Jannik Sinner fights back to set up Italian Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz

ROME – Jannik Sinner is looking to play his “best tennis” as he set up a blockbuster Italian Open final with Carlos Alcaraz by beating Tommy Paul 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 on May 16.

The world No. 1 fought back from a set down in front of a packed crowd to continue his march towards a first title at the Foro Italico.

After a strangely slow start, Sinner again showed good form on centre court where, since returning to action last week from a three-month doping ban, he has taken his unbeaten run to 26 matches.

And the 23-year-old will on May 18 face Alcaraz, with all eyes on another potential final between the pair at the French Open in June.

A win for Sinner against his rival would also see the men’s Rome title go to an Italian for the first time since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

“If I want to win Sunday I have to play one of my best tennis for sure,” said Sinner. “Carlos has played incredible tennis, so let’s see what’s coming but from my side you know incredible to be here in the final.”

Alcaraz booked his place in the showdown by beating Sinner’s countryman Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). The four-time Grand Slam champion overcame Musetti and the windy conditions in just over two hours to reach his fourth final of the season.

“I’m going to have dinner, but my phone is going to be there watching (Sinner’s) match. I have to know against who I’m going to play. I have to watch the match and see how they are going to play,” said Alcaraz after his win.

Musetti was beaten by Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo final in April and fell to his fifth straight loss to the Spaniard after a frustrating display.

And he believes that Alcaraz will have the better of it against Sinner if he brings his top form on May 18.

“I really rate Carlos. I think on clay that the best version of Carlos is favourite against anyone... that includes Jannik,” he told reporters.

Sinner had initially looked a shadow of the player who dominated tennis throughout 2024 right up to the start of his suspension, which was agreed with the World Anti-Doping Agency in early February.

But he came roaring back in the second set, finally forcing Paul back with some deep baseline shots and his first aces of the match to win the second set to love and level the match. The Italian, who is playing in his first tournament since capturing the Australian Open title, was up 3-0 in the final set before marching on to reach his seventh ATP Masters 1000 final.

“The conditions were completely different, it’s much colder today and the ball is a bit heavier. I struggled with that a bit,” said Sinner.

“He broke me straight away so that’s a straight punch in my face. But I tried to stay there mentally. Trying to understand what might work better. I stayed there in the first set. Winning that one game for me was very important.”

AFP, REUTERS