Rome Internationals crown Alcaraz, Sinner loses in two sets

The pace changes in the second set with the first service game going to Alcaraz. Sinner commits the third double fault at the start of his first service game and loses it at 0, leaving the first break to the Spaniard. Alcaraz, having overcome the difficult moment of 15-40 in the first set, basically strings together many winners, starting to dominate the exchanges, with recoveries and shots that are decidedly more powerful and effective than the Italian. Alcaraz quickly takes the lead to 4-0, breaking Sinner's service for the second time, who seems to suddenly be burdened by the fatigue of returning from a three-month disqualification. The more Alcaraz's self-esteem grows, with short balls and crazy defenses, the more Sinner appears drained of energy, especially mental.

Despite the cheering of the Central Jannik Sinner he is unable to react . He takes the lead 1 to 5, but in the end he gives the scepter of Rome to Alcaraz.

Today's final between Sinner and Alcaraz was the third , the second on clay after Umag in 2022. Sinner, who was then world number 10, won 6-7 (5) 6-1 6-1 over his Spanish rival, who was then number 5. That remains at the moment the only title won on clay by Jannik, while Alcaraz has won 9, including the Roland Garros 2024, the Madrid Masters 1000 twice and the Monaco Masters 1000 once. A playing surface that is certainly more favorable to him than, for example, the hard courts of Melbourne and the US Open.

Adriano Panatta remains the last Italian to have won the Internationals in 1976, beating Argentine Guillermo Vilas in the final in four sets: 2-6 7-6 6-2 7-6. In the same year, Panatta also won the Paris Slam at Roland Garros. A double that Alcaraz hopes to repeat.