Sinner Beats Alcaraz To Win Monte Carlo, Returns To World No. 1

The latest installment in the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry took place on the clay courts in Monte Carlo as the two battled in the finals of the Monte Carlo Masters. It was Sinner who came out on top this time, winning 7-6(5), 6-3 to capture the ATP Masters 1000 title, his first on clay.

“We came here trying to get as many matches as possible, getting good feedback before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a high level from both of us,” said Sinner. “It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament was brought. The result is amazing.”

The title means Sinner joins Djokovic in 2015 as the only men to win the first three ATP Masters 1000 titles in a season, as Sinner completed the Sunshine Double with wins in Indian Wells and Miami last month.

As a result, Sinner moves back into the top spot in the world.

“Getting back to No. 1 means a lot for me,” 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.”

After taking the first set in a tiebreaker, Sinner found himself trailing 1-3 in the second set before digging in his heels and rallying to win the next five games. The windy conditions made it tough for both players, and Alcaraz committed 45 unforced errors as a result.

“I felt close on the return games, and felt the new balls helped me, the ball change was at 1-2 and I just tried to stay there mentally,” Sinner explained. “I tried to keep pushing. I felt a bit tired, so I tried to keep the right mentality, so having this trophy means a lot to me.”

Alcaraz still leads the head-to-head with Sinner 10-7, but the Italian has now won the last two meetings.

“It is impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony. “Just one man had won the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo, and you are now the second. It is something incredible and I just experienced how difficult it is. Congratulations for everything and the work you are doing with your team.”