Jannik Sinner started poorly against Tommy Paul in Rome before recovering to win in three sets.
The Italian star produced one of the best performances of his career in the quarterfinals when Sinner beat Casper Ruud 6-0, 6-1.
Many expected him to do the same in his semi-final match, but after the first set, it looked like he’d be on the receiving end of such a beating, as he trailed Paul 1-6.
Bouncing back, Sinner won the second 6-0, clawing back the momentum in a compelling semi-final clash.
The world number one proved too much for the American in the end, with Sinner winning 1-6, 6-0, 6-3, to book his place in the final.
Following the match, Sinner explained why he struggled as much as he did during the first set of his Italian Open semi-final.
Jannik Sinner says he struggled with the ‘completely different’ conditions against Tommy Paul
During his on-court interview, Sinner highlighted the biggest issue he struggled with in the first set against Paul.
“The conditions were completely different,” he said.
“It’s much colder today. The ball was a bit heavier. I struggled with that a little bit.
“He broke me straight away, so that was a punch to my face, but I tried to stay there.
“Mentally, I tried to understand what might work a little bit better. I stayed there in the first set, winning this one game for me was very important, and tennis can change quickly.
“That’s what I said with Casper [Ruud]. If I lose that game there, it’s a tough fight, and today I showed this. Every moment is very crucial.”
Sinner then looked ahead to the final, where he’ll take on his biggest rival, Carlos Alcaraz.
“I am very happy about that and happy to be here in the final. If I want to win on Sunday, I need to play my best tennis, that’s for sure,” he said.
“Carlos [Alcaraz] played some incredible tennis today, so let’s see what is coming, but from my side, incredible to be in the final.”
Alcaraz beat Lorenzo Musetti in a scrappy semi-final earlier on Friday, a match that will be best remembered for the large number of unforced errors made.
The wind affected both players, as Alcaraz made 39 unforced errors, two fewer than Musetti who made 41.
Alcaraz and Sinner will be competing in their first Italian Open final on Sunday, as both players look to add a fifth unique Masters 1000 title to their trophy cabinets.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Masters 1000 titles
- Indian Wells (2023, 2024)
- Miami Open (2022)
- Monte-Carlo Masters (2025)
- Madrid Open (2022, 2023)
Jannik Sinner’s Masters 1000 titles
- Miami Open (2024)
- Canadian Open (2023)
- Cincinnati Open (2024)
- Shanghai Masters (2024)
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious as two of the biggest names on the ATP Tour resume their rivalry in Rome.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s tennis rivalry
Sinner and Alcaraz’s rivalry began six years ago in Alicante, Spain, at a Challenger Tour event.
In a thrilling match that set the tone for what was to come, Alcaraz prevailed in three sets, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
They played their first ATP Tour match two years later in Paris, Bercy, where Alcaraz won again before Sinner took victory in Wimbledon (2022), and Croatia (2022).
Later that same year, the pair played their first true classic in the quarterfinals of the US Open.
In a match of the highest quality, Alcaraz saved a match point before coming through to win 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
Fans had to wait two more years for another Grand Slam showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner, but it was more than worth the wait when they took to the court at the French Open last year.
With both players looking to advance to their first Roland Garros final, the Spaniard and Italian produced another memorable instalment of their rivalry.
Just as he did in New York two years earlier, Alcaraz trailed 1-2 before battling back to win in five sets.
They’ve played just once since, in the final of the 2024 China Open last October.
Again, it was the 22-year-old who prevailed when Alcaraz beat Sinner, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, clinching his 16th tour-level title.
On the whole, it’s been Alcaraz who’s had the edge in the crucial moments of his rivalry with Sinner and leads the head-to-head 6-4.
Sinner will want to turn things around in the final, where he’ll no doubt feel the support of his home crowd on Stadio Centrale.
Alcaraz and Sinner will battle it out for the 2025 Italian Open title on Sunday, May 18.
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