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Italy\u2019s Jannik Sinner dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz \u200b7-6(5) 6-3 in Sunday\u2019s Monte Carlo final to claim his first Masters title on clay and snatch back the world \u200cnumber one ranking from the Spaniard.<\/p>\n
The victory capped a remarkable run for Sinner, who became just the second player to win the Sunshine Double and Monte Carlo in the same season \u2014 a feat previously achieved only by Novak Djokovic in 2015.<\/p>\n
It marked Sinner\u2019s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 crown \u200bfollowing triumphs in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, and his eighth Masters title overall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came here just trying to \u200bget as many matches as possible before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a \u2060very high level from both of us,\u201d Sinner said in an on-court interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a bit windy, breezy \u2014 completely \u200bdifferent conditions the tournament has brought until today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result is amazing, getting back to number one means a lot to me. \u200bAt the same time, as I always say, the ranking is secondary. I\u2019m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last time the pair met was nearly five months ago when Sinner beat Alcaraz in the ATP Finals title clash \u200band fans had been eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of the \u2018Sincaraz\u2019 rivalry.<\/p>\n
Playing in blustery conditions, \u200bboth players struggled initially as they traded early breaks until Alcaraz found his groove first, unleashing winners past Sinner when he caught \u200cthe \u2060Italian wrong-footed on the baseline on a few occasions.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz also used the disguised drop shot to good effect to catch Sinner off guard but breaking serve proved elusive for both as they battled the wind.<\/p>\n
Sinner was forced to work hard while trailing 6-5 but he held his nerve to force a tiebreak where his first serve proved decisive, clinching the \u200bopener when Alcaraz double-faulted on \u200bset point.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz struck early \u2060in the second set, consolidating a break to lead 3-1 with a couple of impressive returns that had the fans leaping to their feet.<\/p>\n
However, Sinner found his second wind and \u200breeled off four straight games to turn the match on its head and serve \u200bfor the title.<\/p>\n
Sinner \u2060made no mistake on serve and as Alcaraz made an error on championship point, the Italian celebrated the biggest claycourt title of his career before embracing his rival at the net.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s impressive what you are achieving right now\u2026 Just one man in \u2060the Open \u200bEra won the Sunshine Double and then Monte Carlo, and you \u200bare the second one to achieve it,\u201d Alcaraz said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something incredible and I just experienced how difficult it is to make that happen. So congratulations \u200bfor everything, for the work you are doing with your team.\u201d<\/p>\n