CNN
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Carlos Alcaraz has made sure that the Italian celebrations don’t continue on Sunday.
The Roman crowd had already seen the Italians lift the trophy on Saturday after Jasmine Paolini waited 40 years for a home winner by beating Coco Gouf in the women’s final in straight sets.
However, as the impressive Alcaraz saved two set points when serving 5-6 in the opener, the sinner brushed the sinner aside, sealing the seventh Masters 1000 title as the historic Italian saved two set points.
“I’m so happy to have my first Rome (title) and hopefully it won’t be the last one,” said Alcaraz, according to the ATP.
“The first thing I want to say is that I’m really happy that Janik is back at this incredible level. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him to come back three months later and make the Masters 1000 final in the first tournament.
“It’s insane, so I have to congratulate him.”
The defeat ended the 26-match unbeaten run for the sinner, losing to Alcalaz in the final of the China Open in October 2024.
Thinner has been playing in his first tournament since winning the Australian Open in January after serving a three-month ban on doping, but the 23-year-old is already close to his best.
The form of the winner of the three Grand Slams in Rome, especially during the demolition of Casperudo in the quarterfinals, makes Alcalaz’s victory even more eye-catching, especially as the Spaniard was forced to withdraw from his first round match in Madrid due to injuries last month.
There are no indications of adduction issues that have prevented him from playing in his home Masters tournament, and Alcaraz says he has “a great confidence” towards this week’s French Open.
“I’m proud of myself, in the way I approached the game mentally,” Alcaraz said. “Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point to the last point.
“I didn’t roller coaster, I was really proud of what it is today because I was on my good level throughout the game.
“Now, all eyes are in Paris, Roland Garros. Became Janique, win Rome, and both are blending together to give him confidence to go to Paris.
“I always say: ‘The final is not about playing, the final is about winning.'” I repeat the approach every time I play the final. ”