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Carlos Alcaraz ended world number one Jannik Sinner’s 26-match winning streak with a 7-6 6-1 win in the Italian Open final.<\/b><\/p>\n
Sinner, playing in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban,<\/a> was hoping to become the first Italian men’s singles winner at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.<\/p>\n But after edging a tense tie-break, four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz was a class above in the second set, needing just 33 minutes to wrap up the title.<\/p>\n Sinner had two set points in the first set but hit a backhand return wide to let defending French Open champion Alcaraz off the hook.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Spaniard took full advantage with some masterful play in the second set, sealing the title with a cross-court volley at the net.<\/p>\n “I’m just really happy to get my first Rome Italian Open results: Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner in straight sets to win title, hopefully it’s not going to be the last one,” said Alcaraz.<\/p>\n “The first thing I want to say is that I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Sinner’s winning run stretched back to October – when Alcaraz beat him in the China Open final.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n