Carlos Alcaraz says what was ‘really disappointing’ about his match against Jannik Sinner in the Six Kings Slam final

Follow us on Google Discover

The Six Kings Slam final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner was not the thriller fans were anticipating it would be.

In their first clash since the US Open final, Sinner earned a straight-set victory over Alcaraz, winning 6-2, 6-4 to hoist the title and take home $6 million in prize money.

The Italian completed a flawless run at the exhibition event, held in Saudi Arabia, having not dropped a set throughout the tournament.

Sinner dominated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals and swept aside Novak Djokovic just as comfortably in the final four.

It was a remarkable campaign for the hard-court specialist, who earned revenge against Alcaraz after losing the final at Flushing Meadows.

For the Spaniard, though he still holds a 10-5 lead in their head-to-head, it’s a small reminder that the rivalry is in no danger of becoming one-sided.

Carlos Alcaraz reacts to his performance in the Six Kings Slam final

In his post-match press conference, the world number one admitted he was nowhere near his best against Sinner in the final.

Alcaraz said: “I tried to compete. The first set was really disappointing for myself, and after the first set, I just told myself, okay, go out there and try to compete.

“It’s your best strategy. Improve your game. I was making a few mistakes. My shots didn’t hurt him at all.

“It was really difficult for me to find a way. I served better. I played a little bit better [in the second set], but it wasn’t enough.

“But you know, I think this match is going to give me great feedback for when I come back home and practice.

“The way and the things that I have got to practice before the next tournament. I will try to get the best feedback that I can from this match.”

Jannik Sinner’s next match on the ATP Tour after winning in Riyadh

Following his victory at the Six Kings Slam, Sinner will head to Europe for the Vienna Open, one of the final ATP 500 events of the season.

There, he will be seeded first and has a favourable path to the final, despite tricky potential clashes en route with Alexander Bublik and Alex de Minaur.

Among the top stars competing at the Vienna Open are Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Lorenzo Musetti.

In Sinner’s opening match of the tournament, he will face Daniel Altmaier, whom he overcame in straight sets recently at the Shanghai Masters.

Altmaier has emerged victorious over the four-time major champion in the past, however, coming out on top in their five-set thriller at the 2023 French Open.