ATP/WTA: Alcaraz and Paolini conquer Rome

Alcaraz vs Sinner XI

It’s a rivalry ready to launch men’s tennis up to the next level and beyond.

Squaring off for the first time in an ATP Masters 1000 final, this week's world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz extended his winning run over world No.1 Jannik Sinner to four matches in a row with an absorbing 7-6(5), 6-1 scoreboard on Sunday evening.

Sinner, in competitive action for the first time since winning the Australian Open in January, slotted back into the top tier with consummate ease during Rome, holding two set points in the opener, before Alcaraz conjured up some spellbinding tennis to seize control.

The Spaniard snapped Sinner’s 26-match winning streak, which stretched all the way back to October, to send out a dynamite signal of intent ahead of his Roland-Garros title defence.

“Carlos, well done to you and your team. You will definitely be the favourite when we get to Paris,” quipped Sinner during the trophy presentation in front of an ardent home crowd. “You are the strongest player on clay.”

It’s hard to argue against that as Alcaraz has lifted the Monte-Carlo Masters trophy and reached the Barcelona final en route to Rome.

“I’m just really happy to get my first Rome title, hopefully it’s not going to be the last,” said Alcaraz with a smirk, having just captured his seventh Masters trophy courtesy of straight-set wins over Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti and Sinner.

“The first thing I want to say is that I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level.

“I’m proud of myself and the way I approached the game and the match. Mentally, in terms of hitting shots, tactically I think I did it pretty well. I didn’t do a rollercoaster. I maintained my good level the whole match.

“All eyes are on Paris right now. Everyone is focused on that tournament. Beating Jannik, winning Rome - both things together give you great confidence coming to Paris… I’m just really happy.

“I’m gonna enjoy this moment with my family, team, and friends who came from home. A few days of resting just to realise what I’ve achieved. That’s important as well. Then my focus is on Roland Garros.”

Paolini doubles up for “dream” week

Last season Jasmine Paolini broke into the upper echelons with a runner-up spot at Roland-Garros.

A year on and the Italian is making major moves again, this time securing a memorable double at the WTA 1000 Rome on home soil.

Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella watched on from the stands and would have been beaming with pride as Paolini swept aside No.4 seed Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday on Campo Centrale.

In doing so, Paolini’s first ever title on clay means the 29-year-old is the first Italian woman to win Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

"It's pure joy to have this trophy in my hands here in Rome at home," said the three-time WTA titlist.

"It's a dream to win in Rome, of course ... for every kid that's playing in Italy. I'm enjoying the moment. It's an amazing one."

The 2024 season was a campaign of impressive ‘firsts’ for Paolini, who not only reached the Roland-Garros final, but also finished runner-up one month later at Wimbledon.

“I'm trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, it gives me a lot of confidence that I have to remember that, a lot of experience that I have under my belt,” said the career-high world No.4.

“Trying to repeat to myself, ‘Look, remember that last year we did an amazing year.’

“At the same time this year is another year. It's different, completely different story.”

Into Sunday and Paolini, alongside her close friend and compatriot Sara Errani, defended their Rome doubles title. The Italians trailed Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova 0-4 in each set, before completing a 6-4, 7-5 triumph.

It’s another milestone moment for Paolini as the first player to collect both the singles and doubles trophies at a WTA 1000 event since Vera Zvonareva at Indian Wells back in 2009.