned a forehand long. “It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought," Sinner said.
"I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me. ” Alcaraz had won his last 17 matches on clay and praised Sinner. “It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said.