The Japan Times - Sinner sinks Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1

Sinner downed Alcaraz 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to capture his third ATP 1000 title of the year after completing the "Sunshine Double" last month with victories in Indian Wells and Miami.

The 24-year-old Sinner joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as only the third player to win four successive ATP 1000 titles. He also triumphed in Paris at the end of last season.

"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," Sinner said.

"It was a bit windy, a bit breezy. Different conditions from what the tournament has brought. The result is amazing.

"Getting back to No.1 means a lot for me... I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven't done it before."

It was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italian prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.

Sinner, who is now 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the rankings on Monday.

He has won his last 17 matches and becomes the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the first three ATP 1000 titles of the season.

"It is impressive what you are achieving right now," Alcaraz said to Sinner during the trophy ceremony. "Just one man had won the 'Sunshine Double' and Monte Carlo and you are the second."

Alcaraz had won his past 17 matches on clay, dating back to last season when he lifted titles in Rome and at Roland Garros.

He admitted Sinner performed better when it mattered most on Sunday.

"I would say that the important moments, the important points, I didn't play well. I think I had so much opportunities in the match that I didn't take," said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Sinner pushed a forehand long in blustery conditions, but the Italian broke back in the following game as he gradually found his rhythm.

The Spaniard fought off a break point in the fifth game and three more at 4-4, but Sinner's greater consistency paid off in the tie-break, which he secured when Alcaraz hit a double fault down set point.

- 'Dangerous for everybody' -

Alcaraz won a sensational rally to break Sinner's serve early in the second set, but the second seed continued to pile pressure on his opponent and rallied from 3-1 down, taking the last five games to clinch the biggest clay-court title of his career.

"It was an incredible week," said Sinner, pleased with the smooth transition he made from hard courts.

"I am surprised in a very good way. I guess I still need a little bit of time to realise what happened."

Sinner has hinted he might skip the Madrid Open, where he has no points to defend after missing last year's tournament while serving a three-month doping ban, to focus on his main goal of winning the French Open.

He held three championship points in an epic 2025 Roland Garros final but was unable to convert as Alcaraz mounted a miraculous comeback - though Sinner looks primed for another title challenge.

"I think he's reaching a level on clay that is going to be really dangerous for everybody," said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz will head to Barcelona next week and intends to play a full clay season, health permitting, after injury forced him out of Madrid 12 months ago.

"I hear my body much better than last year, for sure," said Alcaraz. "If my body stays healthy, I'm going to do whatever it takes to be healthy and take care of my body. If I don't have any problems, I will play everything on clay."

M.Yamazaki--JT