Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz added a new chapter in their rivalry in the Italian Open final.
Sinner was beaten by Alcaraz in straight sets in the final in Rome, as he concluded his return tournament as runner-up.
Despite the score seeming to suggest it was a straightforward match, Sinner did have opportunities in the first set.
As a result of his latest victory, Alcaraz has won four consecutive matches against Sinner to create an advantage in their head-to-head.
Jannik Sinner should still serve as a warning to Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz now leads Sinner in their head-to-head with seven victories to four, having more victories over the world number one on both hard and clay courts.
The last time that Sinner beat Alcaraz was at the China Open in 2023, having been unable to beat his rival last year.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2021 | Paris Masters (R32) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 7-6(1) 7-5 |
| 2022 | Wimbledon (R16) | Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6-1 6-4 6(8)-7 6-3 |
| 2022 | Croatia Open (F) | Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6(5)-7 6-1 6-1 |
| 2022 | US Open (QF) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 6-3 6(7)-7 6(0)-7 7-5 6-3 |
| 2023 | Indian Wells (SF) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 7-6(4) 6-3 |
| 2023 | Miami Open (SF) | Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6(4)-7 6-4 6-2 |
| 2023 | China Open (SF) | Sinner beat Alcaraz, 7-6(4) 6-1 |
| 2024 | Indian Wells (SF) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 1-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2024 | Roland Garros (SF) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 |
| 2024 | China Open (F) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 6(6)-7 6-4 7-6(3) |
| 2025 | Italian Open (F) | Alcaraz beat Sinner, 7-6(5) 6-1 |
However, this is not the first time that Sinner has had a difficult period in a rivalry, with Daniil Medvedev very aware of how the Italian can turn things around.
Medvedev won the first six matches in his head-to-head against Sinner, with it taking until that aforementioned China Open tournament for the run to come to an end.
Since Medvedev’s dominance in their head-to-head was ended, Sinner has won eight out of their last nine meetings.
This is something that Alcaraz will be well aware of, especially as many of his recent meetings with Sinner have gone into a deciding set.
When could Jannik Sinner play Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros?
Roland Garros is the next tournament on the horizon for both Sinner and Alcaraz, with potentially huge stakes on the line.
Being the first and second seeds, Sinner and Alcaraz can only play at Roland Garros if both players reach the final like at the Italian Open.
Alcaraz is the defending champion at Roland Garros, while Sinner has a best result of reaching the semi-finals.
Sinner reached the semi-finals last year, where he was actually beaten by eventual champion Alcaraz in five sets.
The 2025 edition of Roland Garros gets underway on Sunday May 25.
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